I just want to jump in here to clarify *my* position (and I guess that would mean the official position of F-150 Online ).

There is a line that is crossed when a "vendor" starts utilizing these forums to conduct, promote and increase their sales.

If you happen to have a product that might appeal to an F-150 owner that gets mentioned here or offline in the case of the above example, and several people start to inquire about the product or purchase it because of the "buzz" about it here, that certainly makes you a vendor and you are making money from this forum.

Think about it - there are literally thousands of Ford trucks owners on these boards every day. Would you have had that business or would you have had that business as easily and freely if it weren't for the discussion about your products here?

I understand that in many cases, the products you have may only constitute a hobby for you. But realize this, F-150 Online is only a hobby for me! Why should a "vendor" be allowed to profit from their presence on this site and not give back? Someone has to pay for your free marketing, why should it be exclusively me? That is just not fair and shows very poor business etiquette.

Mike Troyer, a valued contributor to these forums, has chosen to give back financially. Is that purely altruistic? No, his company has sold a lot of Superchips here and he realizes and respects that.

Bill Murray, who runs a HobbyTown store here in the Atlanta area, who doesn't "move" thousands of dollars in remote control cars or models on these forums (but has sold a few), has chosen to give back to the site.

Oh, and regarding an earlier post - the F-150 Online Message Boards are not intended to post individual, non-commercial items for sale. We have the Classifieds for that...

Steve

 

Steve,
I hate to say this and I will probably draw a few unhappy responses, but I would like to modify my position as previously posted. Charge everyone a fee for membership, even if only a dollar, it's the only way to eliminate (or at least slow down) multiple screen names and pure anonimity except for IP addresses. If I have to give a credit card number, name, etc. then it is more difficult to post as more than one person. Also, I don't know if there is some way to have members do some type of formal registration without a fee, something with proof of ID, etc. However, to implement this plan would probably cost money which would need to be reimbursed in some manner as I assume that this site costs a significant amount to keep running as is; much less with a new system of tracking members.

Additionally, a threat was made to Mr. Troyer in another thread. That, in my opinion, is completely unacceptable!! People with perceived anonimity say things that they could not say in person or in the presence of others.

The reason I post this in this thread is because I feel that the majority of the problems are resulting from a few people or one person (Vendor) that doesn't like the fact that many of the members will defend Mr. Troyer and his product. Then they whine about it not being fair, oh well, get over it, life is not fair. However, in my opinion it is fair, the only reason I will ever buy a Superchip is because of Mr. Troyer's continued kindness and helpfulness to a continued amount of repeat questions. Every time he answers the question in great detail and patience. What have the other's done, not a darn thing except whine about how he is treated differently, well he certainly has acted differently and therefore in my opinion deserves whatever alleged special treatment he receives.

If I was paying for the upkeep of this site and working to keep 4,000 people happy; I would have a job that is impossible. Additionally, if this site was mine I would do what "I" wanted to do. You have showed much, much more patience with some of these people than I could ever muster.

If I have offended someone, oh well, you probably deserve it!!

Thanks for the site Steve, it is appreciated by the vast majority

------------------
1999 Ford F-150 XLT Sport 4x2 SC; Black, Med Graphite Interior, 5.4L, 3.55LS, 17" Wheels, 275/60 Tires, Tonneau Cover, Captains Chairs, CD Changer, Heavy Duty Electrical and Cooling, Nerf Bars, Rhino Liner, Tinted Windows

 

Sasquatch,

Your wisdom and logic are humbling.

------------------
Dunbarton "The Middle Aged Kid" '99 XLT SC SB 4x2 4.6 auto 3.55 ls The occasional Z-71 Eater! Wedgewood & Denim, SuperChipped, Airaid FIPK, Rhino Liner, Extang Classic tonneau cover, Mobil 1. Man, I got it all! (New Jersey)

 

Well now, since I did not make a profit off the bears as such,,Would you take some bears as a contribution Steve,,,After all I want to contribute my share. I have about 1/2 a case left.

------------------
2000 F150 SC XLT
5.4
4-sp auto
255/70r-16
3.55 LS
Heavy Duty electric
Heavy Duty cooling
Trailer Towing Group
Keyless Entry
Soft Cover
Captains Chairs
wedg blue& silver two tone
Fog Lights
Bed Liner
Fender Flairs
Cab Steps
10 disc CD changer

(Just 892 more payments and that sucker is all mine)

 

Steve,
Just like you've stated, you shouldn't have to pay for vendors making profits on you site. Definition Vendor: Public Sale, someone SELLING SOMETHING. As earlier mentioned by some members, I also think that all products that vendors offer should be in the Online store here in F-150 Online. I feel this solution would serve many purposes such as, first and foremost.... vendors giving you a precentage of their sales. Since they do have a huge forum of Ford Truck Enthusiasts and this is after all your site. I'm sure their sales would go up dramatically. Another function it would serve is convenience to the F-150 Online members.... no one would have to leave this site and go looking for or log on to some address. Everything would be right here in the Online Store..... read a post from a vendor, interested in the product, goto the Online Store, purchase the product, the vendor makes another sale, you get your percentage, as you rightfully should and the member gets what they want.... sounds good to me! Also, if a vendor should want to advertise one of those boxes up at the top of some pages. I think they should pay an additional fee. That seems to me like another little incentive for a vendor, if they're going to sell their products. I'm not saying to take them to the cleaners, but IMHO I think it's only right and the fair thing to do. If people are going to make money on this site.... any money. They should have to up a percentage to the maker of the site! Seems fair to me, because if this site wasn't here.... I Kringe To Think! Vendors couldn't make money off it. I do think Mike Troyer is truly remarkable and has been a GREAT help to me. He's always been very responsive to my e-mails and has answered every question I've ever asked.... thanks Mike. Bottom line, the ultimate decision is yours Steve. I feel out of respect for you, replying to your post and expressing (trying to help) is the least I could do. You are also remarkable Steve and I thank you for this great site you've given all of us! Any decisions you make, we'll be behind you 110%.

Best of Luck....

------------------
2000 F-150 Lariat 4x2 SB,SC,Styleside,Amazon Green/Clearcoat Metallic,5.4 Liter V8, Class III Tow-Package,3.55 Limited Slip Rear,Bug Deflector,Duraliner Bedliner,Superchip,K&N Filter.

 

Ok, I know this is a little late but I jsut had to voice my opinion. I have had the pleasure of talking to Mr. Troyer as many members have. He was very professional and did not try to sell me his product. He answered my questions about his and many other products. His advice was very helpful.

I think that anybody attempting to sell something online here should have to do it through the online store. That would give back some profit to the site and would let us learn about possible products for our babies. I liked the idea of having a "Vendor" status also. This is a great site and I would hate to see it shut down because of a few vendors trying to sell things. Just my .02, ignore me if you don't like my ideas. Good luck Steve.

Bones

 

You know Steve can't spend every minut of the day watching out for evil do'ers. So we can help him out by not encouraging those trying to pull a fast one on Steve. What I'm saying is, as an example, when I see vendors selling their products in the chat rooms or in the forums. I will simply try to tell them that they should contact Steve E. or Roger L. to sell the items.

To continue with what I'm saying; We (as members) should respect Steve and not buy from those people who just can't read the agreement. I know for a fact that the only purchases done online (when it comes to my F150) will be from this site's store only, periode.

Steve, If you are still reading this thread, I think you have every stinking right to cancel out those types of vendors. Why should you have to pay for their marketing???
I love this site, and many thanks to you.

Maybe I should use this opportunity to mention that I feel bad about not having that darn sticker of yours. I swear that I will buy a set soon...

[This message has been edited by 4byFord (edited 03-21-2000).]

 

It really fries my cheese when I see members and member/vendors arguing with Steve about his entirely reasonable official policy (see first post in this thread). Lately, this is primarily in the Lightning section. I'm certain Steve has put in thousands of hours into this site over the years, and the result is a GREAT site. Respect his rules or go somewhere else.

 

It all goes back to Steves original statement of policy.....I think it is as simple as he stated it....if you make a profit from your presence, then pay to be here....

------------------
98 F-150,4x4, 5.4L,Lariat,Ext. Cab, Gibson Cat-Back, Bulldog(Better Built) Stainless Nerf Bars, Soft Top bed Cover, Duraliner,Captains Chairs,Off Road Package, Superchip,3.55 rear,every option you could get except for the towing package....... http://www.geocities.com/SouthBeach/Breakers/6817
[img]//www.geocities.com/SouthBeach/Breakers/6817/chevy1.gif[/img]




[This message has been edited by JohnB (edited 03-22-2000).]

 

Pay up I agree they are a few members here who have buiness's listed in there SIG . I believe that would be looked at as a vendor. If some one reads the their post they see the web address they go there they but the product, > the end result this web site provided FREE advertisment for them. they should pay for that.

My wife and i own three web site we market 3 differant products, and believe me i would love to get all the free veiwing that i can get there are places to do that if the person wants to look and invest time and effort to do that but that place is not here.


My .2 cents worth

------------------
*2000 blk xlt f150
*5.4 4x4 3.55 ls
*sc orp pkg
*tow pkg, 17 inch wheels
*herculiner,remote start
*flowmaster, air box mod
*bfg ko's A.R.E. cap
*sony 10 disc cd player
*k&n air filter
*superchip
* havoline synthetic oil
****mods to come*********
harley davison hitch reciver plug.
removing stock cab steps& installing westins.

 

I agree, the vendors should have to help support this site. I am sure this site has helped there business out quite a bit. As far as ford goes, I don't see what they can do about it. They should not have anyway of stopping us from being here, this is basicly a freedom of speech for us. If it came down to it, the site could just be renamed and the people could still visit and discuss the same things, Ford should not be able to do anything about that. All ford could acomplis is pissing off a lot of true ford owners.

------------------
2000 F-150 Ext cab
Toredo Red
4.2l V6
Flowmaster 40 series single in dual out
K&N aif filter
Class III reciever Hitch
Mobil1 Synthetic



[This message has been edited by TAZMAN (edited 03-23-2000).]

[This message has been edited by TAZMAN (edited 03-23-2000).]

[This message has been edited by TAZMAN (edited 03-23-2000).]

 

HELLO

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2000 F-150 Ext cab
Toredo Red
4.2l V6
Flowmaster 40 series single in dual out
K&N aif filter
Class III reciever Hitch
Mobil1 Synthetic
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