ResellerRatings Store Ratings - View Single Post

TICGuy · 06-21-2007, 04:18 PM

Greetings!

To all the nice and knowledgeable people here. I have read a few of your posts and send you my respects. I stumbled across this site by accident but glad I did.

I was thinking about writing an internet article, amongst others in my specialty that was entitled; “Do Consumers get what they deserve?” I’m sure it’s been done before in many ways, but I am in the consumer electronics field which is a fast moving business easily open to resale/ reseller abuse.

My company, TIC Corporation, Link removed by EvilRick has been designing, manufacturing and supplying exterior audio since the 70’s. Outdoor Speakers are one product and you’ve seen our stuff all over Disneyland, Six Flags etc. etc. but we also have sold to hundreds of thousands of private homes. For this we use distributors, dealers and resellers. We don’t have a large marketing dept. nor do we wish one, we prefer to use distribution channels that exist for a reason. Each to his own. Our main contact with end users is in terms of Customer Support and we enjoy talking to our customers. They teach us many things. Besides, although it sounds weird; the adulation, respect and compliments you receive from a happy customer… are better than sex. We work so hard for it that when it comes it’s better than great. It seems to make it all worthwhile.

But back to the point; some time ago one of our customer liaison people came to me and she said, “ya know, I honestly think that consumers ask for what they get”. This was obviously a cynical reaction that I had to correct quickly. In this case the circumstances were a consumer who purchased “our” product from a non-authorized internet reseller… or thought he did. The product wasn’t ours nor could it be covered by our support services or warranty. This is a sad case that’s been happening often I’m told by many companies. Our trade shows are full of such stories. For every nice and reputable site like http://www.resellerratings.com/ trying to warn end users of the risks, there are a 100 unscrupulous resellers and scam artists. Sad but true. We’ve all read the headlines of Ipods and now Iphones being scammed by foreign internet sellers.

These days I have to spend an inordinate amount of time finding our products on unauthorized weird and wonderful websites with old pictures, incorrect specs, ridiculous pricing and sometimes products for sale we have not made in ten years! “out of stock” is usually a dead give away, while they offer you some no name sub par replacement at best. There’s very little contact or support information listed and when there is… we’ll, they don’t respond to us. Who is buying from these people? Who is keeping these people in business?

In this case, the guy was trying, like most, to save a buck. And like often, this is where it gets you. When did “cheap” become the holy grail of buying practices? Maybe I’m showing my age here, but I was brought up with, “you most often get what you paid for”. Remember being able to walk into Sears and being able to choose good, better or best? With corresponding price and abilities increase. Now all I see on the shelves of our major retailers is the cheapest possible iteration of a manufactures product. Manufacturers are most often forced to down grade their products even to get an appointment with most chain stores.

As a young man I took a degree in Purchasing, the rule there was a standard 3 quotes minimum and never buy the cheapest or the most expensive. Safe. This should be even easier today with most original equipment manufacturers, like us, having websites to actually research what your buying. Why will people take the time to search 10 websites to save shipping yet not look at who’s actually making the thing they desire? If there is no manufacturer, tech support direct from the manufacturer or website… need I say it?

Tweeter, a respected and reputable retailer of Consumer electronics went chapter 11 this week. This is sad. While we don’t work with them we know them only through reputation. Companies like that go to great lengths to present electronics in an environment similar to its use, spend time and money fully training their staff on their products and the full customer support that goes with it. But!, you can save $100 at Wal-mart. Try asking “bozo” the resident store “brown goods” staff in most super stores any technical questions or product support? He can tell you where the big brown box is… I know, beyond my position at TIC Corp, I am just a man who buys things like you do. I’ve been appalled at the lack of or misinformation I’ve been given in such stores. I’ll spare you some of the more famous stories we know in the trade as it is not my intention to frighten consumer electronic purchasers.

As you can see, I’m straying away from the point again and probably boring you now, so I’ll cut it short. If you truly wish many years of enjoyment from that purchase you so desired do your homework which is easier now than ever, and remember; price is not everything and never was. “Cheap goods” are what keeps customer complaint departments alive.

Thank you for sparing the time to read my, off the cuff, ramblings, but it grieves many of us to hear or read of another consumer with a bad experience. It makes the whole market smaller and believe me when I say that is not our intention at all.

Don’t look at the internet as a hangout for unethical unscrupulous businessmen although it’s never been easier for them. Instead look at the internet as a goldmine of information for your education and support that with a little effort can protect you from mistakes.

Good luck to you all and I thank http://www.resellerratings.com/ for their efforts… for all of us.

Steve Robinson
VP Operations
TIC Corporation

PS for anyone interested in our products, this months featured and authorized reseller is Link removed by EvilRick . Their nice guys and very helpful.

06-21-2007, 04:18 PM	#1 (permalink)
TICGuy Registered User Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: San Diego Posts: 1	See today's most popular deals at » Do Consumers get what they asked for? Greetings! To all the nice and knowledgeable people here. I have read a few of your posts and send you my respects. I stumbled across this site by accident but glad I did. I was thinking about writing an internet article, amongst others in my specialty that was entitled; “Do Consumers get what they deserve?” I’m sure it’s been done before in many ways, but I am in the consumer electronics field which is a fast moving business easily open to resale/ reseller abuse. My company, TIC Corporation, Link removed by EvilRick has been designing, manufacturing and supplying exterior audio since the 70’s. Outdoor Speakers are one product and you’ve seen our stuff all over Disneyland, Six Flags etc. etc. but we also have sold to hundreds of thousands of private homes. For this we use distributors, dealers and resellers. We don’t have a large marketing dept. nor do we wish one, we prefer to use distribution channels that exist for a reason. Each to his own. Our main contact with end users is in terms of Customer Support and we enjoy talking to our customers. They teach us many things. Besides, although it sounds weird; the adulation, respect and compliments you receive from a happy customer… are better than sex. We work so hard for it that when it comes it’s better than great. It seems to make it all worthwhile. But back to the point; some time ago one of our customer liaison people came to me and she said, “ya know, I honestly think that consumers ask for what they get”. This was obviously a cynical reaction that I had to correct quickly. In this case the circumstances were a consumer who purchased “our” product from a non-authorized internet reseller… or thought he did. The product wasn’t ours nor could it be covered by our support services or warranty. This is a sad case that’s been happening often I’m told by many companies. Our trade shows are full of such stories. For every nice and reputable site like http://www.resellerratings.com/ trying to warn end users of the risks, there are a 100 unscrupulous resellers and scam artists. Sad but true. We’ve all read the headlines of Ipods and now Iphones being scammed by foreign internet sellers. These days I have to spend an inordinate amount of time finding our products on unauthorized weird and wonderful websites with old pictures, incorrect specs, ridiculous pricing and sometimes products for sale we have not made in ten years! “out of stock” is usually a dead give away, while they offer you some no name sub par replacement at best. There’s very little contact or support information listed and when there is… we’ll, they don’t respond to us. Who is buying from these people? Who is keeping these people in business? In this case, the guy was trying, like most, to save a buck. And like often, this is where it gets you. When did “cheap” become the holy grail of buying practices? Maybe I’m showing my age here, but I was brought up with, “you most often get what you paid for”. Remember being able to walk into Sears and being able to choose good, better or best? With corresponding price and abilities increase. Now all I see on the shelves of our major retailers is the cheapest possible iteration of a manufactures product. Manufacturers are most often forced to down grade their products even to get an appointment with most chain stores. As a young man I took a degree in Purchasing, the rule there was a standard 3 quotes minimum and never buy the cheapest or the most expensive. Safe. This should be even easier today with most original equipment manufacturers, like us, having websites to actually research what your buying. Why will people take the time to search 10 websites to save shipping yet not look at who’s actually making the thing they desire? If there is no manufacturer, tech support direct from the manufacturer or website… need I say it? Tweeter, a respected and reputable retailer of Consumer electronics went chapter 11 this week. This is sad. While we don’t work with them we know them only through reputation. Companies like that go to great lengths to present electronics in an environment similar to its use, spend time and money fully training their staff on their products and the full customer support that goes with it. But!, you can save $100 at Wal-mart. Try asking “bozo” the resident store “brown goods” staff in most super stores any technical questions or product support? He can tell you where the big brown box is… I know, beyond my position at TIC Corp, I am just a man who buys things like you do. I’ve been appalled at the lack of or misinformation I’ve been given in such stores. I’ll spare you some of the more famous stories we know in the trade as it is not my intention to frighten consumer electronic purchasers. As you can see, I’m straying away from the point again and probably boring you now, so I’ll cut it short. If you truly wish many years of enjoyment from that purchase you so desired do your homework which is easier now than ever, and remember; price is not everything and never was. “Cheap goods” are what keeps customer complaint departments alive. Thank you for sparing the time to read my, off the cuff, ramblings, but it grieves many of us to hear or read of another consumer with a bad experience. It makes the whole market smaller and believe me when I say that is not our intention at all. Don’t look at the internet as a hangout for unethical unscrupulous businessmen although it’s never been easier for them. Instead look at the internet as a goldmine of information for your education and support that with a little effort can protect you from mistakes. Good luck to you all and I thank http://www.resellerratings.com/ for their efforts… for all of us. Steve Robinson VP Operations TIC Corporation PS for anyone interested in our products, this months featured and authorized reseller is Link removed by EvilRick . Their nice guys and very helpful.