Features of Autopia v2.0

[Ben@3D]

Hey Guys,



We are working hard in the background to make Autopia an even better experience for users. There is no official launch date yet as the list of things we want to work on keeps increasing. You may start seeing these changes very soon.



Here is a list of changes:

New Server - The new server will make Autopia even faster and allow us to incorporate more features while not slowing the forums down.



No More Banner Ads - Autopia will no longer have sponsors. Gone are the days of being afraid to talk about non-sponsored products.



Upgrading the Forum Software - New version of the software has countless new features including friends lists, social networking, personal calendars and more. Also gone will be the posting problems when using certain words in the title like "Car".



Upgrading the Autopia Review software. The new version has been modernized and allows better integration between programs.



Autopia Blogs - Each member of Autopia will be able to create their own personal blog.



Autopia Calendar - We will be having an official Autopia Calender or Calenders. You will be able to add these Calendars to your personal calendar. Some calendars will be things like Car Shows, & Auto Detailing related shows such as SEMA.



Autopia Store - The Autopia Store is coming back. Only improved. We are going to carry all of the top brands which are drop shipped from manufactures at some of the lowest prices on the net. The store is going to feature price match guarantee and reward points for Autopia members. The Autopia store will also show real time member reviews from the review section of the site.



Articles - The front page of Autopia will feature news, reviews, and auto detailing related articles. We have the option to promote excellent written blog posts and forum posts to the front page. Also, frequent posters will have the ability to earn rewards points good at the Autopia store.



Stay tuned!

[BigAl3]

interesting to see what direction this board will move...

[lasthope05]

Hmm. This is a very interesting move/change. So Autopia is dropping all sponsors and becoming a direct competitor to the larger detailing companies out there? (e.g. AG and PAC)

[Ben@3D]

Hmm. This is a very interesting move/change. So Autopia is dropping all sponsors and becoming a direct competitor to the larger detailing companies out there? (e.g. AG and PAC)



Not a competitor, but a collective of sorts.AG`s own brands will be available and ship from them.

[David Fermani]

Here is a list of changes:

No More Banner Ads - Autopia will no longer have sponsors. Gone are the days of being afraid to talk about non-sponsored products.



Autopia Store - The Autopia Store is coming back. Only improved. We are going to carry all of the top brands which are drop shipped from manufactures at some of the lowest prices on the net. The store is going to feature price match guarantee and reward points for Autopia members. The Autopia store will also show real time member reviews from the review section of the site.








Not a competitor, but a collective of sorts.AG`s own brands will be available and ship from them.



WOW!! This is huge!!! Congradulations!



What brands will be offered and by which distributor(s)? For example, what if I wanted to purchase say a Menzerna product. Will it be coming from Menzerna USA? Or, will if be coming from one of it`s distributors? If through a distributor, are we able to select/choose which one we buy from?



Will there be ANY change to the structure of the forums? Will it still be a place where everyone is allowed/able to discuss detailing and everything encompassing it? Basically is there still going to be a discussion type forum?



On a side note, I think it would be incredible to bring in EVERY product and every manufacturer/distributor in the marketplace into this store. There could even be a special section where they could launch/display/advertise a product for a fee. With the amount of people that visit this place each day, why not open the flood gates to everybody if you can profit from it? Kinda like an interative advertisement. Obviously this would require careful moderation with specific rules/guidelines.

[Mindflux]

I`ll hold my breath on the "lowest prices on the net" thing. :) It`s good to see change! (as long as some things stay the same)

[Ben@3D]

WOW!! This is huge!!! Congradulations!



What brands will be offered and by which distributor(s)? For example, what if I wanted to purchase say a Menzerna product. Will it be coming from Menzerna USA? Or, will if be coming from one of it`s distributors? If through a distributor, are we able to select/choose which one we buy from?



Will there be ANY change to the structure of the forums? Will it still be a place where everyone is allowed/able to discuss detailing and everything encompassing it? Basically is there still going to be a discussion type forum?



On a side note, I think it would be incredible to bring in EVERY product and every manufacturer/distributor in the marketplace into this store. There could even be a special section where they could launch/display/advertise a product for a fee. With the amount of people that visit this place each day, why not open the flood gates to everybody if you can profit from it? Kinda like an interative advertisement. Obviously this would require careful moderation with specific rules/guidelines.



Thanks for the feedback. The structure of the forums is not going to change other than there is not going to be a sponsored area.In its place will be an Autopia Shopping area. This is where vendors can talk about their products in that area only. The rules of the forum stay the same.



So far we have about a dozen of the top name brands with more to come for sure.



On launch day we have these products confirmed: 3D, 3M, Meguiar`s, Adam`s Polishes, HD, Griots Garage, ONR, Innovative Accessories, Cyclo tools, Optimum, Klause, Mothers, Flitz, Optimum, Metro Vacs, SM Arnold, Buff and Shine. I might of missed a few.



Unfortunately, there is no way currently to have the same item available from multiple vendors. We cant be amazon. Its something interesting to look at for the future though. We will however try to go with the direct manufacture when possible to get the best rate and pass it on to you. Also we are working on getting a super low rate from UPS and will pass that rate on to customers.

[imported_DetailDan]

What about USPS flat rate shipping?

[vtec92civic]

looking forward to seeing the finished results

[vtec92civic]

What about USPS flat rate shipping?





+1 . . . . UPS to hawaii = no good :wall

[Barry Theal]

Its about time!!!! Thank you admin.

[Ben@3D]

+1 . . . . UPS to hawaii = no good :wall

We do plan to offer USPS service as well.

[corrswitch]

Exciting times. Keep Canada in mind :)

[Bunky]

Not a competitor, but a collective of sorts.AG`s own brands will be available and ship from them.



Something like Amazon.com for detailing?

[Bunky]

Unfortunately, there is no way currently to have the same item available from multiple vendors. We cant be amazon. Its something interesting to look at for the future though. We will however try to go with the direct manufacture when possible to get the best rate and pass it on to you. Also we are working on getting a super low rate from UPS and will pass that rate on to customers.



Will everything ship from the seller (like AG for PBMA brands)?



I would consider Fed Exp ground. They seem to be cheaper than UPS these days and also deliver on Saturday.