If the OEMs don't read this and other forums, then how do you explain this posting at TDS by an engineer from Donaldson discussing the AIS?


Actually, my company does exactly that for our products. So do our competitors.

 

Sorry, don't believe it and I'm not even from Missouri. Lots of folks come on this forum, act authoritative, then disapppear. If Ken introduces them as an authority as he did with Vic., then I will take them seriously.

 

I'm not sure why you find this so hard to believe. OEMs spend $$$mil$$$ to conduct consumer surveys and hire outfits like JD Powers to tell them what their customers are saying. Why would you not think that an OEM, with only a few keystrokes, would not jump at the chance to tap into some of the richest customer feedback sources available?

It also makes perfect sense that these same OEMs would want to keep a low profile and not announce their presence. What would happen if a user announced that he was Ford's lead R&D engineer on the TorqShift, or the 6.0, or the F150? Emails out the whazoo. Never get any work done. Blueovalnews.com posted the phone numbers and email addresses of several key Ford people. Ford had a fit and made them take off the posting.

I don't necessarily believe that Ford does anything based on the posted in these Forums, but to think that they don't read them is just sticking your head in the sand.

So if you just want to talk shop with other gearheads, that's fine. Me, many of my posts are directed at Ford.

 

Customer surveys conducted by JD Powers and others are very carefully constructed documents that ask very specific questions with limited answer capability. There are statistics that are very carefully gathered and analyzed. Did you ever take statistics? What do they do with the top and bottom respondents? Usually they consider them to be the lunatic fringe and discard the input.

If there is a forum attended and supported by a vendor like Ford, there is some potential liability. You would have to have a moderator on at all times. I find those that post representing themselves as a spokesperson for an OEM are sticking out their necks unless they have the support of the OEM. I remember the guy from IH who was pretty disparaging of IH. You can't have disgruntled employees speaking as a spokesperson for the company. Then there was the guy who was a service advisor that was really helpful on this forum that was driven off by unruly people on the forum, demanding as if he was a spokesman for Ford.

In the statistical reference above, IMHO the posters on this forum represent the top and bottom 2% of the bell curve.

Your time and effort would be better spent writing letters to the Ford executives than posting them here. Unless you like the anonyminity you think you have here on the forum. I take my problems direct to the dealership and Ford, personally. That is having my head out of the sand.

I have written Ford. I actually like talking shop with the gearheads. That is what I think this forum is all about.

 

I have too. It doesn't work. They don't answer. Please see my numerous posts on this subject. Of course, nothing that I have ever posted in these forums has generated any response from Ford either.

Go to TDS, look up my profile (same user name). As you can see, I am far from anonymous.

I agree. And I do not believe that this Forum is the best way to contact Ford. But you do have your head in the sand if you believe that Ford does not read these posts.

Take a look at the Ford versus the Competition Forum. Everyone discussing which features on which trucks they like best. Just like the Consumer Clinics that all of the OEMs conduct. Put a bunch of people in a room, let them talk, watch them through a window (I've been on the other side of that window).

This is golden stuff. Ford watches.

 

I'm with you Steve, anyone who thinks that these forums have any value to Ford is kidding themselves. We are like you say, the lunatic fringe.

 

No, you are wrong.

We are the 60% repeat truck buyers that Ford does not want to lose.

 

The number of people that post on this forum is not significant in the overall ownership. Also, there is no way to validate many of the claims made on this forum. That is why Ford does their surveys. I would think their statistical analysis of the OASIS input is far more valuable than posts here.

I wrote a letter to the Ford executive offices. I was clear and concise on what I wanted. No, they did not answer, but the Service Manager approached me the next time I was in the dealership and told me that he received a call from the Ford executive offices about my issue. So writing directly does work.

 

SBV45: Information from this site trickles to Ford in numerous ways.. for one, people that visit here become empowered with information to take to the dealer.. that information trickles its way back to Ford. Do I think there's some suits at Ford monitoring this site? Nope.. didn't say that... but information that is shared here makes its way back to Ford via knowledgable members communicating with their dealers.. I've read everything from advice for buybacks, how to talk to the service guy about certain problems.. advice on *itching out the dealer because of mileage.. one way or another, Ford hears about it.

 

Man...when I started this thread I just wanted some reassurance that I could go on a long trip with my new truck with confidence. Maybe pick up a few pointers.

For what it's worth...Ford would be foolish not to monitor these forums both for praises and complaints.

They would also be foolish to directly respond in any way because of the documentaion issues. In other words...Evidence.

 

Well, if it's reassuring, my truck has never left me stranded and overall I love it.

 

kw.... I have a early 03 have 21500 miles on it have traveled through 16 states and have not had a problem. drive your truck with no worries.

 

Make sure that you check the blue hose connecting the intercooler to the pipe coming from the turbo. Check that the hose clamps are tight. Mine came loose and sound like a tire blew. Had to have it towed and they replaced it first thing the next morning.

 

My Truck Rocks!

 

I agree with ol Bob. Ford not going to waste the time and money to dedicate the manpower to read all the Ford forums. They could possibly visit from time to time. But i don't think someone is setting in Dearborn, MI watching every new post.

IF so, where do i apply....

PSDboy