PTC announcement coming
Does anyone have more details about these new trains? I hope PTC truly puts some work into these, besides just cutting the old PTC's in half and adding some wheels. Those ugly orange lap bars gotta go...
Has anyone else noticed the extra shock things SFGAmerica has installed on VIPER so the lap bars DO NOT fall down during the ride? Makes an incredible ride like Viper even better!
I have a couple pictures of these shock things, but don't know how to put them up online, I'm website illiterate ;) for now anyway...
I'm not sure companies like GCII and TGG are exactly wasting their time and money on websites, but I tend to think they are more a way for the companies to take pride in their work and abilities rather than attract new customers. Let's not forget that both of those companies were founded either during the period when the internet started to become popular (GCII) or afterwards (TGG), so it makes sense that they have a strong internet presence while an older, previously-established company like PTC does not.
If you want, email the people at PTC, GCII or TGG and ask how much business has resulted from the websites. I'm willing to bet that it's very little- if any at all.
For someone who criticizes others for limiting scope of their perception, do you really think that a Web site is only for generating new business? There is a great deal of value in being able to get stats and technical data on products without having to pick up the phone and wait for someone to get back to you. Customers want to be empowered before they pick up the phone.
Jeff - Editor - CoasterBuzz.com - My Blog
Rob Ascough said:
Buying a roller coaster is not like buying a microwave or a home theater system because the customer is a lot different.
You wrote that as if any of us suggested that buying a coaster was like buying a microwave when everyone here gets that.
Rob Ascough said:
If you want, email the people at PTC, GCII or TGG and ask how much business has resulted from the websites. I'm willing to bet that it's very little- if any at all.
I am not saying the website is generating business directly, but merely backing up an already strong installed portfolio, trade show appearances etc. I know no one is typing in "wood coaster trains" and seeing what comes up.
Maybe I am not being clear and imagining that I make sense. I am not a very good communicator.
I think a web presence is more important for some companies than others. In PTC's case, I don't think there is an amusement park operator anywhere who isn't aware of what PTC does. And the train design has been around forever so I doubt anyone is looking up stats. Wouldn't the companies that design the coasters have to design the coaster around what the train is capable of? In that case, the park operator has little need for that info. They probably go with the recommendation of the coaster design company. And I'm sure those companies have all they need to know about PTC trains on file.
I agree that it looks bad to have a non-functional website but apparently PTC decided it had other more important priorities. I highly doubt that the status of their website is really affecting their bottom line.
Enthusiasts are always being told to crawl out of their little box and look at the larger picture. I extend the same statement to those overly dependent on the internet.
I don't think I am anymore dependant on the internet now, than I was on the phone book and a phone five years ago.
Jeff said:
For someone who criticizes others for limiting scope of their perception, do you really think that a Web site is only for generating new business?
I never said that. I understand that a website is not just to generate new business. But the reasons you listed for a website being important to PTC make no sense. What other roller coaster manufacturer has a website where potential customers can get hard info on available products? I don't see any stats on GCII's website that aren't available on rcdb.com. None at TGG's website either. Intamin... no help there.
I'm not downplaying the importance of websites but there are plenty of businesses out there that have done fine without them and will continue to do fine without them.
eightdotthree said:
You wrote that as if any of us suggested that buying a coaster was like buying a microwave when everyone here gets that.
No, I was merely making a statement that supported the point I was trying to make. If you interpreted that as me referring to you or anyone else as stupid, that's your problem.
millrace said:
I think a web presence is more important for some companies than others. In PTC's case, I don't think there is an amusement park operator anywhere who isn't aware of what PTC does... I agree that it looks bad to have a non-functional website but apparently PTC decided it had other more important priorities. I highly doubt that the status of their website is really affecting their bottom line.
Thanks Joe... not because you're my friend, but because you're the only one that seems to get it. This isn't about it being good or bad that PTC's website is a mess (because it's not good)- it's about little it actually means to anyone except those that are having a bad day and are looking for something to complain about.
eightdotthree said:
OMG, my day was the worst, I Ijust HAVE to login to Coasterbuzz and complain!
You got me Ascough.
Rob Ascough said:
it's about little it actually means to anyone except those that are having a bad day and are looking for something to complain about.
What about the people who complain about the complainers?
Sorry Rob but reading this much into "Oh wow, PTC's website doesn't work, that's stupid" and blowing it this much out of proportion is almost turning into self-parody at this point.
For the PTC thing, do they need a website? They manufacture trains for TGG and a few other companies and probably have a few parks looking for extra trains. I am not saying that they dont need a website because I am sure it might make some difference in business at one time.
I also think their product is solid and has been solid and its nice to see that PTC is modernizing with todays coasters and this means better rides for us.
Bolliger/Mabillard for President in '08 NOT Dinn/Summers
My last microwave did a pretty good heartline roll after it broke down and I tossed it out the door. Luckily it wasn't my fridge that died...
I've seen a lot of companies who obviously spend more time and effort making their website look flashy than on their products or service, which really suck...
Whether you're talking about cars, houses, diets, or websites, the maintenance and upkeep are much more difficult than the original project...
But it is a pain in the ass to be on a website and click a button or link that doesn't work ...
Speaking of websites, did you know that Williams Grove will be closed for the 2006 season?
Finally, I googled PTC, and I really don't understand what the fuss is about. Why should we care about the Presbyterian Theological Centre, the Paternity Testing Corporation, or the Periodicals Training Council and whatever their big announcement is? :)
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