Full Version: Your opinions
From: LaZerDude (C_BURKE) [#1]
6 Feb 2006
To: ALL
Here is a post I put on the DSSI forum after recieving a phone message from a supplier of sublimation equipment.
What is YOUR opinion?
Today I received a call from a supplier regarding my recent posts about sublimation, ( which suppliers, which equipment etc.)
The message left of my cell phone was in essence
" I saw your post on the forum and I wanted to let you know we carry the Geo Knight Press, Epson 4xxx printers and other supplies. We would like to answer your questions and help set you up with a system."
Again I STRESS that this was not verbatim but close enough.
My question is, is it right and proper for suppliers to use this and other forums as a "farm" for new clients? My knee jerk reaction is NO, but the supplier is one that I have been considering, however I found this a bit unsettling. Should this and other forums be a marketing tool for folks? Or an educational tool?
Enquiring minds want to know.
Thank you for your opinions.
My personal opinion is that is should NOT be a marketing tool.
Just my two cents. Want change? (insert laugh here)
We need some emoticons.
From: Upacreek [#2]
6 Feb 2006
To: LaZerDude (C_BURKE) [#1] 6 Feb 2006
I have no problem if a vendor, who is known for helping people, (for example Brewer Sales and all their Corel & laser suggestions) were to contact me with the intent to help, and by association made a sale later on. That type of vendor has built a reputation of helping people, so I probably wouldn't take offense to the uninvited contact.
This is not the case with your message. That vendor made the call with the intent to make a sale. I personally would not do business with them. Then again, this is yet another reason why my profile is filled out the way it is.
Michel
From: LaZerDude (C_BURKE) [#3]
6 Feb 2006
To: Upacreek [#2] 7 Feb 2006
Michel,
I had never before looked at your profile. Quite interesting.
I tend to agree with you, that I would do business with suppliers that offered their help, as opposed to soliciting my business. You mentioned one. There are many.
Those suppliers that TRULY care about the success of all of us are the ones that in my opinion DESERVE the business and the sale.
Again, just my two cents. Want change?
From: UncleSteve [#4]
7 Feb 2006
To: LaZerDude (C_BURKE) [#1] 7 Feb 2006
"I saw your post and would be happy to help you. We sell ........... and should be able to put together a package that will work for you. If you would like us to call you, just let us know!"
I would have no problem with it. A direct sales CALL is a bit different and pushy in my opinion.
From: JHayes55 [#5]
7 Feb 2006
To: LaZerDude (C_BURKE) [#3] 7 Feb 2006
Chuck - How in the world did they get your cell phone number? I admit this is a bit aggressive marketing - as someone said, a pm or email would have been a better touch. I like having suppliers active on the forum but I think a nice note - via something other than my cell or business phone works best for a first contact.
Chuck what day do you arrive in LV?
From: Engravin' Dave (DATAKES) [#6]
7 Feb 2006
To: LaZerDude (C_BURKE) [#1] 7 Feb 2006
Chuck,
I think a less invasive approach is more in style with the vendors I prefer to deal with. It is okay to use the forum for potential leads, that's just smart business. How you address that lead is what separates companies like Engraving Concepts from the rest of the field.
The vendor's approach should have been something as subtle as sending you a brochure or catalog with an introductory cover letter highlighting the products you mentioned you had an interest in, and that they will be at the ARA Show.
It would have been wiser of them to not even mention that they saw your post on DSSI.
EDITED: 7 Feb 2006 by DATAKES
From: Stunt Engraver (DGL) [#7]
7 Feb 2006
To: LaZerDude (C_BURKE) [#1] 7 Feb 2006
Chuck,
I appreciate the fact that industry suppliers peruse the forum(s). It gives them a way to hear the good, bad and ugly, and may serve to improve their service/offerings.
I agree with those who say the cell phone call was a bit overboard. An email or PM should have been sent as the initial contact.
EDITED: 7 Feb 2006 by DGL
From: Jim (PUZZLEHEAD) [#8]
7 Feb 2006
To: LaZerDude (C_BURKE) [#1] 7 Feb 2006
Chuck,
This can be a very positive thing for you. The supplier knows you post a lot of messages online so they should realize that they need to give you the best possible service and do all they can to help you become more successful. If they don't give you outstanding service, they should understand that the whole world will know about it. I wouldn't write them off just because they annoyed you this one time. Give them a chance to "wow" you with their products and service, but let us know how it goes.
I see nothing wrong with using this forum as a marketing tool. I think suppliers would be foolish not to. But they should learn from the suppliers that have done it very successfully, and understand that they can build their reputation by offering advice without pushy sales pitches.
Jim
From: sprinter [#9]
7 Feb 2006
To: Jim (PUZZLEHEAD) [#8] 7 Feb 2006
I find it to be chessy that a vendor would mine member information from this board. I equate it to the unsolicited email for drugs, stocks, porn and fake watches! Other groups I belong to has rules about contacting board members for a profitable gain. If the vender would call me, I'd really be $issed off. Needless to say I would not purchase from that vendor.
If I want a vendors information I will contact them. If this board condones this type of action, where is the line drawn? Is this board planning to sell member information or release it to vendors?
From: Stunt Engraver (DGL) [#10]
7 Feb 2006
To: sprinter [#9] 7 Feb 2006
Never have. Never will.
From: sprinter [#11]
7 Feb 2006
To: Stunt Engraver (DGL) [#10] 7 Feb 2006
From: LaZerDude (C_BURKE) [#12]
7 Feb 2006
To: Jim (PUZZLEHEAD) [#8] 7 Feb 2006
You said
It is not my intent to write them off at all. I was just amazed by the contact. I must agree with many that have replied that suppliers perusing the forum(s) is a good thing in many regards. As I mentioned there are suppliers on EE that provide great help and service even to "non" customers.....THAT is, in my opinion GREAT marketing.
I fully intend to call this supplier back, however like I mentioned it was my "knee jerk" reaction about the call. This is why I wanted some feed back, to temper my feeling.
Thanks for your input. I appreciate it.
From: LaZerDude (C_BURKE) [#13]
7 Feb 2006
To: JHayes55 [#5] 7 Feb 2006
Wednesday March 1 at 11:05 pm. I'm staying at the Hilton. I have two sublimation classes on Thursday, but a break for lunch. Maybe we can hook up then. If not I'll see you at The Beach.
From: Harvey only (HARVEY-ONLY) [#14]
7 Feb 2006
To: LaZerDude (C_BURKE) [#13] 7 Feb 2006
I have a bit of a laid back attitude, I think similar to David L's.
I would not mind a one time email informing me that they might be able to help me. (And it might truly be helpful.)
A cell call is a little much, but ... In this day and age, cell phones are an attachment to a person and get the information there fast and will give the supplier a feel if they should forget the contact.
That said, a second unsolicited contact would be way out of line for me.
From: LaZerDude (C_BURKE) [#15]
7 Feb 2006
To: Harvey only (HARVEY-ONLY) [#14] 7 Feb 2006
Harvey,
Thanks for the input. Since my post I did infact receive another solicitation from a different supplier via email. This solicitation was more of a How can I HELP you one as opposed to a "We'd like to set you up with a package" one.
The difference is subtle I know, but it exists none the less.
Like I mentioned, the reason for the post is/was to "temper" my knee jerk reaction with more common sense opinions. I hope.
Thanks again for your input. As always I value it.
From: Stunt Engraver (DGL) [#16]
7 Feb 2006
To: sprinter [#11] 7 Feb 2006
That's why the forum preferences are set up to allow/disallow email or PM contact.
Personally, I've always participated on forums with my actual name, with most methods of contact open to anyone.
Never had occasion to reconsider having that information available.