That is great! I think that forums are a huge and largely untapped resource for a lot of big name manufacturers. Everything you could ever want to know (the good, bad, and the ugly) is usually laid out in various forums. It is perfect for manufacturers to find issues beyond those pointed out by servicing warranty work. It also gives them a direction to look for improvements without a million dollars in marketing research.
I can understand why they only lurk though, if they were to register and post it could be construed as them trying to manipulate public opinions through dishonest or not entirely genuine means.
Now, if they posted under the name of "S&W Rep" or something similar...that's a whole other story. A truly nice touch of some smaller companies is that they have a representative that posts on the forum, and participates in discussion (here's lookin' at you i-Shot!). It shows that they REALLY care about their customers, and its that human contact that makes a corporation seem less of an evil conglomerate, and more of an enthusiast about whatever it is they do and contribute to. The liability of this is that most conversation is not cut and dry and a lot on forums is opinions, so if a Rep makes a comment in a thread it may be his individual opinion and not the companies position, and that could be more liability then S&W is willing to take, and understandably so.
ANYWAYS, it is fantastic to hear that, and I want S&W to know I lloooooveeee my M&P! You hit the nail on the head with this product!
I can understand why they only lurk though, if they were to register and post it could be construed as them trying to manipulate public opinions through dishonest or not entirely genuine means.
Now, if they posted under the name of "S&W Rep" or something similar...that's a whole other story. A truly nice touch of some smaller companies is that they have a representative that posts on the forum, and participates in discussion (here's lookin' at you i-Shot!). It shows that they REALLY care about their customers, and its that human contact that makes a corporation seem less of an evil conglomerate, and more of an enthusiast about whatever it is they do and contribute to. The liability of this is that most conversation is not cut and dry and a lot on forums is opinions, so if a Rep makes a comment in a thread it may be his individual opinion and not the companies position, and that could be more liability then S&W is willing to take, and understandably so.
ANYWAYS, it is fantastic to hear that, and I want S&W to know I lloooooveeee my M&P! You hit the nail on the head with this product!