Just to let you all know, we have a new official vendor type that you will start to notice. The "Manufactuer" designation represents a paying manufacturer vendor that is here to discuss but not directly sell their products.

This designation is only available to manufacturers that do not sell to the public

 

Coolio

 

good stuff

 

Now we'll know that true parts supliers

 

very nice very nice high 5

 

Sounds like a good edition to the community Nice work

 

so the have to pay to speak about their products/provide technical help? is that all thats happening? just checking

 

Just letting people know that when they see "Manufacturer" under the name, that is an official vendor as it is a title that did not previously exist.

 

^ what he said.

Also, what about an individual who makes a couple parts for his car?? So now people have to be a paying non-vendor "Vendor" in order to get the Manufacturer title and be able to talk about any parts they make for thier car.

How many units does said person have to manufacture in a given year in order to fall under this category?? How about if I made a part for my car and my buddy's car?? What if my buddy bought it off me. What about if I made 5 of them and sold them. How about 10, 100?? Where is the cutoff?

Without specific information on exactly what constitutes a "Manufacturer", all this looks like is a way to sqeeze more $$ from the innovators and creative types out there.

So what if HKS becomes a Manufacturer Vendor and someone asks them how much a part costs. When HKS refers them to a distributor, that is directly pushing a sale. How are the Moderators going to police such actions??

Also, what if a Manufacturer Vendor puts up a post talking about a new product and has a link for more information and that link takes you to a site you can buy the product. Is that allowed?? What about if the Manufacturer just says for people to email them for more info and then handles the sale that way??

We need more information please. . .

EVOlutionary

 

Yes, they absolutely have to pay. If this sounds at all unfair, maybe this will help. If we allowed anyone to do so at will, this site would be bombarded with businesses doing so to the point of spam. It is absolutely necessary to regulate and minimize this.

And why shouldn't they pay. They are coming on this site and advertising/promoting a product to increase sales and make money. If we were talking about not for profit organizations, it might be a different story. We do not punish members from discussing any product(except in cases of obvious proxy advertising), but when a business wants to come on and promote a product, they must be a vendor. This is a very normal rule for any such site. It also protects members in that all vendors have to go through verification to sign up.

On the comment that this is simple a ploy to make more money, it is actually exactly the opposite. This is a less expensive package formed specifically to cater to the needs of a manufacturer that has no need to post in the classifieds. Previously, manufacturers would have to choose from one of the more expensive existing packages to come on this site and promote their product. We do also offer other free options for businesses to promote their products such as press releases and product reviews.

Next question is what constitutes a manufacturer. We do not really go into the detail you are asking. For us, a business qualifies to get a manufacturer account if they are a legal business, manufacturer a product (on any scale), and do NOT sell directly to the public through for sale listings. They are not permitted to draw sales directly to any non vendor either but they are welcome to to redirect to an existing vendor.

Policing comes in the form of what or large mod staff comes accross, and more importantly reported posts by members.

 

Thanks for the information. Just to clarify, can you let me know if my understanding is correct?

- Anyone who makes a custom part for their EVO must be a vendor or manufacturer to offer it for sale.

- The above person can talk about what they made and show pictures as long as they don't post that they will make more to sell

- If asked if they will make more to sell, the above person needs to discuss all transactions through PM or off of EVOM

- From your quote , "For us, a business qualifies to get a manufacturer account if they are a legal business, manufacturer a product (on any scale), and do NOT sell directly to the public through for sale listings" I gather than an individual who makes a few custom parts (not a licensed business) would not be eligible for a manufacturer account?

- How do you differentiate between a private party sale and a vendor sale when talking about one or two custom parts a guy makes in his garage?

Thanks for the clarification! I think this will definitely be a good thing if the rules are applied appropriately and not taken to extremes.

EVOlutionary

 

Yes, if it is more than one unit. If they made one part for their car, and then later decided to sell it, then no

Yes

If asked, they should say no or not answer. The second you say yes, they should be a vendor. We are particularly hard on those that use the PM system to make sales as it is being covert.

Correct. Part of our vendor sign up requires that vendors be a legal business as an added level of protect for our members . For anyone that is remotely serious about making a product or selling a service, this is an easy step.

Part is the intention behind the post. If you make a part or two for the sole purpose of resale, then you are doing so for profit and should not post private party sales. If you build a part for your car, and then later want to sell it, this is fine. Anytime we see or hear of a private party sale of more than one of the same item, that is an immediate red flag. For profit sales in the private section can sometimes be hard to spot, but when we do find them, we tend to be harsh again because of the covert nature of it

 

Thanks, exellent expanation!

EVOlutionary