Hot Tub Forum
Original => Hot Tub Forum => Topic started by: fatman on January 23, 2006, 08:50:54 am
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This customer poll is mostly for the benefit of "newbies" but it would be great if all customers and potential customers participated. I think the dealers who participate on the forum should have the word "DEALER" underneath their username. I can remember when I first came to the forum. It was a bit difficult to distinguish who the dealers were. For a few weeks I couldn't tell that "stuart", "spahappy" and "terminator" were dealers anymore than I could tell that "Lori", "vinny" and "Debra" were not dealers. Customers, what's your opinion(s)???
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Sorry I haven't gotten back to you fast enough, I've had new job priorities this past week. Putting it under the username is not possible. That would require a software rewrite and this software is used in thousands of locations worldwide for many types of forums. You would have to talk to them. It could be in other parts of the user's profile, but again, I think it would have to be voluntary as what is to prevent someone from creating another login if they don't want to be identified that way?
Personally I have no problem identifying who is who after a while, but I'm here every day. If someone makes a point, and I want to know, I'll ask them about their afilliation or experiences. I have seen where some dealers get attacked just because of who they are or who they represent, and I haven't seen anyone try to hide that fact.
I see it as a non-issue, but will be interested, as usual, in the thoughts of others.
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For a few weeks I couldn't tell that "stuart", "spahappy" and "terminator" were dealers anymore than I could tell that "Lori", "vinny" and "Debra" were not dealers.
That's all fine and dandy, but please don't put me on that list. My very first post stated that I was a HotSpring dealer and in my avatar it has always been indicated, proudly so. Maybe you just threw me in there as a generic dealer reference and that's fine too.
I believe all dealers should identify themselves as such. I called one dealer out who was pretending to be a consumer as I thought that she was being sneaky and I can't abide sneaky folks. Don't be ashamed of what you sell or else don't sell it.
Terminator
HotSpring Spa Salesman
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I suggested it once several months ago and wasn't overwhelmed with positive responses.
I'm all for it.
1) if you are a dealer, it can lend a lot of credibitlity to postings that deal with a specific brand or of a technical nature
2) it helps identify you from dilettantes (dabblers like myself).
3) when recomoneding a tub it helps consumers understand who is saying what, and if a posters is looking for a speciific brand dealer, they can easliy tell.
anyhow...I don't think you see a "rule" come about that will require dealers to do this, but I would strongly encourage dealers (and non dealers to post something in thier profi,e or under thier username that helps others understand who is who.
just my 2 cents....
If anyone is against this idea, I'm curious why?
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I think it is a fine idea, but then should we distinguish, Spa salesperson, Spa shopper, Spa owner, Spa Dealer, Mfg. Rep.
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If anyone is against this idea, I'm curious why?
Against it? No, I just don't see it as enforceable, and I am happy with the voluntary way everyone has participated so far. I don't mind policing the occasional Jimmy Disciples when they show up (Where I am sitting right now, that is funnier that you will know) But I don't want to have to be a cop everytime someone suspects that someone is misrepresenting themselves.
Our dealers in particular have been excellent and our a great part of this forum. I've seen many of them preface remarks with, "I represent so and so" thousands of times." Many of them like Term and Steve from Hydropool have identifying words in their profiles.
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I love the idea, short and to the point
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term,
i agree with what you said. be proud of what you sell.
as a relativly new (300 posts) member of the forum, it didnt occour to me to state i was a dealer in my profile.
looks like ill have to change my quote lol ;)
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Just so you know!
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I think it would be nice to know who is who. Some are obvious in what they sell, others are not. The question that frequently comes to my mind when reading some threads is "where is this person from"? I wish everyone would list in their profile where they are from. Again, some are obvious ( East Texas, So Cal etc..). Maybe its just me.
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Guess I have to change my tag line back. ;D
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That's all fine and dandy, but please don't put me on that list. My very first post stated that I was a HotSpring dealer and in my avatar it has always been indicated, proudly so. Maybe you just threw me in there as a generic dealer reference and that's fine too.
I believe all dealers should identify themselves as such. I called one dealer out who was pretending to be a consumer as I thought that she was being sneaky and I can't abide sneaky folks. Don't be ashamed of what you sell or else don't sell it.
Terminator
HotSpring Spa Salesman
Yes, terminator I just threw you in as a reference. Nothing more was intended on my part.
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I figured as much. Like I said, that's fine too! :)
Terminator
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salesdvl- who do you represent?
I have seen your posts before so I think you are a dealer/salesperson but not sure I know with who.
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He's a factory rep for LA Spas... I think. ;) The company is right, the title could be wrong.
:)
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I have no problem with that at all...in fact I think it's a great idea for people to put how long they have owned their spas and if they have owned more than one. It would change the passionate views for a buyer if someone says that they own the most reliable spa in the industry and yet they haven't owned it long enough to actually give that testimony credibility.
All to often we have people with minimal experience venomously defending their purchase decision by trying to discredit someone that spends their life doing this.
Yes I'm a spa dealer and I have played one on TV!!
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I Again, some are obvious ( East Texas, So Cal etc..).
oh man, you figured me out. now what am i gonna do ??? and they say you can be annonomous on the net ;D
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I'm glad to see the MILF is back Brook.
Guess I have to change my tag line back. Â ;D
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Thanks to all who have responded so far. I am taking this poll mostly on behalf of all the "newbies" who come to this site, especially those who do not post on a regular basis after they have purchased a hot tub. When a newbie comes to this forum and blindly asks the question "Which hot tub should I buy?", I think it would be a good idea if that newbie knew whether or not it was a dealer replying to that question. If a Marquis dealer replies to the newbies question stating "Marquis is the best hot tub you can buy" but that dealer does not let the newbie know he is a dealer, in my opinion, that is disguised advertising and not at all fair to the potential customer who is asking the question.
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I think that's a GREAT Idea.It may even help the dealers with addtional business. I could use a dealer in the Charlotte NC area right now who doesn't hide his head in the sand right after the sale. This forum would further legitimatize the dealer. Great Idea!!
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salesdvl- who do you represent?
I have seen your posts before so I think you are a dealer/salesperson but not sure I know with who.
Sorry, I missed this one. Yes, I currently am a Regional Sales Manager for L.A. Spas. Before this I sold in a retail store chain for about 20 yrs. I have sold many brands including HS, Master, Artesian, D-1, Nordic....
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Sorry, I missed this one. Yes, I currently am a Regional Sales Manager for L.A. Spas. Before this I sold in a retail store chain for about 20 yrs. I have sold many brands including HS, Master, Artesian, D-1, Nordic....
Good thing I answered on your behalf... 6 days ago. :)
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Thamks again to all of you who took the time to reply but it looks like this thread is just going to die off..... I guess it's up to all the dealers to voluntarily identify themselves as being dealers. Thanks to East TX Spa for already doing so. I think it's far more important to know who a dealer is than to know who a "junior member", "senior member", "full member" or "ultimate member" is.
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Good thing I answered on your behalf... 6 days ago. :)
Thanks for having my back. ;)
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I think my signature reveals what I sell, and my Avatar tag gives you a general idea where I come from.
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Thanks to all who have responded so far. I am taking this poll mostly on behalf of all the "newbies" who come to this site, especially those who do not post on a regular basis after they have purchased a hot tub. When a newbie comes to this forum and blindly asks the question "Which hot tub should I buy?", I think it would be a good idea if that newbie knew whether or not it was a dealer replying to that question. If a Marquis dealer replies to the newbies question stating "Marquis is the best hot tub you can buy" but that dealer does not let the newbie know he is a dealer, in my opinion, that is disguised advertising and not at all fair to the potential customer who is asking the question.
As a newbie, but also an intelligent consumer I agree. Naturally, if the hypothetical Marqius dealer above tells me only Marquis are worth purchasing, he/she is only damaging his own credibility. But if I buy a Marquis, and the have a question, who better to trust? I also like to know who the delears are because it is very interesting to notice which brands of spas are represented at this site. As a whole, those brands stand out to me as possibly more trustworthy because their dealers are out here comunicating with customers, keeping their finger on the pulse of the industry from a consumer perspective. (I know it is not entirely altruistic, but it is still helpful)
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Voluntary identification of dealers and brands would be helpful as a way of determining who to ask about a specific brand.
But I notice that all of the dealers on this forum are neutral and do not push their brands. Questions appear to be answered truthfully and they are all careful not to knock the other brands (except for T-spa salemen, who are fair game every where in the civilized world).
All in all, I really appreciate the dealers on this forum and I don't think it would be as good without them.
;D
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Voluntary identification of dealers and brands would be helpful as a way of determining who to ask about a specific brand.
But I notice that all of the dealers on this forum are neutral and do not push their brands. Questions appear to be answered truthfully and they are all careful not to knock the other brands (except for T-spa salemen, who are fair game every where in the civilized world).
All in all, I really appreciate the dealers on this forum and I don't think it would be as good without them.
;D
Why thank you! Now everyone buy a Marquis Epic because I have one;)
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Why thank you! Now everyone buy a Marquis Epic because I have one;)
Stuart, did you turn some store equitity into Marquis stocks? ;)
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I think my signature reveals what I sell, and my Avatar tag gives you a general idea where I come from.
took the words right out of my mouth HotTubMan!!!
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I have been cogitating on this thread for a while. It seems to me that generally all of the participants in this forum are pretty up front. Any "newbie" who comes here seeking advice will get it, and the group keeps everybody honest. I can remember the occasional charlatan trying to foist off some line or another, but I honestly cannot remember anyone getting away with it.
So, while it is not a big deal, full disclosure about professional affiliations is unlikely to make any difference. This is a pretty good forum, filled with good people. This is a big part of the reason that I have stayed involved and tried in my own feeble way to make contributions where I can.
For newbies, I am a consumer with no affiliations to the spa industry.
Regards,
Bill
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Stuart, did you turn some store equitity into Marquis stocks? ;)
No, factory reps were force feeding me Double Pina Coladas when I wrote that.... 8)
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No, factory reps were force feeding me Double Pina Coladas when I wrote that.... 8)
mmmmmmmmm pina coladas....doubles even ;D