The Motor Pool: And the Survey Says...

lightning2000 · Post by **lightning2000** » Sat Apr 12, 2008 3:51 am

<b>Take Our Live Poll!</b>
For some time we've heard your criticisms, listened to your concerns, and read your feedback. And you know what? Now we're going to do something about it! You may have noticed the pair of polls on our News page, which, rather innocently enough, asks about your favorite collecting scale. This weekend, we'll be taking this concept one step further, by creating an entire page devoted to polling our customers about their likes and dislikes, with heavy emphasis on product ideas for each of the manufacturer's we deal with. Going forward, we'll be submitting the results of these polls to the manufacturers, so they can gauge, firsthand, the fruits of their labors. Hopefully, something good will come of this, especially if the manufacturers are willing to sit up and take notice of these surveys....<i>[posted 4/11/2008]</i>

Please note that the entire list of polls we are currently running can be found on our Survey page. Check it out when you have the chance!

Lightning2000
www.themotorpool.net

blurx7 · Post by **blurx7** » Sat Apr 12, 2008 5:25 am

Great idea! I voted. Though I would have liked more choices in several categories.

lightning2000 · Post by **lightning2000** » Sat Apr 12, 2008 5:59 am

Hi Geoff,
Agreed. There's some limitations in the software such as number of response categories, length of the question, length of response, etc. Still in all, it could prove to be a valuable way to demonstrate consumer likes and dislikes as they pertain to this hobby.
We'll also be updating the polls every month to keep it fresh and offer more options.

Lightning2000
www.themotorpool.net

Col.Pickle · Post by **Col.Pickle** » Sat Apr 12, 2008 9:22 am

great idea Lightning! I voted as well.

VMF115 · Post by **VMF115** » Sat Apr 12, 2008 10:01 am

I voted as well....how about what we would like to see made in 1/18th

ChairmanMilo · Post by **ChairmanMilo** » Sat Apr 12, 2008 12:11 pm

Great idea lightning! I'm going to be checking them every once in a while to do new surveys too.

lightning2000 · Post by **lightning2000** » Sat Apr 12, 2008 2:15 pm

Hi,
We'll be adding a fresh survey at the beginning of May.

Lightning2000
www.themotorpool.net

lightning2000 · Post by **lightning2000** » Sat Apr 12, 2008 7:54 pm

Hi,
BTW, I'm not immune to the idea of having forum members coming up with survey questions and possible respondent choices provided the questions meets certain guidelines. So, if you're looking to find out which 1:18 scale aircraft should be manufactured based upon the results, then that works for me. If, you're looking to find out which retailer everyone goes to, or take a consensus on favorite tank paint schemes, then we'll have to take a pass. In other words, we need to take this seriously while at the same time not step on anyone's toes or dally in the arcane.

Lightning2000
www.themotorpool.net

olifant · Post by **olifant** » Sat Apr 12, 2008 11:37 pm

Lightning, I don't want to read into this too much but the majority of people say 1/18 is there preferred hobby followed by 1/32. None of your questions about manufacturers are pointed at the makers of 1/18 and only one for 1/32. Does this speak to the amount of faith you have that these unmentioned manufacturers will listen?

lightning2000 · Post by **lightning2000** » Sun Apr 13, 2008 4:33 am

No, its just a random sampling of questions. Keep in mind too that the results this far are skewed since we havent sent out a newsletter yet to our core constituency. We also have alot of customers that dont own a computer but we know where there interest lie. For the first pol, I didnt want to overload everyone with a ton of questions, so that it looked more like an SAT test that a cursory survey.

Lightning2000
www.themotorpool.net

Cabe · Post by **Cabe** » Sun Apr 13, 2008 7:28 am

I think this poll favors Obama too much WAAAAH!

Oh nd yeah 1/35 scale military vehicle would take off considering he amount of accessories already out there in the 1/35th scale model market to customize your purchase with crew and such

olifant · Post by **olifant** » Sun Apr 13, 2008 9:45 am

lightning2000 wrote:No, its just a random sampling of questions. Keep in mind too that the results this far are skewed since we havent sent out a newsletter yet to our core constituency. We also have alot of customers that dont own a computer but we know where there interest lie. For the first pol, I didnt want to overload everyone with a ton of questions, so that it looked more like an SAT test that a cursory survey.

Lightning2000
www.themotorpool.net

Gotcha. Thanks for the clarification. I am guessing there are plenty of 1/72 guys out there.

lightning2000 · Post by **lightning2000** » Fri Apr 18, 2008 6:26 pm

Hi All,
Our second set of survey questions has now been posted to our web site. You can find them on our survey page.

Cordially,

Lightning2000
www.themotorpool.net

Panzer_M · Post by **Panzer_M** » Fri Apr 18, 2008 6:50 pm

Cabe wrote:I think this poll favors Obama too much WAAAAH!

Oh nd yeah 1/35 scale military vehicle would take off considering he amount of accessories already out there in the 1/35th scale model market to customize your purchase with crew and such

+1

i agree.

ltcbj · Post by **ltcbj** » Mon Apr 21, 2008 5:56 am

Lightning: Your refurbished site is beautiful. Very well done and most impressive. Congratulations.

lightning2000 · Post by **lightning2000** » Mon Apr 21, 2008 11:44 am

Thanks Itcbj,
Lots of hard work but it helps to have a lot more tools at our disposal. The old web host was a joke from top to bottom.

We're actually working in a number of areas to improve the site's look, search engine optimization, line extensions, marketing, etc. Sometimes it feels like we have a dozen spinning plates in the air, much like the old vaudville act. There's still some other areas I want to work on, and still hope to give the site a more virtual feel down the road. We'll see...

Did you complete the surveys?

Lightning2000
www.themotorpool.net

ltcbj · Post by **ltcbj** » Mon Apr 21, 2008 1:18 pm

Yes. I did do the surveys, both 1 and 2. The first time I brought the survey(s) page almost half just sat there with a little "loading" indicator up even though my browser (Firefox 2.0.0.14) was finished. Those survey questions up though responded. I reloaded and then, on the second try, everything came up.
I did check $40 although I woukld never pay even that much for a 1/72 scale model, nor $75 for a 1/35. I also expect that as casting improves we'll see more detail in all metal and I just resent stretching the term 'die-cast' to mean "all plastic with a small weight inside."
I've always done really well on multiple choice tests but prefer essay questions.

ltcbj · Post by **ltcbj** » Mon Apr 21, 2008 1:19 pm

Yes. I did do the surveys, both 1 and 2. The first time I brought the survey(s) page almost half just sat there with a little "loading" indicator up even though my browser (Firefox 2.0.0.14) was finished. Those survey questions that came up though responded properly. I reloaded and then, on the second try, everything came up and worked.
I did check $40 although I would never pay even that much for a 1/72 scale model, nor $75 for a 1/35. I also expect that as casting improves we'll see more detail in all metal and I just resent stretching the term 'die-cast' to mean "all plastic with a small weight inside."
I've always done really well on multiple choice tests but prefer essay questions.

ltcbj · Post by **ltcbj** » Mon Apr 21, 2008 1:20 pm

My stupid provider is acting oddly- hence two of the same- the second with corrections.

lightning2000 · Post by **lightning2000** » Mon Apr 21, 2008 4:53 pm

Hi,
I'm somewhat surprised by some of the responses thus far in our polling for a few of the questions we posed. I'm not trying to skew the results, but right now, for instance, it seems like the majority of customers would prefer that the dealer/retailer review a product so that they can make a more informed purchasing decision. Keep in mind that the dealer has a vested interest in selling said products, so I'm not sure if a retailer's comments would hold much water. That, and its sort of like biting the hand that feeds you, if you consistently give certain manufacturers lower overall marks.

I'm equally surprised by the polling for metal content in a military vehicle. Seems like most of the respondents thus far are okay with little or no metal content in their replicas so long as the model is accurate.

Feel free to vote on the survey questions at your leisure. Remember, they're anonymous and the results might help some of the manufacturers get a better idea of what you're after as far as replicas go.

Lightning2000
www.themotorpool.net

ltcbj · Post by **ltcbj** » Tue Apr 22, 2008 4:14 am

I checked "yes" for retailer review. I did so with the idea that the retailer would be making an initial determination as to overall quality and use that in his decision as to carry the product or not.

Small Scale Military Headquarters

The Motor Pool: And the Survey Says...

The Motor Pool: And the Survey Says...

Survey

Survey

Surveys

Questions

Re: Questions

Second Set of Survey Questions

Thanks

Responses