Aura online poll

**K-Dog** · 08-04-2009, 07:44 AM

There's been a lot of controversy surrounding Aura-lens on multiple forums, controversy that's been ongoing for some time now. I've tried to stay away as i have no issue with them. But i'm starting to think that they have some serious problems that need to be addressed.

Personnally i believe that Aura reps are making a mistake by continuing to post and scwabble on the varrious blogs and forums they frequent daily. I think it would be smart of them to step back from it all, and stop posting their opinions and private buissness matters online.

All buisness's have problems with customers and products, even the biggest and the best of them. What they do differently is, they don't post in public forums or blogs. Imagine if companies like ford, coke, and even the slap chop guy took part in online forums like this one. They'd have some serrious complaints and drama against them as well.

Anyways, what i'm trying to say is this. Aura lens should refrain from posting anything online, essentially they should just shut up! and stick to phone, fax and email orders. And advertise sale's the same way, sticking to mail outs, fax's, email adds, and print adds.

Talk to your customers on the phone and exchange emails. Keep your problems quiet, and if some one post's something negative just don't reply.

I know this will make aura mad, but serriously the drama surrounding aura is getting old, they need to do something about it all, and i believe the first thing they should do is stay away from the internet.

**Goldsmithy** · 08-04-2009, 08:03 AM

I say let them keep posting. The more they post, the more potential customers will learn about their horrible business practices and lack of customer support. I am sure they can post enough to eventually drive themselves into oblivion, which would be good for the glass community.

...Smithy

**AVC-Ed** · 08-04-2009, 08:08 AM

The problem with not replying to problems on-line is that it is seen by "some" as continuing to ignore previous problems and nothing more than a continuation of what is perceived as the same-old same-old.

A poll like this does not make "Aura" mad, nor Mike, nor myself.

People use these forums to legitimately ask questions of our products, and who else is going to answer them if we stop posting? Probably someone who doesn't have a clue what the the answer is.

Mike and myself also discuss legitimate safety issues not only on eyewear but on ventilation, propane and electrical safety and a myriad of other issues relating to the glass studio.

As far as I'm aware this is the only forum where there is currently a controversy regarding Aura. All others have long since disappeared because the issues have been dealt with. The kiln problem is almost finished as well. I suspect that you won't see much in the way of complaints or controversy moving forward. We are shipping orders in 1-2 days, there have been no reported problems of anything (apart from the issue with the kiln) in over 60 days.

I agree that everyone would like to see things calm down regarding the company, and I think they will. But please understand that while certain folks may want to see Mike and myself disappear from the forums, it isn't going to happen. Staying away from the internet isn't going to solve anything, it would probably make matters worse.

**Mecha** · 08-04-2009, 08:14 AM

For their own good? Yes.

For the good of the community? No.

The incessant bickering and petty arguing that Med engages in is an excellent indicator of the type of business you are dealing with. The blogs and forums provide a window for all to see just how bad Aura can be.

If Med was smart, he would have backed away from the forums years and years ago. His overwhelming desire to win online arguments with total strangers over matters which are completely inconsequential to him has done nothing but harm his business.

Social ineptitude makes for some very entertaining behaviors.

**Dale M.** · 08-04-2009, 09:29 AM

Originally Posted by AVC-Ed

I agree that everyone would like to see things calm down regarding the company, and I think they will. But please understand that while certain folks may want to see Mike and myself disappear from the forums, it isn't going to happen. Staying away from the internet isn't going to solve anything, it would probably make matters worse.

You still have not learned the internet is not your friend...

Dale

**SNYD** · 08-04-2009, 09:37 AM

I think all the bad publicty is just keeping them fresh in everyones mind, and depending on the person, it is good or bad. I think we need to all just chill for a bit and let them figure it out on there own. They will either learn and grow, or not learn and die as a company. Do you want someone telling you what you can and can't do in your business? Let your money talk instead of your fingers.
Peace
Nate

**Icarus** · 08-04-2009, 09:39 AM

Personally, i think no, they should not stop posting. I actually like Mike (though I've never met him personally, and which I guess means I like Ed too), and while he can be overbearing, he is a wealth of great safety information, and I personally feel that his insight has helped me set up a safer shop.

However, as of late, their business practices have sucked. But I'm going to have to agree with MEd that not posting would equate to the same as ignoring.

"Imagine if companies like ford, coke, and even the slap chop guy took part in online forums like this one. "

Does anyone really feel like they are part of the Ford, Coke or Slap-chop communities? Like it or not, we are a small community and we do support our own (or at least try to) or choose not to support those whose business practices we disagree with.

I do like the fact that I can ask a question of a companies product and receive a response from unaffiliated users and a rep from that company. Can you imagine if Abe from Northstar didn't post on here? Gone would be a wealth of glass knowledge that few could rival, and by his posting on here, he's able to share that knowledge with not just one, but many, and have it cataloged so others can find it at a later time without having to bother him with the same question over and over.

So do I think Aura should stop posting? No, absolutely not. They are still a member of our community.

Do I think they should drop the attitude, sloppy business practices, and poor customer service when there are issues with their products? You betcha!

**MUPH** · 08-04-2009, 10:53 AM

I think members should stop beginning threads like this. This is getting ridiculous.

**Icarus** · 08-04-2009, 11:01 AM

Originally Posted by MUPH

I think members should stop beginning threads like this. This is getting ridiculous.

Gotta spread the loe around first, but if I could, you'd be repped Muph.

**menty666** · 08-04-2009, 12:30 PM

I voted no. I think they should pull their feet out of their mouths and go take a customer service course, but I don't think they should stop posting altogether.

Most of the time when an Aura thread explodes it's because another member has brought an issue out into the light, but they wind up doing that as a last resort.

So there's finger pointing on both sides of the aisle, but as the company looking to coax us into spending money with them, sometimes you have to take the high road and just step back.

Not that Aura should be a doormat and just take people's crap as it's flung at them, but they should use that little red and yellow card up above the offending post instead of stoking the flames.

Having said all that, clean up your customer service, address the quality questions that have come up and continue posting when it's useful. It's like a parent, there comes a time where you can't be a parent AND a friend. Here you can't necessarily be a lampworker AND a vendor. Your posts will always be suspected of an ulterior motive. That doesn't mean don't make things and show them, it just means that like it or not, you've got the stink of the dollar on you.

**Goldsmithy** · 08-05-2009, 12:19 PM

Aura/Med have been beat to death here and all the other glass forums I frequent. Aura has made the statement that all problems have been resolved. I suggest we let this matter rest.

If Aura has truly turned over a new leaf and keep all their customers happy and well serviced, We should just wait a while before continuing this beatdown. If it is true, we can expect favorable posts about their quality and customer service in the next couple of months. OR we will hear that their quality/shipping/customer service has not changed.

I suggest we just wait and see and give them a chance to crawl out of the past and carry on in the future. The glass community needs all the knowledgeable vendors they can get.

Let's give them a chance to prove that they have improved.....

...Smithy

**Eric S** · 08-05-2009, 12:28 PM

i think they should stop trying to sell things here.... if they didnt take money from anyone in advance, and didnt sell to customers....

they could send orders to distribs. COD, and then the dists could let people know of availability of IN STOCK items, not promised, ordered, dreamed of....

**ALIEN!** · 08-05-2009, 12:34 PM

my only problem remains price.

Lower prices Lower prices Lower prices Lower prices Lower prices Lower prices Lower prices Lower prices Lower prices Lower prices Lower prices Lower prices Lower prices Lower prices Lower prices Lower prices Lower prices Lower prices Lower prices Lower prices Lower prices Lower prices Lower prices Lower prices Lower prices Lower prices Lower prices Lower prices Lower prices Lower prices Lower prices Lower prices Lower prices Lower prices Lower prices Lower prices Lower prices Lower prices Lower prices Lower prices Lower prices Lower prices

**Mike_Aurelius** · 08-05-2009, 12:54 PM

Originally Posted by BigSkyGlass

i think they should stop trying to sell things here.... if they didnt take money from anyone in advance, and didnt sell to customers....

BSG - We haven't been charging ANYONE in advance for close to 3 months now. When this was brought to our attention back in May, I immediately shut down the program that was doing this. It has since been removed from the order entry computer.

Are you a distributor by any chance? From the sound of things, you'd prefer that we sell only to distributors. That's not going to happen. Distributors will only stock the fast moving products, which leaves customers waiting for product. Yes, several months ago we were in a huge back order situation, but that has been resolved and we are currently shipping standard items in 1-2 days and specials in 3-5 days.

**Mike_Aurelius** · 08-05-2009, 01:04 PM

Originally Posted by snake

my only problem remains price.

Lower prices Lower prices Lower prices Lower prices Lower prices Lower prices Lower prices Lower prices Lower prices Lower prices Lower prices Lower prices Lower prices Lower prices Lower prices Lower prices Lower prices Lower prices Lower prices Lower prices Lower prices Lower prices Lower prices Lower prices Lower prices Lower prices Lower prices Lower prices Lower prices Lower prices Lower prices Lower prices Lower prices Lower prices Lower prices Lower prices Lower prices Lower prices Lower prices Lower prices Lower prices Lower prices

For example?

Have you actually compared prices for equivalent items between Aura and Phillips? If not, you might be surprised. We are lower in price than Phillips on most of our line.

I'm not going to get into a discussion about what we should sell our product for. We aren't selling 10 year old chevys here. We offer a fair and competitive price on all of our products. If you believe they are too expensive, then you must also believe that Phillips is too expensive as well. And that's fine. We can't please everyone all the time.

But stop and think about things for a moment. How much do you pay for oxygen and propane each month? How much do you pay for clear and color each month? What is your electrical bill for your shop?

When my studio was up and running a couple of years ago, I spent about $200 a month for oxygen and $250 a month for propane. I was buying around a thousand dollars or so of glass each month. My electricity was running about $200 a month. That's a total of $1650 worth of direct expenses, not including rent.

A good pair of boro glasses from either Aura or Phillips will run you about $250 and last you close to 3-6 years. Is that really too much money to spend?

Sure, you can make up your own pair of ghetto glasses for $50, and if that is what floats your boat, then by all means go for it. But please don't try to compare costs of ghetto glasses to the product that Aura and Phillips sell.

**medicatedMELTDOWN** · 08-05-2009, 01:43 PM

Originally Posted by MikeAurelius

A good pair of boro glasses from either Aura or Phillips will run you about $250 and last you close to 3-6 years. Is that really too much money to spend?

How do you figure that a good pair of boro glasses will last 3-6 years? Am I missing something here? Your post makes it sound like every 3-6 years the glasses need to be replaced. Please explain this.

**menty666** · 08-05-2009, 07:41 PM

Originally Posted by medicatedMELTDOWN

How do you figure that a good pair of boro glasses will last 3-6 years? Am I missing something here? Your post makes it sound like every 3-6 years the glasses need to be replaced. Please explain this.

I can't speak for Mike, but if I were to hazard a guess, I'd say that given regular use in a work environment, most folks are likely to beat up/scratch/melt their glasses in that time. Some are more careful than others.

**nodice** · 08-05-2009, 09:06 PM

Maybe he's saying that they chose frames that they know won't last long with the way we use them so people have to buy them more often? Acv ed said that they post here cause people want answers from them when they post here. If people wanted answers from aura, they'd call em. They come here for answers from people who use the products, not people who make them.

**ACE** · 08-05-2009, 09:27 PM

i'll say this- my experence with aura hasn't been perfect, and my glasses haven't been perfect all the time either.

but i paid 450$ (non script) and i was then, and am now, sure as hell glad i made the investment. i totally think it was worth it. and frankly, i spent more on my ipod than those glasses so i'm not really sure what the big deal is.

**menty666** · 08-06-2009, 05:29 AM

Originally Posted by nodice

If people wanted answers from aura, they'd call em. They come here for answers from people who use the products, not people who make them.

Not necessarily. I'm one of those people who hates the phone, though I might email them.

But often, say I have a question for Abe, I might post on here knowing he visits and that the question might be shared by others. So say I ask about Ruby Slippers. He can answer the question, someone else may have the question, undoubtedly someone else will chime in with their experience, and for his trouble, Abe and NS might get a sale from someone that didn't know about the color.

Same goes for Aura. If I and 20 others have the question, rather than getting 20 separate calls/emails, it's answered once here (or maybe 4 times across several forums).

There's a definite value for both the customer and the vendor in being able to field product questions in the open. Both parties just have to stay civil and on topic.