Dealer Questions?

I "always" seem to struggle to know the parameters of fielding Dealer questions on the board. I know we covered this recently but in a nut shell what(again) are the respectfully drawn lines of decorum when it comes to answering/promoting a certain product or company. Would it ever be ok to have a section called "Ask a Dealer"? Dealers/Rep's could cover any/all questions related to the selling...repairing...marketing of their goods. Please excuse my "learning curve".

[Ted Eschliman]

I see an immediate problem with this sort of "segregation." Most of us who wear a dealer (or manufacturer) hat, wear an even bigger "end-user" hat.
I consider myself a mandolin enthusiast (first) who happens to deal in musical instruments. To be disqualified or isolated to a different thread would be a disservice not only to me, but to others who might benefit from some of my 23 years of retail experience.
Sure, I'm going to give everyone a very "biased" opinion, but as long as I'm transparent about my motives (and identify when I'm wearing the "dealer" hat), we shouldn't have a problem.
One of the things I've always appreciated about Scott's website is the fact that it's not so much guided by "rules" more by "courtesies." In his own words, its wiring is very "self-policing." He really has to step in very infrequently.
It's not a bad issue to bring up now and then (and we do...); however, I thing we all do a pretty good job of seeing through ulterior motives quite quickly.

Ok...i can see your point Ted. Thanks.







dennis benjamin
Pavel Sucek Mandolins

[Atlanta Mando Mike]

There was a very extensive thread about this awhile ago. I beleive the owner of the site said he thought it would be a good idea for dealers simply to identify themselves as such when commenting on a product they sell/can make money from.

[atetone]

Whenever this topic comes up I watch it with a certain amount of dread.
I would hate to see it ever get to the point that people who happen to be in mando selling business are no longer permitted to voice their opinion without having to catagorize themselves as shady and not to be believed characters.
Some of the best info that I have ever received has been from people who at some point got so involved in mandolins that they #crossed the line and actually had the audacity to try and make a bit of a living at it.
Sure , some people push it a bit on this site but nothing outragious. Occasionally you just have to take some of it with a grain of salt.
Most of these guys are very knowledgable and are a credit to this site and for the most part are the most humorous and colorful of us.
Self policing is the key.
Let's not create controversy where it is not warranted.

[TonyP.]

This has always been a real scary thing for me too. In '96 I got a phone call from Bruce Graybill saying that there were people on CoMando trying to find me. He explained how to get on but warned me not to "push" and that's where I've been ever since. You and anybody else making yourself available to questions I believe is the height of service. I don't go pushing or touting and I cringe when I see dealers doing that, that's what the classifieds are for. I first came here because somebody told me to take a look as a guy was having a problem with his Tone-Gard. I told him what the cure was for his problem then I got hooked on the Cafe and have mostly lurked ever since. To me the best expamles of this service idea is BigJoe and Charlie D. I admire their tact. It also is a great way to find out if your stuff is good or not but the message board is not the place for dealers to sell. The best way is for your customers to do it and any good salesman will tell you word of mouth is priceless. To me that's the delineation, you can answer questions, don't sell. Welcome to the fishbowl.

Thanks folks all sound advice.









Dennis Benjamin
Pavel Sucek Mandolins

[danb]

The idea is that you identify your business very clearly so that people can see when to take a review as advertising of goods for sale vs an appraisal from a happy customer. You should certainly mention that you sell any instrument whose praises you are singing!

[August Watters]

Seems like this thread has morphed from a discussion of having a "dealers" discussion area to a general discussion of the etiquette of dealers on the Cafe.

I think the system we have works pretty well. The dilemma is that quite a few of us are both dealers and musicians -- we may have strong ideas and opinions to contribute as musicians, but sometimes these intersect with views in areas involving our mando-businesses -- where we can no longer claim we're impartial. There are several of us in this category: musicians who became part-time dealers as an outgrowth of our musical activities. My solution has always been to create two personas, and to not mention the "dealer persona" when talking about general musical subjects.

The recent discussions of etiquette here (if I've understood correctly) have suggested it's OK for us to participate in discussions related to our businesses, as long as we identify ourselves as dealers -- and that it's OK to identify our "dealer personas" even when commenting on general musical topics.I've started doing the latter recently only as a result of these discussions.

Anyway, seems to me as if we all know where the line is, even if we push it occasionally. I think this measure of restraint and respect for the Cafe is part of what makes it work!

August Watters
http://www.galleryofstrings.com

PS: If we set up a special "Ask the Dealer" discussion section, do you suppose the Reverend will join us? #
http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif

[fatt-dad]

Dear NG,

Who amoung us does not have a mandolin for sale? I have several and if someone seems to be looking for a good mandolin, what is the harm of letting the member know you are a resource? Now if my general replies to various topics on the board chronically slam a mandolin builder (i.e., my mandolins are better then yours), you are being a jerk and someone should bring it to your attention. Isn't this the beauty of a moderated message board?

On a separate note, each of us is responsible to use our own brain and try to discern a hidden aganda. We will see lots of that during the US election, and when making purchases during our normal daily life. Let's not try to sanitize life at the Cafe. Let's just be friendly and smart.

f-d

[Atlanta Mando Mike]

fatt-dad-
to me, Its different if you have a lot of mandolins you like to trade in because you are a player and love instruments compared to someone who is a Rigel, Webber, Phoenix, etc..., dealer who comments on a thread about someone looking for a mando that their brand is the best deal. In that situation, to me, it would be fine to comment as long as the person says he is a dealer. By the way this isn'r referring to anyone, it is simply a hypothetical situation.

[Scott Tichenor]

Here's a direct quote below from the guidelines that are posted here (http://www.mandolincafe.net/cgi-bin/ikonboard.cgi?act=ST;f=23;t=13100). If you are actively involved in dealing in a variety of new and used mandolins in some fashion that's close enough to vendor for me. Don't anyone get in a snit. That's OK. There are tons of people that do this--it's normal. I understand. It's part of what we are. It's good enough in my opinion though that my preference would be that you identify yourself by name and association with builders you represent. Most of the issues I have on this board are folks that aren't properly identified behind a board handle while discussing subjects that deal with goods and services that they can potentially gain financially from.

Also, you stated "decorum when it comes to answering/promoting a certain product or company..."

To me there's a considerable distinction between answering questions posed by members about a product and actively promoting products/companies. If anyone is having trouble distinguishing between those two or other issues, then contact me privately. I'm closing this thread because this has been kicked around enough. If anyone has questions I'm easy to get ahold of and will welcome your inquiry.

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