Soaring Community Consumer Warning

Go back a read the incident facts. Here's to hoping you don't have a vendor change the deal to suit themselves and their "creative" version of exclusivity after you, in good faith and understanding, complied with the original version. I'm so sure you'll take that as fair and equitable business on their part and depart with a smile on your face.


Bob, This has happened to me hundreds of times in my career. Being a professional Category Manager/Buyer in retail and dealing daily with Salesmen for almost 25 years, you tend to expect it... (not to say there aren't many above board Salesmen, but there are those that will say or do anything to get what they want).

Ever buy products from Nike or Walmart? (there are many others, but I’ll stop there) Feel ok with those purchases? Do you shop them on occasion? Do your family and friends utilize their products or services? Well, if what was stated earlier at W&W upsets you, then you would never buy from either Nike or Walmart again.... EVER. Being a direct competitor with Walmart and friends of many corporate Nike employees, I have direct and supplier information relating to both companies. In comparison, stuff that they have done in the past makes removing a glider ad absolutely irrelevant. We are talking millions of dollars, putting many many companies out of business, and disrupting the lives/careers of thousands.

The point is that most businesses do many things patrons won’t approve of (including my company). This circumstance just happened to be reported. If you get indignant over this and then carried this over to your daily lives, then you will have few places to shop, services to use.

And if we get down to brass tacks, I’d bet the statistics (easily manipulated by the way/been there, done that) show that viewing the soaring classified ads is more about personal fantasy or killing time than actually buying a glider (NOT that this changes the relevance of this thread). The web traffic and company recognition is still valid for the retailer no matter why the ads are viewed.

You may dislike what happened at W&W, but let’s prioritize a bit on getting upset. This example is “small potatoes”.

At 21:37 02 April 2013, Craig R. wrote:

You may dislike what happened at W&W, but let's prioritize a bit on
getting upset. This example is small potatoes.

You are right, 20 years ago this would have been small potatoes. Like it or
not we are in an age when what happens can be communicated to literally
millions of people very easily.You do not have to arouse media interest you
just post something on the internet.
Now I live in the UK so I have never ever had any contact with Wings and
Wheels and now I am never likely to. At best the proprietor comes over as
someone more concerned with himself than his customers and the number of
people that know this increases exponetially. Agree most of them won't care
a jot but a small business, and W&W is a small business, relies on cash
flow and even the loss of a few customers can be serious.
Of course someone has the right to run their business how they see fit but
they have to appreciate that upsetting one customer does not mean that just
that one customer knows any more.

Originally Posted by Don Johnstone[_4_]

At 21:37 02 April 2013, Craig R. wrote:

You may dislike what happened at W&W, but let's prioritize a bit on
getting upset. This example is small potatoes.

At best the proprietor comes over as someone more concerned with himself than his customers and the number of people that know this increases exponetially. Agree most of them won't care a jot but a small business, and W&W is a small business, relies on cash flow and even the loss of a few customers can be serious.
Of course someone has the right to run their business how they see fit but
they have to appreciate that upsetting one customer does not mean that just
that one customer knows any more.

Well, if you haven't noticed many other posts, most folks here have had excellent service from Tim. I've dealt with him many times and he has always been informative prompt and helpful. And even when I screwed up my PNA, he helped me get it back to factory settings at no charge. I appreciate his responses to my questions, and he has always been an excellent businessman in my book, including offering discounts when I hadn't asked. Thanks Tim.

If that matters at all...

Cheers me old,
Squeak