Dealer area?

[delicanuck]

Hi Mark,
I've been dreadfully remiss in my posting duties. Family, yardwork and Delica-tricking-out have kept me away. Oh yeah, and work. I'll try to do better.
I can see that the folks at Maximum Overdirve are forum members. If that's OK, I think I wold like to tell the folks at Abbotsford Japan Auto that they are welcome to join too. Before I do that though, a) do we think its OK for dealers to use the forum? (seems OK so far ) and b) do we want to create a dealers area? I think there is a dealer area in the Aussie forum, maybe UK too. The arrangement there is that dealers can't respond directly to member enquiries so that the "wanted" section doesn't turn itself into a defacto eBay. Members always know where to find dealers if they want to and can contact dealers in the dealer area. I suppose the area would simpy be a forum in the forum index, much like any other. Poll the members about this?
The next obvious step would be to arrange some saleable ad space to help pay for this site. Hmmm... You already have a referring page......

[argo]

I have contacted a dealer to get advice on topics such as compliance headlights.

The response I had was not very productive.

This site has enormous potential to help private owners network to find affordable solutions to repair and maintain thier vehicles. Thereby avoiding pitfalls like being gouged $35 for an oil filter or $200 for an alternater overhall.

Info posted on this site is available to ANYONE including the government nabobs and beurocrats who seek to thwart our efforts to import these vehicles.

"Total paranoia is total awareness"

Please be discreet

[mark]

On the issue of dealers, my feeling at this time is to keep this discussion forum open to any person or company who contributes to the Canadian "Delica Scene."

Since only a small proportion of Canadian dealers are actively involved with Delicas, I think it is beneficial to continue having these dealers involved, as long as their posts stay on target. For example, if a dealer has a delica for sale, I wouldn't mind seeing it listed in the "Delicas for sale" sectio. Up to this point, I haven't seen (or been made aware of) any evidence of spamming or other abuse of this site.

Anybody else have thoughts on this?

-Mark

[delicanuck]

I think if no one has anything to add, I'll contact the folks at AJA and let them know that it would be OK to post something about thier FOUR DELICAS ! Just arrived this week.
So Argo, " Total paranoia is total awareness"?? You aren't a Linux guy too are you??

[argo]

Actually more of a Lorax kind of guy

[ccautos]

I am not strictly a dealer , I just purchase and prepare JDM vehicles for sale at Five Star Securities in parksville . I am gaining more knowledge by the day on Delicas and have built up a stock of regular filters , belts , glow plugs etc . I am a servicing outlet and will take on any Delica repairs or inspection preparations needed . Also for the DIY guys out there I do not mind giving out information to help in home repairs or supplying parts if needed . I would greatly appreciate an area for dealers/service outlets to better inform the general public about the services available in different areas .

[BCDelica]

Thanks Glen,

I have to say that Glen is very helpful when you call him up with a quick question and I have been recommending him to the Island JDM owners I know!

Also, since no shop here in Powell River will look at my leaky fuel pump I may have to hop a ferry and take it to Ccautos in January. He'll have done a other leaky fuel pump by then right? I may do that, the Doc's just told me yesterday that I can't work anymore, so time is not an issue. It's just a herniated disk in the neck causing nerve damage and supposedly they need to 'operate'. Not to happy about that, it's been a real pain in the neck. :lol: With all this time off I should get Mark to make me a moderator around here! (We don't need one though)

Seriously, it's crazy, six different shops here will not touch my injection system! They say they may come up needing parts they can't get, though they'll tackle muffler and suspension work in a heartbeat. I had boots, bushing, rod ends, and stabilizer rods etc. changed on my wife Deli' and it was all stock parts (Cheap almost!). Her van gets driven on backroads tons and rides so much quieter now, we haven't changed the shocks cause they appear newer then the van.

Kev - if only Mark could see some of the places we have taken that van!

[argo]

Hey Glen,

Are you still looking for a service manual?

[ccautos]

I searched here without finding a good manual . I took a trip back home just before christmas to England and paid for a workshop manual off ebay . I was told they couldn`t get it too me in England before I left but will mail it out here . Still waiting patiently !!!!

[Jungle Jon]

I guess it was just a matter of time, but I see a dealer has posted what is basically an ad of his showroom stock. Personally, I'm ok with a link to a website in the signature, or a response to a member's question about parts or info, (a few dealers on the site have been a fantastic source of helpful info) but I feel using this forum to get free advertising of showroom stock does not fit with the spirit of this forum. If they were to give some financial support to help Mark with running the site, that would be different, but for advertising... that is what their own website is for. Perhaps it might be time to revisit delicanuck's idea of a dealer section, or lay some ground rules for dealers. Anyway, my 2 cents, any other thoughts?

[Breadman]

i agree. dealers, although an invaluable asset for parts and advice shouldn't take advantage of the site. the uk site has banners on the top which i assume help fund the site. while i'm not a huge fan of banners they do indeed serve a purpose. please no congratulations blinking ones. if mark could make a bit of extra pocket money for doing this my vote is yes.
paul

[Kuan]

Yes,

I agree with Jungle Jon and Breadman. I think also that a seperate dealer section will help people distinguish between private and dealer sales which sometimes is important and maybe not so obvious.

Kuan

[BCDelica]

Our Delica community is small and growing fast, we need all the support Dealers could provide. They have first hand experience with the Delica's workings and are excited by the market opportunity for these cool vans. With the threatened changes to the import vehicle regulations and dealers interest in continuing this great market, we need to be all together in all things Deli'. I don't think any dealer would object to separate threads for private and commercial sales. Guys like Glen (ccautos) and Wayne (luxury imports) have vested interests in the import market and it really shows with there involvement in import associated forums.

On a emotional level, at first I thought dealers shouldn't advertise here, and if they listed all their stock the one I want to sell would be lost in countless listings of good Delica's. It's that emotional drawbridge feeling, meaning I have a super cool vehicle and don't want to see too many others on the road. I definitely ain't pointing at anybody here, just throwing in my two bits.

I like the mdrive one, same color as my work one.


Kev - Lets encourage all things Delica! :D

Keep up the good work Mark! :D :D

[josh]

Yes,

I agree with Jungle Jon and Breadman. I think also that a seperate dealer section will help people distinguish between private and dealer sales which sometimes is important and maybe not so obvious.

Kuan

I have to agree also. I do appretiate the dealers imput, and I would hope that they would continue to participate in forums. But as far as selling their products or pushing their own buisness... then there should be a dealer area, and possibly a way to compensate Mark for his efforts. By the way Mark, you are doing a top notch job! Thanks.

Josh

[Fanny Bay Delica]

To all,

I find having the good dealers involved a great help!! Due to all the positive comments on Glen and CC Autos in this forum led me to use his services for my scheduled maintenance. He does great work and I got to check out Kwan's and Surfer Boy's Delis at the time (hope you guys don't mind). I'm fine with the dealers providing a link to their web site through the member list vice through the Delicas For Sale section, this should be reserved for private sales.

My two cents!!

Andy