Justice for all

[Silvertree]

Remodel Crazy has fielded 2 complaints against vendors this week.

This could be a good thing for many reasons.
One is it could grow membership because only registered users can use this.
Two it would give a voice to the industry to improve services to professionals.

There is the danger of abusing this power were getting and we could end up being a rant site that becomes a joke and we could also end up needing a lawyer if we libel a company.

Don't kid yourself, these are bigger dogs with bigger teeth than Remodel Crazy.

The issues with ReachLocal will not get resolved I think, they will just ignore the complaints and Mike and Jesse will finish their contracts If we had handled this differently we might have gotten a response. As it is ReachLocal has nothing to gain from responding.

In the future we will do this a little differently.

A formal complaint and invite will be issued and we will wait for the company spokesman to respond.

You have a complaint, go ahead and post it, but if you want to get the complaint company to respond we will have to follow a procedure.

Suggestions on how this can be done are welcome, in the form of a PM.

Its still innocent until proven guilty.

[kevjob]

Its still innocent until proven guilty.

not with marketing and 3k spent on nothing.

[Silvertree]

Unfortunately, we still need both sides.

Yes money spent and no leads, but marketing gives no guaranty.

We play it straight or we lose our credibility.

[LivinTheDream]

Sound thoughts here, The Paul. I think you're going to lead this thing well.

[fez-head]

I had a lot of problems with RL but am still holding out hope.

The squeaky wheel gets the grease so this will be a good thing and carry much more weight than one lone voice. For example I was pretty much told by Aaron at FootBridge "why are you the only contractor complaining about your website - it must be you not us where the problem lies" .

He also asked why I had never said anything before. Well - like most of our clients I don't like to make a fuss and it took years for me to finally speak up and that was only after hearing other contractors on RC with the same complaints I had. Then I was made to feel like a complainer for having the audacity to say i was unhappy with what I was paying for. If everyone that was unhappy would have made their voices heard then positive change most likely would have come about.

To be honest it was all of those Anal Retentive PITA clients through the years that molded my company into what it is today. We made a bunch of mistakes (and still make a few) and learned from the experiences. Your damn right it stung at the time and hurt our pride - but you know what we really listened and made changes to insure that future complaints didn't happen (at least not nearly as often :o)

Bottom line is if no one speaks up the problem just continues. Even the best companies have problems and unless they know about them they will never be fixed. and if only one voice makes a complaint then that one voice is labeled one of "THOSE PITA" type clients and blown off.

[deckman]

Best of luck, but unless you have a much bigger #'s of registered users I doubt you'll be able to pressure any big vender.

Noble idea, kudo's to you if it works out for someone.

[ChrWright]

Best of luck, but unless you have a much bigger #'s of registered users I doubt you'll be able to pressure any big vender.

Noble idea, kudo's to you if it works out for someone.

I don't think the # of users matters as much as search engine reach. RC posts are improving by the day in how well they index with Google.

http://www.google.com/search?btnG=1&pws=0&q=vinotemp+complaints

As of today, that search yields an RC thread in the #3 position.

[deckman]

I don't think the # of users matters as much as search engine reach. RC posts are improving by the day in how well they index with Google.

As of today, that search yields an RC thread in the #3 position.

Ah yes, never under estimate the power of google.

[OGStilts]

You don't think this works? Well yesterday I got a phone call from the Vice President of Operations at Vinotemp. First phone call I've ever received from them. I didn't receive any sort of apology but they are finally taking steps to rectify the situation. It doesn't look like I'm going to get exactly what I wanted (them send me the parts then I will send the defective ones back) but it seems to be a reasonable compromise. Nothing is finalized yet, but I've been promised a phone call next week for verification. It's still going to cost me twice in the amount of labor as it should cost but all I care about is making my client happy.

Does this make me feel any differently about Vinotemp? No. Does this make me regret my public remarks regarding Vinotemps actions? No, I want others to know what I've been through. I hope Vinotemp learns from my experience. And I will let others make up there own mind of what is right for them to do in regards to buying their products.

[Silvertree]

Deckman, Remodel Crazy is under no illusions that we are a powerful entity.

We do know we have some influence. And we are getting more.

Why would we not want to support our members with everything we got, whether we scare the big companies or not.

A tiny pebble in your shoe would eventually get you to notice and I'll bet you would take the time to do something about it.

We will continue to think big.

[kornerking]

Unfortunately, we still need both sides.

Yes money spent and no leads, but marketing gives no guaranty.

We play it straight or we lose our credibility.

In a radio campaign this summer I spent $8345.00 and not one call.

Who knows?

Wrong message? Right message wrong crowd?

[ArmchairDIY]

Deckman, Remodel Crazy is under no illusions that we are a powerful entity.

We do know we have some influence. And we are getting more.

Why would we not want to support our members with everything we got, whether we scare the big companies or not.

A tiny pebble in your shoe would eventually get you to notice and I'll bet you would take the time to do something about it.

We will continue to think big.

I was just having a discussion the other night with someone about this very topic. The power of the internet and how vendors respond to pressure.

I never have had anyone post anything negative about my company. If they did, one comment would get my attention say nothing of multiple comments.
Think about when you read a simple product review. Six positive comments and one negative one. It's the negative one that makes you pause and reconsider your purchase.
Public opinion is very powerful and any company that plans to stay in business will pay very close attention to it.

[eXapath]

Team RC,

I just came across this thread and wanted to weigh in. I think The Paul's (and others) suggestions are spot-on...there are always two sides to a story, and if all facts are not known inadvertent results often happen, and innocents end up bearing the brunt. I am not an attorney, but I did stay at a Holiday Inn last night, and my opinion is that RC is filling a much needed void in the remodeling world, it is influential, and will likely become the strongest voice for qualified and dedicated remodelers...and the biggest nightmare for illicit contractors...this is especially important given the issues surrounding the changing EPA lead abatement rules. Power should always be used with caution...much like electricity, if it's used carelessly unintended and severe damage can occur before there is time to react.

With respect to the product and service issues of the company in question I would guess that they "get it" now and will come through with an acceptable response...they would be foolish to do otherwise. Please keep us posted.

From what I've seen so far, I find the community around RC to be serious about their profession, dedicated to improving it, and concerned that their customers receive every bit of what they have contracted remodelers to do...and then some. This impresses the heck out of me and I'm honored to be associated with the forum. So much so, that I have been promoting RC recently and plan to expand my promotional efforts through 2010. I know others are planning the same and this should result in expanded membership...and increased market influence.

Thinking longer term, this means RC could begin wielding real influence on
1. manufacturers who otherwise escape scrutiny
2. industry trade groups and periodicals
3. government policy makers
4. paying homeowners seeking a reliable source to identify "qualified" remodelers
5. enforcement on shoddy contractors

By listing the items above I may be speaking out of school, purely my opinion of where RC may take itself or be taken.

The internet is an extremely powerful tool when combined with public opinion and RC is emerging as a great connector. I hope to see it grow wildly.

Power...well, if you run into a hurdle with a manufacturer...the mere mention of "having to turn to an influential forum like RC if I can't get satisfaction for my remodeling company and the homeowner who is suffering as a result of poor quality or service" may be all you need to correct any issues, quickly and finally. Try it out!

I hope this wasn't too much of a rant but I believe RC is a tremendous resource, leading the charge for the remodeling community, and the individuals behind it have put in far too much talent and effort to falter.

Happy holidays to all and let's go big in 2010.

Cheers,

Mike

[Silvertree]

Thank you very much Mike, Rory is sending you the check pronto.:laugh3:

We do appreciate your encouraging opinion and we also thought right from the beginning that the people we buy goods and services from should be equal partners.

Were a profession.

Merry Christmas to you

[The Roofing God]

I would think they would answer to complaints addressed in a public forum,and should for their own appearance sake,usually doesn`t happen,however you try,but good luck with the new idea