Are LF suppliers lazy or stupid?

[Kevin Crisp]

Maybe they don't want the abuse that has been heaped on some of them.

[callmebrick]

Maybe they don't want the abuse that has been heaped on some of them.

What is it with vBulletin boards and being cranky?

[Kevin Crisp]

I think it is partially explained by the tendency toward perfectionism among those who shoot big negatives. We are a tough crowd to please, and we often have very specific needs that differ just slightly from what is offered or available.

[Leigh]

Maybe they don't want the abuse that has been heaped on some of them.

I'm afraid that's all too likely.

Internet fora are a ripe feeding ground for folks with an axe to grind.
Unfortunately they're often encouraged by other members.

The percentage of posts backing the vendors as opposed to criticizing them is rather small.
Most likely they just don't want to deal with the nonsense.

- Leigh

[Leigh]

Gee, I have been on here for all those years until we went out of business!

Bob,

I for one very much appreciate all of your knowledge and wisdom which you generously share.

Thank you.

- Leigh

[jp]

Lately and only very lately, have a couple of our suppliers 'popped up' here seeking business.

B&H and Ries come to mind.

They are both late, yet present.

Where is everybody else?


Custom camera makers are also obtuse, with their unfriendly websites and a complete lack of useful info on them.

Is this a loaded question like, "Have you stopped beating your wife?"

[Bruce Barlow]

Well, Richard Ritter does show up from time to time, but I can understand why Keith Canham and Mike Walker don't generally bother with this board. However I have had direct responses from both of those gentlemen, which I valued a lot. In some cases, I have used that information when responding to other camera users with a similar issue on this board.

I think Richard participates at a level and breadth that Keith and Mike can't really match.

It's a delicate thing, methinks. We'd carpet bomb someone who came on and tried to sell us stuff, but looking at where this thread began, for some folks having vendors only supporting products in subtle ways appears to be not enough.

I think Bob Salomon got it right when he was in business, and continues to be a treasure trove of knowledge that he is willing to share with us mere mortals. I have learned a lot from Bob, and anticipate continuing to do so.

[John Kasaian]

Also Carol at Flutot's has posted here on occasion, so has Bostick and Sullivan and Michael Smith (Lodima paper.)

I tend to agree with john nanian that either dissatisfied customers or suppliers have far too often gotten into knock down drag out brawls that do no one any good.
If I supplied anything, I'd be treading kind of lightly around these parts myself.

[BrianShaw]

Maybe we aren't as valuable to them as we think we are. How much revenue does anyone think we really represent? I, personally, don't spend much money anymore on camera gear and when I do I'm buying used and trying to get a bargain. I buy way more film and processing than gear. Maybe they are smarter than we look.

[jp]

I don't sell/support photo gear, but if I did, I'd keep a low profile on the forums except for product announcements, etc.. The forum could turn into a support/customer service forum and an Internet bulletin board is not the ideal system to handle that work.