Build Your Own Arcade Controls Forum
Main => Main Forum => Topic started by: Daviea on June 17, 2009, 11:13:56 pm
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Hey everyone,
A topic just came up with a friend via PM about a subject I've been meaning to bring up sooner or later. Since I'm getting reproduction parts completed at an accelerated rate lately, it's about time I bring this up.
In the past, each time I finished up a reproduction item, I'd send free evaluation samples out to a random sampling of people with the idea that in turn for the FREE PARTS, they would:
1. Comment directly to ME in detail about the parts so I could take random excerpts as needed and/or use the feedback to improve upon my products.
2. Write reviews about those products on the forums, newsgroups, websites. This was a KEY detail that was almost ALWAYS overlooked and never delivered on.
3. Drop my name (RAM Controls) whenever appropriate on the forums, etc.
Getting the word out there in a tasteful way has always been a key issue I've had. Sure, I make GREAT products (eventually) and everyone loves them, but from the time I release something until it hits saturation point, it could be several months using my current method which is DO IT MYSELF. I can admit wholeheartedly that I stink at advertising my own products. Heck, I can make the reproduction parts unlike ANYONE else on the planet, I just can't seem to spread the word about it with any skill.
In the past, I noticed that whenever people on Retroblast reviewed my items (the MH Roller Controller, the Cones, etc) I got an insane amount of orders shortly thereafter which was cool in itself. Then I'd go back and read the reviews. Man, I have to admit, seeing the kind words really fueled my passion for making these reproduction parts! So, now I'm looking for reviews with the same flair that was present in the old reviews they USED to do. I'm not aware of the details, but I think Retroblast went down and someone else took over the site - everything changed overnight one day and all of the old reviews (particularly reviews on MY stuff) disappeared. I always wondered what happened with those. Can anyone set me straight on that topic?
Aside from that, around the same time I had at least 15 people that I sent freebies out to just so they could help spread the word about my reproduction items. I was very clear in what I was looking for. I kept sending parts out, but I received little or no feedback other than "hey, got the XYZ part -- thanks!!", no reviews of any kind, no pimping, no nothing. Well, that was for the most part. A few people did occasionally mention that I had something for sale when the topic came up, but that wasn't what I was after. Then somewhere down the road, they would sell the parts on ebay. I really don't care WHAT they did with the free parts if they actually held up their end of the deal which was to provide me with some value for the freebie.
Needless to say, I currently have nobody on my so-called list. I decided to make something public about this, hoping I'd get some genuinely interested people who are willing and capable of writing honest, detailed reviews of the products I produce. Those people would get a steady stream of free evaluation items headed their way in return as long as they kept doing their part.
So, I ask the BYOAC community, is anyone interested? I will fill up to 20 slots, but I expect much more of a response than, "I'm interested, send me something." I want to see sincere responses which explain why I should send them evaluation parts and what they intend to do and how they intend to go about it.
Maybe there are people who review things like this already and I just need to be made aware of them? Beats me....
20 slots open - FREE evaluation parts from RAM Controls.
David Adams
RAM Controls
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PM sent :)
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Hey Saint, Got it. PM sent.
19 SLOTS OPEN
David Adams
RAM Controls
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Dave,
I just wanted to give a shout out to you for my Star wars Yoke rebuild kit, everything is Perfect-exact replacement parts.
Let me also say that Dave shipped this out to me and when I didn't receive it I contacted him and he was all over it. Turns out that it was lost by the postal service. Being the stand up guy he is he sent me a new kit Next Day Delivery no charge.
I'd love something free but I don't really need anything.
But when ever you get side art for a Star Wars Cockpit I'd love to "Test" it ;D
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pm sent
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pm sent
+1
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Hey,
It was the least I could do. In the time since, I've pretty much cut off all of my use of the postal system for business needs. It's almost strictly UPS now, even for international shipments. USPS leaves a lot to be desired.
Anyhow, I'm glad you like the parts. Always happy to hear about happy endings. :-)
David Adams
RAM Controls
Dave,
I just wanted to give a shout out to you for my Star wars Yoke rebuild kit, everything is Perfect-exact replacement parts.
Let me also say that Dave shipped this out to me and when I didn't receive it I contacted him and he was all over it. Turns out that it was lost by the postal service. Being the stand up guy he is he sent me a new kit Next Day Delivery no charge.
I'd love something free but I don't really need anything.
But when ever you get side art for a Star Wars Cockpit I'd love to "Test" it ;D
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15 SLOTS OPEN
David Adams
RAM Controls
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PM Sent
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PM sent
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PM sent!
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Dave, do you post on KLOV? That would be a very logical place for you to spread the word about your products! And have you thought about submitting products for review to Gameroom magazine? You know the same guy putting out the magazine is the same guy who did Retroblast way back when.
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PM sent.
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Good point ShanMan,
I thought the intent of the folks who took over Retroblast was to a) preserve the site and b) continue adding reviews of new products.
I admit that I haven't visited the site in some time, but I do remember seeing new reviews not longer after Kevin moved on and
took over Gameroom.
I'm sure there would be many here at BYOAC who'd happily write reviews of Ram Control products for Retroblast or Gameroom
(myself included).
Breaker.
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I considered it, but the KLOV forums remind me too much of RGVAC with all the bickering and "price police" ....etc.
RGVAC used to be an awesome place to exchange information back in the mid to late 90's or so, but after that it started to slowly degrade into what we referred to as "flame wars". It was too much for me and I walked away from it in a hurry. I like the idea of a well moderated forum, so we can keep the subject matter *mostly* on-topic and clean. This is one reason why I like BYOAC....no matter how bad a topic might degrade, it's always kept in check and the plug gets pulled when it's finally gotten out of hand. However, I want to make it clear that I do like strong opinions.....as long as they're done with some level of respect to the other posters.
KLOV....well, it's a little much for me. I may be completely off center here, but the feel/attitude of the forum just turns me off.
BYOAC is all about building your own arcade controls. Seriously, what platform is more perfect than that for me of all people? LOL
As for reviews, you are all free to post your reviews where ever they are appropriate and welcomed.
David Adams
RAM Controls
Dave, do you post on KLOV? That would be a very logical place for you to spread the word about your products! And have you thought about submitting products for review to Gameroom magazine? You know the same guy putting out the magazine is the same guy who did Retroblast way back when.
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Oh, and I forgot to respond to the Gameroom magazine comment.
I seem to recall there was someone named Mitch(??) who did reviews for them? Forgive me if I got the name wrong -- it's been awhile. Anyhow, I was fully expecting that he was going to do a full write-up when the SW yoke was *finally* completed. I would be happy to have anyone write up full reviews for submission to Gameroom. BTW, LOVE that magazine!
I miss the old Retroblast. It has a different feel now... and all my product reviews are gone. :(
David Adams
RAM Controls
Dave, do you post on KLOV? That would be a very logical place for you to spread the word about your products! And have you thought about submitting products for review to Gameroom magazine? You know the same guy putting out the magazine is the same guy who did Retroblast way back when.
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I also miss the old Retroblast. It was a great resource.
Eric.
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+1.
KLOV definitely has a different feel than BYOAC, for sure. But since you'll probably find a bigger audience for your reproductions there than you will here, it makes sense to spread the word there. However, if you don't want to do it there, then one of us who frequents both sites could do so.
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13 SLOTS OPEN
They're filling up quick. Still have a lot of PM's to go through!!
David Adams
RAM Controls
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you have a pm for some "foreign reviews" :D
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PM Sent.
I too miss the Retroblast review team.
As a side note ... it sure would be nice to have an independant review group which could provide insight and solid comparison data on products. They were also very good at providing documentation (detailed pictures/etc) for how stuff worked. A bunch of vendors out there (not all for sure) have issues of lacking documentation on their website for the products they sell. Maybe someday this concept will come back.
Great idea Dave for the review group for RAM controls!
David
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I'd be happy to review your parts...then send them on to someone who really needs it. I don't even own most of the games you make parts for.
Contact member KevSteele on this forum. He runs gameroom magazine. I think it would make a great article to see the process of making 100% authentic reproduction parts.
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PM sent...
Retroblast was a great resource. Some of the old pages still work and come up in a Google search.
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PM sent.
As for Retroblast, don't forget our very own archive here at BYOAC.
http://retroblast.arcadecontrols.com/index.php (http://retroblast.arcadecontrols.com/index.php)
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PM sent...
Retroblast was a great resource. Some of the old pages still work and come up in a Google search.
The old site is mirrored right here at BYOAC
http://retroblast.arcadecontrols.com/index.php (which I see was pointed out just before I pressed send)
Then there's the newer version at www.retroblast.com
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PM sent. :cheers:
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I miss the old Retroblast. It has a different feel now... and all my product reviews are gone. :(
Well I have a mirror of the classic site here:
http://retroblast.arcadecontrols.com/reviews.html
But as far as I can tell all of that content is on the new site along with new content here:
http://www.retroblast.com/Hardware/
If something's missing I'm pretty sure the Retroblast folks would be happy to put it back online. Anything in particular missing?
edit - heh, ok, I was beaten to it twice while posting this
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Keep up, John. (Pot...kettle...black, I know)
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PM Sent
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FREE STUFF always produces good will, eh Dave?
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PM sent.
Thanks
GD
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FREE STUFF always produces good will, eh Dave?
Explain another way that a small business owner can make up for past mistakes.
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FREE STUFF always produces good will, eh Dave?
Explain another way that a small business owner can make up for past mistakes.
Delivering a product that's already been paid for would be a good start.
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Delivering a product that's already been paid for would be a good start.
Has anyone claimed to have been ripped off? Now, I agree that delivering the yokes would be great, but delivering every known refund request is the next best thing, isn't it?
I get why lots of people wouldn't want to order from Dave based on the yoke. What I don't get is why so many people seem to consider him a scam artist when we don't have a single documented victim.
If it helps here, my money is where my mouth is, as I am on the paid preorder list for the Major Havoc CP.
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Hey Everyone,
OK, I've been slammed with messages over night. It's going to take awhile for me to respond to everyone, but I THINK I may have the 20 slots filled. :-)
Anyone who PM'ed me, I should be responding to you today.
Thanks everyone,
David Adams
RAM Controls
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ALL slots have been filled!!
Ok, that was fast!
If you did not receive a response, you didn't make it in.
Thanks Everyone!!!
David Adams
RAM Controls
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What I don't get is why so many people seem to consider him a scam artist when we don't have a single documented victim.
Scam artist? Nope. I personally have never once accused Dave of being a scam artist. ---That which is odiferous and causeth plants to grow--- artist? If the shoe fits.
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Scam artist? Nope. I personally have never once accused Dave of being a scam artist. ---That which is odiferous and causeth plants to grow--- artist? If the shoe fits.
The way I see it the most the man is guilty of is poor marketing. It does look like this is an effort to improve that.
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Hey,
What the heck is a smurf poop artist?
I'm not an expert on the Smurfs, but I seem to recall that smurfette was pretty cute!!
If I were a smurf, I would be "Handy Smurf"....... or "Lumberjack Smurf"
LOL
David Adams
RAM Controls
P.S. Speaking of shoes fitting.... Size 12, I like Caterpillar steel toes (black)....in case anyone wants to surprise me (birthday in a few days).
What I don't get is why so many people seem to consider him a scam artist when we don't have a single documented victim.
Scam artist? Nope. I personally have never once accused Dave of being a scam artist. ---smurf-poop--- artist? If the shoe fits.
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Hey,
What the heck is a smurf poop artist?
I'm not an expert on the Smurfs, but I seem to recall that smurfette was pretty cute!!
If I were a smurf, I would be "Handy Smurf"....... or "Lumberjack Smurf"
LOL
David Adams
RAM Controls
P.S. Speaking of shoes fitting.... Size 12, I like Caterpillar steel toes (black)....in case anyone wants to surprise me (birthday in a few days).
What I don't get is why so many people seem to consider him a scam artist when we don't have a single documented victim.
Scam artist? Nope. I personally have never once accused Dave of being a scam artist. ---smurf-poop--- artist? If the shoe fits.
Smurf poop is what you get when you've god the autocensor on. Bull poop is what you get otherwise.
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Hey Friz,
Sticks and stones. :-)
Haha, I like smurf poop better. I actually laughed out loud when I saw it.
David Adams
RAM Controls
Smurf poop is what you get when you've god the autocensor on. Bull poop is what you get otherwise.
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No slots left, but people do tend to flake off. Throwing my hat in the ring. I've done some writing in the past, including an interview with an arcade game programmer from the '80's so I'd love to write a review.
You've sent me parts for free in the past Dave (rollers, ROM chips) and I have repeatedly posted the thanks and brought this up on this forum. I don't think I could have done an actual review of these products, but I would be glad to write up anything in the future.
If at anytime you need this service, let me know.
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Seeing my report about the SW cockpit T-molding with a couple of pretty nice pictures and comments and even a "manual" of how to install it on one of the most read threads here I actually kinda' expected to already be in this pool....... :laugh:
I simply don't frequent the Main section here that much and so I missed it. Of course I will compensate the higher shipping costs.