I thought I was logged into a large scale train forum.
Jake the trouble with your “jump” is that it can be a bloody expensive lesson. Speaking personally if I sunk $500 into a product only to find it was defective and that those defects were suppressed from the buying public, I wouldn’t chalk it up to experience, its be screaming rabid angry and would never buy that companies product ever again.
By the the discussions held on these forums we are able to learn and then make our own decision whether to buy something or not.
By your definition something like Consumer Reports is a detriment not a service. I really don’t see that being helpful when I am being asked to sink alot of money on faith alone. I want my CR review before I buy.
When I started the hobby, I was very concerned about buying the “right thing”… I went to one manufacturers forum and all the products were great, no problems, everything was wonderful.
Then I went to a few private web sites. Wow, this is how to fix a broken gear on a Bachmann, this is how to fix cracked axles on USAT diesels, this is how to fix slipped drivers on Aristo (although there is really no fix).
I went into my purchases forewarned and forearmed. I started finding ways to fix common problems. Everything was good.
Then I wrote a page on how to fix various deficiencies on one manufacturers drive system. I was threatened by the president of the company with being sued, was not allowed to put my website in my signature, and eventually left that forum.
So, I guess I had 2 choices, the truth or don’t ever say anything negative about anything.
I chose the truth.
Greg
Greg Elmassian said:
…
So, I guess I had 2 choices, the truth or don’t ever say anything negative about anything.
I chose the truth.
Greg
That’s the damn problem, Greg.
When I was a kid my mother told me “One should never be afraid to speak the truth”. None of the “but it has to be something nice, otherwise keep your mouth shut” variety. Nope, not for my mother.
Someone asked me recently “How can those guys look at themselves in the mirror?” No problem, with enough practice they see themselves as whatever their mood dictates on any given day.
Greg,
the whole point of all these discussions is to achieve a win/win situation not just for the manufacturer but more importantly for the consumer. We benefit from discussing the topic, a point missed by a very vocal MINORITY. This minority has been vocal for a very long time and will continue to be so. Why is open to discussion, but they obviously have an ulterior motive in doing so.
If not for an open discussion we would still be using plastic ties to keep the motor and gears engaged on a Big Hauler. Do we really think that a manufacturer would continue development unless they had to. We would still have disintegrating trucks and and split gears and wheels spinning on axles and R/C control systems made obsolete by the new version or R/C throttles simply removed from the market with no further customer support. Because these are toys we tend to allow the manufacturer a little leeway. If the product was an automobile or a white goods kitchen appliance then consumers would be petitioning congress to initiate change. If we do not speak up then who is going to hear us? Lobbyists shouting us down is only a temporary solution. I find it incongruous that those same lobbyists benefit from the same improvements in quality that we strive to attain. They criticise us but enjoy the same benefits. Sort of like strike breakers who are willing to take the benefits that a striking workforce attains from their employer.
Tim Brien said:
Greg,
the whole point of all these discussions is to achieve a win/win situation not just for the manufacturer but more importantly for the consumer. We benefit from discussing the topic, a point missed by a very vocal MINORITY. This minority has been vocal for a very long time and will continue to be so. Why is open to discussion, but they obviously have an ulterior motive in doing so.If not for an open discussion we would still be using plastic ties to keep the motor and gears engaged on a Big Hauler. Do we really think that a manufacturer would continue development unless they had to. We would still have disintegrating trucks and and split gears and wheels spinning on axles and R/C control systems made obsolete by the new version or R/C throttles simply removed from the market with no further customer support. Because these are toys we tend to allow the manufacturer a little leeway. If the product was an automobile or a white goods kitchen appliance then consumers would be petitioning congress to initiate change. If we do not speak up then who is going to hear us? Lobbyists shouting us down is only a temporary solution. I find it incongruous that those same lobbyists benefit from the same improvements in quality that we strive to attain. They criticise us but enjoy the same benefits. Sort of like strike breakers who are willing to take the benefits that a striking workforce attains from their employer.
Huh ?
I got it, thanks Tim.
Greg
Tim that last line is very adept.