Trade disputes on Pedelecs!!!!

[Stumpi]

Am I alone in thinking this forum is not the place for various traders/dealers/makers to bicker and air their differences?

While I do understand the frustrations and issues with cloning and copywriting I think it does no one any good to share these frustrations on a public forum.

We are after all an electric bike customer base.

Although now semi retired I use to run my own business(TVR dealer) and would have avoided getting into a slagging match with my competitors in front of customers.

So come on guys your advice and input is invaluable but lets leave the squabbling out in the playground

Stumpi

 

[glenn]

trade disputes?

Not sure about any disputes I have found this forum very helpful.
I have put together a bike that many im sure would scoff at as
I did it my self and from ebay. Everyone here even dealers were
very helpful and polite. I read the forum after work almost daily
and find it very informative and have not seen andy seriouse
bashing.


Keep up the good work all.

 

[Barnowl]

Hi Stumpi - Any particular threads? I confess I don't read them all so I may have missed some bad ones. Personally I'm quite happy with the occassional bit of banter from suppliers. The off road thread I found quite interesting. I feel the balance is about right.

 

[flecc]

There were some words in the "introduce yourself" thread, but it's over now.
.

 

[Oxygen Bicycles]

Am I alone in thinking this forum is not the place for various traders/dealers/makers to bicker and air their differences?

While I do understand the frustrations and issues with cloning and copywriting I think it does no one any good to share these frustrations on a public forum.

We are after all an electric bike customer base.

Although now semi retired I use to run my own business(TVR dealer) and would have avoided getting into a slagging match with my competitors in front of customers.

So come on guys your advice and input is invaluable but lets leave the squabbling out in the playground

Stumpi

Yes Stumpi,

I totally agree with you. The forum is not the right place for raising any trade disputes between the dealers and thses sorts of issues should be solved between the manufacturers/ dealers off the site. I just get disappointed when I introduce myself and for my welcome I get knocked off for something that I haven't even showed off to the public yet.

I came here to share my expeirence and knowledge with others that can find this helpful and I could learn something from what other members too. I'm certainly not here to argue and make a ridicilous statements of who made what. If on the other hand someone accuses you for something than I do feel its important to defend and clarify that as it might leave you in the less comfortable position.

That is all, thank you, let's call it a day

best regards

Andrew

 

[eddieo]

I disagree, it is all good and helps expose the less scrupulous.We are all adults. i think this gives us an insight into some of the behind the scenes shenanigans and an opportunity to make more informed choices regards our E bike purchases....

 

[timidtom]

I disagree, it is all good and helps expose the less scrupulous.We are all adults. i think this gives us an insight into some of the behind the scenes shenanigans and an opportunity to make more informed choices regards our E bike purchases....

I agree with Eddieo: at worst it's entertaining and at best it gives me an insight into the nature of the writers so that I can make a better informed decision of which, if any of them, to deal with in future. Perhaps if they are dealing with a rival in a civilised manner they may treat me as a mere customer with some civility! Just so long as there's no blood and the arguements are based on facts!

 

[Wisper Bikes]

Plagiarism

Thanks Eddie

I am in total agrement with you. Why should those guilty of plagiarism not be exposed? Surly an industry forum is exactly where this kind problem should be discussed. It damages the industry.

If a business is going to bring in ready made bikes or use off the shelf frames, surely it is not that difficult to find a bike that does not look like one that is already well known in the market? To then have it made it in identical colours and use as much of the same equipment as can easily be found surly is a practice to be frowned on?

Plagiarism destroys innovation. Why should businesses like Wisper spend all the time effort and cash on original design, when others simply short cut the process?

I really hate having to constantly fight my corner, wouldn't it be better if those that practice plagiarism simply STOP?

Any one in doubt about the adverse effects on any industry by the less scrupulous copying bone fide market makers, watch "Copy Britain" on ITV.

Best regards

David

 

[Barnowl]

Just read the thread. Interesting discussion. "Introduce yourself", normally a friendly spot, was probably the wrong place for a "discussion" about "plagarism" but I've no problem with it.

 

[Mussels]

I like manufacturers and suppliers posting openly on here. Sometimes people get upset and have a bit of a rant on forums and others will want to defend themselves, as long as it's not all the time I don't see the problem.
If manufacturers and retailers are given rules about what they can talk about then the helpful posts will disappear and we'll be left with bland marketing statements, I'd rather it remained like an enthusiast site.

 

[eTim]

I disagree, it is all good and helps expose the less scrupulous.We are all adults. i think this gives us an insight into some of the behind the scenes shenanigans and an opportunity to make more informed choices regards our E bike purchases....

+1

As consumers, it's interesting to get an insight as to how any business works, in this case the electric bike industry where we might be spending our own hard earned money. Knowledge gives the consumer power to make informed choices and to spend your money where you believe the best value to be.

The power of the internet and forums such as this means that we are far better informed about products than we ever were in the past. The internet has enabled consumers to have some power in lots of different ways. There are plenty of manufacturers (of all sorts of items) that do not listen to their customers despite numerous complaints about products or services on various forums, those that do listen will succeed in the long run and this especially applies to small businesses.

There are cases where I have seen changes made to products as a direct result of customer comments shared on internet forums. For example small businesses have made changes to underwater camera housings and large business such as BMW making changes to their motorcycles as a direct result of consumer comments and questions. Also don't forget we live in a world of globalisation where consumers around the globe have influence.

I see that David from Wisper has made lots of changes to the Wisper range as a result of comments made on this forum. This is a good work ethic for consumers as then you can be assured that Wisper bikes will probably be ahead of the pack when it comes to quality, despite numerous so called 'copies'.

As long as the debate remains at a professional level (and I believe it has so far, keeping personal insults out) then long may it continue.

 

[Stumpi]

Ok I'm confused

Is this an "Industry Forum" as quoted by Wispar or an "enthusiast site" as Mussells says.

I must admit I thought it was the later

 

[Patrick]

Just read the thread. Interesting discussion. "Introduce yourself", normally a friendly spot, was probably the wrong place for a "discussion" about "plagiarism" but I've no problem with it.

I find the discussions interesting, and if one manufacturer makes a contentious statement on a public forum it seems unreasonable to expect other manufacturers to bite their tongues.

I would, however, say that if the dispute is not relevant to the original aim of a thread then the response would be better in a new thread with a simple "I disagree and have given a full in response in the such-and-such thread" posting pointing to it.

Patrick

 

[Patrick]

Ok I'm confused

Is this an "Industry Forum" as quoted by Wispar or an "enthusiast site" as Mussells says.

I must admit I thought it was the later

I thought it was both, and that's one of the things I like abut it.

 

[flecc]

I thought it was both, and that's one of the things I like abut it.

I agree, the occasional dispute doesn't worry me. All branches of the industry are welcome in here as far as I'm concerned.
.

 

[alex_h]

If there is a sensible argument to raise then why not to talk about it as long as it makes sense. To me it looks like some members behave in the childish way

 

[NRG]

My tuppence worth, I agree with Eddieo. I see nothing wrong with a fair, reasoned and open debate between manufacturers it helps me as a consumer to become more informed which will be of benefit come my next purchase. This is one of the greatest aspects of an open forum like this and it would be a much worse place if topics like this get pushed 'underground'.

 

[Stumpi]

Just to lighten the mood( and meant in a light hearted way)

 

[lemmy]

I'm happy with the forum in every way. If there's a thread I don't like, I don't have to read it.

Personally I found the thread about Wisper and copying an interesting insight. Given that you can't copyright an idea, it's likely fruitless for Wisper to pursue it legally but I'm better informed for knowing what's going on and knowing the passion a dealer has for his products.

If there had been a bit more passion in the British motorcycle industry, perhaps we'd still have one now.

 

[alex_h]

Just to lighten the mood( and meant in a light hearted way)

hehehe, LOL I absolutely love it