I got banned from Guzzi Tech Today

[azccj]

I have been banned from GuzziTech for the crime of asking its owner if he could write some instructions for the Diag Tool that he sold at his store, before he decides to close down the forum.

Yes you read that correctly! The owner, Todd, decided to post a rant about how he is being badmouthed on the Adventure Rider Forum, and no one would come to his defense and indicated he may not keep his site alive next year. I simply asked if he could write some instructions on how to use the Diag Tool he hyped and sold at his store, which he later stopped selling. Let it be noted that when he decided to stop selling the tool he posted on the V100 Diag Tool thread, “I will not leave anyone that has purchased from GTM without support, but you can also reach out direct to them and ask and complain.” Them being the tool manufacturer.

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Below is a copy of the short but entire thread that got me banned.

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Ah, thanks Google Alerts...

GTM®
Administrator
Staff member
GT di Razza Pura

From ADVRider; advrider.com/f/threads/moto-guzzi-v85-tt.1265870/page-1141#post-49475669 -- It's a shame that many that frequent here (and clearly there) wouldn't step up to defend me at all there. I won't call out names, but you know who you are. Disappointing isn't strong enough of a word. Many here support other ad-laden money generating websites, yet not here.
'Ol davethewelder there bought products from me, and when the supplier RapidBike U.S. didn't install the correct firmware on his device and it didn't run correctly, they promptly threw me under the bus over it. So he resorted to name calling here, and then chose to go on a bash me campaign all over the net. When he whined there, a few others had to chime in, even those who have never done any business with me. Yes I banned him here because of it.
So yes, this is my site I've busted my a$$ on for two plus decades, and worked tirelessly to develop and manufacture products that I am proud of... and yes I've grown tired of the entitled on-demand-spoon-feed-me pricks all over the net. I spend hours answering emails every day that don't generate a penny here, and via the GTM site where buyers clearly purchase elsewhere to save a $ after using me for advice.
When I was much younger, I often wondered why so many "older" guys were so bitter after being in business for so long. I now get it. Next year will likely take me in an all-new direction far and away from this. I will see if I care at all to keep this site alive then. To all the haters, good job, you won. I'll go enjoy the rest of my life now. It's been a fun run up until the last few years. Thanks to all of those who have supported my efforts. This brand used to be a small great group of fellow Guzzisti. No longer. Great job Piaggio.

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kenrover
Tuned and Synch'ed
GT Contributor
Yesterday at 8:54 PM
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#2
Todd, I've just read the link. I'm speechless. Some people have no grace, manners and clearly, brains.
You provide an unequalled resource and products. Please try not to let such wuckfits to piss on your back and tell you it's raining.
Kia kaha!

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azccj
Cruisin' Guzzisti
Yesterday at 11:53 PM
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#3
Hey before you shut down this forum, do you think you could write up some instructions on how to use that Diag Tool that you sold on your store page. I did pay $500+ for it and would like to use it for more than just getting rid of the wrench on the dash.

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GTM®
Administrator
Staff member
GT di Razza Pura
55 minutes ago
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#4
azccj said:
Hey before you shut down this forum, do you think you could write up some instructions on how to use that Diag Tool that you sold on your store page. I did pay $500+ for it and would like to use it for more than just getting rid of the wrench on the dash.


Right, no care or thanks for anything. You chose this thread to take a swing at me and push their point? Clearly you didn't look at the link.
To respond to your rude post; Make this demand to the people who make it, like I have since I first started selling it, and since stopped, or take shots at the messenger like you're trying to do here(?). I'm not the manufacturer or software engineer, I'm a reseller. I paid nearly full price for it myself. Or, like a few others seem to do, resent me for surfacing the product here and making a few measly bucks.

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azccj
Cruisin' Guzzisti
9 minutes ago
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#5
These are your own words from the V100 DiagTool thread, “I will not leave anyone that has purchased from GTM without support, but you can also reach out direct to them and ask and complain.” So are you going to keep your word, or not??

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At this point Todd banned me from the Guzzi Tech forum.

I’ve been a member of Guzzi Tech since 2008. In the beginning it was a helpful and useful site but has turned totally toxic within the last few years. I for one will no longer have anything to do with the place.

[Dirk_S]

… I for one will no longer have anything to do with the place.

That’s like telling the boss you quit after he already fired you for publically criticizing him, lol.

Not judging, just finding humor (I have my own reasons for generally staying away from there)

[Tom H]

You know, I would have given you a big thumbs up and a few cheers for getting banned from there. But, it's not a very hard thing to accomplish from what I hear.

The device that he sold is from Germany. There is a device from China that seems to be the same OBDStar, but their support almost seems better when I bought the China one. Not much in the way of instructions. I plan to use it tomorrow, we'll see how it goes to clear the service icon.

Tom

[Bulldog9]

Welcome to the club!

I'm a proud owner of this distinction.since 2018. No reason to go into any of the details. I really don't do drama.

Of course because I am who I am, I just registered on a different browser with a different email address and screen name :-)

[azccj]

You know, I would have given you a big thumbs up and a few cheers for getting banned from there. But, it's not a very hard thing to accomplish from what I hear.

The device that he sold is from Germany. There is a device from China that seems to be the same OBDStar, but their support almost seems better when I bought the China one. Not much in the way of instructions. I plan to use it tomorrow, we'll see how it goes to clear the service icon.

Tom

Looking forward to hearing what the China tool can do and if it’s easy to use.

[Dr. Enzo Toma]

I intentionally went out of my way to track down the original brand of the tool and buy it direct from Germany to avoid a purchase through GTM, specifically because I don't like the way they do business. Why bother having a forum if you're going to censor any honest reviews, legitimate technical questions, or recommendations of alternative products? I don't find that to be very helpful to the community, and as I'm sure they've noticed, it is not good for business and people take their money elsewhere. They'd do better to sponsor a forum and let someone else run it. I also don't like the rebranding and concealment practice. They went through all that effort to buy and resell an item from another country, admittedly at a very small profit margin, and yet they had to throw their own brand name logo on it and conceal the manufacturer in the product listing so potential buyers couldn't look up the manufacturer's support and documentation on their own ahead of purchasing a product? I find it astounding that one would purchase a product for resale, put their own branding on it, and then walk back supporting it. That's much different than if it was advertised as a Duonix Bike-Scan 2, imported and resold by GTM.
🪙🪙

[Dr. Enzo Toma]

My are they quick though! Maybe those efforts could be better directed elsewhere. I won't be losing any sleep over it.

[GuzziOrDeath]

My heart bleeds for The Toad....not.

Good riddance.


 

[Moparnut72]

I hadn't been on that site for years. I went back when I got my Mandello because there were quite a few posts regarding up grades and after market equipment etc. The info has pretty much dried up and I have gotten tired of him jumping down everyone's throat for trivial stuff. I have been meaning to delete my bookmark but it has been interesting to see all the new people joining and never seeing them again. After reading the latest here and ADV I am finished with him and his site. Interesting side note I was going to buy a set of brake pads from him because his price was decent. When I went to check out for the $28 set of pads the shipping was $30, for brake pads? WTF. I went to EBC directly instead.
kk

[Motormike]

I haven't been on that site in years.  For good reasons, it would appear.

[azccj]

The only thing I ever bought from him was the Diag Tool, which was about $530 with shipping. I could have bought the thing from the manufacturer but decided to buy it from GTM in case there was an issue. Within a week or two after getting the tool, he stop selling them. The tool is about useless. Sure it will get rid of the service wrench but not much else unless you’re willing to take the chance it wont screw up the bike’s computer settings which require a dealer to fix. As did happen to one of the forum members. Hopefully someone will eventually write some instructions on how to use the functions of the tool but I guess it won’t be Todd of Guzzi Tech.

[Joliet Jim]

Thankfully my PC3 for the Centauro is still working flawlessly. Though it ran pretty damn good on a updated chip. Never did care much for the forums. I like this campfire format better.

[BigDen]

I know nothing about this tool, but a google search found this thread on this site.  https://wildguzzi.com/forum/index.php?topic=96957.0.  Perhaps this will help you.

Dennis

[Perazzimx14]

Here's Todd's story  I've been banned for over a decade and could care less. Todd's overprice products, abysmal site and shitty attitude are things I can do w/o.

https://youtu.be/G5J5gmLMEdk

[Dirk_S]

I think the experiment of creating a *public forum* solely to push one’s products and ONLY those products proved itself a bit faulty long ago now. He spent his money to create a discussion space specifically to promote his products (or products badged through his brand), which I certainly don’t disrespect, but allowing the discussion space to include Guzzi at-large topics, and being that there aren’t many open spaces to discuss Guzzi content meant that for better or worse, his space, as with other forums, was destined to have its boundaries pushed. His forum happens to have the most restriction. If there were 10 or more other solid forums to talk Guzzi, I think it might’ve been easier for him to say “look guys, take it elsewhere.” But there aren’t, so the restrictive rule he has is constantly tested. On top of that, he takes things personally and reacts pretty swiftly.

The past few times I’ve gone on to seek knowledge, I was eventually met with one of his condescending responses to ‘look for the answer in the search field first before posting’ because I was asking very common questions…which, was untrue. And I already had, hence my posting. Upon clarification and proving such, he’d fail to acknowledge any mistake on his part and would simply delete and modify his comments to look good, but already doing a bit of damage to my knowledge search. He’s never been a jerk to me like Ed has, but neither are worth seeking wisdom and sharing passion for the brand if they’re going to act like arrogant donks. Has he given up a lot of time to help folks when it didn’t amount to any immediate revenue? Yeah, but so have Hamlin, Harper, Cadre, MG Cycle, AF1, (Luap!), etc. And because they respond respectfully, they EVENTUALLY get my business down the road in some form.

I respect his expertise, but I think some personalities are better at handling annoying crowds, and some aren’t.

[azccj]

I know nothing about this tool, but a google search found this thread on this site.  https://wildguzzi.com/forum/index.php?topic=96957.0.  Perhaps this will help you.

Dennis

Totally different tool than the one I got from GTM but that’s the kind of write up I’d like written for the Diag Tool I have. Then I might be able to use it.

[Turin]

Bought a Power Commander usb from them years ago for my DaytonaRS. Was asked about the modifications for my particular bike. (airbox, crossover mufflers etc.) so they could put in a map. I got my PC plugged it in and it didn't make a lick of difference. Took it to a buddy of mine and it turns out the PC was blank. Lesson learned. It's hanging on a wall in it's box if anybody needs one.

Meh.

[dguzzi]

  Is it possible to "ban" myself from there? I joined for information and found out you only get information if you pay.  He seems like a real grouchy guy that wants to be considered a Guzzi Lord.

[groundhog105]

What a bunch of whiners.  The rules for guzzitech are clearly posted so if you don’t follow them you get banned. Myself and many others have been using Todd’s products and services for many years with great success.  I have seen him bend over backwards to help people with problems with their bikes without charge and always giving advice.  There’s always two sides to the story.

[azccj]

What a bunch of whiners.  The rules for guzzitech are clearly posted so if you don’t follow them you get banned. Myself and many others have been using Todd’s products and services for many years with great success.  I have seen him bend over backwards to help people with problems with their bikes without charge and always giving advice.  There’s always two sides to the story.

Please read the entire original post in this thread. Now tell me what rule I broke? Why did I get banned? I asked a question regarding a product that I bought from him. A product which he himself stated he would provide support for, to anyone who bought it from him. Tell me what his side might be.

[ridingron]

What a bunch of whiners.  The rules for guzzitech are clearly posted so if you don’t follow them you get banned. Myself and many others have been using Todd’s products and services for many years with great success.  I have seen him bend over backwards to help people with problems with their bikes without charge and always giving advice.  There’s always two sides to the story.

Glad to hear you're happy.     No one else seems to be. I'm still remembering his attitude he gave me years ago over some used parts listed as "For Sale".

[twowheeladdict]

Never been there.  Rarely go to the adv guzzi threads because they are not user friendly. 

Oh well go on with my day.

[groundhog105]

Glad to hear you're happy.     No one else seems to be. I'm still remembering his attitude he gave me years ago over some used parts listed as "For Sale".

Yea I have heard about your issue.  You didn’t purchase those parts from Todd.  You bought them from Ed Milch who has sold used parts under guzzitech for many years and still does on eBay.  That’s why Todd could not refund your money and tried to explain to you that he didn’t sell you the parts but you wouldn’t listen.

[groundhog105]

Please read the entire original post in this thread. Now tell me what rule I broke? Why did I get banned? I asked a question regarding a product that I bought from him. A product which he himself stated he would provide support for, to anyone who bought it from him. Tell me what his side might be.

I don’t know what the issue is but maybe send him an email to find out. 

[Ncdan]

This issue has nothing to do with our WGC forum, as well as being a violation of the WGC rules, #1.
Please move the  controversial issues to a PM status or elsewhere.
Thanks

Dan