Perceived professionalism...........

[marinabrian]

So the club has a number of trading members, it would be interesting to gain a perspective of how these trading members are viewed by the general membership.

Is there more credibility is bestowed upon that member than a standard member?, perhaps a view that a trading member is somehow vetted or indeed endorsed my the club itself

Just curious that's all.

Please discuss.

Brian

[keithst24]

Originally Posted by marinabrian

So the club has a number of trading members, it would be interesting to gain a perspective of how these trading members are viewed by the general membership.

Is there more credibility is bestowed upon that member than a standard member?, perhaps a view that a trading member is somehow vetted or indeed endorsed my the club itself

Just curious that's all.

Please discuss.

Brian

Well I think your Super smashing great

[Heddy]

Well, reputations are built on experience. The traders are sellers of parts, services or both. How they are perceived by members would surely depend on an individual members experience when using one. I certainly wouldn't make a decision to use/not use a trader based on other members comments. It's all about discussion, question and answer, and of course price. You pays your money etc. I would hope, that all our traders are competent and fair, and sympathetic to the marque and it's owners.

[murphyv310]

Hi.
Well I'm not a Rover owner now but during the time of ownership there were a couple of traders that I'd stake my life on, top people, honest and without a doubt knew the cars inside out.
To me having a detailed knowledge of the marque and its foibles is very important.
I will also say that I have first hand evidence that not all traders have the same principles and can just like Any other person do work or supply parts that are inferior.
I would rather believe or use someone that knows the cars inside out, does a good job and is generous enough to not charge when you're in dire straights.
I'm sure many will know whom I'm referring to.

[Annie]

to be honest I'm reluctant to trade with any trader because it wouldn't go down well if I asked the general forum how good or bad is the traders work. you'd probably get 100 percent approval rate because the ones who'd been ripped off or problem not fixed properly wouldn't speak out.

[stevestrat]

Unless I know them/have dealt with them all having their name in blue means to me is they are paying a higher membership fee.

[Jakg]

Originally Posted by marinabrian

Is there more credibility is bestowed upon that member than a standard member?

Most definitely, and worryingly so.

Certain members are experts in certain areas, but their knowledge elsewhere is very poor. But the blue name is blinding for other users...

[marinabrian]

Originally Posted by Annie

to be honest I'm reluctant to trade with any trader because it wouldn't go down well if I asked the general forum how good or bad is the traders work. you'd probably get 100 percent approval rate because the ones who'd been ripped off or problem not fixed properly wouldn't speak out.

Well there is an interesting viewpoint indeed.

As can be seen at the moment I am simply a subscribed member and not a trader, although I intend fully to resubscribe at trader level in the near future.

Perhaps what would make the system work is a one where feedback can be left anonymously for a trading member where only the person leaving the feedback, and the trader concerned can view who is dissatisfied with the service, and not the general membership, who would be able to see the comment from the member and any reply by the trader.

If a poor feedback is repeatedly received, the club management could then investigate as to the cause, and deal with all parties as an independent adjudicator

That way the person who is dissatisfied for whatever reason, wouldn't be on the receiving end of "well he/she did a fantastic job for me, so where is your problem?" type of comments

Brian

[Typhoon190]

All the following IMHO of course, traders on here shouldn't necessarily be classed / assumed to be professionals. Generally speaking professionals hold some degree of qualification in what they are offering, and cover themselves with the appropriate insurance for obvious reasons.

I think most forum traders in most cases are perhaps longer serving, and hopefully more experienced enthusiasts than the rest of us.

For me, the charging of monies is the issue, from the forum, and from the traders. When money changes hands, certain guarantees are expected.

[Rooney]

Originally Posted by marinabrian

Is there more credibility is bestowed upon that member than a standard member?

Not in my eyes.

There's a trader on here who blatantly ripped off a 79 year old relative of mine by sending her a broken item. I later found out he had sold other members broken items with varying degree of accountability.

I am in no doubt that traders here are only as good as their overall reputation, the problem is, reputations on this site are often cliquey.

To clarify, if a trader goes to nano meets, helps out local people, people like him. If that trader screws other users, any dissent vocalised is shot down.

You soon know who the good ones are. I was standing on a ferry in Cairnryan talking to someone who was driving a zt 190, within about ten minutes I'd recommended Mat Price to him for his parts and he'd reached into his car, said funny that, and showed me an invoice for his most recent purchase from said trader.