Forum User's Group.

[smartguyz]

Forum User\'s Group.

It seems to me that there is enough clout (especially with all the people who are buying equipment through advice on this forum, or even using the forum in lieu of service and advice from PT) for us to form a user's group. Perhaps one of the things we can do is to track the number of owners who have purchased due to this forum. (I count myself in this category)

If PT understands that this heavily influences purchase decisions, this may help to improve things in service, and even influence future products and features.

What do you guys think?

-Rob /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[bmac]

Re: Forum User\'s Group.

<font color="blue"> If PT understands that this heavily influences purchase decisions, this may help to improve things in service, and even influence future products and features. </font>

I think its been tried before without much success, if memory serves correctly. I believe it was Charlie who presented a list of questions/concerns/product requests from forum members to PT. My recollection is that not much came from his efforts. As always, I welcome correction if I erred in this response.

 

[MossRoad]

Re: Forum User\'s Group.

I've never been involved in an official user's group. What is involved?

 

[jfh230]

Re: Forum User\'s Group.

An official user group sponsored by PT sounds like a win-win for everybody.

Positives for PT:
1) The service department just increased by how ever many users sign up. Repair instructions could be posted, diagnostic procedures, etc. limiting the phone calls currently received.
2) Once a certain problem has been identified and fixed (gunk in the metal fuel tanks) the solution is now available for all users. This eliminates Terry having to expalin the same situation over and over again. Again it makes PT people more productive.
3) Things that work well and things that don't can be identified and PT can be aware to make changes or not. It becomes a built in free research and development lab for PT.
4) A major obstacle in the purchase decision of a PT is reduced. There is an official support mechanism available for owners. More sales are made.

Positives for Owners:
1) Items 1,2,3,4 above.
2) A controlled environment for the forum. TBN is fantastic but could change or stop at any point and there isn't anything you can do about it. Take yahoo groups as an example. They have decided to stop allowing the archiving of attachments to posts. No more pictures with posts. It has severly limited several groups I am involved in to the point that they are disbanding.
3) The ability to have the factory's ear. If the same problem keeps surfacing it can be dealt with quickly.
4) Kept abreast of upcoming improvements and/or new implements so you can spend more money. Oh wait, this should go up to positive for PT /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

The important point to stress to PT is that this would not be a gripe board but something very positive for them. It would be a tremendous marketing, research, and service tool for them. All for free. Which is essentially what the TBN board is, just without the manufacturers input. Bet you all didn't realize you should be receiving a paycheck from PT. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Just my 2c from a potential PT buyer
Jack

 

[Bob999]

Re: Forum User\'s Group.

I think PT is very concerned about legal liability and that many of their actions are based on advice as to how to avoid it. As evidence I cite their warranty form/disclaimer that they require all purchasers to sign as well as the experience of John Coxon (Sedgewood)--refusing to deal with him when his insurance company sought recovery after paying for his fire loss.

I suspect that this concern may be one of the reasons that Terry Espey will not originate email or respond to email queries--it avoids a written record.

 

[Charlie_Iliff]

Re: Forum User\'s Group.

Bob:
Certainly Power Trac is overly concerned about litigation. I don't know if it's the result of legal advice or a bad experience, but if there's a hint of design criticism, even offered to try to suggest an improvement, the doors slam shut.
John Coxon's experience is beyond explanation. It cost PT the profit on a new machine, because John is fixing the old one himself. PT actually went the other way - they insisted that communications be in writing, but apparently were afraid that even selling a new machine somehow prejudiced their position. (Incidentally, other than "machines shouldn't catch fire", I don't think there's any indication that a design or manufacturing defect caused the fire. Right, Sedgewood?)
On the other hand, I and others have consistently gotten prompt answers regarding our repairs, good service on parts delivery, etc.
I'm not sure that Terry's e-mail aversion is company policy; I think it's just that Terry doesn't sit at a desk much and e-mail isn't his thing. (He promised that he'd have a computer in his new office, but last I heard, you still had to call to get someone to read his e-mail and get it to him. It's part of his image. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif)

 

[Bob999]

Re: Forum User\'s Group.

<font color="red"> On the other hand, I and others have consistently gotten prompt answers regarding our repairs, good service on parts delivery, etc.
</font>

Charlie,

I agree. In fact I said something similar in another Thread

I will add that I got an email from Terry in response to my email inquiry---the email said to CALL HIM!

 

[bubenberg]

Re: Forum User\'s Group.

i will go one step further and far less diplomatic ...don't waste your time

 

[MossRoad]

Re: Forum User\'s Group.

<font color="blue"> i will go one step further and far less diplomatic ...don't waste your time </font>

Hans... what's your point?. /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[bubenberg]

Re: Forum User\'s Group.

i spent a day out of three in Tazwell two visits back, discussing maintenance forums, joint newsletters and user groups, regional ralleys etc. two weeks later my Tazwell contact was no longer with the company.