To begin with, this is a commercial post, but it is relevant to the group,
and while we do watch the topics and responses in the group, we rarely if
ever post. I really only plan to make this type of post once a year or so.
We hope that the fact that we do not carpet-bomb the group gives us enough
credibility for this post not to go down in flames. We're only going to put
the name of the site in three places - the reply-to address, one URL, and
the signature line.

I'm happy to report that we are doing fairly well, even with the economy,
and many of the members and lurkers to this group are regular customers.
We're thrilled at some of the responses we get from the hobbyist/small
machinist community for our service. No business, however, can thrive
unless they actively solicit feedback from their customers, or from their
detractors.

What I'd like to ask, if you're interested, is your honest responses to the
following questions. You can reply to me directly, or, if you like, to the
group as a whole, whether your response is positive or negative (we actually
are more interested in negative feedback, as it tells us where we need to
improve, although we like to hear good stuff as well). There is also a
survey form available at www.onlinemetals.com/survey.cfm. I do plan on
responding to all of the posts to this group and to our e-mail address.

With all of the above as a preamble, on to the questions:

1. With all of the things that we carry, are there any items that we don't
have that you wish we did?


2. If you've purchased from any of the other metals suppliers that have an
online presence, what has been your experience with them as opposed to us?
We're particularly interested in differences in customer service, website
and use of technology, breadth/depth of inventory, and prices. For the
record, the only real internet-enabled vendors we've found (where you can
place an order online) are www.metalexpress.net, www.metalsdepot.com,
www.midlandxpressmetals.com, www.yarde.com, and Speedy Metals (eBay only)


3. If you live in the Seattle area, and have visited us, even just to pick
up a will-call order, what have been your impressions? Were you treated
well or poorly? Were you able to find what you were looking for? How
important is it to you to have a browsing area where you can see all of the
materials available?


4. We're actually pretty proud of the site and how it has developed, but
we're really never satisfied with it. Much like our target audience, we're
always tinkering and tweaking. From either the perspective of content, or
of usability, or both, what would you like us to tweak?


5. When you are working on projects, how important is the cutting tolerance
to you? Are you usually looking for a very specific cut length, or will any
"hunk of metal" work for you?


6. Have you recommended, or would you recommend us as a source to your
friends or business associates?


7. Do you have any other comments or thoughts for us?


8. Dealer has a 6 showing, you've got a 6 and a 5. What is the correct play?


9. What is the airspeed velocity of a laden swallow?


10. What is the capital of Peru?


Thanks all for reading and/or responding!

Chris Sypolt
OnlineMetals.com

1. With all of the things that we carry, are there any items that we don't
have that you wish we did?


I haven't found your line lacking for my needs so far.

2. If you've purchased from any of the other metals suppliers that have an
online presence, what has been your experience with them as opposed to us?
We're particularly interested in differences in customer service, website
and use of technology, breadth/depth of inventory, and prices. For the
record, the only real internet-enabled vendors we've found (where you can
place an order online) are www.metalexpress.net, www.metalsdepot.com,
www.midlandxpressmetals.com, www.yarde.com, and Speedy Metals (eBay only)


Have used Yarde's site for some items, mainly due to their being closer to
me and that decreased shipping cost.

3. If you live in the Seattle area, and have visited us, even just to pick
up a will-call order, what have been your impressions? Were you treated
well or poorly? Were you able to find what you were looking for? How
important is it to you to have a browsing area where you can see all of
the
materials available?


Not applicable to me.

4. We're actually pretty proud of the site and how it has developed, but
we're really never satisfied with it. Much like our target audience,
we're
always tinkering and tweaking. From either the perspective of content, or
of usability, or both, what would you like us to tweak?


Would be nice to have a shipping cost estimate available prior to going
through the whole ordering process.

5. When you are working on projects, how important is the cutting
tolerance
to you? Are you usually looking for a very specific cut length, or will
any
"hunk of metal" work for you?


Sometimes totally unimportant, other times very important. WOuld like to be
able to specify closer than +1/8/-0

6. Have you recommended, or would you recommend us as a source to your
friends or business associates?


Yes, I have and will continue to do so.

7. Do you have any other comments or thoughts for us?


Not at this time.

8. Dealer has a 6 showing, you've got a 6 and a 5. What is the correct
play?


Punt.

9. What is the airspeed velocity of a laden swallow?

African or European?

10. What is the capital of Peru?

What do I win if I get this final question right?

Thanks all for reading and/or responding!

Chris Sypolt
OnlineMetals.com

--
John Sullivan
Jamlab Enterprises
http://jamlab.home.att.net