New Marketplace Tool - Problems / Help / Suggestions / Comments - Third Generation F-Body Message Boards

JT · 03-13-2008, 08:24 PM

Dear ThirdGen.Org Community,

We are excited to announce the launch of our new marketplace on ThirdGen.Org, powered by Digital Performance. The marketplace will make it much easier to find parts for your car from one easy to use source. Just enter your make, model and year, the part you are looking for, and the marketplace will provide you with results for your vehicle. Please share any feedback and experience you have with the marketplace here on the board, as Digital Performance will be here to answer questions you may have. This tool will grow quicker with your help, so please contribute as much as possible.

DPI offers a broad variety of parts and the brands while encouraging smaller manufacturers to add their highly specialized parts to their ever growing catalog. The Shopping Guide function is designed to allow you to locate parts that work on your vehicle and identify online sellers who can deliver those parts.

Please understand that this is still in development, and feedback that is provided by you will help further develop this Marketplace tool.

Please be sure to keep comments "constructive" and focused on this Marketplace tool.

Thanks,
JT

brandotron · 03-14-2008, 12:02 AM

I'm not into it. It's clearly not designed for TGO, as it has EVERY make and model available. I get the impression that it's a new marketing tool mandated by the new owners. It'll probably pop up on the other Internet Brands sites, if it hasn't already.

Personally, I'll stick to the usual classifieds, as it has a much more personal feel. The vendors mentioned in the normal board (hawks, tds, moderndaymuscle, etc) have my trust because they are spoken so highly of by members more knowledgeable than me.

I don't know the whole story, but this new marketplace tool seems like impersonal sales software designed by people who don't really know about the third generation Firebird or Camaro. If I wanted that, I'd buy my parts from Autozone, Kragen, Pep Boys, etc.

Seems like the beginning of the end.

Sonix · 03-14-2008, 12:09 AM

Is it possible to filter it for us, or is it a generic applet? ie, can it only show chevrolet/pontiac, and only show our years? Just curious, it's a PITA to siphon through "renault" and a bunch of outdated/unheard of cars when only 50 were ever made, yet it pollutes a drop down box

I figured i'd test it out. Looked for a carbed nitrous plate system for my "1982 Camaro". It only shows the Edelbrock kit. I know not all sellers carry all brands but... Who is the seller here? Dynamic turbo? Or is it a collection of sellers? I'll give it a run for it's money here and come up with more feedback..

Sounds like it could be a pretty good idea, if we can get a lot of the sellers on board.

HBcarnut · 03-14-2008, 11:26 AM

Hello guys, my name is Scott and I work for DPI who has developed this marketplace tool.

To answer a few questions, the reason it will never be purely Third Gen Camaro/Firebird products. Reality is not everyone on a given board owns that car, and many members usually have either moved on to different cars or also have other cars in their stable. So we want them to have the ability to do searches on those cars as well. We also know a lot of you are most likely the "go to" guy in your community of friends outside the board, and this allows those not familiar with other cars to find good information.

We ourselves do not sell parts. Our company started off working with manufacturers categorizing their data into Aces and Pies format (AAIA Data standardization). This is something the OE's have done for years and SEMA has been pushing the aftermarket into. After a few years of doing this we realized we had a lot of information that would be good for the consumer, that is where we started this endeavor. We really are here for the consumer, to allow them to know what fits their car. We currently have 1.5 million parts in our database from over 800 manufacturers and it is growing everyday. As you can understand this project is a hard one to complete.

Brando, you will see this tool on a variety of sites, we currently have roughly a dozen syndication partners. We have also made good strides in trying to reach out to the third gen owners (I use to have 2 in my family) and the majority of the staff here are true gear heads. We are a growing company, and feedback like you are giving us is something we need in order to grow and make it the best it can be for the consumer.

Being a board runner and user for 10 years now I do understand your loyalty to the board sponsors, and we are here to work with them as well. The tool is also there to surprise you with the occasional part you did not know about, or a place to purchase a part that the current sponsors here do not carry.

The bottom line here is, we are here to help you. We also want you here to help us. If you notice something wrong..or off...of completely missing let me know and we will work to fix it!

If you have any questions or feedback (positive or negative) don't hesitate to let me know!

Thanks guys,

Scott

AmorgetRS · 03-14-2008, 07:10 PM

It does not need to become a "Thirdgen only" thing, however why can it not be configured to only show the cars that the board caters to then allow on a separate page to access the rest of the vehicles.

Right now it is the equivalent to a Google ad. If you really want to attract people to use it you need to make it look like something more then the piles of crap we are blasted with all over the web. Customizing the years and vehicles would go A LONG WAY toward that.

lonsal · 03-16-2008, 04:22 PM

Scott, you asked for feedback. I have some for you. Your parts search tool isn't ready for prime time. I did a search on a vehicle I own, (88 Pontiac Firebird). Many of the parts that the search came up with have nothing whatsoever to do with my vehicle. Just a few examples of what were turned up using your search tool:

AEM 301000 engine management system for a 92-95 Acura Integra, AEM 25-100B high volume fuel injection rails, again for an Acura. The K&N logo stickers was about the only thing that it shows for Body Exterior, but I can't recall ever settling for K&N stickers when I really was looking for a front spoiler.

Based on my search results, I can tell you that as it currently exists, your search tool is pretty much useless. It is apparent that 1.499 million of the 1.5 million parts you have currently loaded into your database would have no appeal or use for a 1982-92 F-body enthusiast.

I know TGO sponsors, (including myself), have been invited to participate in this search tool. I haven't yet decided if that is something I want to participate in or not. The fact that it is based on clicks, rather than actual sales generated from the search makes me think I'll decline.

Yes I do drive other vehicles other than my Camaro and Firebird. I certainly don't come to TGO to find parts for them or find the answers on how to how to repair them.

I own TDS (Top-Down Solutions) which began from my hobby of Thirdgen Camaros and Firebirds. TDS from it's inception has striven to provide those hard to find parts for these thirdgen F-bodies. I can't adequately convey how much it angers me that these **** Google ads have pushed the legit sponsor ads including mine into the nether regions where no one can find them. Why is it that lately the owners of this site favor these BS Google ads (such as Camaro Ringtones, Buy direct from China, Auto parts from India, etc.) over legit companies that have been and continue to cater to the thirdgen community?

Lon Salgren
Owner, Top-Down Solutions

RAD5 · 03-16-2008, 09:15 PM

I tried it and all I get is listings for import parts.

Jay · 03-16-2008, 09:20 PM

I did several searches and agree with lonsal. It's pretty useless. Search using a 1990 Camaro shows gauge pillars for a Chevy Truck. etc etc etc.

Harley61 · 03-17-2008, 11:24 AM

This search feature sure is a "tool". I don't think brakes for an Acura will fit my car. Nice try though... I guess. This clearly should still be in pre beta phase. Bottom line, this is a third gen site for f bodies... if you have other types of cars, which most of us do, you will seek out and find a similar site for said model of car. You wouldn't try to buy bread at an ice cream store simply because you don't only eat ice cream...

I just had to see this crap on a Monday huh? lol

(I will keep checking on it in hopes of improvement, giving it a fair shot)

HBcarnut · 03-17-2008, 12:46 PM

For those that say you are comming up with things like; brakes for an acura. I just did a search and all the brakes we have for an 89 Firebird are in fact for a Firebird.

Are you referring to the box that shows "Popular Products"? That currently just shows popular searches that have gone on throughout the database. I am working on getting it to show parts related to that specific search.

Lon, give me a call, I'll show you the benefits to paying on a per click basis. Reality is, we can't control your sales, we can only help bring attention to you. But call me, I'd love to talk!! I will PM you my Phone #.

As far as your other complaints about google adwords, etc. That's not my department, I understand the importance of sponsors and the communities. I've been on both sides of the fence (site runner, site sponsor, everyday user). Hence why we have given you the option to get into this program on a trial basis to see the benefits of it.

Guys, thank you for the feedback, most of you know what it's like to take on a project like this. Keep it comming!

- Scott

titan · 03-17-2008, 01:30 PM

What marketplace tool?
What ads?
I have thought of showing the members how to get rid of these things, but I'm pretty sure I would be banned. Not everyone comes here with the thought of buying some part they read about. Some come to give or get advice, and talk about their cars, and no more.

I wonder how much the new owners of TGO get for affiliation from the marketers used in that new tool?

I'm still new here, but as for the "way of the web" I been around the block more times that my 200,000 mile camaro. It's disappointing to see a well established board get bought out by someone who had enough money to offer a "deal that can't be refused" and then commence to bombard its members with ads, "deals", "useful tools", when the only real goal the new owner has is to fatten his pockets.
Alas, all I can do exercise my right to choose what I spend my bandwidth on, and what I choose to see, while on any given site.

brandotron · 03-17-2008, 01:46 PM

Methinks that's a Firefox add on?

JT · 03-17-2008, 01:50 PM

As I stated in the original post of this thread, please keep the discussion focused in regard to this Marketplace tool. Discussing ad policies, or measures to block them, may result in moderation as that is not focused on this marketplace tool - as was instructed to do from the beginning.

HBcarnut · 03-24-2008, 06:35 PM

Guys, I just want to thank you for the feedback you have given us. If anyone has anymore feedback let us know! We are working hard to earn your "trust" in the marketplace. We have recently made some changes removing some parts that did not apply and adding some new performance parts that should interest you.

Steve Spohn recently jumped on the ball and sent us good information so we now have all of their products in the marketplace!

If there is ANYTHING you see us missing make sure to let us know! We are eager to make sure we make this the best possible tool it can be!

Jay · 03-25-2008, 09:45 PM

wouldn't it be easier to just list the sites affiliated, because the "search" when it does bring up relevant items, just takes you to the sellers generic home page, so you have to seach all over again for what you just searched on. It's not particularly user friendly.

If it would list the 3-4 sites or whatever that sold what ever item you searched on, and listed a price for each then it might be usefull, otherwise there are sites that actually DO comparisons on pricing. Personally, 90% of the time I just go to a one stop shopping place to get most of what I order anyway like Summit or Jegs.

HBcarnut · 03-26-2008, 11:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jay

wouldn't it be easier to just list the sites affiliated, because the "search" when it does bring up relevant items, just takes you to the sellers generic home page, so you have to seach all over again for what you just searched on. It's not particularly user friendly.

If it would list the 3-4 sites or whatever that sold what ever item you searched on, and listed a price for each then it might be usefull, otherwise there are sites that actually DO comparisons on pricing. Personally, 90% of the time I just go to a one stop shopping place to get most of what I order anyway like Summit or Jegs.

Theoretically it should take you directly to where that part is sold on the resellers page so all you have to do is click the "Buy It Now" button on their site. There are a few instances where we can not do this due to the setup of the resellers site. Roughly 80% of our sponsors will land directly on that parts specific page so you do not then have to re-navigate through theirs.

In most cases a given part will have 3-4 resellers. Do you know of any places that give price comparisons of aftermarket parts? This is something we have considered.

John in RI · 03-26-2008, 12:00 PM

Seems like there's a minor formatting problem.......

Click the "details" on the first image.

Click the "filter" web link in the second image.

See the formatting issue on the third image.

Seems to show up for every screen displayed after clicking any filter weblink.

HBcarnut · 03-26-2008, 12:30 PM

John in RI,

Thank you for the screen dumps, however I am a little confused. Are you saying that the part doesn't belong under Fuel Injection Systems?

I know the picture clearly shows a carb but it is in fact an FI system, it's the 2nd part down from the top:

http://www.edelbrock.com/automotive_...pf_chevy.shtml

The picture we have only shows the controller (that is the picture we received from Edelbrock. I will be changing it now to the one Summit uses as not to confuse people in the future)

Thanks,

Scott

AaronIROCZ · 03-26-2008, 12:42 PM

I think what he is saying is that only part if it is displayed, looks like the top one on the list is partially covered up by the camaro ring tone ad.

HBcarnut · 03-26-2008, 12:48 PM

I thought that maybe at first until he circled "Fuel Injection Systems" in the middle picture.

So was the first picture pointing out the differences in colors of the "detail" buttons? The one you circled looks like a darker blue but I have never witnessed that before and thought it was just something that happened when he was photo-shopping.

- Scott

Once again, I just want to thank you guys for all your feedback! Keep it coming if anything else pops up!

JT · 03-26-2008, 12:52 PM

Scott, I believe the issue John is raising is that the top sections of the marketplace are either being hidden by our banner, or being overwritten by the banner. As I use FireFox, I had not noticed this myself. I could not duplicate it in Firefox.

Trying a version of IE, I can duplicate the results. Oddly, I don't recall seeing this issue before when I was "testing" the tool before it went public.

Screen capture is attached to this message.

HBcarnut · 03-26-2008, 01:19 PM

Got ya, thanks JT.

I was a little confused because of the circled sections of the first two didn't really reflect that. I will bring it up with our developers and we will work on fixing it.

- Scott

John in RI · 03-28-2008, 07:39 AM

Quote:

I think what he is saying is that only part if it is displayed

Sorry for the confusion,......... The first 2 images were just there as a "map" to get to the bug. The third image shows how the banner is covering the first item in the results. The darker blue "details" button appears valid as it's the selected link.

The formatting isn't a big deal - but another minor bug for the revision list !

HBcarnut · 03-28-2008, 11:11 AM

I believe we have now fixed it. If you run into it again let me know!

Thanks again John

HBcarnut · 04-07-2008, 02:00 PM

As we are continuing to grow our database we have come up with a good idea to get the general public involved. We are looking for a few beta testers to help us out.

If anyone is interested in helping us catalog data and get paid let me know. The pay isn't going to make you quit your day job and is based on performance. But it's something that's easy to do while sitting watching TV on the couch at night.

If you are interested drop me an email at Scott@DigitalPerformance.com

Thanks Guys,

- Scott

HBcarnut · 07-18-2008, 11:56 AM

I just wanted to follow up and see if anyone has any additional feedback. Whether they see parts we need to ad, or any problems w/ the marketplace itself.

Thanks,

Scott