Community Feedback Requested Re: EuroConnex / Epoustouflant

[joefresh]

I always thought the PM for pricing thing was lame. this is just that but on another level. I would never buy anything from this guy. I have been doing just fine building all kinds of cars without this type of sale.

[SandeepM3]

I also find it problematic that pricing is not openly posted and requires disclosing personal information at an unaffiliated site to even see the pricing details.

I agree with this. IIRC M3F had a rule that prices had to be given on group buys. That I feel should also be presented here especially if it's supposed to be community-driven.

[usdmej]

admins should tag him as a vendor and make him decide if he is going to post as either Epoustouflant or EuroConnex since they are the same entity.
he's currently operating like a member that's using multiple accounts by speaking about his company in third person

[Lip]

Typical grass-root group buys are difficult to come by. There's less incentive for the organizer (forum member) and probably the supplier/manufacturer than someone like EuroConnex. It's obvious that EuroConnex is incentivized to bring as many group buys to this community as possible. Our benefit is more access to group buys so I don't think limiting them would benefit anyone.

The details in how it EuroConnex and other vendors should conduct groupbuys on this site is probably what most users are going to debate about.

[terra]

So some mixed opinions, but overall the sentiment seems to be that they're a net benefit, but perhaps some details can change. Some proposals:

1) Move all current EuroConnex threads to the vendor sales section, and all future threads (whether gauging interest or an active sale) should go there.
2) The group buy section itself be limited to community organized purchases, with the organizer also being in the market for the product(s) in question
3) Probably can't be enforced as easily, but if the group buy organizer is getting a kickback, disclose it. Doesn't necessarily invalidate the group buy and not fundamentally opposed to the organizer getting rewarded for their time and effort, but would at least allow people participating to make a fully informed decision.

Nothing set in stone, but I don't think the above is unreasonable. Any thoughts?

As far as the price disclosures - we could certainly make it possible to keep certain content on the forum visible to only registered members. I don't know if EuroConnex would go for that, but otherwise would be within the spirit of not openly advertising the discounts while still protecting the privacy of members here.

[Tbonem3]

It would make me feel better if he didn't lie or make false promises, avoid questions, and negotiate in his and the manufacturer's best interests (selling headers only IF you also buy catted sect 1 & vice versa) instead of ours.

[K-Dawg]

Would it make some of you feel better if wasn't called a "group buy"? If you like traditional group buys better, then start one. Nobody is stopping you. Competition benefits the community.

Maybe one of my favorite posts on any internet forum: https://nam3forum.com/forums/forum/m...s-first#post46

[big greasy taco]

I dont have a problem with it at all - He brings new / interesting things to market along with some existing products at a better price. Sure maybe he is profiting but so long as everyone gets what they pay for and he is selling stuff cheaper then others, I dont see an issue. More options and selection is always a good thing.

[Will ZCPM3]

Group buys have historically been a grassroots effort (aka done by the ordinary individual) so that's why it rubs some (myself included, initially) the wrong way. If you think about, however, its still a group buying as we see EuroConnex doing batches of products at meaningful discounts. There's a greater level of sophistication, organization (hell, a significantly greater level of organization) and accountability. All of that is something to be celebrated.

Personally, I am a champion for EuroConnex due to:
- the leverage he's able to achieve with manufacturers for group buys that results in substantial discounts. Look at the Supersprint GB: entire system w/ V1 header's for $5k, wasn't it?
- developed infrastructure with website and tie-in with the supplier/manufacturer ordering systems
- good relationships with manufacturers
- he is responsive and attentive, and shows a good level of transparency
- don't forget EuroConnex has two lines: factory direct (Curated Specials, discounted from retail) and group buys (greater discount). We don't see him pushing the factory direct stuff nearly as much, so he is staying true to the GB spirit.

Certainly, if we see a tidal shift of EuroConnex into more a retail-type operation then their status and how EuroConnex is positioned on this forum should be evaluated. It could go that way based on the way Epoustouflant conducts himself (in positive manner). I would hope he continues to maintain a good level of transparency with any such evolution.

I personally find the complaining here about not being able to post pricing openly to be completely lacking common sense. To me, its complaining for the sake of complaining. You all should recognize full-well why its not helpful to go peppering the internet with product pricing 20%, 30% or more lower than MSRP and/or similar vendors. If not, the answer is it creates headaches for the manufacturers and the relationship with their other suppliers, and trying to manage the losing game of race to the bottom on price.

Other disclosures: I don't know Epoustouflant personally, I've only interacted with him in posting. I've purchased one thing through him: a SS section 2.

Completely agree with everything said above.

[stash1]

I'm bias as I ran the VB group buy, but I feel that I have more confidence in the item being offered if the host of the group buy is participating and purchasing the item as well. That way, we don't have a vendor or Leighton (forum member turned sudo vendor then ghost) situation where they will introduce any product not knowing or caring if it is good or bad, such as the Streamline and Cat Cams GB. If you are going to run a GB, don't go putting the competitors parts on your car and have forum members struggle with the parts from the GB. Plus if a vendor is not hosting, all the savings go to the participants/forum members. I prefer the standard forum member GBs where the host is participating as well. Rarely seems to be an issue with those.

Agree w/this part as well, and like a few other guys from the old M3F, I ran/sponsored a couple/few GB's as well. If it's a known/tested product (like SS parts for ex.), then it's not as critical that the part be tested first...but if it's a new/untested product, then I feel it should absolutely be tested/proven (or at least installed and put through some kind of paces) first before being offered in a GB type situation. I personally installed and tested each item that I sponsored (on my personal car) to make sure that I was comfortable bringing it to the forum. I legitimately felt that every product that I sponsored was a quality part, and offered some type of benefit to what was currently available.

That being said, I'm all for new/interesting products to continue being offered for the platform, just wish someone (if not Epoustouflant) from the forum was actually installing the parts on his personal car...and offering up some kind of review/feedback on the product first. Insert my $.02 emoticon here.

[lvm3sm46]

Im pretty new here but I like the old way of group buys, this new way just feels to disconnected for me.

To me it seems like Connex is a vendor and they should probably sponsor the forum.

Id like to see group buys with products from vendors we know like Turner motorsports camber arms or TCKline suspension kits.

Pricing should be easier to get but I understand that if he is running the group buys across many forums and platforms his website makes it easier for him (connex) just to post it there. But why cant the price just be posted in the forum?

[usdmej]

its not helpful to go peppering the internet with product pricing 20%, 30% or more lower than MSRP and/or similar vendors. If not, the answer is it creates headaches for the manufacturers and the relationship with their other suppliers, and trying to manage the losing game of race to the bottom on price.

Epoustouflant's Supersprint group buy really lowered my opinion of Supersprint TBH. As pointed out by another forum member here, Epoustouflant wasn't even a 3rd party vendor to the group buy. he was a FOURTH PARTY

- Consumer
- Supersprint
- Turner/ECS
- Epoustouflant/Connex


if two different parties can openly get a slice of the action at 30% off MSRP, exactly how do we value the MSRP that supersprint is setting?

[usdmej]

Yeah I found all that pretty suspect back when it happened, is it really deleted? Wow. It was all decent enough deals as it is, there was no need for any of that for sure, even if it was true.

.

there were i think 2 or 3 discussion threads total for the supersprint group buy? the first one definitely made claims about EPA fines and the possibility of never seeing supersprint products in the US again. the final group buy thread had no mention of it and the original thread was cleanly edited with no real acknowledgement of the change in position.


when he's presenting a group buy to the community it's all, "hey guys look at this great opportunity i've got for you", but when someone has a problem with the data collecting or lack of transparency on pricing, "oh well, that's how Connex is setup it's out of my hands"


i personally just find it too underhanded to want to deal with

[Chas3n]

I'm bias as I ran the VB group buy, but I feel that I have more confidence in the item being offered if the host of the group buy is participating and purchasing the item as well. That way, we don't have a vendor or Leighton (forum member turned sudo vendor then ghost) situation where they will introduce any product not knowing or caring if it is good or bad, such as the Streamline and Cat Cams GB. If you are going to run a GB, don't go putting the competitors parts on your car and have forum members struggle with the parts from the GB. Plus if a vendor is not hosting, all the savings go to the participants/forum members. I prefer the standard forum member GBs where the host is participating as well. Rarely seems to be an issue with those.

Also absolutely agree with this. It should be us members reaching out, and having some skin in the game, other wise the vendor might as well sponsor the forum. It’s your guys ship, as I’m rarely active now days, but feels like GB’s are just money grabs from vendors.

I’ve never seen anything offered lately on a normal site to be purchased. It’s all this mysterious euro vendor with a blanket identity selling on the board

[Chas3n]

IMO it’s absolutely against the spirit of GB not to post open pricing. There should be no reason to give up personal information just to see if you’re interested at the price point. It’s gotten to the point where I no longer even click the thread once I see who’s GB it is. Whether the product it amazing or not, I won’t be playing the data collection game.


This is coming from someone that ran a handful of GB’s on M3f.