I posted this reply on another "wheel company" shit storm thread but it made me think about the great service forums like the HAMB provide to its members. I've been in performance automotive marketing for 30 years and the days of one-way "trust us" marketing is OVER! I confess that I didn't even think about forums like the HAMB til a couple of years ago but they have changed everything about my perceptions and goals for advertising now. Unlike the above case, I've seen many posts from guys who bitched about a product on here BEFORE contacting the vendor to resolve the issue (usually self inflicted dumbness). And the outpour of support for the manufacturer (specially alliance vendors) is immediate and "direct". You can't buy that kind of marketing. But god help the bad actor businesses! Car magazines have tried for decades to "build communities" of their readers through events and tours but the advertising is golden and untouchable. Even the mags' own websites are mostly one way. Magazines are still viable to advertisers because of mobility and customary behavior as long as the current crop of geezers (me) can still climb into their cars. But the web has become the final BS filter from here on. It'll help good businesses and kill the bad ones quickly.
Well, the HAMB is a coarse BS filter. For finer filtration, one must use a sceptical, jaundiced eye... PT Barnum was right.
I think that the HAMB is outwardly viewed as a stomping ground for purists and gentlemen as well as ladies to display and enjoy quality built etc. When the so called "Lurker" comes across a thread that states a bad practice by a company or service, they accept that it IS bad and with good reason. Everyone here is trying to build a quality product and if they can't find a good one, they'll call out all of the awful ones. I, for one am thankful for the service this site provides in regard to these actions. If enough of our "small" voices are heard on the same product or service, it won't stand! It'll be the Walls of Jericho in this mother!!!! Brian
well when it comes to products and manufacturers that are posted here on the HAMB it takes about 30 minutes to seperate the sheep from the goats ,its then just a matter of wading thru the givin information be it good , bad , or down right ugly and try and make the best informed purchasing decision possible..
Also quality control is "supposed" to be better. So if a product does come out bad, it could be endemic of all the products. Also, there is (and don't take this personally) some bullshit in marketing anymore, people don't even want to bother with channels. Its not a matter of just calling up ans saying "Hey I got a bad product". Now its call three different numbers, have the receipt in hand along with product id #, dealer number, date purchased, credit card used, picture of defect. And even then what you'll get for "satisfaction" is a credit towards your next purchase. You might get a replacement part, but if the first broke, the second has a good chance of being just as lousy. And if you voice dissent - "Well we have had over 3 million satisfied customers, and yours must be a fluke or installed wrong" Total blow off. Perspective.
The Jalopy Journal
