Steve,
couldn't agree with you more on the free ride. As someone who has in the past listed things with pretty simple anouncements on this site (never sold anything thru it, but that's hardly your fault) I really have no problem paying you a bit for the service you provide. I sell the odd tranmsission (remanned) and have anounced that I have a set of wheels for sale, and if I sell either one from this site, I'll happily send you a check. Just to clarify, would you want to charge for using the classified section?, or from my mention in passing that I offer the odd rebuilt tranny when the general subjuect of where to get one comes up, or should I think about buying a banner ad? How much for a banner ad anyway, I might be willign to spring for one. I don't consider myself in the "business" of sellign transmissions, I just occasionally come across one ( I'll install a replacement for free if I can have the core) and I sell the rebuilt box to pay for my labor. I don't take orders per se, I offer what I happen to have (currently I have a '00 Lightning tranny, for instance).
I mean, I'm more than willing to pay, I see your point, but I'm not clear on how much or under what circumstances you want payment. Let me know,

G

 

Webmeistro,
If you wanna make it work I think you should put some sorta small image on the posts made by people who conribute monetarily to your website. One for members and one for vendors. That way we would all know which distributors were contributing toward your site and be more inclined to purchase products through them.

2001L...on the way

------------------
1998 F150 Nascar Edition
RC, 4.6L, 3.73
Performance Mods ... Superchip, Flowmaster SI/DO Lightning Exhaust
Other Mods ... Sony Explode Reciever and 12 Disc Changer

 

1998Nastruck - Good ideer.


[This message has been edited by sixpipes (edited 02-08-2001).]

 

I have responded to six vendors with banner ad and "title" costs and none of them have responded back. The idea is this (and I do not intend to disclose the $ here):

Their choice:

1) Pay a very low monthly fee to have the "Supporting Vendor" under your name in the bulletin board. YOu still cannot conduct business on the boards, but you can include a link to your company in your sig and respond to questions about your products when requested.

2) Buy a banner ad, which is more expensive than option 1, of course (but still a fraction of what even today's CPMs are for such a targeted group), and not realistic for a small vendor that may not even have a web site.

No takers so far. My guess is that most vendors will take and take as long as they can. They know they have a good thing here and are not willing to help me support it.

 

You are experienceing the problem with most e-commerce companies: creating value FOR the customer is easy, retaining some of that value for yourself is tough.

But,even if I am inclined to buy from you rather than from someone else, because I have gotten to know you and know the quality of the stuff you sell from others' opinions,

the problem is still retaining some of the value that you have created in this website.

The solution is easy, however, you will have to offer even more value than your competition. Meaning, I might learn of a product here, and then shop around for the best price. If that is you as well...

[This message has been edited by BlackLight (edited 02-08-2001).]

 

Blacklight,

I think you misunderstood, this has nothing to with the online store at this site, rather the small one-off vendors that are "exclusive" marketers of their products that take advantage of the mere existence of this site to promote their products without giving anything back.

Advertising a direct competitive store or vendor for products sold here by F150online and/or its affiliates is grounds for immediate account termination, always has been, because that is a blatant attempt to steal money away from the site and is, frankly, incredibly poor business etiquette.

Consumers are free to buy from whoever they want, I know I do. I would even encourage them to price shop. Different issue (actually, not really an issue)

[This message has been edited by webmaster (edited 02-08-2001).]

 

Since I have received more complaints about the abuse of this policy ... TTT

 

TTT again

 

yeah...upon careful consideration I now agree...they should post banners...and pay your fee I will try to delete the blashemy of a post on NLOC anyway..anyone with a suffix of INGER....has to be a businessman in my book! ls1.com has banner ads all ova...your right....these guys need to step up to the plate...

 

Steve,

Is the online store what keeps F150online in business? Perhaps all vendors that do not have good clear chanells to sell through can do so through the online store. This would allow them to tout the success of their products, be paid for with a credit card, and contribute to the site. This thread might be a solution to many problems. I have bought from both, and do appriciate the secureness of my transaction with lemere enterprises (a great place to do business as well) What do you think of this idea?

Berto



------------------
00' Lightning/ Black
99' Lightning/ Red
94' Lightning/ Red
96' Cobra Convert/ Red

 

It would never work, as it would cause US more work in the long run with order processing, order routing and customer service. A vendor that is here to leach is not going to be willing to give up a percentage of their sale to anyone.

So, no non-contributing vendors are allowed. Period.

The source of income for this site is irrelevent. Whether it comes from banner ads or e-commerce, a vendor trying to get a free ride is just wrong.

 

I agree with alphadoggy and clonetek! I "accidently" found f150online, and it's been the best accident I've ever had!!! A seemingly endless(hopefully) fountain of knowledge, experience, experiences, help, and friendliness.

I know that Steve has said many times over about having NO membership fee, but chaulk up another member who would be willing to pay $12, even $20/year to be a member. But I do agree that vendors should contribute to the site rather that just profiting from it.

-A VERY BIG THANKS to Steve for keeping the site up and running!!-

!!!GREAT JOB STEVE and THANX AGAIN!!!

[This message has been edited by Pat Dantzler (edited 02-16-2001).]

 

I'd just like to take this chance to disagree with Steve, not because I feel he is wrong but I just don't want to be lumped in with a bunch of Texans jk
Seriously though I think Steve deserves some kick back without a doubt. He not only runs this site to give us a common meeting place but he does it effectively. I had issues with a "member" on Superbowl Sunday and I emailed Steve and a half hour later he fixed everything. Now if he would only share his Tequila with me he would be my very best friend I'm just curious if he thought his Lightning forum was going to be all that it is today...
CA