Does S & W read this forum?

[ImDrRich]

I've seen service complaints, quality control issues, and other problems and despite all this my S&Ws are all excellent.

I'm wondering if anyone at the company reads this and once in awhile reports back about problems specific to a given model.

 

[Echo40]

Doubtfully.

Unfortunately, firearms manufacturers don't host their own official forums, so most forums are made by fans with absolutely no affiliation to the brand.
Furthermore, firearms manufacturers don't often have executives who browse fan forums seeking consumer feedback.

It's honestly quite surprising that firearms manufacturers don't host their own forums seeing as it would serve the dual purpose of creating a venue for market research, not to mention public relations/fan appreciation, but for whatever reason it isn't done.

 

[CalmerThanYou]

I bet they lurk.

 

[moralem]

What for, to keep an eye on 200000 members and then at anygiven time only about 1% of them are on line.....low volume low reward.

 

[BC38]

I don't know about S&W, but I know Taurus used to have folks monitoring the Taurusarmed.net forum.
The CEO actually used to post occasionally. With the new management I think they dropped that practice though.

Personally, if S&W didn't hire some low-paid intern to monitor the forums and write up reports on what they come across, I'd be extremely surprised. Talk about cheap market research on your fan-base. They couldn't get a bigger bang for their buck than that anywhere.

 

[MattyD380]

Big companies invest a ___load in consumer research. Focus groups. Product concept testing. Quantitative surveys. I work for an agency that does that kind of work--for all kinds of consumer goods.

In a sense, you could see a forum like this as free consumer research. Simply by lurking, they could glean any number of insights--which could then be tested in focus groups, etc. and lead to meaningful product innovation.

So, I'd be willing to bet they do look, some. But they probably don't capitalize on it like they should.

In any case... if you guys are looking...

Revive the 3rd gens as "4th gens," with modern, premium features and custom tuning. Launch the line under a new sub brand, and get a well-known handgun guru to get behind them. Sell them for a grand a piece, and you'll attract new customers as well as old-school DA/SA fans. Happy to lend a hand if you need help doing any of the above

 

[Dieseltech56]

I really doubt the current Smith and Wesson cares what we think. Most of us probably don't buy that many new guns anyways

 

[sturtyboy]

Forget low paid anyone...The CEO should be looking as well as other corporate officials. They should be extremely interested how Smith & Wesson products are viewed and spoken of. Especially, by those who have been loyal customers and collectors.

I invite any of the corporate guys to comment on this thread and let us know you're out there and really interested in your product enough to spend the time to find out what's being said.

Get some real firsthand ideas of what is being said....good and bad.

 

[LPD256]

Hey you sneaky S&W executives. If you read this, I'm available to shoot your guns extensively and report back. You don't even have to pay me. Just supply ammunition. Thank you.......

 

[bigggbbruce]

One of the 1911 forums I've frequented, the service manager from Colt was a member and interacted personally with requests for service information..

Was cool until Colt let him go...

 

[Muss Muggins]

I don't know of a company that takes product ideas from what 20 or 30 anonymous internet posters happen to think about a particular issue. That seems to be the average number of posts before a thread dies. The longest running thread on this forum was the infamous "Thread Drift" thread, which had nothing to do with Smith & Wesson. It's fun to talk about, but thinking that Smith & Wesson would change a production line based on what is said here is like expecting a couple executives to show up on my back porch to talk guns. Ain't gonna happen, and really, it shouldn't . . .

 

[Laketime]

I know of several watch company's that not only monitor forums, but actually participate with its members to get feedback and wish lists.Surprising how many designs came about from veteran forum members wish lists.I have never seen this in the gun world , and don't expect to ever see it unfortunately .

 

[00Buck2]

Ok I will take a shot

How about a new blue/wood model 547, with adjustable sights, in 2.5". I'm on the verge of pulling the trigger on the Ruger SP101.

 

[BC38]

Forget low paid anyone...The CEO should be looking as well as other corporate officials. They should be extremely interested how Smith & Wesson products are viewed and spoken of. Especially, by those who have been loyal customers and collectors.

I invite any of the corporate guys to comment on this thread and let us know you're out there and really interested in your product enough to spend the time to find out what's being said.

Get some real firsthand ideas of what is being said....good and bad.

Yeah, the guys who run companies don't usually have that kind of time to spare, and based on their compensation the time they have is too costly for that.

I just retired from a Fortune 100 company. I can tell you for 100% certain they have very young low-paid employees cruising the 'net, and social media, and such looking for what people are saying about the company and its products - as a way of marketing and consumer research.

They write reports, and include links to the most "interesting" things they find to their higher-ups. If it is interesting or important enough it moves on up the chain. It is part of the company's marketing department.

I've personally talked to some of the kids getting paid to do it. Like I said, the ROI or bang for the buck is definitely there. If an industry leader like S&W isn't doing some of that same kind of thing they're certainly missing out on an opportunity.

 

[Kernel Crittenden]

... I'm wondering if anyone at the company reads this and once in awhile reports back.. .

I thought I was working here. (?) [emoji12]

.... and I'm being paid exactly what I'm worth. [emoji848]

 

[CH4]

I don't know about S&W, but as an affiliate of Armscor Precision International/RIA several of us religiously follow and respond to product feedback through various forums. I know EB and DW also has representatives on these sites.

 

[hoc9sw]

I was told by a S&W CS guy that they do not look at web sites. There could certainly be someone doing it in another area, but to his knowledge, no. We were having a long talk about Shield issues while someone searched for a part, and I brought it up.

 

[slabside2]

Smith + Wesson could give a **** about me and you and our opinions Smith + Wesson cares about one thing.....MONEY!

 

[murphydog]

If you click on "Forum" at the upper left corner of the home page, then scroll down to General Topics, you will find a link to: "Smith & Wesson - The Wish List". So you never know.

Yes, things have to make financial sense to them and all, but personally I always heard the K frame .357 was never coming back and it did. So you never know .

 

[Green Frog]

Smith + Wesson could give a **** about me and you and our opinions Smith + Wesson cares about one thing.....MONEY!

BUUUT, interest generates sales and sales generate... MONEY.

While the average number of posts may be 20-30, the ones that generate pages of discussion about one model or variant might be worth a look. An example that comes to mind for me at least is the thread I started about 5 years ago for "Project 616" and its building. It went on for 4-5 pages and still gets an occasional "LIKE." In addition, several posters made a comment along the lines of "I hope somebody from S&W is reading this" or "I wish somebody from S&W would read this!" I'm no marketing expert, but it seems to me that where there is a lot of interest there is at least potential for a lot of sales, JMHO of course and what do I know?

Froggie