My only reservation would be that a lot of us have posted on things we have had done to our D3's, some due to problems, some due to changes we wish to have. How long before a problem occurs with one of our cars, and the dealer involved says "ah, but I know you've modified it - so warrenty invalid" or " Ah but you've had this issue being looked at with X dealer before" from posts he's seen on here, and doesnt want to get involved.
But then this exists all ready as the whole world can already read the content on this site.
The case of a Mitsubishi driver springs to mind who lost his warranty claim for an engine (or something similar) after the dealer saw his pictures of his off-roading and clogged radiator on a forum.Matt
Hmmmm I can think of a number of reasons, (and even more of his posts) as to why this is not the best advert for people being non-commercial in a commercial way.
Lets get real here. If your business is to extract cash from LR owners, then part of your job is to guide people towards you, and possibly offer them what they want to hear. This forum is a target rich environment in this respect and it cannot be improved by being filled wth 'professionals' touting for business.
14th Oct 2006 11:11 pm
SN
Member Since: 03 Jan 2006
Location: Romiley
Posts: 13710
oliver77 wrote:
If you want to be here for profesional reasons, then (in common with other forums I know), lets have a dealer section where people can go and not be surprised by the covert commercialism.
I think thats a great idea. I'm sure I posted elsewhere about having some kind of dealer flag against relevant users - much like the (T) you see in AutoTrader for Trade Sellers - just my view. BTW- I voted yes.Steve N | 21MY Defender | 08MY Discovery 3 (history) | 06MY Discovery 3 (ancient history)
14th Oct 2006 11:27 pm
dylansdad
Member Since: 04 Apr 2006
Location: Solihull
Posts: 745
qzdcg8 wrote:
I think thats a great idea. I'm sure I posted elsewhere about having some kind of dealer flag against relevant users - much like the (T) you see in AutoTrader for Trade Sellers - just my view. BTW- I voted yes.
exactly how i feel. discreet and open. nothing more. 2004 TDV6 HSE Auto Zambezi Silver
14th Oct 2006 11:45 pm
dylansdad
Member Since: 04 Apr 2006
Location: Solihull
Posts: 745
10forcash wrote:
So dealers should be open and honest about who and where they are?
10fc... absolutely not who and where, just let us all know where they sit in the chain.
e.g. if dealers are encouraged not to be open then you are in effect pushing them into a situation where they would be able to influence without others knowing their own motives. yes they could do this anyway, however if we just welcomed dealers to join openly declare they are dealers then everyone is better off. personal privacy doesnt come into it they could use any name or location they like, but just identify that they are a dealer. and the whole thing relies on trust.
likewise any LR techies. no one has to identify themselves personally etc. however 2 people give you advice and one is LR tech and another is an owner who has read a magazine article on the subject (like me most of the time ) then you can immediately take a view as to who is best qualified.
its not a bad thing or censorship infact totally the opposite. stopping dealers being open and involved is censorship. and I dont think anyone wants that judging by the poll results . 2004 TDV6 HSE Auto Zambezi Silver
14th Oct 2006 11:58 pm
Martin Site Admin and Owner
Member Since: 06 Nov 2004
Location: Hook Norton
Posts: 18454
dylansdad wrote:
2 people give you advice and one is LR tech and another is an owner who has read a magazine article on the subject (like me most of the time ) then you can immediately take a view as to who is best qualified.
That can depend though...06 D3 SE / 15 LR D90 XS SW / 88 LR 90 Td5 / 68 BMW 2000 ti
Any issues with the site let me know!
Here Here! This underpins the whole crux of my arguement. If someone displays openly that they are a dealer, then their answers may be taken by readers to be more accurate than people like TFC who actually do seem to know what they are talking about.
Also, there are lots of people (particularly in sales) who only like to think that they know what they are talking about
15th Oct 2006 12:05 am
dylansdad
Member Since: 04 Apr 2006
Location: Solihull
Posts: 745
exactly but at least you would be able to then make that view depending on what you were asking. currently you have no idea whatsoever .2004 TDV6 HSE Auto Zambezi Silver
It's not just about the individuals asking questions or receiving answers. It's a much bigger issue when you look at the wider audience who may casually view posts.
15th Oct 2006 12:17 am
dylansdad
Member Since: 04 Apr 2006
Location: Solihull
Posts: 745
exactly and comments by people like me could easily be misinterpreted ....and usually are 2004 TDV6 HSE Auto Zambezi Silver
15th Oct 2006 12:28 am
TDMP
Member Since: 16 Jul 2006
Location: South Gippsland
Posts: 511
My opinion, as a newish site member, as someone having a legal background, and for what its worth , is as follows:-
1. All people interested in D3's should be able to post here - no limits (other than the site rules as to commercial postings). If you want to pretend you are other than who you are, who cares If you have a hidden agenda, who cares We are all pretty sophisticated people and can make up our own minds (with a bit of collective help).
2. IMO the only other "rule" that could be a condition of membership - perhaps even of viewing the site as a non member - is a confidentiality rule, i.e. "by proceeding to the next screen you agree that any information contained on this site or otherwise adduced from this site is for your personal information only and may not be disclosed to any third parties or be otherwise relied upon in any manner whatsoever …legal, legal, legal…â€.
I would hope that this could overcome some people’s issues with dealers using information to void warranties, etc (it may not be practical to enforce, but would give some pause to unscrupulous dealers)???
3. If anyone wanted any commercial advice or recommendations, there could be a “sticky†thread where you could go to ASK Those parties who have site permission could make their sales pitch in that thread. Non-commercial members (the rest of us) could express opinions and personal experience.
Just my 2cents.
I find this site particularly helpful with respect to technical issues and product advice. I would like to see that continue!
(BTW - I voted yes)Is God willing to prevent evil, but not able? Then he is not omnipotent.
Is he able, but not willing? Then he is malevolent.
Is he both able and willing? Then whence cometh evil?
Is he neither able nor willing? Then why call him God?
(Epicurus BC 341-270)
15th Oct 2006 4:18 am
nwoods
Member Since: 04 Apr 2006
Location: Southern California
Posts: 563
Whew! I read through this firestorm of a thread. I think I completely agree with JMC here. On this forum, dealers, technicians, and service advisors, factory executives, 3rd party resellers, etc... should just be people. No one should have to disclose who they are, or what they do. I've been fairly active on this forum to my certain benefit (and hopefully to others as well). Perhaps I do work for PAG, they are just down the street from where I live in Southern California...but then again, maybe I don't. No one has thought to ask, and I certainly have not felt that what I do for a living matters a single bit to ANY of the posts on this forum so far.
Here is what should be required of people on this forum, and to date, has been more than satisfied by all posters I have seen: New members should be able to demonstrate their relationship to the D3. Whether they are owners, or hope to be owners, or are outfitters, service techs, whatever. If you are a dealer, it's hard to claim the D3 as your favorite. But if you are a D3 owner, it's a much clearer case!
So just be a person, and be faithful to the brand, and be all about the D3, and no matter who, what, or where you are, you are welcome in my world.
A word of caution to dealers. The term "dealer" to me connotates Sales Guides or whatever they are called. With few exceptions, the Sales Guide is not the source of discontent sometimes voiced on these forums. It's the Service we grumble about. Our grumbles are justified. We buy expensive cars that quite simply require far more maintenance than just about any other breed of car out there. It's an unavoidable fact, and not by itself a very negative one. But the Service experience is often VERY negative, and sadly, that too is an unavoidable fact.
So we complain about it. It is my hope that Dealers will listen and improve, though I suspect many will just get angered and will want to uncork a bit in response. We are all human, I'm sure I would do the same in their shoes. But know this, if you are involved in the service end, you have a difficult job and we expect above average performance of you. If you fail to deliver that, prepare to be eviscerated here publicly and directly. It is our RIGHT to voice our grievances. So for dealers, you may need a thick skin to hang out here.
As JMC suggested:
JMC wrote:
If you want to be here for professional reasons, then (in common with other forums I know), lets have a dealer section where people can go...
I think this is a grand idea. Perhaps a dealer would have an "evening profile" as a person, and a "daytime profile" as a professional member. I don't think they need to be sponsors. I think their presence lends credibility, value, and usefulness to the D3 forum. But it needs to be constrained to a topical region of the forum.
For that reason, I have voted NO to the poll. I want dealers and factory workers, engineers, executives, etc... to participate, but I do NOT want them to disclose themselves, unless and until we have a special place for them were WE chose to go to them, not vice versa.
For that reason, I have voted NO to the poll. I want dealers and factory workers, engineers, executives, etc... to participate, but I do NOT want them to disclose themselves, unless and until we have a special place for them were WE chose to go to them, not vice versa.
Snap!!!
A minority of two then
FWIW, I think the poll has been badly worded. Should have been:
I want dealers here and I want to know who they are
I want dealers here and I DONT want to know who they are
I want dealers to have a place to themselves on the forum
I dont want any of the above.
15th Oct 2006 10:54 am
al cope
Member Since: 08 Nov 2005
Location: Oldbury, WM
Posts: 10297
I guess this is where I was coming from, in saying I want a commercial relationship with my dealer, not a social one on here with them.
I fact, I dont mind anybody from the chairman of LR to the teaboy in my dealer being on here as themselves, as long as they are CONTRIBUTING. What I like/look for in a forum is the enthusiasm for the subject from the members, so given the majority of my experiences with dealer staff, there havnt been many that have the enthusiasm that most of you folks show.
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15th Oct 2006 12:11 pm
Martin Site Admin and Owner
Member Since: 06 Nov 2004
Location: Hook Norton
Posts: 18454
nwoods and JMC, the title of the poll has been changed since a lot of us voted...06 D3 SE / 15 LR D90 XS SW / 88 LR 90 Td5 / 68 BMW 2000 ti
Any issues with the site let me know!
You cannot post new topics in this forum You cannot reply to topics in this forum You cannot edit your posts in this forum You cannot delete your posts in this forum You cannot vote in polls in this forum
I can think of a number of reasons, (and even more of his posts) as to why this is not the best advert for people being non-commercial in a commercial way. 
| 08MY Discovery 3 (history) 
but at least you would be able to then make that view depending on what you were asking. currently you have no idea whatsoever 
.
If you have a hidden agenda, who cares 
Those parties who have site permission could make their sales pitch in that thread. Non-commercial members (the rest of us) could express opinions and personal experience.
