Dealer / Salesman, Manf. Rep.

[Mark_in_NH]

Well, I wasn't quite sure what to call this thread or where to post it. Under "Buying / Pricing", "Owning / Operating", or "Related Topics. So I am going to wing it.
In my short time here as a member, I have seen some referance to the Input / Participation of the afore mentioned people.
Now, many of us know of some of the afore mentioned people, who are members of this site and who do participate.
There input, knowledge and honesty is extremely appreciated and I for one, can't thank you guys enough.
But I am curious! How many of us members now whether or not our dealer / salesman and or Manf. Reps have ever bothered to check this site out.
I can and will personally say the I have mentenioned this website, the vast area & number of people / consumers it represents within this market, the information, input and knowlege that can be obtained from this site, to every dealer that I have stepped into to, and/or sallesman I have spoke to.
I have politely, but seriously implied to these people, that it could and would be in there best interest, to at least browse this site. For it truly does give true honest insite to what the their market / customers are Wanting, expecting, and needing in, Compact tractors, implements, financing, service ec. etc.
Now in a recent Thread / Post it was mentioned that JD does not allow it's dealer / reps to participate in such message boards. That doesn't surprise me, nor does it upset me. I am sure that this may be the case with other manufacturs as well, and I think thats OK. But that doesn't mean that they or there afiliates, can't atleast come here and read. I for one have learned alot over the years form just listening and never opening my mouth.
I certainly don't want this thread to take a negative or sour note. And I certainly don't want to get anyone in hot water. I am just feeling Nosey !!!!!!!!! Inquiring minds want to know !!!
If there are any of the afore mention people who are members and or readers of this site, that we don't already know of and just can't acknowlege the fact. I thank you for whatever participation you can and do give.
Now, I for one can and will say that to " The best of my knowledge" none of the Dealer / salesman I have talked to have ever come here. /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

 

[JerryG]

I know for a fact that people from MF / AGCO's service/ R&D department in Hesston, Kansas has checked TBN out. It has been indicated to me that higher ups in the home office in Georgia has also.

 

[s1120]

<font color="red">Now in a recent Thread / Post it was mentioned that JD does not allow it's dealer / reps to participate in such message boards. </font>

I can't think of one reason why not. /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif The information that any one from the dealer level on up can get from this site, and others like it could save them a fourtune. These people pay other groups to find out what there custermers want, well, here we are, ask us yourself. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[MikePA]

One of the things cowboydoc mentioned in his most recent post was the following. The 'I' in the sentence is cowboydoc and the 'He' is the Deere rep.

I said that alot of complaints and such on internet boards. He said it's a losing battle because of so much misinformation.

No offense, Mark, but your post contains a perfect example.

<font color="blue">Now in a recent Thread / Post it was mentioned that JD does not allow it's dealer / reps to participate in such message boards.</font>

This was not stated anywhere.

Here's what was said, in the same thread. Note that it's a question and not a statement. Here's a link to the post.

<font color="blue"> JD won't allow the reps to knowingly get on the forum and converse ? </font>

 

[Mark_in_NH]

Yup, I stand corrected. /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif Thanks Mike /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif I guess this was one of those times when I should be listening and not talking.
I apoligize to all for getting the information wrong. I am going away now and keeping my big yap shut. /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif
Moderators, please feel free to delete this thread.

 

[RobS]

Mark, there are two aspects for the manufacturers to consider with a site like this: Listening in and contributing.

Listening in would seem invaluable to me for someone in marketing or product development. A great way to see what the real world wants or is having trouble with.

Contributing on the other hand, gets dangerous for a manufacturer. People do make mistakes and a rep making a mistake in a one-on-one conversation with a customer has minimal impact. The same rep making the same mistake (mis-quote, mis-understood question etc.) to a large forum like this could spell serious trouble /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[Gary_in_Indiana]

I recall a Deere dealer who was a contributor here when I first found this board. Very helpful with information on service bulletins, etc., and just an all around good guy.

I seem to recall that he ceased contributing here when membership became a requirment to post. Perhaps that was something to do with the Deere policy. I don't know.

 

[JerryG]

A couple of years a go, I believe that it was on this board but it might not have been there was a dealer rep. that was told by JD that he was to retract what he said and to cease commutations on the board which he did.

 

[nomad]

There are many reasons for manufacturers not contributing much on such forums. Especially, if it's a big manufacturing company like Deere, its marketing business is being done by managers and directors who are not owners. Maybe, they don't have time to surf & read & contribute on such forums. But I think that they don't care much about such extra works as they are employee managers. When, say, a Deere dealer chats on such forums these managers may think that he/she maybe giving a bad image to Deere. Instead of improving these and instead of getting used to this new public communication internet technique, they do the easiest work; forbid public talks. Another thing is that the market for big companies is so tight that even a little info is playing an important role for them, therefore they are avoiding to talk in the public.

But I have seen some manufacturers&distributors&dealers here on these forums who are relatively smaller ones should be appreciated for their contributions here. These are the people who should make more money, at least for their contributions and for their social activities here.