(rant) Supplement board reps discussion, reps keep out :P - Page 2

**skelooth** · 08-11-2006, 03:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CROWLER

I never understood the reason behind a company giving a product out for tester logs AFTER they started selling it.

I do give items to people to test BEFORE we put them up for sale.

I get their feedback and based upon that we decide if the product is ready for sale, needs some tweeking or will never make it to market.

BTW Uhockey, seeing your name reminded me I never heard back from you about those free samples I sent, hit me with an email if you would info@anabolicinnovations.com

Thanks

CROWLER

Exactly.*

*Me applying to log well known products for my own greedy reasons is exempt from this conversation

CROWLER · 08-11-2006, 03:43 PM

ROFLMAO

You a funny man

CROWLER

**jkeithc82** · 08-11-2006, 04:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CROWLER

I never understood the reason behind a company giving a product out for tester logs AFTER they started selling it.

We have differing opinions on that I suppose.

The Red Acid testing was a bit extreme, but so was the Hyperdrol lottery (and you liked that one huh ske

). It is an example of testing your own methods and learning how to effectively market products on a message board. If memory serves pu12en12g was still a new rep at that point and still finding the best method of marketing.

I've proposed several changes to the testing structure over time, but nothing has come of it as of now. I'm an advocate for a Blacklist, cooling off period and numerous other things that I believe would make testing less bias and more honest.

**skelooth** · 08-11-2006, 04:20 PM

I liked the hyperdrol lottery because it was fun to participate in. It was contained in one topic so I thought it was moderately fair.

But yeah, the CL red acid testing is what originally put the 'bad taste in my mouth'. I'm not wild about their products to begin with. I'm still yet to see them do anything innovative....

**jkeithc82** · 08-11-2006, 04:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by skelooth

But yeah, the CL red acid testing is what originally put the 'bad taste in my mouth'. I'm not wild about their products to begin with. I'm still yet to see them do anything innovative....

You're not alone

I haven't seen a huge mega blowout test like the Red Acid test in some time though (unless it has just escaped me). Companies (not just CL) make mistakes and usually learn from them on how to effectively market and conduct testing (I know I made my share of mistakes).

**skelooth** · 08-11-2006, 04:43 PM

JKeith and I just agreed on something

**Fitnfirm** · 08-11-2006, 04:58 PM

Crowler,

Speaking as a consumer I can say that I would never have tried most of the products I have used have I not been able to test them. Lets face it the world revolves around advertising and every ad you see claims the product to be the best, they have magazine ads with before and after pics and it all looks believable!

The two products I tried before being on these boards Lipo6 and Kre-Alk, did nothing for me at all, waste of my money.

I felt truly honored when I was first chosen as a tester for DS. And I was lucky to have used products that DID work, and by logging it others were able to learn about my progress, and of course when they see your diet and training in the mix they can see what a person can do to better themself when following good guidelines and using quality supplements.

I have also been lucky enough to use some ALRI products which also gave me great results, I had never heard of the company before joining the boards so of course I was curious about their products as the ads look cool. I have done well using them too, But again I will say had I not been able to test a few of them I would not of bought any on my own.

Lets face it money doesnt grow on trees and college students are on a serious budget! But we all are willing to spend money on a product that does actually work! Its finding out if it works that makes the buying decision.

Im sure this is expensive for companies to offer testing as well, I find it very generous of all of them for doing so. Its a form of advertising, nothing different than turning on your TV or reading a magazine. These bodybuilding boards are the perfect venue for such as well, this is where we all come to learn about the products and ask questions and see others progress on different supplements.

Even before I was a rep, I appreciated the fact that there were reps to help answer any questions. I personally dont feel there are TONS of reps either, each company has 2-4 usually, and some have none at all, those are the ones products I will never use ever. If they cannot make available a person to answer questions, than they do not care about their potential customer base.

I would never lie about a product to push it or pimp it whatever you want to call it. I would not sleep at night if I were to act in that manner. I must believe in the product to recommend it.

So with all that said, I value all the reps, and I value all my internet friends I have made while testing supplements. I feel this is a win-win situation.

Quote:

Originally Posted by CROWLER

I never understood the reason behind a company giving a product out for tester logs AFTER they started selling it.

I do give items to people to test BEFORE we put them up for sale.

I get their feedback and based upon that we decide if the product is ready for sale, needs some tweeking or will never make it to market.

BTW Uhockey, seeing your name reminded me I never heard back from you about those free samples I sent, hit me with an email if you would info@anabolicinnovations.com

Thanks

CROWLER

**jkeithc82** · 08-11-2006, 05:16 PM

Thing is also, there are bad seed reps, no doubt about it. These reps usually are exposed and do not last long (several come to mind). For the most part (few exceptions) reps are not paid employees, so if their company sells 1 product or 1 million products, they are not going to see any further financial gain. I personally believe being a rep for an honest, standup company is one of the most fun things a person who spends an ample amount of time on the boards can become involved in.

**Blap Blaow** · 08-11-2006, 06:06 PM

Black Hole by CL looks to be a very innovative product. And lately one of the best things they've done (in my opinion), is bring some major competition to sesamin products. But I'm not here to defend them.

SNS as a company sponsors over 25 boards, plus we're present on several others (eg. bb.com). That's a LOT of ground to cover and whilst SNS have 7 reps plus the bossman, we're actually spread very thin. I cover 4 boards based in the UK pretty much alone unless I bring an issue to Steve which requires his attention. Heh, all of the 6 other reps are members here but I'm the only one that drops in with remote frequency (being the sado I am).

And then there's the fact that lives and personal circumstances change. Without naming names, one of our number just got married and is expecting a baby, another will be married in a couple of months, another is attending nightschool, another has had emergency surgery on a couple of occasions in this past year. Add to that the fact that many online reps do a lot more than what you see on the boards, although this will obviously vary with the company. So yes, we're relatively large in number but we certainly don't swarm over the forums.

Since all of us without exception were 'picked' from our 'homeboard', bb.com, we appear more concentrated than we actually are but anyone that accuses SNS of having a pimp army or alike is a moron or dosn't see the full picture.

I know this was supposed to be a discussion without the reps, but it turned into a free-for-all before I got here.

**warriors** · 08-11-2006, 07:48 PM

Reps really dont bother me that much. Better yet let me say that whatever actions a board rep does on a board will not effect my decision to buy from a certain company or product. I use what works for me and if it has to come from VPX, Controlled Labs, Thermolife, Scivation, or whoever else than I buy it and use it. One thing that does bother me though is when one of the main ppl in the company *cough Rodney from Nutrabolics cough* gets on the boards and pimps and attacks other companies and creates 25 diff. usernames to pimp their brand and attack other companies. That's really about the only thing that will sway my decision from buying from a said company.

As for the product testing I think it's an excellent idea for ppl to be able test products either before they are released or after they're released. Sure there is going to be some bias with some of the testers but I've been on the boards long enough to know who gives good and honest reviews and who gives a good review just to get free products. I mean if it wasnt for the product testing I would have actually had to waste money on Anagen to try it!!! (Just busting your chops Keitho

)

**jkeithc82** · 08-11-2006, 07:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by warriors

I mean if it wasnt for the product testing I would have actually had to waste money on Anagen to try it!!! (Just busting your chops Keitho

)

2 weeks Lee, 2 weeks.

**Pioneer** · 08-11-2006, 09:38 PM

hey guys, dont forget to visit www.averagejoessupplements.com for all your supplement needs at low prices

hehe

CROWLER · 08-13-2006, 02:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fitnfirm

Crowler,

Speaking as a consumer I can say that I would never have tried most of the products I have used have I not been able to test them. Lets face it the world revolves around advertising and every ad you see claims the product to be the best, they have magazine ads with before and after pics and it all looks believable!

The two products I tried before being on these boards Lipo6 and Kre-Alk, did nothing for me at all, waste of my money.

I felt truly honored when I was first chosen as a tester for DS. And I was lucky to have used products that DID work, and by logging it others were able to learn about my progress, and of course when they see your diet and training in the mix they can see what a person can do to better themself when following good guidelines and using quality supplements.

I have also been lucky enough to use some ALRI products which also gave me great results, I had never heard of the company before joining the boards so of course I was curious about their products as the ads look cool. I have done well using them too, But again I will say had I not been able to test a few of them I would not of bought any on my own.

Lets face it money doesnt grow on trees and college students are on a serious budget! But we all are willing to spend money on a product that does actually work! Its finding out if it works that makes the buying decision.

Im sure this is expensive for companies to offer testing as well, I find it very generous of all of them for doing so. Its a form of advertising, nothing different than turning on your TV or reading a magazine. These bodybuilding boards are the perfect venue for such as well, this is where we all come to learn about the products and ask questions and see others progress on different supplements.

Even before I was a rep, I appreciated the fact that there were reps to help answer any questions. I personally dont feel there are TONS of reps either, each company has 2-4 usually, and some have none at all, those are the ones products I will never use ever. If they cannot make available a person to answer questions, than they do not care about their potential customer base.

I would never lie about a product to push it or pimp it whatever you want to call it. I would not sleep at night if I were to act in that manner. I must believe in the product to recommend it.

So with all that said, I value all the reps, and I value all my internet friends I have made while testing supplements. I feel this is a win-win situation.

GREAT points helps me understand the ins and out of the supplement business a little better.

How about if a supplement company offered a 100% money back guarantee then you could test ANYTHING with no worries if the product would be a waste of money as you could just return it?

CROWLER

**jkeithc82** · 08-13-2006, 03:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CROWLER

GREAT points helps me understand the ins and out of the supplement business a little better.

How about if a supplement company offered a 100% money back guarantee then you could test ANYTHING with no worries if the product would be a waste of money as you could just return it?

CROWLER

Why not just offer sponsored product testing? How hard is that?

**Fitnfirm** · 08-13-2006, 05:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CROWLER

GREAT points helps me understand the ins and out of the supplement business a little better.

How about if a supplement company offered a 100% money back guarantee then you could test ANYTHING with no worries if the product would be a waste of money as you could just return it?

CROWLER

I find that most do not offer that, And if they do, they make it really hard on ya, for one it costs money to ship it back, then you wait....... for a refund, sometimes they require a RMA- ridiculous!!!! But then again I can understand why some would not do this as it could be misused by people who just want a free supp, I know people who buy at GNC and take the item back with like one pill in it and get a refund, this is so not right.

You cant please everybody thats for sure. Crowler your a smart business man and a great friend, but if you ever get your company to the level of huge success it will be alot of work to make people happy ya know!

Samples are good, but then again some products you must take for weeks to see any results so those would not make good samples. Stims yes, most others no.

My sister is a sucker for those tv ads for weight loss products, that Trim Spa stuff for one, I know like 20 people who bought it, no one lost more than 2-3 pounds, a few even gained. Those products are the ones I stay away from, anything that is marketed in that way with a celebrity or whatever, is usually a rip off.

**warriors** · 08-13-2006, 05:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CROWLER

How about if a supplement company offered a 100% money back guarantee then you could test ANYTHING with no worries if the product would be a waste of money as you could just return it?

CROWLER

Most companies do offer a money back guarantee but the problem is you have to buy it directly from that company's website which is a lot more expensive than buying it at a retail store such as bbing.com.

Brent · 08-13-2006, 05:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by warriors

Most companies do offer a money back guarantee but the problem is you have to buy it directly from that company's website which is a lot more expensive than buying it at a retail store such as bbing.com.

I will add that sending the product back can be a bitch. Like when I lost $87? or so when I tried returning a product and it never got to the company!

08-11-2006, 04:20 PM	#34
skelooth eh heh heh Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Behind you Posts: 7,205 Recipes: 0 Rep Power: 158	I liked the hyperdrol lottery because it was fun to participate in. It was contained in one topic so I thought it was moderately fair. But yeah, the CL red acid testing is what originally put the 'bad taste in my mouth'. I'm not wild about their products to begin with. I'm still yet to see them do anything innovative.... __________________ R I P

08-11-2006, 04:43 PM	#36
skelooth eh heh heh Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Behind you Posts: 7,205 Recipes: 0 Rep Power: 158	JKeith and I just agreed on something __________________ R I P

08-11-2006, 05:16 PM	#38
jkeithc82 Moderating Wizard Join Date: Oct 2005 Posts: 698 Recipes: 0 Rep Power: 14	Thing is also, there are bad seed reps, no doubt about it. These reps usually are exposed and do not last long (several come to mind). For the most part (few exceptions) reps are not paid employees, so if their company sells 1 product or 1 million products, they are not going to see any further financial gain. I personally believe being a rep for an honest, standup company is one of the most fun things a person who spends an ample amount of time on the boards can become involved in. __________________

08-11-2006, 06:06 PM	#39
Blap Blaow IronMass Sponsor Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: London, England Posts: 950 Recipes: 0 Rep Power: 32	Black Hole by CL looks to be a very innovative product. And lately one of the best things they've done (in my opinion), is bring some major competition to sesamin products. But I'm not here to defend them. SNS as a company sponsors over 25 boards, plus we're present on several others (eg. bb.com). That's a LOT of ground to cover and whilst SNS have 7 reps plus the bossman, we're actually spread very thin. I cover 4 boards based in the UK pretty much alone unless I bring an issue to Steve which requires his attention. Heh, all of the 6 other reps are members here but I'm the only one that drops in with remote frequency (being the sado I am). And then there's the fact that lives and personal circumstances change. Without naming names, one of our number just got married and is expecting a baby, another will be married in a couple of months, another is attending nightschool, another has had emergency surgery on a couple of occasions in this past year. Add to that the fact that many online reps do a lot more than what you see on the boards, although this will obviously vary with the company. So yes, we're relatively large in number but we certainly don't swarm over the forums. Since all of us without exception were 'picked' from our 'homeboard', bb.com, we appear more concentrated than we actually are but anyone that accuses SNS of having a pimp army or alike is a moron or dosn't see the full picture. I know this was supposed to be a discussion without the reps, but it turned into a free-for-all before I got here. __________________ Blapmungous™

08-11-2006, 07:48 PM	#40
warriors The world is yours Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 1,127 Recipes: 0 Rep Power: 29	Reps really dont bother me that much. Better yet let me say that whatever actions a board rep does on a board will not effect my decision to buy from a certain company or product. I use what works for me and if it has to come from VPX, Controlled Labs, Thermolife, Scivation, or whoever else than I buy it and use it. One thing that does bother me though is when one of the main ppl in the company cough Rodney from Nutrabolics cough gets on the boards and pimps and attacks other companies and creates 25 diff. usernames to pimp their brand and attack other companies. That's really about the only thing that will sway my decision from buying from a said company. As for the product testing I think it's an excellent idea for ppl to be able test products either before they are released or after they're released. Sure there is going to be some bias with some of the testers but I've been on the boards long enough to know who gives good and honest reviews and who gives a good review just to get free products. I mean if it wasnt for the product testing I would have actually had to waste money on Anagen to try it!!! (Just busting your chops Keitho ) __________________ Not Around...

08-11-2006, 03:43 PM	#32
CROWLER Pro Stature Join Date: Apr 2006 Posts: 264 Recipes: 0 Rep Power: 5	ROFLMAO You a funny man CROWLER

08-11-2006, 09:38 PM	#42
Pioneer Moderator Join Date: Jun 2005 Posts: 1,726 Recipes: 0 Rep Power: 75	hey guys, dont forget to visit www.averagejoessupplements.com for all your supplement needs at low prices hehe __________________ "A Marine in battle fears disgracing himself by running. He fears not losing his life, but losing his honor. He may not be able to preserve his life, but he can always preserve his honor. That much is within his power... To fear disgrace but not death, to fear not duty but dereliction from duty -- this is courage." -FMFM 1-0 "Leading Marines" pg. 43 Drive on