Just My .02

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Beemerboy

Beemerboy

Just One More Coat
Since the new ownership here at the ODC (old detail city) took over. I have noticed a huge influx of new members, that’s good for the site. However more of what I see now is the factory reps joining. I’m sure that it comes on the invitation of the site ownership, which can be good for the site as well.

One thing that I am consistently starting to see is the lack of or any threads started by members looking for advice about a detailing process or asking about a product, whether OTC or online.

The direction that I see this site going in now is an advertising venue for the site owners, and it should be as they paid for it, or the factory reps. What you will see is less and less threads from members like myself that are looking for advice on process, or questions about products. The reason being, it will be become a sales opportunity for the site rather than a advice based forum. If you look at the new threads posted this week that’s very evident.

My point is that if the new owners would like to create a wholesome non-bias detail forum, the current direction it is headed in is not going to accomplish that. Having been a member since almost the inception of the ODC, I’ve seen a lot of changes. I don’t see this one as a negative, but I don’t see it as a positive either.

Thanks and I hope that I’ve not over stepped my boundaries, just something that I wanted to get off my chest; I’m not alone in these feelings.:D
 
Hey Beemerboy

Thanks for the comments. One of the goals of this forum is to make it an open non biased detailing forum where someone could talk about any product.

I think you are misinterpreting the chat night as an attempt to turn this site into some type of advertising venue. This is not the case at all.

I had the idea that having a chat night for members would be a way to stimulate posts and get more members to the forum.

We did this on another forum years ago and it was very well received. I don't know of any other forum that is doing it now.

The scenario you just described is the last thing I would want this forum to turn into.

If you have any ideas about a way to get more members here and increase traffic I am totally open.
 
The migration from AG is why some of the 7 year old threads are resurrected. :D

I came here and stayed because of the pro base that exists (or existed) here and vendors that were willing to offer professional, clear advice without asking for the order.

Since I'm a rookie and a hobbyist, I appreciated the field experience that was shared at DC.

Mike Phillips, an excellent authority on auto detailing, has now started to present his informative and well prepared forum seminars. That's great, since this is now an AG site.

But, as for the other pros here who make a living at it, I believe it overshadows them and may decrease any incentive for them to offer support or instruction.

Or maybe it will motivate them. I'm patient enough to wait.

I don't think we'll be banned for expressing our opinions and observations.
 
I don't think we'll be banned for expressing our opinions and observations.
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No one will be banned for making an opinion or observation. As long as the the simple forum rules are followed we will all be good. My goal is to make this as open forum as possible as it relates to detailing. The support of the vendors and their input is just one aspect of it.
 
I think we've all noticed the drop off in regular member comments, questions, and "show & tell" articles. Sometimes days go by without a new post. I wish I had the wisdom to say "hey, just do this and this" to regain what has been lost but I don't. I do hope things turn around and head back in the right direction soon. From a thriving community to a ghost town is the way it's headed and none of us that have been here a while like it one bit.
 
Pat,

I didn't mention "chat night" at all in any of my post. I really don't care about live chat. The success of DC was based off of, detailers of all levels of experience. Giving advice on processes or suggestions of products they had hands on experience with. I understand that you are gong to continue that, but now you have quite a few factory reps allowed to post in those threads..who's product do you think they are going to suggest?

Let me address the getting information direct from the factory reps part. Its going to become a "use my product" forum. I see this all the time on other car forums in their detail sections. A poster can't ask a simple question without some rep or sponsor trying to promote his line for a sale. Factory reps have one agenda they want to sell their products. Having worked in sales for over 30 years, and today, I am a factory rep in the electronics industry. I fully understand the mind set.

All that said, IMO open a forum "Ask a Factory Rep" Let them have an area that they can answer specific questions about their product line, to those that have a question. They in turn can participate in the open forum answering questions, but not allowed to recommend their product line. That's the hidden agenda and point that I am making.

Lastly thanks for putting my thread back up. You might find that it promotes some good ideas from the original cast of characters of ODC. Currently you don't have many of them posting, although I'm sure a lot of them are lurking.




Pats300zx said:
Hey Beemerboy

Thanks for the comments. One of the goals of this forum is to make it an open non biased detailing forum where someone could talk about any product.

I think you are misinterpreting the chat night as an attempt to turn this site into some type of advertising venue. This is not the case at all.

I had the idea that having a chat night for members would be a way to stimulate posts and get more members to the forum.

We did this on another forum years ago and it was very well received. I don't know of any other forum that is doing it now.

The scenario you just described is the last thing I would want this forum to turn into.

If you have any ideas about a way to get more members here and increase traffic I am totally open.
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If you notice on active forums, a lot of the threads can be back and forth from regulars. This is intermixed with "newbies" who pick up on the chatter. There are the usual threads (best microfiber, how to wash microfiber, how is my process, can a PC harm paint, how do I..). It was not active before on DC but has not picked up yet here. DC to me was noted as much for nice political and gun discussions as much as detailers.

I do not expect miracles overnight but depends on how John tries to grow the forum so it will become active. We shall see. Improvements in traffic can be only a good thing. Controversial topics actually help if they do not get out of control.

Even the other autopia, newbie posts just have a few responders and if not for a post accumulator there would be little.

I think many of the DC members are still in shock or just protest mode. It seems there are always some that leave in a huff when something changes that does not suit them.
 
I think the main observation I've had is that this truly is becoming an AutogeekOnline forum clone, and frankly I don't see how that is beneficial for PBMA.

If the goal or idea of purchasing Autopia Carcare and the DC forum was to create an environment to cater to a different sort of buyer, this isn't doing it. Both the store and the forum are copying the Autogeek formula a little too closely in my opinion to be effective at diversifying PBMA's target market in the long run.
 
Long time viewer and poster. I had another account I used for years but it got deleted somehow. I agree with the above posters. This forum lost all of its (at home) appeal. It used to have such a nice warm feel and lots of friendly users. Had such a nice following. Now it seems way to commercialized and mainstream for my liking :(. I guess that is what money does to you.
 
Well I'm not a marketing guru but just a old gear head that visits various forums to get my fix of detailing info and share ideas on techniques and products. This forum used to be a place that didn't push any particular brand over another and had had members that were easy to relate to. It was absent of some of those that claimed they knew everything,done everything and newbies were ignorant and not deserving of their time.The changes now being made represent a lot of work and effort that sadly only make it a copy of AG. Not getting down on AG as I also visit and post there but I see no need for two of the same. Just my 2 cents.
 
As a vendor (Black Wow), my views might be taken with a grain of salt, however, I am here to answer questions about my product and provide support as I do on a dozen other detailing/enthusiast forums. But even more exciting to me is that I'm also grateful that PBMA has finally picked up Prima, so I'll be posting my detailing writeups since I'm probably one of the most experienced professionals who uses this system. I'm also very close friends with Prima, I will be helping Nick and Heather support other users as I've done for them on other forums. While many of you don't know me outside of BW, atleast in the AG community, I hope to be able to provide more content on this site that won't be viewed as just marketing but will encourage more people to try a system they probably aren't all that familiar with.

Richard
 
wallyStang said:
Long time viewer and poster. I had another account I used for years but it got deleted somehow. I agree with the above posters. This forum lost all of its (at home) appeal. It used to have such a nice warm feel and lots of friendly users. Had such a nice following. Now it seems way to commercialized and mainstream for my liking :(. I guess that is what money does to you.
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I'm going to agree with you. Same situation with having another acct and from seeing/learning all the info from years ago and then fastfowarding to now... Huge disappointment, from informative to overly commercial. :wall
 
Richard@BlackWOW said:
... more exciting to me is that I'm also grateful that PBMA has finally picked up Prima, so I'll be posting my detailing writeups ... While many of you don't know me outside of BW, atleast in the AG community, ...
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While Prima products have not received a lot of attention and dialogue here, there are at least a few of us who are familiar with the line and at least one of our community has written on their experience with Amigo and Banana Gloss. But bring on the reviews, while they've piqued my interest over the years I haven't yet been moved to add any to my arsenal.

There are some of us "older" guys they probably know you from Autopia.org, but under another username. :)
 
As a manufacturer representative, I can certainly see your point. I want you all to know that I'm only here for products support and because I love detailing. If I see a post about "Not happy with Optimum" of "How can I dilute Power Clean for different jobs", I will answer to the best of my knowledge. But, if I see a post that says: "ONR or DP Rinseless...which is right for me?", I will not comment at all simply because I know the poster is looking for member opinions NOT a manufacturer's. The way I look at it is that we make great products...but, so do many other companies. We should be able to survive on our merits and not have to force our products down your throat. After all, I was a detailer and a forum member long before I started working for a manufacturer so I'd like to think I know how I'd like to be approached or assisted.
 
Preparing for my ban.....


Richard@BlackWOW said:
As a vendor (Black Wow), my views might be taken with a grain of salt, however, I am here to answer questions about my product and provide support as I do on a dozen other detailing/enthusiast forums. But even more exciting to me is that I'm also grateful that PBMA has finally picked up Prima, so I'll be posting my detailing writeups since I'm probably one of the most experienced professionals Granted this is only a partial sentance, but wow.....who uses this system. I'm also very close friends with Prima, I will be helping Nick and Heather support other users as I've done for them on other forums. While many of you don't know me outside of BW, atleast in the AG community, I hope to be able to provide more content on this site that won't be viewed as just marketing but will encourage more people to try a system they probably aren't all that familiar with. How is this not marketing ?!?!?!?!

Richard
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Chris@Optimum said:
As a manufacturer representative, I can certainly see your point. I want you all to know that I'm only here for products support and because I love detailing. If I see a post about "Not happy with Optimum" of "How can I dilute Power Clean for different jobs", I will answer to the best of my knowledge. But, if I see a post that says: "ONR or DP Rinseless...which is right for me?", I will not comment at all simply because I know the poster is looking for member opinions NOT a manufacturer's. The way I look at it is that we make great products...but, so do many other companies. We should be able to survive on our merits and not have to force our products down your throat. After all, I was a detailer and a forum member long before I started working for a manufacturer so I'd like to think I know how I'd like to be approached or assisted.
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I have always appreciated the info/help you have given.
 
^^^^^ I agree with Ronkh about Chris.He gives great info on his products without putting down other products of his competitors. He runs a top notch forum of his own and is helpful and not on a "My products are the end all answer to you detailing needs". Other reps could take lessons from Chris.
 
Bunky said:
DC to me was noted as much for nice political and gun discussions as much as detailers.
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I'm afraid I was guilty of bringing up political and even religious discussion that many viewed as not having a place on a detailing forum. To me, it was nice to see how my friends here viewed these things. Looking back I realize that talking about those things interested me more than talking about the thing I did day in and day out (detailing). :sorry:

Bunky said:
I do not expect miracles overnight but depends on how John tries to grow the forum so it will become active. We shall see. Improvements in traffic can be only a good thing. Controversial topics actually help if they do not get out of control.
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:exactly:

Give the man a chance. I'm thinking this place is gonna be bigger and better than ever with more posts than ever. Granted it might lose the cozy club house feel but the benefits will probably out weigh that.

:dcrules <--- This sign might be confusing to newbies to the site. :D
 
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