Its unfortunate how people perceive LNE's list. I would think it would be good advertisement to be on it, so why not let LNE to capitalize on it?
I don't advertise, and work by word of mouth only, and wouldn't pay to be on a list. But, that doesn't mean there shouldn't be one, people needing the service will have an idea on where to turn to.
We all have to earn a living, isn't that the American Capitalist way? :chicken:

When Charles got tired of people whining when shops FUBAR'd the install he pulled the list offline completely.. Then people complained.. Now that he charges to be on the list people also complain.

Whats the bottom line? People whine no matter what.

Charles is a lot more tolerant of people's bull**************** than I am.. Holding a gun to my head won't get a recommendation from me! I'd rather be shot as deal with whiners.

There is nothing against making a profit on boxster forums. People expect companies to make a profit conducting the business that they are in. In the case of LN it is selling Porsche parts.

What they object to is, people making money off of information EITHER by selling data about their customers to third parties or charging third parties to have access to their customers.

Charging a business to be on a recommended list is in essence charging a business to have access to LNs customer base. It is outside of the perceived core business and that can be objectionable.

In other words, it gives whiners something to whine about.

Sure, people that expect others to act in an ethical manner are whiners.

Honor is like virginity, you lose it once

Only if they ********************, moan or WHINE about it.

I also expect ethical engagements from purchasers; its a two way street here.

So is it ethical to create hysteria in order to sell your services?

There is absolutely nothing “unethical” in what LN is doing; parts and supplies vendors often require shops participate in marketing referral programs. It might require carrying a minimum amount of inventory, or an upfront payment to be included in these marketing programs. Happens everyday…………

It depends on whether the list is represented as competent or just participatory.

I have been reading this thread and it seems to be way off the original topic. I guess I will add to that by throwing in my 2cents.
I would like to think that any intelligent and logical person would be able to read the available information regarding IMS or other issues with our cars and make their own decisions regarding if something is hysteria or whining. I appreciate having aftermarket options to address IMS or other issues that my car may or may not have.
All good marketing material shares the goal of trying to sell product. I hope we are all able to read marketing material and cull relevant information without being swayed or pressured into making a purchase decision on any product. I have read everything I could find on IMS issues, including Jake's and LNE's websites, and I have not experienced hysteria. I have driven my car from 45k to 90k miles with little IMS concern. I change the oil frequently, I don't lug the engine, and it definitely sees redline. I did decide last Fall to buy the IMSG and I will finish installing it this Spring. I decided that (for me) it was worth the relatively small cost to give me some warning if my car does experience IMS issues in the future.
I have no problems with Jake's marketing or whether LNE charges to be on their installer list. To me, both are examples of normal business practices.

As I stated above, don't claim to be doing the lords work if you are just swapping parts.

We didn't start the "hysteria". Our developments were prompted by owners of the cars and nothing more.

You are close enough to our location to come answer our phones on a Monday morning.. I invite you to do that for a couple of weeks and you'll see that this is about as real as it gets... Its 1440 here now and we have had three failure calls already today. Thats about par for a Monday after a nice weekend in the spring driving season~

Thats just the facts; some people can handle the truth and others choose to whine about it.

So "Tick, Tick, Boom" was meant to calm the hysteria?

Who died and left you in charge of the questions?

I like my questions. Are you evading answering?

Not evading at all.. Just don't owe anything to you in the form of an answer and I don't care if you like that or not.

Hell I liked that ad and it pissed people off, maybe I'll run it again.

Yes it did piss people off... I think it was the equivalent to yelling fire in a crowded theater and I will not do business with Flat Six or LN because of it. I am glad top be able to tell you so directly for the record.

I have no further comments to add to this thread.

Good. Look for it in Excellence in about 3 months time.

Recent IMS bearing replacement
 

Just got my 2002 S out of the shop last week. I left the car on jack stands elevated in the rear for several weeks waiting on some brake springs. It may be coincidence but after installing the springs and driving a short distance the air oil separator failed with very loud sounds and what sounded like rotating metal on metal. It only lasted a short time and I was less than 1/2 mile from home. Service maintenance light came on. Replaced the AOS but it just did not seem to be running properly. Cam timing was about -2 and -5 but appeared to be steady. Took it to shop less than 2 mi home. The mechanic dropped the oil pan which was completely clean. I change oil faithfully, but one of the first oil changes had some very tiny metal flakes on the magnetic plug. (none since). The clutch needed replacement and having concern about the metallic grinding sound I had the mechanic go ahead and replace the RMS (minor leak that had been documented at the dealer over 2 yrs ago) and the IMS bearing. The bearing did not look too bad but it did have a very slight wobble. It am a firm believer in preventive maintenance. Clutch, RMS, and IMS bearing replaced (LN). Runs much smoother and quieter.