43 replies to this topic

[webbmarent]

It continues to surprise me how EASY it is to find an item but folks come on here to ask. C'mon, friends! It's not hard to look for these items. Most of us are busy all day but make it a point to help fellow distributors looking for a hard to find item. We REALLY DO like to help!! However, I don't think we want to turn this forum into a 'virtual admin' board, do we? If you're really needing help (time factor, search difficulty, )...many here would LOVE to help! But I think it would be worth our while to know where you've searched (ESP, SAGE, DC) so some of those willing to help don't duplicate your efforts.

Im not directing this at anyone in particular but I've seen a lot of easy requests lately, ...some come back and say thank you and some don't even come back.

btw, please know that I'm speaking purely for myself..so if anyone has any comments , please feel free to direct the comments to me :) on the forum if it's helpful...and PM if it's not fit for here. Thanks!!

Peace! :o

[Joe Denhoff]

I think alot of these simple requests are from people very new in the industry. They have to attend shows or work for someone else to learn what suppliers to use. When I see a very simple request I wonder if it may be an end user pretending to be a distributor.

[Chris Miller]

Joe Denhoff said:

When I see a very simple request I wonder if it may be an end user pretending to be a distributor.

Not the case.... most of them are new ASI subscribers. ASI does sign up many end users from many industries. We allow them because they have an industry designation (ASI).

ASI is so liberal with handing out their "number" that DistributorTalk is considering no longer taking an ASI number as verification of industry involvement.

[webbmarent]

i hope end users are not allowed to reply to these threads/posts.

[Chris Miller]

webbmarent said:

i hope end users are not allowed to reply to these threads/posts.

Never have been, never will be :rolleyes:

[webbmarent]

didn't think so :)

[tmci]

I've certainly been guilty of this in the past... Reaching out for help, but without specifying the steps I've taken prior to posting. I've been trying to take advantage of the search features of this site though, since more often than not, someone has already asked the question - often times word for word!

I'll do my best!

[webbmarent]

Hello Joseph, thank you for speaking up. I'm not a moderator on DT- I'm just one of the many who find value in the exchange of experience and information on the forum. Perhaps by not being a moderator, I can be more expressive. Once again, I didn't direct my post at anyone. I actually held back from this kind of comment for over a week now.

I'm sure people understand all of us asking for a little assistance every now and then. You can also vet your ideas versus what others may think. I think that's fair..and it allows everyone to participate. The communication will build relationships.

I, myself, am building trust and friendships slowly but surely with folks on DT. Even through some disagreement and sidebar PM's..I am learning who to trust and look up to. My point is, when I am faced with situations in the future when I really need help, I won't be the 'boy' (girl) who cried wolf. I'm saving my silver bullets for then.

Take care and thanks for your reply. Give back when you can :)

[kristiy]

Hi All- Over the years, this subject has come up many many times- some got so tired of answering the same requests over and over that they eventually gave up and stopped answering.
Every distributor, as part of their JOB, their line of business, is to KNOW where to look, to have tools at their disposal to research products..

That being said- there is a forum here for product research- there are definitely times when you just can't find that obscure product, can't find it in a certain color or style, are trying to duplicate an exact product, are not able to get to your research tool, or whatever-
This is when it is MOST helpful to say WHERE you have already looked- why you can't find it- what search terms you have tried, basically WHY you are asking others to do your research for you.

I know at times, it is nice to think someone is sitting right there at their computer and can glance at your request and have the answer on the tip of their tongue without actually wanting anyone to research for you- sure maybe someone knows right off the top of their head- but you will be lucky to hook up your thread with that person's eyes!

Please be courteous to your fellow DT members and remember they have their own research to do! :)

[tmci]

I would add that often times it's not simply researching a source for a product, but wanting to hear what others' experiences have been with a particular item. For example, if 200 suppliers offer the same product, it's nice to hear opinions from people who've purchased the product before. Sometimes you can get stories (good and bad) that narrow down the list of vendors. Obviously there are ratings such as Supplier Check, and the other industry tools, but sometimes you can't beat opinion.

[jacquez]

Chris Miller said:

Not the case.... most of them are new ASI subscribers. ASI does sign up many end users from many industries. We allow them because they have an industry designation (ASI).

ASI is so liberal with handing out their "number" that DistributorTalk is considering no longer taking an ASI number as verification of industry involvement.

Are you serious?

[Chris Miller]

jacquez said:

Are you serious?

Very.... i'm finding way too many people with NO industry knowledge, but an ASI number. They cannot tell me any factories they have dealt with, or otherwise verify any involvement in the industry. It's just too hard to deal with these applications and get these people verified. Many of these members who you have seen here asking real BASIC questions like where to buy pens, hats, etc are those who signed up and got in with an ASI number.

I would rather verify people myself by looking at their websites, asking questions, etc than to rely on ASI. According to what I have seen with DT registrations, ASI isn't doing anything to verify involvement in the industry.

[Allan]

I agree with doing a separate verification process rather than just accepting an ASI number as proof. ASI is pushing the envelope to anyone that ponies up the money to join.

Chris Miller said:

Very.... i'm finding way too many people with NO industry knowledge, but an ASI number. They cannot tell me any factories they have dealt with, or otherwise verify any involvement in the industry. It's just too hard to deal with these applications and get these people verified. Many of these members who you have seen here asking real BASIC questions like where to buy pens, hats, etc are those who signed up and got in with an ASI number.

I would rather verify people myself by looking at their websites, asking questions, etc than to rely on ASI. According to what I have seen with DT registrations, ASI isn't doing anything to verify involvement in the industry.

[apolloemb]

Chris .... Are these the same distributors that are trying to buy from you?

[webbmarent]

Sometimes late at night (CA time), there are a LOT of 'guest' on the threads. Have no idea who 'Guests' are but they seem to come out late at night when there are not too many people on the forum. I see some registering and some reading threads. Sorry...me nosey :)

BTW, i gave this link to a bunch of suppliers at SAAC and told them they had best get on board if they're looking to sell stuff. It's nice to see different suppliers helping folks who need ideas.

[Chris Miller]

Allan said:

I agree with doing a separate verification process rather than just accepting an ASI number as proof. ASI is pushing the envelope to anyone that ponies up the money to join.

Allan,

Not to take this off topic, but thats my point exactly. It would be irresponsible on my part to continue to let people in with only an ASI number. No more responsible than putting a giant ad up on google and advertising DT and the industry to the entire world.

So in keeping it on topic, let's understand that ASI is partly to blame for the type of "newbies" we're seeing on DT today. I will bring this up to the advisors and a change in policy will be considered.

[Chris Miller]

apolloemb said:

Chris .... Are these the same distributors that are trying to buy from you?

Yup... they always have their ASI number. :rolleyes:

[webbmarent]

ASI numbers are too easy to get cuz there are big disty places that don't require all the documentation that ASI asks for. Just sign the contract and the ASI number is given to you c/o the big disty house. PPAI much harder to get - so i doubt distributors get PPAI "BEFORE" getting an ASI number.

I think if anyone has a PPAI they're really in the biz. UPIC too.

[Katherine]

I don't know if this will help, but I just started a new thread in the Educational Forums "How to..." forum for tips on how to search for products on the internet or on DT. My first post is really basic, but you folks are the experts and you know the kinds of things that make things easier.

[webbmarent]

I would pay a membership fee to be on a more exclusive forum. I mean realllly quality people, quality suppliers...experts with more than 3 years in the industry.

Thats where you can get really good suppliers advertising too. Or is that the Gold Membership thingamajig on here?