I was looking through the small boat forum articles and noticed lots of responses by Dave Condon, a.k.a Crazy Dave, who is a Hunter dealer in NC. In many cases, he does not identify himself as a dealer. Do you think that dealers and other Hunter reps or personnel should identify themselves? I think they should so that visitors will know when the point of view expressed is not necessarily an owner's point of view. Mark
- Status
Judgement call
Dave and I have had lengthy discussions about this very topic... and my recommendation was that he leave his dealership name off the posts. It's not a black and white call, but here's my reasoning: The nature of web forums makes identity problematic. Among the folks who post to this site non-Hunter boat owners, Hunter dealers, other dealers, manufacturers, even a powerboater or two. Personally, I believe that the more diversity and participation, the better. We can all benefit from shared knowledge. And while all participants may not be Hunter owners, I know of few, if any, circumstances where an author, when asked, pretended he owned a Hunter when he didn't. I believe the larger issue is commercialism. Commercial signatures, in my opinion, develop a culture not unlike that of a singles bar. The eligible prospects are treated to posturing, subtle flirtation, then direct requests to 'couple.' Again, IMHO, this is a greater threat to the site's integrity than the identity issue. While we do, indeed, have a commercial web site, we try to keep commerce out of the forums. We do monitor the site as best we can for commercial posts, whether blatant or subtle. In those cases we either remove the post, ask the author not to use our forums, or both. As I said, this is not a clear-cut issue and we are certainly open to hear other opinions. Anybody else want to contribute one?
Dave and I have had lengthy discussions about this very topic... and my recommendation was that he leave his dealership name off the posts. It's not a black and white call, but here's my reasoning: The nature of web forums makes identity problematic. Among the folks who post to this site non-Hunter boat owners, Hunter dealers, other dealers, manufacturers, even a powerboater or two. Personally, I believe that the more diversity and participation, the better. We can all benefit from shared knowledge. And while all participants may not be Hunter owners, I know of few, if any, circumstances where an author, when asked, pretended he owned a Hunter when he didn't. I believe the larger issue is commercialism. Commercial signatures, in my opinion, develop a culture not unlike that of a singles bar. The eligible prospects are treated to posturing, subtle flirtation, then direct requests to 'couple.' Again, IMHO, this is a greater threat to the site's integrity than the identity issue. While we do, indeed, have a commercial web site, we try to keep commerce out of the forums. We do monitor the site as best we can for commercial posts, whether blatant or subtle. In those cases we either remove the post, ask the author not to use our forums, or both. As I said, this is not a clear-cut issue and we are certainly open to hear other opinions. Anybody else want to contribute one?
Business or Pleasure
Mark brings up an interesting question. I have met a surprising number of dealers, vendors and others who are not just 'in the biz' but also are people who genuinely enjoy the dialogue about Hunters and boating overall. I, for one, value having their opinions and insights expressed. That doesn't go directly to Mark's question, but it would seem that to identify a business association when the response may be completely disassociated from it would be to stifle some valuable input. On the other hand, if a guy or gal from North Sails offered an opinion concerning UK Sails, fairness would dictate they identify the association. That probably isn't very clear-cut, but seems reasonable.
Mark brings up an interesting question. I have met a surprising number of dealers, vendors and others who are not just 'in the biz' but also are people who genuinely enjoy the dialogue about Hunters and boating overall. I, for one, value having their opinions and insights expressed. That doesn't go directly to Mark's question, but it would seem that to identify a business association when the response may be completely disassociated from it would be to stifle some valuable input. On the other hand, if a guy or gal from North Sails offered an opinion concerning UK Sails, fairness would dictate they identify the association. That probably isn't very clear-cut, but seems reasonable.
I value opinions
I value a dealer's opinion because of the wide exposure they have had in the market. We can learn a lot from them because they are the ones who are often presented directly on the chin with problems. They are also patted on the back for successes. I say let's hear their opinions. As long as they use the caveat "As a dealer..." or "This dealer's opinion..."
I value a dealer's opinion because of the wide exposure they have had in the market. We can learn a lot from them because they are the ones who are often presented directly on the chin with problems. They are also patted on the back for successes. I say let's hear their opinions. As long as they use the caveat "As a dealer..." or "This dealer's opinion..."
Dealer Dave
Dave has identified himself as a dealer several times in his posts. I think of him as a sailor who also happens to sell Hunters. As a dealer I know he has a lot of inside knowledge that he's willing to share with us. He has never shamelessly plugged his business or Hunter Marine either.
Dave has identified himself as a dealer several times in his posts. I think of him as a sailor who also happens to sell Hunters. As a dealer I know he has a lot of inside knowledge that he's willing to share with us. He has never shamelessly plugged his business or Hunter Marine either.
He is a dealer...So what?
As a new hunter owner I have been very pleased with the responses to several posts at this site. I have submitted several "basic" questions and have received many answers to my posts. I have had great advice offered from Dave and until recently was unaware that he was a dealer. I was curious reading other posts he had answered, where his wealth of experience was from. I am thankful that Dave is a sailor first and has a geniune interest in sailing. At no time have I ever read any solicitation from Dave about his business. I wish he would tell me where he is located. For those of you who may be offended, relax......enoy your boat, read some posts, and like me you to will learn more about sailing and the Hunter way of life. I have yet to find another such site where a company will not forbid posts related to a problem with their product. I have read many posts from people with the same problems and appreciate a dealers input. I based my purchase on questions I asked and some owners reviews. Thanks Dave, I appreciate your time and efforts. Gary Adams Illinois
As a new hunter owner I have been very pleased with the responses to several posts at this site. I have submitted several "basic" questions and have received many answers to my posts. I have had great advice offered from Dave and until recently was unaware that he was a dealer. I was curious reading other posts he had answered, where his wealth of experience was from. I am thankful that Dave is a sailor first and has a geniune interest in sailing. At no time have I ever read any solicitation from Dave about his business. I wish he would tell me where he is located. For those of you who may be offended, relax......enoy your boat, read some posts, and like me you to will learn more about sailing and the Hunter way of life. I have yet to find another such site where a company will not forbid posts related to a problem with their product. I have read many posts from people with the same problems and appreciate a dealers input. I based my purchase on questions I asked and some owners reviews. Thanks Dave, I appreciate your time and efforts. Gary Adams Illinois
Good Question
There is nothing wrong with raising the question about ethics for discussion. Obviously the web master can't police a site but if some people want a "handle" it would have to be voluntary. Just before reading this post I read one about a smelly bildge on a H-34 and one of the respondents was Peggy Hall and she used a handle "/Head Mistress" after her name. Personnally, I like this, mostly because I really value her comments. If I was new to the site a handle would help me to link Peggy to her forum; "ah-ha, that's the same Peggy!" If one is a dealer, mechanic, sailmaker, doctor, etc., and if the subject is in their area of expertise, then a handle would be useful for the average reader weigh the persons answer. On the otherhand, if the "expert" is responding to something which is outside their area a handle would have no useful purpose.
There is nothing wrong with raising the question about ethics for discussion. Obviously the web master can't police a site but if some people want a "handle" it would have to be voluntary. Just before reading this post I read one about a smelly bildge on a H-34 and one of the respondents was Peggy Hall and she used a handle "/Head Mistress" after her name. Personnally, I like this, mostly because I really value her comments. If I was new to the site a handle would help me to link Peggy to her forum; "ah-ha, that's the same Peggy!" If one is a dealer, mechanic, sailmaker, doctor, etc., and if the subject is in their area of expertise, then a handle would be useful for the average reader weigh the persons answer. On the otherhand, if the "expert" is responding to something which is outside their area a handle would have no useful purpose.
- Status