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Suppliers list suggestion?

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People,
I've been away for a few weeks, and having spent the last couple of
hours catching up on ELCO postings I've been struck by how many posts
are requests for help in finding and/or recommending suppliers.
Would it be useful to create a list of suppliers, split into
categories such as accessories, service components, repairs and
vehicle servicing etc? An indication of whether discount is available
to ELCO members would also be useful.
I realise that there are some plans for a forum, and maybe something
like this is more suited to a web interface than email, but a concise
email could perhaps be re-posted once a month or so until a web based
solution is available.
More controversially, would it be an idea to rate service providers
according to customer satisfaction? I realise that this can be very
subjective, and that customers can make mistakes themselves and
incorrectly blame suppliers, but if we get enough feedback for each
supplier then the overall rating should be meaningful as in the eBay
feedback system. The supplier always has the opportunity to reply to
accusations of poor quality themselves.
Just an idea. Comments anyone? Julian?
Thanks,
PS: Jon, thanks for the manuals.
--
Andy Haxby
1994 HDJ81
Den Haag NL
Macclesfield UK
 
Hi Andy,
I have a list of 200+ suppliers and manufacturers and the eventual aim
is to put them online on the new site cross referenced by LC model,
categoory, etc so you should be able to do things like bring up a list
of manufacturers making suspension systems for your LC and then display
a list of suppliers. Or if you know the manufacturer you should be
able to just list suppliers.
I have been considering this, however it is a contentious issue because
it is so liable to abuse.
With the feedback system on ebay, you can only leave feedback if you
have actually traded with someone, something that we wouldn't be able
to track.
The only thing we would be able to do is something like the Amazon
reviews, however we have no way of tracking if the comments are from a
genuine customer of a particular firm or not.
And if the comments are from a genuine customer and they are negative
comments, which the supplier believes are unfounded, we would then
need to make a judgement as to whether we agree that they are unfounded
and then if we agree, remove the comments.
On top of all that, there may be lible issues to consider as well.
The bottom line is it is a great idea and would prove to be very
useful, however the tricky issue is implementing it in a fair way.
--
Regards,
Julian Voelcker
Mobile: 07971 540362
Skype: julianvoelcker
Cirencester, United Kingdom
1994 HDJ80, 2.5" OME Lift
 
Hi Julian,
That would be extremely useful and save a lot of time googling and
asking questions. If you would like help building it or hosting it
contact me off-list.
In the mean time is there anyway you can post it as an email?
True, I hadn't thought of that.
Also true. However the list is a small community, and people belong to
the list because they want help, so I don't think it is liable to
deliberate abuse as it is not in the interest of the participant. In
the unlikely event that someone did spam or abuse the feedback system
you can just kick them off the list anyway.
Or just leave the comments from both sides. Most people will leave
positive comments about good service, and If a supplier receives
positive feedback from a large number of customers and negative
feedback from very few, then the negative will be ignored.
Presumably any libel would be the responsibility of the poster not the
list, else things like the amazon reviews would not be possible. I'm
not sure though, do we have any lawyers here? :)
I think it would be particularly useful to newbies who don't have clue
where to start when choosing suppliers. It's not that there are very
many poor suppliers, more like we want to know who the really great
ones are.
(......and of course all suppliers will try a bit harder if they know
their quality of service is likely to be made public....)
Has anyone got experience of other car clubs or similar that have
tried something similar?
Thanks,
--
Andy Haxby
1994 HDJ81
Den Haag NL
Macclesfield UK
 
Hi Andy,
In have them scattered in a variety of places and don't have time to sort
them out at the moment, sorry.
The list small at the moment but will grow quite quickly when the forums
are available.
The difficulty is that you can't tell if someone's review is genuine or not
so don't know whether to remove the person or review.
Also, the big problem will be the time it takkes to police the system.
No, post suppliers would want the negative stuff removed if it is
unfounded.
Not really I know of at least one MD of a 4x4 company that get very uppity
over negative feedback!!
I believe that as hosters, we are the equivalent of publishers and
therefore share in the liabilities.
Thanks, but got most of it covered.
The only thing that I am still looking for is someone that can speak dutch
to do some translations for me ;-)
--
Regards,
Julian Voelcker
Mobile: 07971 540362
Skype: julianvoelcker
Cirencester, United Kingdom
1994 HDJ80, 2.5" OME Lift
 
After quite a bit of time looking I still haven't found the site I remember.
As I said, from memory they, had only recently redone the site, think they
did a discount for ELCO. Site was arranged by series and included the 40
series, not much to go on but anyone recognise it.
Malcolm Bagley
Stafford UK
FJ45 '75 & FJ45 '76
I've been away for a few weeks, and having spent the last couple of
hours catching up on ELCO postings I've been struck by how many posts
are requests for help in finding and/or recommending suppliers.
No virus found in this outgoing message.
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10:46
 
Hi Julian/All,
I've been away for a few weeks again so sorry for delay in reply....
On 6/10/07, Julian Voelcker <[Email address removed]> wrote:
What do you need? My Dutch is terrible so English to Dutch I can't do
but can maybe find someone to help if it is not too much work. Dutch
to English is easier, I can maybe do that myself depending on the
subject.
Translating technical documents can be hard because a lot of technical
terms are hard to translate. I once bought a valve hi-fi amplifier in
kit form with instructions for building it in Dutch. It took me a year
to build because I couldn't translate the technical words properly and
couldn't find a Dutch friend who understood enough electronics to help
me. Fun though.
Cheers,
--
Andy Haxby
1994 HDJ81
Den Haag NL
Macclesfield UK
 
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Hi Andy,
I have an Access database of all the LC models and their technical
specs and I need the field names changed as well as the some of the
technical details.
There is an English/Dutch glossary of sorts in there, but unfortunately
not enough to do the job completely.
--
Regards,
Julian Voelcker
Mobile: 07971 540362
Skype: julianvoelcker
Cirencester, United Kingdom
1994 HDJ80, 2.5" OME Lift
 
Hi Julian,
If the field names are in Dutch and you need them changing to English
then no problem. The other way around is more difficult but do-able as
I have a Dutch guy working for me who is car nuts and I'm sure he will
help if I ask.
I'm familiar with that problem :)
If you email me the required data I'll take a look. Any format is OK.
Cheers,
--
Andy Haxby
1994 HDJ81
Den Haag NL
Macclesfield UK
 
Just remembered, limit of about 5MB on my mailbox, I can give you
inbound ftp if it's bigger.
Cheers,
 
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