RAT / Romanarmy.com needs a consumer guide

[Praefectusclassis]

This discussion was suggested by Decimus Mercatius Varianus (i.e.Marsh) about the issue whether there should be a consumer's vendor guide (and perhaps a product guide) either on RAT or on the main site. I'm willing to institute such a facility on the site, but it will have to be very much a member-driven thing. If nobody votes/posts on it, it won't be useful.
So, how many members would not only use such a facility passively (i.e. check it for reports on vendors (and products)), but also actively (i.e. share their experiences)?

I shall run this poll for 15 days. I'll need both an overall positive reply to this question as a substantial membership base who voted!

Please note: it says either RAT or Romanarmy.com, because I can as yet not predict on which part of the site it would technically fit best.

[Robert Vermaat]

Option 6: Yes, we need a product guide and I'll post/vote on it

[Caius Fabius]

I would hate to have manufacturers initiate a lawsuit against our forum simply because someone said that their product was a bunch of fantasy crap.
I wonder if we have enough credentialed experts to critique products, and even if they have a PhD, they may disagree. I think the whole Matt Amt and Dan Peterson argument was started over a criticism of products that one reenactor had approved and another reenactor disapproved.

[Robert Vermaat]

A fair warning. But I think everybody is entitled to comment on products. It's comments on vendors which I'm more worried about.

[Gaivs Antonivs Satvrninvs]

I believe this could be useful.
Also,I think RAT members are mature enough to
use and not abuse this resource.

We can still say if we think something's
crap as long as we are diplomatic about
it.
a list of vendors and equipment
in one location with comments from buyers
might save alot of questions from new members
or anyone looking for equipment.
It need not be only "approved" merchandise,
but anything that would appeal to members.
I searched for months to find items even close.
This could have saved much wasted effort.

[Crispvs]

I think we have had plenty of comments, both positive and negative, about suppliers and manufacturers here in the past and as far as I know no one has ever tried to sue us. Is it fair that a company like (for example) Windlass Steelcrafts should be able to hawk its wares around without there being a justified warning here for those whose aim is accuracy. The uneducated mass will still keep them in business but it is unfair to those who want to have accurate gear but do not yet know how to recognise it to have only a manufacturer's or E-bay dealer's often misleading description to inform them of what is acceptable and what is not.

Regarding the Matthew Amt / Dan Peterson trouble, I believe it was to do with the fourth step Deepeeka had put on the occipits of their Imperial Gallic and Imperial Italic helmets. Matthew Amt justifiably said that as far as we knew this fourth step was not a normal feature of these helmets but went on to say that they should not be used, whilst Dan Peterson said that helmets with four steps certainly existed but then used that as justification for saying that it was fine for all of Deepeeka's helmets to have a fourth step. As the one who dropped a reference to a helmet with no less than five steps into the conversation, I would have to say that both were in part justified but that both went over the mark somewhat. It might have helped if it had been on a dedicated board where other people might have contributed some good points which might have calmed the waters somewhat. Matthew might then have conceeded that one single helmet with four steps would not spoil the accuracy of a line of men and Dan might even have been inclined to have a word with Deepeeka and see if they would make both a three step and a four step version.

I vote therefore for option one.

Crispvs

[Praefectusclassis]

Well, the infrastructure is in place. Get posting! :wink:
If needed, an extra category could be added for articles on the improvement of products mentioned. How's that?

[Crispvs]

I don't seem to be able to post anything on it. Am I doing something wrong?

Crispvs

[Praefectusclassis]

Are you signed in on Romanarmy.com when you try to?

--edit--

Since it's moderated anyways, I have turned on anonymous posting.

[Praefectusclassis]

IT might be useful if someone made summaries of some of the reviews in Marketplace and put them in the consumerguide too. Any volunteers?