Please Contribute to this Collaborative Article

[gafftaper]

I just created a Collaborative Article titled "The Best Dealer to Buy Equipment From".

It starts by suggesting that establishing a relationship with a local Dealer is usually the best way to go. Then it suggests some major national dealers with regional offices and a few trusted web dealers for situations where a local dealer just doesn't work. If you want to add to these parts of the article that would be fine but not what I'm most concerned about.

Finally... and this is where you come in... it concludes with a list of favorite local dealers. Please go to the Article and add your state and favorite local dealer to the article. People not in the US, please post your favorite local dealers as well in the World section.

Thanks! (Sorry for the double post but it seemed like the best way to make sure we get input from both the noise boys and lamp heads)

[icewolf08]

While it is great to have a dealer listing, is it politically correct for people to be posting their favorites? It seems like it could make for local controversy and animosity between dealers. Just a thought.

[gafftaper]

My feeling was we are making a variety of recommendations for people who have no idea where to go. We often get posts asking for help finding somewhere to shop and now we will have a nice complete list with a variety of options. We will keep an eye on the list and as long as no one says, "this dealer sucks don't go there" I don't think it's a problem. If we get a bunch of one time spam posters then we'll be a little more skeptical about the contents of the thread.

EDIT: PM sent to dvsDave for clarification/approval.
EDIT: EDIT: Dave says it's ok and hinted that a distant future CB upgrade will make this list unnecessary...

[lieperjp]

Please be sure to include a City (or cities) for them so if someone is looking to compare distances, it won't be a hassle.

Do we want to list who posted them, so that if the person has a question about the services provided by a company, it can be requested via PM?

[gafftaper]

Originally Posted by lieperjp

Do we want to list who posted them, so that if the person has a question about the services provided by a company, it can be requested via PM?

That's a great idea. It also helps us tell if there is a spam problem.

[derekleffew]

Originally Posted by lieperjp

...Do we want to list who posted them, so that if the person has a question about the services provided by a company, it can be requested via PM?

I think NOT. The nominating party then implies endorsement, and can easily lead to the problems Icewolf cited. If an inquirer wants to know about the services of a company, the company itself can answer better than the CB member.

Hypothetically, if I'm looking for a supplier in SLC, I'll PM Icewolf on my own to ask his opinion of various vendors. (One of the reasons I think Location should be required in every member's profile, as well as level of experience.)

If one has had issues with a local supplier, obviously one should not list them. We shouldn't go around bashing the reputations of vendors. [The product(s) of certain manufacturers, however...]

lieperjp: For those companies with many regional offices, listing the offices at the top should be sufficient. You'll grow old typing all the locations of PRG. Listing each branch office under each state [Norcostco] just clutters up the list, IMO. Furthermore, can you offer first-hand knowledge of your dealings with every office of Norcostco you've listed? (I have absolutely nothing against Norcostco, but I've never done business with any of their offices either.) Do we want this list to turn into LSA Online - LSA Directory, ESTA - Member Directory - Search Directory, Order Form, or one of the many others for which listees pay for inclusion?

[gafftaper]

Ok, never mind no usernames.