ikt vs Chaz (follow-up)

[Kooldino]

Originally Posted by CrazyIvan

What kind of assistance can we expect with vendor problems from here out?
On evom, you can expect a moderator to jump in on a vendor dispute thread immediately and try to help.

I'm just saying this is really a great opportunity to gain member loyalty, and it couldn't be at a better time.

It's not that we won't be able to help, we just can't get as involved as we'd like to due to liability purposes.

[pistolpete69916]

Just to confirm im reading this correctly.. We can't do transactions through other vendors on this site either via pm? We have to goto their website to order from here on out as well?

Example:

I ask Sean@DSG for a quote on some wheels > he links me with the price he quoted > i click + buy. Is this not allowed now?

Status updates from "official" merchants are no longer allowed via PM either?

[beetle_orange]

Originally Posted by Kooldino

It's not that we won't be able to help, we just can't get as involved as we'd like to due to liability purposes.

This confuses me, isnt that the point of moderators? To meditate between parties? Furthermore why can't mods do anything especially when both were "approved" mini merchants.

Would forumers expect the same "hands off" treatment when this happens to say map or dsg or some other vendor?

[Eyler_Evo_X]

Can the upper administration elaborate on how we're going to prevent shit like this in the future? Kidneythief sold shift boots and oil caps, but she also showed us lots of prototypes and was always in contact. Other mini-merchants, though, have been booted due to poor customer service.

In Chaz and IKT's case we had a situation involving a younger, inexperienced manufacturer with one prototype and very little credibility and an egomaniac who seemed to have his shit together, but only when posting in-progress shots and fewer final products.

My point is, neither member had yet proven their ability to be a vendor. I'm not trying to bash either, I like Chaz as a member, and IKT had his moments, but neither really had any major vetting process, at least from my viewpoint. Are the people above Dino (I don't have any problem with him or the forum moderators in this) going to just give out vendor accounts to people who seem to have their shit together? Or will there be more oversight in the future?

EDIT

I'm not trying to point fingers, I just want to know how the owners of this website do work.

[N.G.S.]

Expanding on Eyler's post.

In hindsight I should have never gotten in on the pillar buy, I did due to a couple of reasons. The main one was that Going through the vendor approval process I believed that the forum did a decent job of vetting out potential scammers. I still think that is true, what it doesn't weed out and what happened here is that an undercapitalized and highly inexperienced individual ended up running a group buy with little chance of success. Perhaps group buys shouldn't be allowed unless its by a vendor that has been doing business for a set time with a proven track record. This wouldn't solve all potential problems but it would prevent a situation like the one we had, it would also minimize the chances of a new vendor duping a whole bunch of members then running off with a large sum of cash. This would allow guys like me to sell their wares on a one by one sale basis but would limit the risk of a new vendor running a group buy and fubaring it all up.

[joey]

We try our best to make the best possible decisions for the forum. When these people come to us for approval, I make my choice based on the information I have and gather from them. I don't get paid or anything lie that if the are a vendor. I have voted against numerous applicants getting accepted for the simplest facts. This situation really caught us and everyone involved off guard. But we really do try our best to approve the people that are going to make the best choices for our members.

That said, I'm sure the vendor/mini merchant process will be more thorough to prevent these types if things in the future. If any of you run into issues, feel free to contact myself. I have dealt with these things before and have had real good success getting things restored. I'm no fucking CSI agent either so take it with a grain of salt. But I will help any way I can.

[Englando]

I think the forum has some accountability at keeping the communication lines open for these two mini vendors in question, after all the forum allowed them to become vendors on their site. I understand not getting involved in the pissing match between everyone but, as the law would stand evoxforum and its entities had a part in creating both vendors and allowed them to sell via this forum meaning they still have accountability in helping its members to a certain level... communication channels being left open would be one of them and more guidance before shutting everything down and wiping your hands like saying "I had nothing to do with any of this" would be another...even out of courtesy to your members for allowing to create the partnership in the first place.

I deal with legal matters every day, and as decision makers you are accountable to some extent. Lets not leave members high and dry or it will kill this forum and vendors won't come here to offer their services and discounts anymore nor will members buy or sell.


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[HappyMint]

Originally Posted by Eyler_Evo_X

Can the upper administration elaborate on how we're going to prevent shit like this in the future? Kidneythief sold shift boots and oil caps, but she also showed us lots of prototypes and was always in contact. Other mini-merchants, though, have been booted due to poor customer service.

In Chaz and IKT's case we had a situation involving a younger, inexperienced manufacturer with one prototype and very little credibility and an egomaniac who seemed to have his shit together, but only when posting in-progress shots and fewer final products.

My point is, neither member had yet proven their ability to be a vendor. I'm not trying to bash either, I like Chaz as a member, and IKT had his moments, but neither really had any major vetting process, at least from my viewpoint. Are the people above Dino (I don't have any problem with him or the forum moderators in this) going to just give out vendor accounts to people who seem to have their shit together? Or will there be more oversight in the future?

EDIT

I'm not trying to point fingers, I just want to know how the owners of this website do work.

I think this has been good learning experience for everyone, including the mods, and I'm sure they are going to be more careful when considering future mini merchant applicants. Truth is, this has been a bigger PITA for them more so than anyone else. As a result I think in the future, for their own sake, they'll be more careful when considering applications. I think in this instance, considering the popularity and activity of these two members on the boards, a lot of people would have assumed they would have made acceptable mini merchants. I can say that I would have probably voted for the approval of Chaz. I've never been a fan of IKT, so I may have voted against him because he is, as you put quite well, an egomaniac.

[fractur3]

I think a valid business tax ID number would solve a vast majority of problems with mini merchants. If they take the time to legally set up the company, and put skin in the game, they'll take the whole process more seriously.


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[Eyler_Evo_X]

Originally Posted by HappyMint

I think this has been good learning experience for everyone, including the mods, and I'm sure they are going to be more careful when considering future mini merchant applicants. Truth is, this has been a bigger PITA for them more so than anyone else. As a result I think in the future, for their own sake, they'll be more careful when considering applications. I think in this instance considering the popularity and activity of these two members on the boards a lot of people would have assumed they would have made acceptable mini merchants. I can say that I would have probably voted for the approval of Chaz. I've never been a fan of IKT, so I may have voted against b/c he is, as you put quite well, an immature egomaniac.

I agree with what you say here. I just feel bad for the mods and the people who are caught in this situation. But, at the same time, this type of situation is why I would be willing to wait for DSG's pillar pods if I were in the market.

Either way, it is what it is...