Detail City biased?

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Jngrbrdman

Jngrbrdman

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Nahhh.... I don't think we are biased here at all towards one product line or the other. There was a time when I remember DC being called a "Platinum worship board". I never felt that was the case. Lately I am hearing that DC is a 'Poorboy's worship board'. Again, I just don't see that being the case either. However, I do see something that could account for the impression that some people seem to be having.

Anytime any of us suggest a product, that suggestion is based on our own experiences and our own personal appearance goals. If someone asks me what kind of carnauba to buy, I am probably going to suggest either S100/P21S or Liquid Souveran based on what I like and what I think other people will like. I try to lay out those suggestions in a way that makes it clear that I am just making a suggestion and not reading them gospel. There are a hundred waxes that you could suggest, but if someone wants your opinion, then by all means give it to them. I think it needs to be made more clear that our product suggestions are just suggestions and not necessarily the only products to get. If someone asks how to clean dust off the car, the answer shouldn't be "Use Poorboy's Spray and Wipe". It should be "I use Poorboy's Spray and Wipe and I think you might like it" or something like that.

I'm not trying to tell people how to post or what to say. I'm just saying that if the perception of others is that Detail City is a Poorboy's worship forum, then I guess I can see why they would think that. There are certainly a lot of Poorboy's products users here. Steve has been a long time member and sponsor of Detail City. If you went over to www.team-integra.net you might think that it is a Premium Auto Care worship forum. Dwayne has been sponsoring us over there for a couple years now. The bottom line is that people think Detail City is biased because of the way we suggest products to people. All I would suggest that you do is to try and make products suggestions objectively and consider that there are a zillion products out there. I know that if I was a newbie I would appreciate it if several suggestions were made for products when I asked something.

Again, nothing wrong with suggesting Poorboy's stuff. The only thing I have used is the Spray and Wipe and I have to say that I'm a huge fan of the stuff. If the rest of his stuff is that good, then it is no wonder that there are so many people who love it. If someone were to ask me for a QD that will clean up a car that just got rained on, then I would probably suggest Spray and Wipe as well. However, if I threw out a couple other suggestions too, then it would add a little more quality and objectivity to the post and possibly help the newbie even more. Adding more than one suggestion in a post adds quality to your writing. If people think that Detail City is becoming a biased site, then it is only because we don't offer enough suggestions. That's just my view. I don't see us as biased at all, but I guess I can see how someone who doesn't spend a lot of time reading all of the threads could make that assumption.
 
When I started here, I made a decision based on some of the posts I first read, to only use Poorboy's products on my car. (I may have been in "Poorboy's Forum" - I was a TOTAL NEWBIE & I don't recall!)

Well, now it's been almost 6 months, and I find myself wanting to try more and different products. I have succumbed to several good offers, and now have more than I will ever "NEED", but I still listen to the "Old Guard's" recommendations, and am tempted by the products they recommend.

While I agree with your points about how to post in a more unbiased manner, I must say that I see a lot of recommendations for lines other than Poorboys & 4*. But maybe that's because I read "ALL" the posts, "ALL" the way through - you're right - I have no life!

Norah
 
Nothing wrong with sharing our experiences with the products we use. It is good to see what everyone uses. I didn't realize my product knowledge was so small, but now I know it is very limited(but it grows everyday). I see your point, but I can also understand people being loyal to the sponsors of a site as well. Reading here at DC has expanded my product knowledge 100%!
 
I think what people who call DC biased are missing are the other 20,000 threads that talk about other products. Like I said before, I know that we suggest the whole gambit of detailing products here at Detail City, but it seems that critics of our fine community only see the PBs stuff and nothing else. :dunno I guess my suggestion to those people is to read more than one or two posts before making any kind of judgement on what kind of recomendations are typical at Detail City. I like to think that I have been part of the best detailing forums on the internet, and I have never remommend people to Detail City with even the slightest fear that we would come off as biased or not objective about our reviews. DC is the pinnacle of objectivity most of the time, and should be used as an example of how communities should be. I know half a dozen other boards that I won't even register at because they are so one sided. And those are the very boards that have members calling us biassed. :lmfao
 
I hear what you're saying, Jngrbrdman. And if I helped contribute to the perception, then my apologies to everyone.

I think what may also promote the perception (or the reality), is that this is a small site, and unlike other sites, it has a much more community feel to it. The site may be growing, but there seems to be a core of folks that contribute on a regular basis (at least once or twice a month at the minimum). And for the most part, quite a few of these folks (myself included) have some positive things to say about some of Steve's products. But of course, PB is not the be all to end all either- just one of th emore popular flavors of the moment.
 
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That's funny J-man I think I know where you read that - you have to look at the source (banned I beleive). Funny thing is if you look all over some other boards that say DC is biased or a love fest for product line XXX - you will see there is a love fest going on for that same product line...

I live by the surprisingly wise words of Tracey Lords - "If you like me that's great, and if you don't well that's fine too."
 
Jnrgrbrdman makes some rational, reasonable and intelligent points. I've used none of the popular products on this board but I still share my opinion and experience with those that I have from time to time. The more mfrs thrown out for discussion the better :bigups
 
A wise man once talked about detailing being more about the process and not so much about the products.

Detail City is hot right now and gets more action than forums 10x our size. You know what they say, It's not the size of the boat... :naughty

People at Detail City enjoy a wide variety of goodies, one of our most recent polls shows the diversity of our membership when asked about which sealant looks better on black.

Which sealant makes black look best?
(You already voted)
Poorboy's EX-P 12 17%
Klasse SG 4 6%
Menzerna FMJ 2 3%
4* UPP 12 17%
Meguiars NXT 13 19%
1Z Glanz 1 1%
Zaino 5 7%
Blackfire 3 4%
Wolfgang 17 24%
Autoglym 1 1%

So I guess the people that think DC is biased are wrong? Could be.
 
A sort time ago, there was a thread asking "What products would you like to see available on DC" which sort of means "Who else would you like to see sponsor DC" or at least that's the way I took it.

Lots of people suggested TOL's Hi-Temp product line while a few others asked for Adam's, 1Z, and a few others I can't think of.

Personally, I don't think DC is biased towards PB products.
 
I guess its just a trend of the board right now. There are some board that are so viciously biased toward one particular product (I won't say the(zaino)name of said product) that it totally turns people off. I definitely don't think we are that far gone. I remember back in the day when the only store that was mentioned on Autopia was CMA. When I signed up there I thought they were the only store online that sold this kind of stuff. The good thing about DC is that we make it pretty obvious that we have awesome sponsors and they are well represented on the board. Dwayne makes some good points with that poll. How people can call us biased is beyond me. I challenge them to show me a board that is more objective and informative than Detail City. Even Autopia doesn't beat us as far as useful information goes. If you want flame wars, hijacked threads and useless off topic BS, then I am sure there are a lot of boards you can go to. Detail City sure isn't one of them. :) I'm glad I finally came over here. :bigups :dcrules
 
Jngrbrdman said:
Even Autopia doesn't beat us as far as useful information goes.
Click to expand...

I don't know about that. I think they're more so to being close than one actually beating the other as a source of useful info. Just my opinion.
 
Bill D said:
I don't know about that. I think they're more so to being close than one actually beating the other as a source of useful info. Just my opinion.
Click to expand...

I agree. Bother are excellent resources. I think Jngr just gets frustrated when people say false statements about DC.
 
Biased...

I express my biases here all week.

My biases...

Meguiars Polishes and Compounds
Poorboys EX Sealant and Natty wax
P21
Stoners aereosal products
Auto Magic and Dealers Choice Cleaners and Dressings
Platnium UPP
Mothers Aluinum polish
occasionally Klasse AIO
and some others

Will be trying soon...

Clearkote VM
Wolfgang
Claybars other than Claymagic

As far as some of the products that I do not like, they have been regulated to my Detailing Museum. I have approximately 2 shelves of products that have been prematurely retired and some of these cost me a few $$$. I have a few bottle of Zaino in that mix, and although I think it is one incredible sealant I simply do not have the time for overnight curing. Not while UPP and EX is readily available.

We all have products that work best for us. I am not a great fan of Menzerna polishes other than FP, but Anthony A posted some pics with the results he acheived with that line and they were phenomenal.

As a small business owner, I am always trying to cut cost, but at the same time if a product comes out that increase the quality of my end product, I am trying it out !!! Thanks to DC I am exposed to so many product reviews and techinues that others will not be exposed to. A friend of mine own a mobile detailing operation in Long Island NY, and he does not participate in detailing forums. If I mention any of the aforementioned product he has no idea what I am talking about. He only uses AM, Carbrite, and Ardex, which I am sure are quality products, but I could not imagine detailing without my favorites !!!
 
I see what you're saying Anthony. At times when I read certain posts, it seems that some members go overboard with the products they swear by. It's not necessarily a bad thing that they only use a certain line because it works for them but it kind of gives the reader an impression that there really is nothing better than Poorboy's or Zaino or any other product line for that matter. I can definately see that there are many Poorboy's users on DC and it's great. It works great for me so far even though I've only tried out S&W and NL but the results speak for themselves. What I don't like seeing is that sometimes the hardcore Poorboy's users take it too personally when their favorite products are getting poor reviews and are being "bashed". I can see how readers can say that DC is biased towards PB products because the majority of the daily posts are by the regulars and not all the voices are heard on the boards.
 
I have answer to DC biased. Since Aug.of 03 I have been on this site. Since that time I have purchased Poorboy's,Platinum,4 Star, 1 ZGlanz Wax,Adam's, One Grand, Moose Prods. Klasse, Pinnacle,,Claymagic, Wolfgang's,Sonax Gloss Shampoo,Trade Secret,the Mullet prods. and a few other's. All of these have been bought because of DC members recommendations. Look how much I could have saved by just using UPC,UPP and Ultimate Carwash Shampoo.
 
I don't know Dwayne, perhaps people conclude DC is nothing more than a "Poorboy's parade" because at a glance it could appear to be the most frequently discussed product. I know if it were one of few products lines DC is really interested in you wouldn't have just exapanded your warehouse with loads of different products from different brands. Maybe this post has sorta made "the coast clear" now for folks to discuss loads of different products with the knowledge that we all like hearing about them and picking up tips from each other on how to use them best :bigups
 
I'm gonna have to say I've been seeing alot of Poorboy's products lately. However, I've found that Steve doesn't AT ALL push his product. I use to use the chat room and Awd330/Poorboy slowly suggested Poorboy's for my arsenal other than Klasse. At no point did they say it was hands down the best, but they filled in alll my requests.

I HATE people who suggest 1 line and say hands down its the best without trying other lines. It should be "I've tried this and I find it best suited for my needs."

I think both Autopia/DC buzz with latest products and that makes newbies chose certain lines. My best advice is use hafta identify what you want and keep reading/asking for info. Either boards will help you like crazy thats for sure. And the members here are.... well Interesting :D

:bigups Just take a chill and enjoy what you want.
 
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