Problems with Dafhobby and a Dutch website

[volvomania]

It wasn't really my idea to inform you of my problems but at the insistance of Mac and the fact that they've done it again let me spill my guts:
I'll try to stay as diplomatic as possible.

As of the middle of March Dafhobby has started to get my EMV overhaulkit thrown off the biggest internet marketplace of the Netherlands; Marktplaats.
He tells Marktplaats that my kit contains forbidden and illegal items and Markplaats is then more than happy to oblige to him.
The first few times I have objected, asking them for a reason and how has complained. They have sofar never given me any reason and have reinstated the ad after a few days (causing the merry go round to start again after a few days).
Tonight was the most recent time they did it, again citing "illegal and forbidden" contents as the reason.
Again I have requested an explanation from them, citing their earlier decisions in my favour.

I think that is sad that a self declared specialist like Danny (aka Dafhobby), who has in the past worked so hard on the road to available spares for our vehicles, should lower himself to such a low level, placing profit and cheap quality parts (cables that are too thick, membrames that are too thick, brakedrums with the holes drilled in the wrong places, bolts with the wrong tensile strength, belt that don't last,... just to name a few) in front of a long term partnership.

I would nearly think that Danny or his father have nothing better to do than to follow my activities on the Marktplaats website; for as soon as I alter or renew one of my EMV ads he rapidly alters one of his (nearly identical) EMV ads, or that when I launch a new part (recently witnessed with the hinge pins, Allen bolts, ...) he will copy it asap (he recently anounced the start of his own "doorhandle seal" project).

Am I then such a threat to his business that he fears me (and my parts) and that he allocates time to hinder me and funds to copy me instead of continueing to develop his business?

Has he forgotten that he himself started from selling from his carboot?

Is he not realising that the shear number of parts that we need to reproduce just to keep our cars on the road is far too great for one man to do in his lifetime

Is he not realising that every car that comes off the road nowadays actually decreases the size of the market we all cater for so that in the end there will be no market to cater for at all giving him a Pyrus victory?

Do you all realise that by allowing him to do this you are stopping the future of your cars? With one parts source in the end there will be no choice in prce, quality, availability,...

Does anyone have any serious suggestions for me?
Normally I would laugh his silly attempts off but he is slowly getting under my nails.

[Jaspersilus]

Hi Mate,
first port of call would be a solicitors letter regarding defamation of character, threat of legal action for loss of profits and trouble caused! Then pass on the details of the items he is selling ( that you claim are sub-standard ) to the Netherlands equivalent of the TUV or British Standards as these are items that must be correctly engineered and meet a minimum safety requirement, also have a letter drawn up to send to the internet sales site requesting that they stop removing your items without evidence just on here say!

All, some, or none of this may be possible!

Regards Jason

[Chris_C]

RJ, I suggested to Mac the other day you should make this public. I think the entire situation is a disgrace.

Our views over our cars when we have met differ significantly, but I have huge respect for your cars as and when I have seen them and a greater respect for the quality of your parts and engineering that has gone into them. The usage of my own cars means I cannot afford to fit substandard parts that many third party manufactures supply compared to the OEM, every part I have seen of yours has been stunning.

I struggle with what mindset anyone who tries to compete in a market as small of ours has. The amount of 300 series nutters is finite and anyone who puts effort into developing for that market knows from the outset that he has to sell to a large proportion of it recoup his costs. Halving that market by copying parts... halves the chances to recoup.

Lets not mention the deformation of not your own character by this action, but Danny's. I struggle to see how he is going to look good by approaching things in this way.

It's a sad time, the community depends on the good will of those with the ability to spearhead projects like those that the "suppliers" to the 300 market have been doing. A loss of one of those people to the community bears not to think.

[trabitom99]

Oh dear. This is very disappointing. What a shame ...

[volvomania]

...pass on the details of the items he is selling ( that you claim are sub-standard ) to the Netherlands equivalent of the TUV or British Standards as these are items that must be correctly engineered and meet a minimum safety requirement...

There is no need to do this as the parts will simply not fit on the car or the overhauled parts will not work.
The case of the membranes was pointed out to me by a very reputable Volvo dealer who asked me for help, stating not to supply those membranes but only NOS as it were those that caused the problems. I have heard similar stories since or read about them on the internet.

...also have a letter drawn up to send to the internet sales site requesting that they stop removing your items without evidence just on here say!

This I have done and continue to do, I even point his "EMV" ads out to them stating that it is an identical product.

[mac]

Oh dear, Oh dear,

You know my views on this RJ - and I compliment you on your restraint - but we must not stoop to being crass!
I reproduce below the e-mail I have sent Danny this morning.


Hi Danny,

I have to say that, as a customer of you both, I am dismayed and disappointed that your relationship with RJV has become a public squabble on Markplaats.
The parts supply for the subject of our enthusiasm is fragile enough without internecine "dirty Tricks" causing grief.

I have known RJV for a number of years and have had the pleasure of contributing in small part to his development of new product lines which he does with an
enthusiasts commitment, and at no small cost to himself ! Attempting to prevent him recouping those costs can only result in a disincentive to develop more -
to the detriment of 300 owners as a whole ! Every car that is scrapped for want of parts is one less customer for all suppliers.

There is a untapped market in the UK of owners ( many elderly ) who would never think of buying abroad but are in contact with various 300 groups here. At one
stage I gave thought to making some of your products more available by the simple expedient of buying in bulk to hold stocks in the UK - ( as I already do with
RJVs products ) needless to say I have not been encouraged !

I urge you not to alienate 300 series enthusiasts in the UK ( where RJV is held in high regard ) and destroy the possibilities of future co-operation to the benefit of
us all.

With my regards,

Mac MacFarlane.

I believe "our" feelings should be made clear - but please be diplomatic - we neither need nor want conflict.

Mac.

[mac]

RJ,

Have you posted similar on V3C ?

If you wish to use any of my comments please do so.

Mac.

[volvomania]

Knowing Danny, he'll probably won't take it into consideration, as he is too stuck in his ways that were started when he fought the Dutch daf club.
But thank you anyway for writing this, I really appreciate it.
Lets pave our own way then, quality will prevail in the end (of that I am sure).

Mac, I posted an identical post, but in Dutch, on V3C yesterday evening.
People are aware of the problem, but reactions are very neutral.

[Ride_on]

I have to say I have no idea who you are talking about or whats going on, seems like a long standing feud. The neutral reaction is not surprising given the way it is written. As a new observer I think you need better PR.

This persons habit of picking on you and trying to damage your business is none of the public business really, at the most it can add to the story that he is pedalling sh1t, at worse it may damage your credibility and people may think you are chucking mud at him because he is a competitor.

Certainly you can expect unconditional support from close friend and colleagues, but unknowns have no knowledge of your credibility.

I'm no expert on PR either but I would consider not trying to play his game, do not get upset by his actions, merely try to counteract them with adverts like.. 'Selling page blocked again due to a unscrupulous competitor, contact me on..'. or have some additional pages or selling place. Setting up your own website is very easy/cheap. Is he really affecting your business or are you just letting him annoy you, these posts are more likely to fuel his cause.

[SteveP]

I'm really disappointed in hearing of this via Mac and Chris over the past couple of weeks, but I'm sure we can come up with some plans to help all. I hope the current situation isn't deterring you from doing what you do as I think the new product lines you've been setting up is fantastic. It's definitely going in the right way as getting quality parts for these cars is becoming ever more difficult.

[volvomania]

I'm really disappointed in hearing of this via Mac and Chris over the past couple of weeks, but I'm sure we can come up with some plans to help all. I hope the current situation isn't deterring you from doing what you do as I think the new product lines you've been setting up is fantastic. It's definitely going in the right way as getting quality parts for these cars is becoming ever more difficult.

It is only slowing the expansion down, no returns mean no warchest for the new projects, however cheap they may be.
So many parts still to go ....
Mac has volunteered to be the guinee pig for the next few parts, he doesn't know it yet , but there is something leaving for him on Tuesday .

I heard from Mac that you could possibly help us in a different way, I am anxious to find out your ideas.

[SteveP]

I heard from Mac that you could possibly help us in a different way, I am anxious to find out your ideas.

We have had a brief chat and thrown some ideas around - so there's certainly a possibility, will hopefully catch up at the BKV to discuss further

[mac]

Now I'm being threatened (at least it seems that way).

2nd. May - certain trader asks to buy 3 diff kits from me - I reply:-

"I actually have an arrangement with Robbert Jan to supply my diff kits in Europe
(and I supply some of his products here in the UK). but would hope that any
"commercial disagreements" would not prevent him fulfilling any order from you.
(certainly I have no objection).
One slight problem is that I have always produced these kits on a "non profit" basis
(as an enthusiast - for enthusiasts - so margins are very small for any trade discounts.
I believe his current price is 15.00 EUR per kit.
Do let me know if you have any problems.

All the best,
Mac."

Today I receive this:-

"Dear Mac,

OK thanks for your reply.
At the moment we don’t like doing business with RJ so for the moment we take this item from our website.
But when I get too many people asking for this is will have no other option then to ask my gasket supplier to produce these.
But to be honest I don’t like to this because I don’t like to make it to difficult for you because you seen to be a quite nice guy.


My reply:-

"Hi xxxxx,
I fully understand your position (and it makes me a little sad - I do what I do out of enthusiasm - your threat (for it is of course a "commercial" threat) rather damages the already
fragile parts supply of our hobby.

I have no intention of "falling out" with you but neither do I have any intention of playing your games. If you feel you must produce your version of my gasket kit then that is a path
you will take regardless of whether it discourages me to continue or not (I shall certainly not discommode myself over it). I shall be quite happy to let the "market" decide what to buy.
My production costs I am happy to bear from my own pocket - and I make no profit to loose.

All the best - Mac.

?? Anybody think this is a good way to increase his sales on V3M ??

Comments appreciated.

Mac.




"

[Chris_C]

FWIW, I'm not going to add my opinion. I feel it unfair, as I've only heard one side of the story and that side is from someone I consider a good friend.

What I am interested in hearing is how DAFhobby is regarded in Europe, is anyone from V3C prepared to speak of how they find DAFhobby in general?

[volvomania]

I think you should ask Trabitom, Volvodspec, and the others.

My opinion i am keeping to my self for now but one can guess what it is like.
He's done it to me as well.
Prior to me starting BBB he told me that the 300 series wasn't worth investing in and he would, as a figure of speech, through the 300 bits at me just so that he could make space for his "beloved" Daf bits.

Here I will stop, after having copied this dscussion to the Dutch site.