What to do...

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Thomas W

Thomas W

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So it seems there are "customers" on the forums that get upset with me when I reply to them with questions, confusion on their take with a given subject, or calling them out as wrong.

As a rep of a company, I've never been "prototypical" when it comes to modding these forums. As the Director of Sales/Marketing there is little time to actually do this, but have kept in the pocket as a way to contribute.

I've tried to bring a more engaging, straight forward, challenging approach on the forums. This of course has gotten some (albeit the minority) members upset with me. Emails and letters calling for my job, threats on not being a customer anymore, rude correspondence, have all followed.

Sometimes I feel it's really not worth the effort, and I'm certainly not interested in being the lame (IMO) mod that just gives you a boring, typical, obvious responses, that fill a thread.

I'm...leaning on a permanent retirement from the forums.
The Kershaw/ZT forum is important to us, the site would continue without me, but the modding would be slightly more limited with Jim and an unnamed person taking over. Personally I don't feel the forum would be as good, but perhaps better for the company.

We've had these types of discussions before, and of course I'm asking as I value your input.

Thoughts on a mod change? Better for the company? It's time to be honest here...
 
no stay here! this forum is the most active manufacture forum because of you, you answer our questions and give input, there are always going to be some unhappy people no matter who is the mod.
 
Bwolcott said:
no stay here! this forum is the most active manufacture forum because of you, you answer our questions and give input, there are always going to be some unhappy people no matter who is the mod.
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New mods can answer questions and give input as well...It's the brands that are the draw...
 
I think its partially the brands but not completely this forum has more action then the Spyderco, Chris reeves, ones which we all know are extremely popular as well, my vote is to stay but really depends on you.
 
Bwolcott said:
no stay here! this forum is the most active manufacture forum because of you, you answer our questions and give input, there are always going to be some unhappy people no matter who is the mod.
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I vote for you to stay also! Personally, I think your participation in this forum should be viewed by everyone as an asset. How great would it be if you had the ear (or eyes in this case) of the guy/gal in charge of sales/marketing at all of your favorite companies?! Just having you here to dispel myths about new products, or to have you enlighten us about upcoming releases is great. You give us an insight into our favorite blade manufacturer that we otherwise would have trouble getting to. I enjoy your frankness and honesty; and believe that we are all adults here and not everyone will agree all the time. Please do not leave because of a few detractors who really aren't able to see how valuable you are to these forums.
 
It's not just the brand that's the draw. You've always been personally invested in this place, and that does a great deal to endear Kershaw to me. I'm continually impressed by the many stories of customers receiving a free knife after publically admiring it, and I enjoy the fact that you're clearly passionate about Kershaw products. For me, personally, seeing you so engaged on the forums makes me think better of your company because it shows me that, while I'm just a random guy in BFE Ohio, Kershaw has someone who will listen to what I have to say. In short, if nodding here is too much of an investment of time, emotion, and resources than I respectfully advise you to stop doing it, but don't stop 'for the good of the company' because it won't be.
 
Thomas,

I for one admire the way you handle this forum, represent yourself and your company. There are few in these days that will ask direct questions or provide direct answers. I can see how this may pain you and make you wonder if this is truly the right way to moderate such a great forum, but I would be sad to see it change.

I think the majority of this forum feel the same. It is the small few that you hear from, not the 99% of us that just enjoy and look forward to your generosity, guidance and general good company.

Only as a suggestion to keep you here, possibly bring in another mod that can field some of the questions, and leave you to the rest of us that enjoy your participaton.


Mike
 
I agree with the above posts. Your opionianated, argumentative, and sometimes combative, and thats why we love you! You are fiercely loyal to KAI and you being here only contributes to make a great brand and company even better. I think anytime you create something you leave a little bit of yourself in it, so you have earned the right to be defensive. Unforunately today so many people don't actually create anything and that has led to some of the responses you have gotten. I had to think long and hard over starting my last thread because i knew that it could be informative but also could easily be misunderstood as slander. Fortunately i think you realized what i hoped to accomplish, and you helped keep the thread on track and i thank you for that. Just remember that the vast majority of users and even lurkers view your posts with interest and respect. You will never be able to satisfy everyone, and there are truly unhappy people out there just looking for someone to rip on/complain to just to elevate there own miserable self esteem no matter how fleeting the feeling will be for them.

And if i may take this opportunity to state my opionion on one sensitive issue you and your company have gone through...I understand your stance on not leaking preproduction photos and schedules. However, i think the other company suffered more through public perception, and also i would be very surprised if many who would buy the 0777 would even consider purchasing the knockoff knife. Heck, that brand was on my don't buy list before the 0777 debacle. I guess what im trying to say is it hurts when anything is stolen from you or yours but sometimes baring the windows and doors and installing the security system is really when something gets taken from you.....

And if you leave how will Lolo get ahold of you!?!
 
You will have to do what you feel is best, of course, but as far as I'm concerned, you should keep doing what you're doing. Someone's always and forever getting butthurt over one thing or another, no matter what you do, and you can't please them all. On the whole, you bring a unique perspective and knowledge base to bear on all manner of Kershaw-related topics. Furthermore, I appreciate your direct and to-the point style.
 
Take a short break.
It helps with one's perspective.
You are most likely overworked!
 
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You sir should definitely stay. People will always be complaing, it's true that you just can't make everybody happy. I, for one lurked here for quite awhile and thought that you were a really cool guy, and ultimately it led me to start posting in this forum and then to order my first kershaw. You seem to be a regular joe that loves his job and will try to help you out in any way possible. The new stance on not releasing any photos or dates probably left some people sour. But if it means that you getter a better knife with no defects on it then I am sure that most of us are willing to understand and wait. Plus I just got used to you and this forum so if you leave then I'm not sure what that will do to me:D
 
There will always be haters no matter what you do. If it's not directed at you it will be at someone else in the company.

People ask questions and get pissed off when you answer?!?! F*ck em!!!!!!!!
 
Thomas let's try to be honest about our feelings for all you do for this fourm. It wouldn't be the same without you.....sure someone else might try to take your place
but it would take a long time for him to try to develop the relationship you have with us but it's not ever going to be same with All That You Do for us here. All the
little things you d here for us here really can't be replaced if you're honest with yourself. It must be hard to spread yourself as thin as you do sometimes and still make
time to get on this forum.....you're a knife knut like the rest of us and you really Enjoy doing it....I hope so anyway.



I wouldn't be upset about having to deal with some people that can't treat you with the respect you deserve. It's sad to say but it may go with the territory you
have with your job. It's too bad that they can't/do understand that you're just one of the bigger cogs in the wheel and they need someone to dump on.
 
Thomas you yourself have gotten me into Kershaw knives and if you leave the forms then i am out.
 
You can say its the brand that's the draw but when people are passionate about their product it will spread to others and make the brand that much better. You are the most passionate man and the forms and if that burns some peoples ass then so be it!
 
I for one vote against a permanent retirement from the forums Thomas. I spend quite a bit of time on BF and the majority of it in the Kershaw/ ZT Forum. Why?? I love the knives that you all as a company manufacturer, the discussion, and knowing that you, the voice of Kershaw/ ZT will be here to answer our questions. I think its pretty much BS when someone starts a thread on a subject attacking the merit, reasoning behind your products, or company in general. Then get all pissed when Thomas defends the attacks. What did they expect???? I mean really, common folks grow up.

Sure Chris Reeve and Sal are active on the forums, but not nearly as much as Thomas. Thats the ultimate truth. Iv'e seen T make post at 11:30-12:00 at night. Thats loyalty to us at its best.

I wont even get into the giveaways he does for us because those speak for themselves.:D

Thank you Thomas!

-Matt
 
Thomas, I'm not too active here, but I probably won't frequent the Kershaw section on this forum very much at all if you get replaced by some boring Mod who just answers questions. Isn't that what the customer service department is for?
 
Don't let it get you down. You're doing an extremely good job, here. You're one of the reasons I always check this sub-Forum out.

Do the job the way you feel it should be done, and you'll always have my support.

We may be the 'silent majority,' but that doesn't mean we don't support what you do and how you do it. Strongly.
 
Thomas, your decision to stay or leave is obviously yours and yours alone but personally I feel that the forum would be greatly diminished without your presence. You're a straight shooter which is uncommon in todays moderate society. I, for one, will greatly miss your insight and knowledge if you were to leave. We're all big boys here and if some are thin skinned then that's their problem. Please reconsider and stay.
 
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