Sponsors (current or ex) should be able to take the heat.

[davidcalhoun]

I think it is OK for for people to wonder/post about why a "large size manufacturer" (or any size for that fact) would not continue on this or any other forum.

Some of the posts might be a little off, but some posts might be worth reading (and yes, I will decide to sort through the post and form my own judgements).

Any manufacturer can decide to leave or come back on here and defend/sell their product.

Several of the manufacturers have received valuable feedback from this forum that have helped them improve their products. I say "your welcome". I also say "you can pay us back by staying on this site"

As an example, Exmark was quickly informed that their new deck (Triton) was not all it was cut up to be. They had to make some adjustments to stay competitive. Exmark might not have liked the negative publicity but let's face the truth, we helped them become aware of the problem much sooner.

If you really want to get the attention of the manufacturer, send them a letter stating your concerns and what action you are going to take. Then do it. A drop in market share will get their attention.

Just my opinion.

[Runner]

If you are using the product, and report on it's pitfalls or downsides, that is one thing...But let's face it,...there are just too many people who just jump on the bandwagon. I have read a hundred posts about this product or that product that needs this or doesn't do that, and they are written by people who don't own the product, have never owned the product, and/or have never even USED the product. They are just going by what they have read. Well, we all know what happens when a story or issue starts, and what happens to it by the time it goes through 10 people.

[MOW ED]

I agree with Runner as there are many who post an "opinion" without even using a product but on the other hand this is a type of forum that will allow for any input.
Its like reading posts about any topic. You get all types of responses.

I think manufacturers are very interested in what we have to say about their product and if something isn't working I think they will get the drift. The problem with this open forum type evaluations is that you cant make every person happy. If a deck cuts bermuda well and for some reason doesn't cut Kentucky Blue as well then someone can scream loud and say it sucks. It may cut Kentycky Blue but it isn't up to someones standards. The good part about the forum is when many members with lots of diverse backgrounds truly evaluate something and post the bad as well as the good.

In the end there are some manufacturers that could care less but I think that most are tuned in if even as a lurker in the background. Anyone can read without posting and these sites are a pretty good indicator of what is happening in the industry.