Hi all, I've purposefully avoided this thread because I didn't want to drag it out. Here's my simple response:
In my humble opinion, if asked, I would say Daniel Stern is the foremost authority on car lighting. I think the man a genius in this regard.
I also think he provides a valuable service in his industry. He provides a great product and valuable information.
Here is where I found the drawbacks. Again, just my opinion. In the Internet business, a certain aspect is lost - personal emotion. When customers are happy, they submit a "thank you." When customers are upset, they submit a "screw you."
But, when the customer feels "let down," all they can do is submit their feelings and normally, they become a statistic.
In business, all that really happens is they count the profit and then weigh the negative to see if this affects the bottom line. If too many customers complain, changes are made. If it's just a few- and business remains strong, then those few are written off.
This might be OK. The #1 rule in business is to make a profit. I won't say what I mentioned is right or wrong, but I will say this.
Customers want to have a good experience, and the more business tries to insulate itself from customer blow-back, the more the customer will try and find new and creative ways to find satisfaction.
I felt like a statistic - just one guy with a bad experience. So, because I am human, and because I wanted others to feel my experience, I simply made a post to gain as much attention as possible, for as many people to see - to make their own decision.
That's it.
Companies like FCP Groton, who pay MUCH attention to customers - have set the bar. If people want to compete in that area, they too must work to achieve the same results.
Bottom line - Dan Stern is a good man with a good business. He dropped the ball on Jamie Babineaux - so Jamie Babineaux told a few folks. To what end, that is your decision.
That's my story and I'm sticking to it.
Jamie