Forum sponsors, and misleading sales.

[Caspien]

So.. in the spirit of trying to play nicely, here... I'm just trying to get some feedback from folks on an issue.

Recently, I've noticed an uptick on a specific forum sponsor, whom I'm sure many of us have signed up with for marketing and sales info, that seems to be falling into the trap of bait and switch with their advertising.

It's happened a few times, and every time I find myself jumping at the idea of being able to purchase something, only to discover their marketing team are awfully good at 'accidentally' putting terms/items in their adverts, that don't necessarily align with their website.

Things like an ad, saying 'For Wrangler and Gladiator' 'Now Only $XXXXX'.

Except, when you go to the site, you discover that isn't true at all, its usually a very small subset of item(s) that only work with earlier versions of Wranglers (not JL, not JLU, and DEFINITELY not 'Gladiator', regardless of what their email adverts say).



How would you approach it? I've tried reaching out to their support team, who refuses to honor the pricing, and instead chalks it up as errors or such. However, after so many times of these 'errors' happening, you have to question if something is accidental or not. Once is an error, twice is a coincidence, three times?? Seems like, to ME anyway, someone is playing 'bait and switch'.

I ask, without mentioning the sponsor, because my goal here isn't to immediately call them out and be a jerk, but just see what everyone's thoughts are on pricing 'accidents' that seem to keep happening.

Thoughts?



~ Casp

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[Shift Happens]

After all of the contacts you had with them trying to resolve the problem, I would just ignore those vendors and not purchase from them. Usually there are plenty other options out there.

Reporting the vendor thread might help, if it's advertised here and not being honored, but I've never tried.

 

[JeepOfTheseus]

If they don't want your money, don't give them your money. It will sort itself out naturally in the long run.

 

[cranbiz]

Wouldn't happen to be Quadratec?

That's their MO on the daily email I get from them. Advertise something on sale, click the link and get something completely unrelated or just taken to the general area.

For the most part, unless I know exactly what I want from them and can't source it elsewhere, it's the only time I will buy from them. I have a friend who is a Quadratec distributer, so I can get usually (but not always) get a discount.

 

[JeepOfTheseus]

Wouldn't happen to be Quadratec?

Was pretty much my first thought.

 

[Mr._Bill]

Nothing may come of it, but report it to the site moderator. If it's an ongoing issue with a particular sponsor, they should at least know about it.

 

[Puch]

Was pretty much my first thought.

I think a lot of people think the same. It’s a bummer too. I used to go to them 1st. Good prices and fast delivery. Then around 2-3yrs ago they just seemed to drop the ball and never recovered.

 

[Caspien]

Wouldn't happen to be Quadratec?

That's their MO on the daily email I get from them. Advertise something on sale, click the link and get something completely unrelated or just taken to the general area.

For the most part, unless I know exactly what I want from them and can't source it elsewhere, it's the only time I will buy from them. I have a friend who is a Quadratec distributer, so I can get usually (but not always) get a discount.

Interesting that everyone is coming to the same conclusion as to what seller it is, and without confirming or denying,.. I WILL state the item, today, was inner fender liners that claim:

"Inner Fender Liner Sets for '07 -'23 Wrangler & Gladiator NOW ONLY: $89.99, WAS: 252.99"


So, if you have a marketing email from a sponsor, today, that claims that.. be aware it's entirely BS, (interesting that Bait and Switch could also be construed as 'BS', I suppose) and they will NOT honor that pricing, the agent I chatted with even confirmed that.

Just a little annoyed, since I'm in the market for fenders (found out my front passenger one is cracked, when I was doing the hood cutout for the Mopar CAI). I hadn't really considered their 'house brand', but the price was good.. so.. *shrug*

If it's too good to be true, and all that, I suppose.



~ Casp

 

[cranbiz]

I think a lot of people think the same. It’s a bummer too. I used to go to them 1st. Good prices and fast delivery. Then around 2-3yrs ago they just seemed to drop the ball and never recovered.

It was about 3 years ago. Huge shakeup there and most of the real Jeep people left them. They slashed their dealer network, cut back on the dealer discounts and apparently outsourced their call center. I can only guess why, seems it was about the same time Polaris was buying up Jeep parts suppliers. Now I do know that Polaris did not buy Quadratec but I wouldn't be surprised it it was considered and the cost saving moves were made to look more attractive.

They are absolutely a shell of their former selves. My go to supplier now is Northridge 4X4.

 

[Rahkmalla]

Because I love a good dogpile: quadratec has gone to shit. I've posted enough comments here that I don't feel like typing out any more in depth posts, but they are bottom tier garbage and their customer service... well you hate to blame the grunts for their marching orders, but they should be embarrassed to work there. I'd quit if I was forced to lie to people that often.

 

[Lunentucker]

Nothing may come of it, but report it to the site moderator. If it's an ongoing issue with a particular sponsor, they should at least know about it.

This is the best answer.
Remember that we're all guests in someone else's house, AND it's their livelihood.
Forum sponsors keep the lights on, so tread lightly when bashing them publicly.
Leave the issue resolutions to the people who are actually in the game and on the field.
Losing a single member isn't nearly as big of a deal as losing a single sponsor.

 

[Caspien]

This is the best answer.
Remember that we're all guests in someone else's house, AND it's their livelihood.
Forum sponsors keep the lights on, so tread lightly when bashing them publicly.
Leave the issue resolutions to the people who are actually in the game and on the field.
Losing a single member isn't nearly as big of a deal as losing a single sponsor.

.. which is exactly why I won't confirm or deny who the sponsor is.. even if everyone already has their guesses lined up, and could easily determine whom I'm talking about, if they get the same ads in their emails.

The truth is, I like a lot of what the vendor/sponsor does, but their marketing dept needs to be fired with prejudice, for outright lying on their ads.

Scummy business practices shouldn't be tolerated or encouraged by doing any business with those that do them.


~ Casp

 

[cranbiz]

If members are not allowed to tell each other of their experiences with a particular vendor, then more members can have similar experiences.

The vendor needs to own it, good or bad. If they don't want bad reviews, fix their process.

 

[Caspien]

To the Moderator that moved this, thank you for moving it to the correct forum. I'm going to assume the move means you've read the issue, and understand my concerns (and others concerns, with ANY sponsor that deals in misleading advertisement), so I don't actually have to report it.




~ Casp

 

[heftysmurf]

Scummy business practices shouldn't be tolerated or encouraged by doing any business with those that do them.

~ Casp

Hey Casp -- I think you and I had a common enemy a year or two ago and it isn't the Q word! For what it's worth, I let my wallet handle my stance and that common enemy gets no more of my money! That vendor, I cancelled my order with them and went a different route. So I agree -- Scummy business practices shouldn't be tolerated.

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