Vendor forum. Pros? Cons?

Talk Discussion in 'BeerAdvocate Talk' started by Lledd, Jun 4, 2013.

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  1. Lledd

    Lledd Initiate (0) Apr 23, 2013 Massachusetts

    Imagine if BA had a vendor's forum? I imagine it being a place on the site where breweries and consumers could have direct contact with each other. For example, vendors could use the forum to announce release dates and quantities to their most faithful consumers, they could answer abv questions, and consumers could provide valuable feedback on taste, artwork, and trends in consumption. Maybe breweries could even have little contests where the winner gets a t-shirt, tap handle or other cool swag.

    I think it would be a cool way for breweries to have a direct relationship with a select portion of the public, if they chose to participate.

    Let's have a discussion on the possible pros and cons :slight_smile:

    And this is just a shits-and-giggles conversation so keep it classy and friendly :slight_smile:~
     
    #1 Lledd, Jun 4, 2013
  2. beergod1

    beergod1 Savant (1,123) May 2, 2009 Ohio
    Trader

    would have to have an "eject" button for the Idiots. but I think it's a great Idea! may save a lot of time for brewery's..answering one question for the whole group reading the forum!
     
    #2 beergod1, Jun 4, 2013
  3. WankelEngine

    WankelEngine Initiate (0) Mar 28, 2011 Illinois

    Breweries already have the option of creating an account and joining in any discussion. I know there are at least a few commercial brewers on here, and a lot of store owners / beer buyers / distributors. I don't think we need any special forum for vendors to answer questions; they should just join any conversation they want to add to.

    What might be nice is if we had some sort of badge or icon that distinguished registered / confirmed brewers from regular users or imposters.
     
    #3 WankelEngine, Jun 4, 2013
    MrDave likes this.
  4. Lledd

    Lledd Initiate (0) Apr 23, 2013 Massachusetts

    That's a good idea too.
     
    #4 Lledd, Jun 4, 2013
  5. backbaybrewer

    backbaybrewer Zealot (712) Feb 26, 2010 Massachusetts
    Trader

    I like the idea of a Vendor or "Industry" Forum, as well as the Badge idea above. I think they are different and both would be beneficial.

    the Specific forum would give BAs a place to go with questions directly for the industry pros, rather than relying on the possibility that Brewers, who are extremely busy with their work, might actually be following all the BA threads diligently.
     
    #5 backbaybrewer, Jun 4, 2013
    Lledd likes this.
  6. Lledd

    Lledd Initiate (0) Apr 23, 2013 Massachusetts

    Ya, they can join in any conversation. But I think a designated
    Forum would be better. That way if the brewery wants to stay on top of their communication, they dont have to sort through hundreds of threads in dozens of forums trying to catch every post meant for them to read. Similar to having a feedback forum for the BA site.

    Just like we could do BIFs on the iso:ft forum, but having a seperate one keeps it clear and organized.
     
    #6 Lledd, Jun 4, 2013
  7. ElGallo

    ElGallo Pooh-Bah (2,407) Sep 26, 2009 New Hampshire
    Pooh-Bah

    I think Facebook and Twitter already cover the "pros," which leaves plenty of time to think about the cons, and any BA who's been around a few years can think of a dozen in less than five minutes.

    I agree that vendors/brewers/etc. can (and should) create user accounts and participate in the forums like every other member, and abide by the posted BA etiquette, etc. But there's already a BA calendar for events and a specific forum for beer releases. I just don't think an additional forum for vendors is necessary.
     
    #7 ElGallo, Jun 4, 2013
  8. JeremyDanner

    JeremyDanner Zealot (679) Dec 20, 2005 Missouri

    Interesting topic. I like the idea of the badge. I don't know if any other brewers want to chime in, but I think we're pretty lucky to have a resource like these forums that allows valuable interaction with the folks buying/drinking our beers.
     
    #8 JeremyDanner, Jun 4, 2013
  9. otispdriftwood

    otispdriftwood Initiate (0) Dec 9, 2011 Colorado

    It's a good idea but it's not like a small brewer has alot of time to do anything else but brew beer and watch his bottom line. Sure, an employee could do the posting, etc. but that's not what this thread is about. I'd rather have the brewer concentrate on brewing great beer and watching his or her bottom line than answer my silly questions.
     
    #9 otispdriftwood, Jun 4, 2013
  10. billandsuz

    billandsuz Pooh-Bah (2,097) Sep 1, 2004 New York
    Pooh-Bah

    BA has been a user site and not a provider site. it is great when brewers and anyone else in the industry participate (so long as it isn't blatant shilling), but I don't see any reason why a brewery, a salesperson, distributor or anyone else merits special status.

    probrewer.com is industry focused and a good place for that discussion. if you want to speak to a brewery, send an email. it is their business to answer, or not.

    anyone, brewers included, are free to discuss beer and advocate for beer around here. all forums are open to everyone without any special requirements or designations. just contribute.
    my 2 cents.
    Cheers.
     
    #10 billandsuz, Jun 4, 2013
  11. Lledd

    Lledd Initiate (0) Apr 23, 2013 Massachusetts

    These are all great replys. Thanks for participating and keeping it friendly and respectful. Keep em' coming!
     
    #11 Lledd, Jun 4, 2013
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