Conflict of Interest

[Matt]

Sort of on the contrary to what you just said.... being a sponsor here doesn't subject you to criticism; we're allowed to critique companies whether they're sponsors or not. Being a sponsor here would ENABLE a company to respond to that criticism and backup their products.

Some of the best discussions I've seen on this forum have been when multiple vendors are intermingled in the discussion with the members. Us, the consumers, have learned a lot about the product design methodology with this which helps us, as consumers, select which products we want to spend our money on.

In the very limited WK/XK market that exists today, this forum is definitely one of the top (arguably the best) platform to get your products out there. $.02

[ScorpionCrawler]

Critique, that's the word I was looking for...probably better than bashing.
Mattress companys are best at that.

[GPintheMitten]

My thoughts are that I trust Jon and have always thought he has a lot of integrity. I can see why he would want two userids but I also understand that it could add another layer of complexity for Jon in when to use one or the other. And that could be confusing to others. But I figured it out pretty quickly when I came back to visiting this site after not being very active for a while.

It's good for us to have vendors on board to have our needs understood and met. I think vendors should not be afraid of being treated unfairly on this forum. On the other hand, claiming that you make the best product is NOT treating others unfairly. They can all claim their products are the best. But it could start a debate / argument so it might not be the best thing to say. You might better say, We strive to make the best products for our customers and are constantly looking at ways to improve them. or something like that.

My advice is that vendors that are considering having a presence here on the forum, to do it. This is not an SteelArmadillo user forum, this is an XK/WK enthusiast forum.

[LWM]

As posted in the other thread as well, I have come to the following conclusion...

I will do all my posting under "Knappster" with a comment in my signature that I am the owner of The Steel Armadillo. Vendors, including 4xGuard, Rhino Rack, ASFIR & others we given free vendor status for 2011, they can freely choose to pay and stay on in 2012 if they desire and that would be my goal for the good of the Commander enthusiasts. I have and will continue to disclose to vendors that I own The Steel Armadillo and they can make their own decisions which way they want to go.

Thank you for all your comments, it gave me a lot to consider.

[cico7]

Subject is pretty much closed now......

You see, I'm both Knappster and Steel Armadillo, not because I have to be, now, because I choose to be.

As posted in the other thread as well, I have come to the following conclusion...

I will do all my posting under "Knappster" with a comment in my signature that I am the owner of The Steel Armadillo. Vendors, including 4xGuard, Rhino Rack, ASFIR & others we given free vendor status for 2011, they can freely choose to pay and stay on in 2012 if they desire and that would be my goal for the good of the Commander enthusiasts. I have and will continue to disclose to vendors that I own The Steel Armadillo and they can make their own decisions which way they want to go.

Thank you for all your comments, it gave me a lot to consider.

From Batman forever.....

[Sal-XK]

Vendors not choosing to come here are only hurting there business IMO. Most of the highest modded Jeeps are on this site and the members here are some of the most enthusiastic XK\WK owners on the forums. We are also some of the most influential members across the forums as well and have people buying what we buy and doing what we do. To use an example I'll choose a non vendor Monroe shocks. Matt put there shocks on then I put there shocks on now there are a dozen people I know of running around with there shocks. Were open and honest about products and we don't pull any punches either and this will also extend to SA. If SA builds a bad or good product it will come out here honestly and without censorship. I am purchasing a set of SA super sliders tonight when I catch up on reading posts here and I will take them out and beat the living crap out of them . As I always do I will start a review on the product and I will be honest on there performance.

[AJeepZJ]

Can't believe I'm just now seeing this thread. I feel the precautionary steps already taken will suffice. I do feel it will ultimately stunt competing vendors in relevant markets. I could be wrong, But I see this ultimately leading to us (TheUltimateJeep.com), providing a community-supported list of vendor links and/or products. Essentially a thumbs up that TheUltimateJeep.com community, as a whole, genuinely embraces... One fine such example was 4xG.

But Sal is right - In most cases we are extremely objective and we have no trouble holding back if someone, or something, provides amazing services and products... or vice-versa.

[cico7]

.... a community-supported list of vendor links and/or products. Essentially a thumbs up that TheUltimateJeep.com community, as a whole, genuinely embraces... One fine such example was 4xG.

I thinK JBA missed the boat here- they and 4X get enough publicty here. Maybe we should bOycott them! I have an idea.Ban anyone who mentions +hier name. Oh Wait, we escaped that tierny...