You have NO idea how in the DARK you are...

I've been selling helmets for longer than I've done most things in my life, minus my second marriage...lol. If my helmet career was walking around Arizona, it would be starting High School soon.

 

You would think with all my experience I would feel a "tiny bit of LOVE" from those I deal with on a everyday basis.  Most I do, but then there are the OUTSIDERS...lol.

 

Here's how the cookie crumbles...  They (Manufacturers & Distributors) sell me stuff, and in return I sell it, and pay them. If I sell A LOT, they make more money.

 This Capitalism stuff isn't all that tough to figure out.

 

Now to the deep down secret, that even took me 12+ years to figure out.

Most (not all) of the Manufactures look down on retailers who actually offer up an opinion to their customers. 99.9% of the Distributors (the guys I buy stuff from) absolutely HATE IT.

I need to define “opinion” because I'm well aware there are retailers out there that might have a VERY different take. A bit of, “Hey, speak for yourself! I do give my opinion in my reviews (video/written).” For this reason, I'll be clear.

As an example; If you're doing a video on a helmet, and while you're tinkering with it, the vent cover breaks. After looking closer, you determine all the vents appear to be flimsy. This helmet is from a Nationally known company.

Do you?

1. Show how the helmet functions without pointing out the defective vent covers?
2. Mention the covers, but sandwich the observation between two more upbeat comments about the product?
3. Simply don't mention the covers, and focus on “how” the vents apparently work?
4. Look into the camera, and shoot straight?

Most (not all) will do some variation of A – C. Ask yourself this simple question, and it's been asked to me; how many helmets would you sell if you pointed out every flaw?

I'd say a TON, but most Dealers, and many Manufactures would answer "Fewer" and be PISSED OFF if you mentioned it. It has been plainly expressed to me that my purpose is to SELL.  They could careless if I tap danced on my roof top to get it done, just don't mention a flaw.  To them, everything is perfect, up until someone mentions the design flaw...  At that point, it's the person who mentioned its fault, not the product.

Do you see where I'm going with this?  It's all about what ISN'T said...

Again, I know from personal experience...lol.

The motorcycle industry doesn't exist in a different dimension where flaws don't exist. I have yet to find a PERFECT product. Have you? And if this holds true, and you don't hear a single mention of these flaws in a video/written review, how great is the review?

Simply, THEY'RE LYING TO YOU. Either by omission, or by lack of product knowledge. Either way, the product overview is WORTHLESS. Having someone belting out bullet points on a product can be informative. However, if there's no mention that the vent covers are cheap, who cares where the vents are placed, or how they open and close?

So, why this subject? Simple, since 2006 (the birth of YouTube) I've watched as the motorcycle industry has adapted. Up to that time I had mainly focused on written reviews on my website. Yes, I started doing video in 2002, but because of the MANY issues at the time (LONG download times, and slow connections), I wasn't able to post many. YouTube changed all that, and now you have companies like RevZilla and STG belting out videos on everything down to socks and casual belts...lol. By the way, this is all fine.   

 

My disappointment is in the content.

One glance and it's apparent that most online companies have decided to stick to bullet points, and have CHOSEN to runaway from having opinions in their product videos. It's easy to rationalize this plan of attack by simply stating, “What I have an issue with in a product, might not be an issue with the customer watching.  Everyone should keep their opinions to themselves.”

I DISAGREE...!

Who has a better understanding about a product than the person who has actually touched it. Better yet, used it? How can someone pick up a product, play with it, use it, and not have an opinion? Especially if that person has seen the DIRECT competition?

I can pick up two identical spoons out of my utensil drawer and pick my favorite...lol.

 

Put two products in front of you, that do the same things, and you can pick a WINNER.  It might not be by much, but most of us could pick one, or the other.  So can these guys...

Let me ask you the following question, and PLEASE shoot me an email, or go back and post a comment on TheHelmet Harbor Facebook page and let me know where you stand.

1. Is it refreshing to watch (read) a review/overview that points out the products features, AND the found shortcomings?
2. Would a balanced approach, pointing out the good (and bad) stop you from buying?
3. How many of you would find this refreshing? Refreshing enough to tell others?
4. Are opinions unneeded? Facts are fine.

Yes, I've actually been banished by Manufactures and Distributors BECAUSE I don't always have pleasant things to say in my videos...  I make them uncomfortable.  The loose cannon.  They never know what I'm going to say...  Isn't that awful...lol.

They have EVERY right to do what they do, and I guess I could change.  That's not doing to happen...

 

This is the important part, Manufacturers and Distributors are actively suppressing Dealers (not just me) from expressing their opinions to their customers.  THAT'S YOU.

1. Is this right?
2. And if not, would it stop you from purchasing that product?
3. If not stop you from purchasing, would it at least be a HUGE Red Flag?
4. Would you tell others, and allow them to make a decision?
5. Are "Bullet Points" OK with you?

Honestly, I'm selling EXACTLY what I want to sell.  However, I sit in the "Dealer" chair. Your "Customer" chair has MANY more options. It's VERY true that customers vote with their dollars. Customers dictate/control the market.  In a nut shell, it PISSES me off when Manufactures, Distributors, and many Retailers forget who they work for...

A quiet voice can have this effect.