Quote Originally Posted by wabashcr View Post
I think it's great that vendors and other industry types want to interact here. It's a good way for them to get feedback, and it provides the members here with a wealth of knowledge and resources within the hobby. I like that this is a welcoming place for fostering those relationships.

That said, I think it's a mistake to stifle criticism just to pander to these businesses (which is kind of what I'm inferring from this thread). Most vendors that interact here are probably good, honorable businesses that would appreciate all feedback, good or bad. While I would never air a complaint here without trying to work it out with the vendor, and would never leverage this forum to take advantage of a supplier, I do think there can be value in discussing shortcomings publicly. Sometimes in business, even smaller businesses, the right hand doesn't always know what the left hand is doing. I think a respectful, yet critical dialog, can be beneficial, and even welcomed by most businesses.

There are also some businesses in this industry with some very unscrupulous business practices. I don't see any reason to dance around that. If that keeps them from participating on the forum, is that really a bad thing? Is it considered "bashing" to be honest and direct about that? I think this forum's integrity is worth a lot more than a 10% discount.

To me, the tone of this thread is very much pro-vendor. While I think it's great to establish good relationships with vendors, I don't think that should ever come at the expense of members (consumers) getting the full story. I think it's dangerous to get too cozy with suppliers, and accountability can gradually be lost. I don't see that becoming an issue for 95% of the vendors in this industry, and hopefully none of the ones that choose to participate here.
I don't feel like anyone's opinions have been stifled here. I fact I think quite a few contentious threads have been allowed to run unmolesed and unclosed. I'd say Cigar Bum mode and admins have been very tolerant of dissenting opinions. Posts haven't been edited, members have been banned over these things. There may have been warnings to keep things on topic and civil but I don't think that can be reasonably objected to. The thread has a pro-vendor tone due in large part because we have been trying to answer Ropey's question of why we care if vendors are here or not. Naturally the answer will be pro-vendor. I agree it is good to express concerns about vendors as long as it is done in a respectful manner. I also think it's important for people to realize that just because they had a bad experience doesn't mean that company X is crooked, bad for the industry, etc. and not immediately turn it into a personal crusade to ruin company X. If there are consistent, repeated problems with vendors then yeah, that's a big issue. I just think you get more bees with honey than vinegar. That's not everyone's opinion and that's fine but for the best interests of the community attitudes need to stay respectful and realistic. I don't think that's too much to ask.