[Histonet] Vendor Perspective

Wed Oct 25 14:33:36 CDT 2006

David,
     I think we are just bound to disagree on this one. I certainly do see your perspective, but I still think that good and bad opinions are valuable to the group as a whole. You don't see it that way and that is OK. Just remember that it is still bound to happen and the majority of the Histonet seems to be glad to hear both sides of it.
     I would advise a vendor to keep tabs on what is said on the Histonet so they can be prepared to fully explain problems that are being discussed when a customer inquires, and they will inquire!
Thanks,
Amos Brooks

Sent from my BlackBerry® wireless device  

-----Original Message-----
From: David Henriks <henriks <@t> southbaytech.com>
Date: Tue, 24 Oct 2006 19:38:50 
To:Amos Brooks <amosbrooks <@t> gmail.com>
Cc:histonet <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu
Subject: Re: [Histonet] Vendor Perspective

Amos:

 Everyone seems to misunderstand what I said.  I never said not to share your opinion.  I said to share it in private.  I would support stating your negative opinions on the listserver if the entire conversation took place on the listserver.  I think it is unfair for someone to toss out a negative opinion without including the background and without the vendor having the opportunity to respond.  I don't think anyone wants to be inundated with all of the details of someone's individual situation, however I think it is necessary to put the comments in context.  As an example, one of the listserve members made some negative personal comments about me.  When I defended myself and tried to provide the complete picture I was greeted with people telling me I was "grasping at straws" and told to "shut the *&?! up".   With that in mind, it seems that a vendor won't get a fair shake here even to defend his good name.  It seems to me that it makes more sense to send the negative comments off line and let the people who have the real interest sort it out.  Alternatively, you need to happily accept the entire thread from anyone who wants to post without castigating them both on and off line.  Also, it should be noted that one hot headed remark certainly can be slanderous - particularly when made openly to a forum of thousands of potential customers, employers and colleagues.

 Even within the first amendment there are limits to what can be said.  Although, I don't see this as so much a 1st amendment issue as I do an issue of common decency.  

 Best regards-

 David

 Amos Brooks wrote:
 David, 
     I have to respectfully disagree. This is a group forum, and while I 
 feel stifled at times about offering my experiences with products, it would 
 entirely defeat the purpose of this forum if only the sunshiny glowing 
 references were permitted. It's just not a reflection of reality. Not 
 everyone will like "Product A" and they have every right to say so. 
     If you feel there is any basis to fight this First Ammendment case I 
 think you should start with the bumperstickers of car manufacturer logos 
 being watered down. (see: http://www.customnames.com/images/calvin_Ford.jpg: <http://www.customnames.com/images/calvin_Ford.jpg>  ) 
 (Apologies to Ford Royer, tough thread my friend) If you can get anywhere 
 with that then I'm sure you will see people being more cautious about saying 
 anything bad about your products. They will probably all be moving to North 
 Korea for more personal freedom too. 
     The ideal thing for the vendor to do would be to contact the person 
 making the complaint and see what can be done to fix the problem. Accepting 
 the fact that it is entirely possible that the customer may be too far gone 
 to do anything about. No harm in trying though. 
     Now it must be said that there is a limit to expressing a negative 
 opinion and simply slandreing or bashing a company. This is unacceptable too 
 and in this case the vendor needs to do what they need to do to stay alive. 
 Honestly though one hot headed remark does not slander make. If it really 
 bugs you find a customer you have a good relationship with to counter the 
 claim. 
     I have to disagree emphatically with any call to have vendors bumped 
 off the Histonet. As a matter of fact I think we need more, but they need to 
 understand the basics of the Histonet. I have had Vendors and Sales Reps 
 give very good advice and have benefitted very much from their help over the 
 years. But it is imperative that they keep in mind the purpose of this 
 forum. It is not to be used as a sales platform. If you are helpful and 
 answer customer's questions they will remember you. If you hunt them down 
 and chastize them for daring to not like your product ... they will remember 
 you. 

 Cheers, 
 Amos Brooks 

 -------------------------------------------- 
 From: David Henriks &lt;henriks <@t> southbaytech.com&gt;: <mailto:henriks <@t> southbaytech.com> 
 Subject: Re: [Histonet] Re: goodbye - vendor perspective 
 To: Douglas D Deltour &lt;doug <@t> ppspath.com&gt;: <mailto:doug <@t> ppspath.com> 
 Cc: histonet <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu: <mailto:histonet <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu> 
 Message-ID: &lt;453E48AE.2050505 <@t> southbaytech.com&gt;: <mailto:453E48AE.2050505 <@t> southbaytech.com> 
 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1; format=flowed 

 John should answer Jane's question. 

 John should answer Jane's question directly to Jane. 

 John  should not post his comments to the listserver as a whole. 

 -- 
 David Henriks 
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