> I think it is more a problem of a little courtesy on the part of Pygmy and
> CLC that we are looking for. If they do like the suggestions I or someone
> else is giving them, they may politely refuse. I think the responses I and
> others have gotten show a HUGE lack of what should be common courtesy.

Hi Stan, Thanks to this Board for the opportunity to build something other than kayaks. Here's my problem with ranting about the receptivity of the individual that one chooses to buy something from. If I contact someone with my questions about their product and they are rude to me,that's unfortunate but hopefully I can get my question answered,and maybe their product is worth the contact. If not maybe the hardware store down the block has the same item. But if they are not receptive to my input, that may be unfortunate as well but that is not the basis of the relationship, their product is receptive to my modifications,or "input".

As customers giving advice we are assuming a reciprocity in communication that puts a burden upon the kit-manufacturer to be responsible for our assumption that they are receptive as we are in seeking advice. I'm all for common courtesy,common to new yorkers and suburban LA?, but it may get tiring for a small business to handle 50 phone calls,30 e-mails and then have a customer get miffed because you weren't able to validate their excellent idea on how to improve your product. goodness, ranting just continues the poor manners one is decrying.