salesmen/marketing embedded in GJ

[dieselmike]

this is the most advanced english language tool forum on the internet. in my opinion.
everyone here knows where stuff is made, how good it really is, and what the real value is of the tools we use.

now the question:
talking about the COO stuff, brands etc.... do you guys think there are people paid to be here to push "its ok to buy chinese tools" "china tools are great" "its ok to support an autocratic regime" or "matco is great" "sears is bad" etc?

 

[98TJ]

No.

I think tool owners (especially those that personally prefer a specific brand) have a bit of a preference in brands and, whether they have tried other brands, or are just proud of what they have, will talk smack about other brands.

I have a variety of tools and brands from a variety of countries. Anything I have performs well for me. (otherwise I wouldn't have it)

Knowing that, if someone asks, and I like the tool enough to recommend it, I will.

There ARE some that seem a bit over-the-top with their online personality, but I write it off as Type A folks that just don't know better.

 

[1982fxr]

this is the most advanced english language tool forum on the internet. in my opinion.
everyone here knows where stuff is made, how good it really is, and what the real value is of the tools we use.

now the question:
talking about the COO stuff, brands etc.... do you guys think there are people paid to be here to push "its ok to buy chinese tools" "china tools are great" "its ok to support an autocratic regime" or "matco is great" "sears is bad" etc?

I don't think so. Atleast it doesn't seem that way to me

 

[yasha32]

Of course no one is here to pressure any sales or drum up conversation regarding snapon's newest tool line up for 2012 (featuring green diagnostic tongs!).

That would just be asinine.

 

[Ed_EOD]

I think some have registered on here with a hidden agenda (dewalt rust guy), and some obviously have an agenda(tool truck dealers). Of those two, I appreciate the obvious ones, because they don't bash others or get into ******* matches and are very helpful. The covert ones, I can't stand though.

I mean really everyone knows Wright makes the best tools, so why would they need to pay me to tell you guys?

 

[kippieland]

I have been on start up forums that have that problem. IMO its not a problem here. Usually tbey are so over the top it makes it beyond obvious. I have only seen one time that came close....said Stanley ratchets were better then SO over and over again.

 

[blue dog]

only remember a few reps, the Danaher guy { i think } regarding the new at the time cman premium grade ratchets. I did not feel he was pushing the product, yet he was helpful and answered questions.
Was there not a Armstrong rep here at some time ? And the Gal from Lista, she is very helpful, does not bash any other products and is very helpful regarding lista products, yet i do not see her pushing Lista in a over the top way.
Curious how they find the garagejournal.

Interesting topic

Lots of good tool knowledge here for sure.

 

[Danglerb]

You can't pay anybody to act like more of a jerk than a generic fanboy. I do get tired of the single brand minded comments, or just COO and no experience with some actual tool, but tool talk doesn't get any better than this forum.

For the most part seems everybody here with some affiliation is careful to keep their direct comments free of bias.

 

[kippieland]

I think some have registered on here with a hidden agenda (dewalt rust guy), and some obviously have an agenda(tool truck dealers). Of those two, I appreciate the obvious ones, because they don't bash others or get into ******* matches and are very helpful. The covert ones, I can't stand though.

I mean really everyone knows Wright makes the best tools, so why would they need to pay me to tell you guys?

I have had an issue in the Old world tread. Once you say your curious about a certain EU made tool, all of a sudden you get like five guys trying to sell it to you at the special "GJ" member price!

 

[yasha32]

I have had an issue in the Old world tread. Once you say your curious about a certain EU made tool, all of a sudden you get like five guys trying to sell it to you at the special "GJ" member price!

Any good wera spam?

 

[Sick Puppy]

I have had an issue in the Old world tread. Once you say your curious about a certain EU made tool, all of a sudden you get like five guys trying to sell it to you at the special "GJ" member price!

Any good wera spam?

Or knipex/NWS for that matter?

 

[geologist]

I'm loyal to my country first and foremost. If it does what I need it to do, and it's Made in the USA, that is what I buy. I'm particularly loyal to a few brands for certain things, but I'm not someone that needs every tool I own to come from any certain brand. With that said, I like certain ratchets, certain wrenches, and certain pliers. The ones I have are all made in the USA but may come from different brands.

 

[Coolabah]

now the question:
talking about the COO stuff, brands etc.... do you guys think there are people paid to be here to push "its ok to buy chinese tools" "china tools are great" "its ok to support an autocratic regime" or "matco is great" "sears is bad" etc?

Well I surely would if I could... no shortage of gullibles here ( /joke !!!).... I signed up to represent both the major tool types- Country AND Western ( thank you my darlin' Dolly for that quote ) ..... but those cheap so and so's never paid me a dime.... you might have noticed but I no longer support "Made in Antartica" tools , and am ABSOLUTELY NOT ...no longer.... a fan-boy for Peruvian Whitworth wrenches.....



.... yeh , in other words, no , not sure why you would think that ? These guys are tumbled real quick now....

 

[Kurt4440]

Yes, to what extent I do not know, but I have seen the "push".

 

[MoToys]

I don't know what your talking about...
Anyway, I've been loving my new great neck ratchet, way better than anything else I've ever used.

 

[JayL]

It would be wise for tool salesmen and marketers to first get their act together if they enter this site .....

Seems like if a tool / product pass the acid test of this forum then it must be a good one. One way or another.

 

[4x4gearhead]

I think anything is possible in our little (yet kinda large) internet community, I have seen some evidence that would suggest some members would have an "agenda". Do I think its an issue? no.

 

[december45]

I dont think so...

to just put a little bit of a spin on this question, now i have been chastised severely for having a "what if" or "could it be" type comment before.
however, are there enough GJ members to make a difference in the world of tools, for example "if we bought (as a group) our snap on tools from one source could we get significant discounts? could we even persuade Craftsman to use only USA suppliers?
The question was are reps influencing us, my comment is, are there enough of us to influence the companies.
Again, just an idea, not making any claims, just throwing it out there.

 

[wellpoison]

i dont think there are people who post good stuff about a brand just because they work for them. however i do believe there are people here who work for a brand, but are here for what the rest of us are here for... if that makes sense.

if you think about it why wouldnt tool companies try to have some association with this site i mean look at how many daily views this site gets. i do hope that when they do show up and post they dont just say, "buy *** because its the best." i hope they want to win customers with service. thread comes to mind from yesterday that i read/posted on. i think the title was toughbuilt tool bags or something of that sort. a member, i think named "toughbuilt123" commented and was helpful, he said nothing about how great his brand was compared to whoever. what he did do was post links to other sites where his companies products could be found etc. i think if we get a couple more members like that it would actually add to the quality of this site.

 

[Cobra_Bob]

Use of this site, and other of its ilk, should be incorporated into any business model for multiple reasons.

 

[jjjrmx5]

and some obviously have an agenda(tool truck dealers).

Might want to check into the rules of the franchise agreements for tool truck drivers. No agenda is usually possible not usually legal.

Mr Shaun, Chadster and Dave B have been nothing but helpful and informative.
Sure, they may fuel the fires buy posting pics of goodies just released, but that's up to each GJ member to find a source.

Lista and Sears are both knowingly on to monitor the community's pulse.

Good products or services get used. Bad ones or those that practice copyright infringment or go around patent lawsor make plain old ****** products get called out.

Just like pizza. You can tout, sell or market that you have the best pizza in the city, but if it ***** or you have bad customer service, by and large, folks will figure it out pretty quickly. This is not rocket surgery (sic) LOL.

 

[BHH]

For sure there are people that come on here to push their agenda. Look at the dude that posted the dewalt adjustable fog tests as his first post

 

[woody 73]

yes Virginia there is a Santa Claus...

 

[Monte]

Did you already try the new Knipex pliers !? They´re fantastic !!!

 

[bcradio]

For sure there are people that come on here to push their agenda. Look at the dude that posted the dewalt adjustable fog tests as his first post

I don't think this guy was trying to sell or market anything though. He only posted some test results (useless ones stating that steel rusts basically, but nevertheless). He never stated what company he worked for or what his product is thats so much better. There are probably 20+ companies that make adjustables and he doesn't work for them all.

 

[Packard V8]

this is the most advanced english language tool forum on the internet. in my opinion. everyone here knows where stuff is made, how good it really is, and what the real value is of the tools we use.

Yes, agree pretty much.

No, in the greater tool marketing scheme of things, GJ is a pimple on the *** of progress.

Maybe, a very few companies are savvy enough to have an intern or junior exec monitor various web sites and give a summary of WIGO there. Maybe one or two have purposely planted someone. Maybe, some employee has taken it upon himself to go undercover.

However much we think GJ is the center of the tool universe, ask around your own corner thereof. A very, very few of the techs, truck guys, parts guys, hobby guys, pawnsharks, garage sale vultures I know ever come here. For the most part, we should be thankful for this, because on some other fora we could name, the collective tool IQ is inversely proportional to the number of particpants.

FWIW, I have noticed our classifieds have matured from a friends-and-family tool swap into a hoard of small business types. Years back, selection was smaller, but so were prices. Today, vast offerings at e-bay/pawnshark prices.

jack vines

 

[toolmaker1]

I would say there are PLENTY on here pushing their own agenda but I DO NOT include the truck dealers on the board. They are very helpful and they do NOT get any monetary benefit from site members because of their territory agreements.

 

[Ed_EOD]

Might want to check into the rules of the franchise agreements for tool truck drivers. No agenda is usually possible not usually legal.

Mr Shaun, Chadster and Dave B have been nothing but helpful and informative.
Sure, they may fuel the fires buy posting pics of goodies just released, but that's up to each GJ member to find a source.

Just so it's clear, I like those guys, I don't like the ones who try to be sneaky.

 

[Cookannapurna]

I see that a lot of the responses are from "senior members", so here is the take fom a new guy.

I have been lurking for a long time before becoming a member. I have read countless threads about a wide variety of tool subjects, and largely found answers for any question I may have had. I decided to join because I felt selfish for reaping the benefits of others work, but not contributing myself, small as that my be.

I buy American made tools because it pleases me, both for my garage and my woodworking shop. Both contain a wide varity of brands, but all are exclusively USA.

There are plenty of fanboys and I don't have a problem with that, if it gets to be too much, just skip that post.

The handfull of members that I have read that are reps for various companies seem to be open about it, genuinely helpful, and largely here for the same reason I believe most of us are. I love of all things tools.

I am dissipointed that all of American manufacturing seems to be going overseas. I understand there are a varity of reasons and perspectives, but I feel we are slowly loosing the perspective and and attitude that put america on the map to begin with, so I choose to support American companies as much as I can.

I think that we can affect change on a certain limited scale, but isn't any change for the better worth it. I almost wish that there were more companies monitoring this site in an organized manner.

Just my two cents, for what it is worth.

 

[GarageEnvy]

I'm sure there are a few but, from what I've seen, this membership has a pretty sensitive **** detector and really good moderators that clear spam quickly. In fact, in many cases I think a lot of guys go out of their way to not look like they're pushing their product. The floor section is a good example. Alpha, Legacy and Rugerlady are active and known vendors but the salesmanship is far more subtle than overt. On the other end of the spectrum was a guy who joined, pitching his company and then saying hopefully the thread could be a place to share ideas about garages. The reception was less than warm.

 

[crewchief888]

on every forum or BB i've ever visted, theres always somebody with their own agenda, and not really there for info, discussion, or enjoyment.

same as IRL, way too many people are "in it for themselves" self centered, and an extremely high opinion of themselves.
i've seen that self centeredness nearly destroy a long established club more than once.

i guess my BS detector works pretty good, i can usually spot someone thats pushing themselves, or what they are providing pretty quick.

making use of the "ignore" feature has worked for me, on the net and IRL

 

[Linda@Lista]

only remember a few reps, the Danaher guy { i think } regarding the new at the time cman premium grade ratchets. I did not feel he was pushing the product, yet he was helpful and answered questions.
Was there not a Armstrong rep here at some time ? And the Gal from Lista, she is very helpful, does not bash any other products and is very helpful regarding lista products, yet i do not see her pushing Lista in a over the top way.
Curious how they find the garagejournal.

Interesting topic

Lots of good tool knowledge here for sure.

Thanks blue dog I am definitelly not here to bash anyone or push anything on anyone. Just here to help and learn.
Linda

 

[SpiderGearsMan]

try a mustang vs camaro thread