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again thanks for your replys on Youtube like i said i didnt expect it. Is this your first video like this? it would be really neat to see a before and after video but again its probably not just a time restraint to get the video out but also its a lot of work to pull the intake, head and other stuff off of a car just to see if one little bottle of additive works or what not.
I think you should do more promotional videos. Except don’t use
the product just mention it. This way your not directly endorsing
the product. Just talking about the product kinda like a tool review. 🙂I guess the question is, were you contractually obliged to do a positive revue? Was it even a revue? or did you just read a prepared statement? I assume that you have used the product in the past and it has worked for you!
I watched that gumout video last week, and did not know about the controversy. Several times in the video (which was edited in a different, more commercial style, and tipped me off that something about it was different) you intone that you recommend the product and people should use and buy it. Is it true?, or are you saying with this response that sometimes things get a little “fuzzy” when money gets involved.
Now again, before I heard about the controversy, I went out and purchased a bottle for 14.99 + tax. The most I have ever spent on a fuel treatment (high end). Expressly because you have recommended the product and I trust you a lot. I am just now hoping that I haven’t wasted that money on some snake oil. I really respect you and know you have more integrity than that! so I don’t believe it unless you say it yourself that you were exaggerating or whatever and that people should take paid revues with a grain of salt.
And as for “doing what the company wanted to the letter”, you are an artist now. You should be able to dictate better terms than that!
I’d rather you asked for donations, or charged like 20 bucks for membership if you are hurting for cash personally! But I understand taking donations takes a lot of guts and isn’t for everyone. You help so many people so much, I would not mind paying more in a heartbeat. Especially if you are trying to make the site better for all with the funds.
EDIT: another good money making idea: Gift certificates, or gift memberships. I have had friends and family that I want to subscribe, but they never do. So i could coax them by paying for it.
You ever seen those YouTube channels where a guy produces a handful of videos, then is never heard from again? Well that’s what the typical free, non-sponsored, non-promotional channel looks like. If the occasional product plug is what it takes for Eric to keep the lights on and shoes on his kids’ feet… then so be it.
It would be awesome if the countless multitudes of people Eric has helped sent in a “thank you” donation, but that’s simply not going to happen. The average person is going to do a search for a repair, stumble on one of Eric’s videos, follow his advice, and never think about ETCG again.
So for now, I have no issue with Eric helping folks while putting a little green into his pocket. But if the day comes where Eric pauses every 30 seconds, mugs at the camera, and goes “Boy, these Wrench-O-Matic sockets make short work of any job! Available at AutoShack for only $49 with your ETCG coupon code! And speaking of codes… if you have a check engine light, you’re best bet is to use the CodeGrabber 5000 also available at…” At that point, I would have to rethink my position.
Just taking sides here… To show support I bought a bottle of Gumout yesterday. Hope that the company profits surge up, and somebody wearing a tie tells ’em it is because of your video. Haven’t decided whether to put it into my wife’s car or my truck. Thank you for the videos and the site.
All of you are awesome and I appreciate those of you that expressed your concerns and voiced them in a non vindictive intelligent manner. This is my response.
I would have loved to do a pro/con/before/after comparison. Thing is, there just wasn’t enough time in this instance. In the end, I only had a day to shoot and edit the video. No ones fault, it’s just the way it worked out. All that said, I don’t feel it turned out that bad. Yes, it was different than my normal videos, but my normal videos aren’t sponsored, so the only person I have to answer to is me. Well, me and my audience. In this case I had a client that had an idea in mind of what they expected from the video. I did what I could to conform to that. I approach a big company in the same way I would someone who would come into my shop to get repairs done. I do the best work I can to make sure that the money that they put down is well spent.
As for how the Vigor runs now. It’s defiantly better. It’s not something I can measure per se, but it does seem to idle better and there is smoother power delivery. That means that I can honestly say that I endorse the product. It does work.
If I do a follow up video, it will go down very differently. I’m open to the prospect if Gumout wants to revisit this. If not, I’m just going to leave things as they are and move forward. I feel like I pissed off my girlfriend with this video. My girlfriend in this instance, is my audience. If I play my cards right, this will eventually blow over and we can get back together and go get some ice cream.
That said, I really appreciate all of you that support me. It’s humbling to know that there are so many of you out there that stand by me no matter what. To that I can only say, thank you. Although that doesn’t seem like nearly enough. I appreciate each and every one of you and I plan to spend the rest of my working days trying to come up with new and better ways to make your lives easier when it comes to auto repair. That’s it, plain and simple.
Thanks again. You really are, the wind beneath my wings. :banana:
Keep up the good work Eric, I don’t view you as a “sell out”. Because of your videos I have gained the confidence to attempt auto repairs I thought were way out of my reach (successfully). Can’t wait to see what’s next with Oliver.
I have been sitting back and reading/watching all the responses which have been thrown Eric’s way and these are my thoughts for those that care to read it –
I can’t believe that there are people out there who would say that Eric has “sold out” by doing a paid promotional video on a product. Really people!! Have a look at the person who you are saying “sold out” and you will soon realise that he has helped countless people from free, what else is free in this world?? I can totally understand why you did this video and I hope that you get more of them as this will only enhance Ericthecarguy.
Again I would just like to say thank you Eric and his support staff for all the video’s and advice, as it has and will continue to be, a great source of information.
🙂
I don’t see anything wrong with promoting a product, it can throw out some new ideas for products we can try out. I expect to make a living at my job, so I expect for you to make a living, also. You already invest most of your time developing videos to help us. As long as you know it’s not a fluke of a product, no harm done.
You’ve invested a ton of time and effort into making a spectacular site full of great info – if doing an occasional promotion helps you do more of that, I say go for it! You can never make everyone happy all of the time!
That being said, I kept watching hoping there would be some discussion of how well it worked (like the other tool, etc. reviews you have done before) – however, given the constraints you were under (as you mentioned in the vid in this thread) I completely understand why it’s not there.
Hey Eric. I know this may not mean a whole lot coming from me, but hey I love your videos and I watch them every Friday night. Please keep doing what you’re doing. I know you already know this but… the internet is a cruel place and it’s tough to please everyone especially when you start to change your videos a bit. The true ETCG fans know your money needs to come from somewhere.
Stay.. uh dirty? Am I allowed to say that? 😆
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