I-wonder is being helped by threads like this one. The conversations between customers with cracked wheels and prospective customer who decided not to buy-- these conversations have a purpose. They light a path for I-wonder to do something better than pretend that there is no problem. We see that they appear to be switching materials. It may be a step in the right direction. But everyone benfits if the conversation continues.
@pixelsilva had a really good point that was never discussed.
He is right. Someone in this thread could help I-wonder by organizing a team of testers to beta test the new wheels. Heavy riders that ride on rough roads. Maybe some cold climate riders. Those beta testers could report their results back to the thread and to I wonder when the results are good. If the results are good then that’s a big marketing win for I-wonder. And if the results are bad, then they can go back to the drawing board and try again instead of manufacturing thousands of units with a high failure rate. That would continue to be bad for the company’s reputation.
Threads like these often turn into really helpful user groups that help companies to develop better safer products.
@BillGordon is one person that I could think of who would be great at organizing a group of beta testers to help I-wonder. He is pretty neutral and he knows the membership of this forum.
Unfortunately, the conversations about things like beta testing don’t happen when people with good ideas get trolled out of the thread.
I-wonder has every opportunity to turn this thread into a positive thing. As you know some people have reached out to them and have been snubbed. Like this guy…(its you @BluPenguin)…
It’s true. One customer often fails to change the bad or self-destructive behavior of a company that is selling a problematic product.
But a collection of customers who are vocal and angry can be the spark that convinces a company with a troubled product to be honest about the problem and to work with a small group of customers to make sure that the next version is safe and reliable.
It would start with a company announcement like this:
It has come to our attention that there were some batches of cloud wheels that prematurely developed cracks in the wheel cores. Not all wheels are affected but all customers should carefully inspect their wheel cores for cracks. If you find cracks, please remove the wheels and contact us for replacements.
We are also working with a group of beta testers to stress test the next version of the product. Customers who find cracks will have a choice of getting immediate replacements or waiting for the revised product. Below are some pictures of wheels that did develop cracks. These pictures should help you to inspect your own wheels.
That’s all it takes for them to regain credibility. If they do that then we should all defend them. Until then, they have not really earned the privilege of being defended.