What do the Traders do for Us

[Jod T5]

Originally Posted by IC

There are some outstanding contributions here. Jod, you have contributed 17 of the articles!

Your too sad to have counted them Iain
Jod

[IC]

Originally Posted by Jod T5

Your too sad to have counted them Iain
Jod

Not at all, if you've taken the time to write the articles it's worth couting 'em!

[AndysR]

Originally Posted by Jod T5

Andy...
You are missing the point....This is not (currently) about the articles section "per se" but about the lack of contribution from those (WHOEVER) in the motor trade who ply thier business from the forum members into the articles section...

Jod

Jod

Obviously, so what is the proposal for rectification of this?

[st5ve]

Originally Posted by Jod T5

A gent he may be but i dont see his input in the articles section Steve which is the basis for the thread....

Please dont mistake me anyone for a side taker.....

Jod

Don't worry I don't and won't mistake you for anything other than yourself, you are correct taking sides is not what this thread is about. The mention of Don I do not deem to be taking sides, you have assumed I may be having a dig by the mere mention of his name.

[Jod T5]

Originally Posted by st5ve

Don't worry I don't and won't mistake you for anything other than yourself, you are correct taking sides is not what this thread is about. The mention of Don I do not deem to be taking sides, you have assumed I may be having a dig by the mere mention of his name.

Hey Steve i know which camp you and Andy lie in and i respect you both for your valid and respectful opinions...

Furthermore i respect my good mate IC for the thread, which i appreciate could well be drawn into a "mechanics war" but is really an innocent investigation into why commercial traders only appear to ply for business rather than offer articles to help the less able or less informed member...

No Offence to either of you...

Jod

[Jod T5]

Originally Posted by AndysR

Obviously, so what is the proposal for rectification of this?

I think this is the purpose of the thread....
Maybe a Trader or Commercial member may like to reply...

Jod

[st5ve]

Originally Posted by Jod T5

Hey Steve i know which camp you and Andy lie in and i respect you both for your valid and respectful opinions...

Furthermore i respect my good mate IC for the thread, which i appreciate could well be drawn into a "mechanics war" but is really an innocent investigation into why commercial traders only appear to ply for business rather than offer articles to help the less able or less informed member...

No Offence to either of you...

Jod

No offence taken, as a moderator you need to be nuetral and non baised I understand and don't envy your role.

I don't think it is in the best interest of a trader to post how to threads as they could loose out in custom. However if a trader posted simple how to examples regarding keeping your vehicle in good working it would go some way to creating a good customer relationship.

[turbo-tuner]

Originally Posted by Jod T5

Hey Steve i know which camp you and Andy lie in and i respect you both for your valid and respectful opinions...

Furthermore i respect my good mate IC for the thread, which i appreciate could well be drawn into a "mechanics war" but is really an innocent investigation into why commercial traders only appear to ply for business rather than offer articles to help the less able or less informed member...

No Offence to either of you...

Jod

I believe the clue lies in the fact that they are called Traders, hence why they ply for business! Many traders probably do help members, but probably don't write articles for one (or more) of the following reasons...

a) they have no inclination to do so.
b) they probably don't have the time.
c) there are many resources already available such as the Haynes manual (accurate or not).
d) if they make a mistake, are people going to hold them liable or have a pop?
e) what would actually be considered a worthwile contribution?
f) the articles may already exist elsewhere and they haven't bothered to link to them.

Is this a valid reply as a trader?

[AndysR]

Originally Posted by st5ve

No offence taken, as a moderator you need to be nuetral and non baised I understand and don't envy your role.

I don't think it is in the best interest of a trader to post how to threads as they could loose out in custom. However if a trader posted simple how to examples regarding keeping your vehicle in good working it would go some way to creating a good customer relationship.

I agree it wouldn't be in the traders best interests to post how to threads in the interest of custom.

Whilst it would be good to see simple how to examples on a more safety related theme what would the legal implications be?
If for example there was a how to on renewing brakes and the person reading wasn't competent to carry out such a job would they then be liable, as a professional body, if something went wrong based on the information provided? Or would it be similar to that of someone buying a Haynes manual and following the instructions found there? Just curious?

Jod, no offence taken nor intended.

[Jod T5]

Originally Posted by st5ve

No offence taken, as a moderator you need to be nuetral and non baised I understand and don't envy your role.

As a staff member i can moderate but do very little...I am more interested in the Admin side of Forums.. than the day to day running...

Originally Posted by st5ve

I don't think it is in the best interest of a trader to post how to threads as they could loose out in custom. However if a trader posted simple how to examples regarding keeping your vehicle in good working it would go some way to creating a good customer relationship.

I agree, i would not be asking a Trader to give away "Trade Secrets" but stuff like ...Head Gasket replacement or (dear i say it) bolt off bolt on wing replacement would not be encroaching into the Oracle....
This said:
I appreciate there are some areas people will want to keep quiet..For instance why would you give away in 1 second a contact it has taken you 5 years to harness....
Saying that, if you have a contact so valuable, dont be "Giving It" unless you expect to be questioned...

Jod