In before lock...
Customer:
Business is business, someone can't spend their days telling people on the forums, "hey, cam #1 is the best", that is not how they make money, even if cam #1 is theirs, because of the amount of time and effort involved it takes to sell each cam.
A general rule of thumb, I give out free advice, but I am no expert, nor do I have years and years of experience with people saying that live and die by my product, so if your willing to take free advice, I'm willing to give it, just don't label me a pro.
Like any other organization, I am sure they also try to sell their services to people as well. Ford's job is to say "Chevy sucks, buy a ford, here's why..." and Chevy's job is to say "Ford sucks, and here's why...", without actually saying they suck, because negative advertising is still advertising.
Companies don't gain customers by bashing anyone, competition or customers, however some customers you just don't want.
I forgot who mentioned it, but either Ed, Jay, or Buddy said they would recommend an OTS cam because of the price saving factor. With that being said, unless they charge to answer questions, how can they make money if they simply respond... "FMS 'e-cam' is the best for your setup", simply, they can't. Then after a while, they won't be offering advice to anyone, only friends.
Another general rule, take care of paying customers before non-paying customers...
They have to again, weed out all of the tire kickers and fence sitters who simply want to know the easiest way, rather than getting their elbows a little dirty.
Business: Simply because a customer asks why he should choose your company isn't an automatic invitation to go bashing other companies for their hard work and products. Simply respond... "I've been doing it for years, I love helping other hobbiest, I gotta passion for making everything run better/faster..." Whatever you want, I don't know you or your past, nor will I speak on behalf of it.
For people who actually know what their doing, your process works fine, however I would imagine that you could increase your business (not saying you need to) by just maybe giving a few easy freebies, as well as explain why an FMS or TFS cam isn't that great, I would imagine you would win me over any day of the week if you could relate why cam #1 is better than other stuff. If someone is willing to do that, it's likely I'd buy my next cam, and the cam after that, and the cam after that, from you.
With that being said, I don't have a dog in this fight. I run a OE cam, I want on OTS used cam to save $$$ as I don't have a lot of it. I do not plan on buying a custom cam anytime soon, however If I didn't have a budget, you'd best believe I would be knocking these guys doors down. Instead, I find myself doing the research and homework that is needed in order to put together a good combo. I have, and will continue to read these boards until I go blind because of the amount of information that is given by experts like Jay, Ed, and Buddy. Without guys like you, we would be a bunch of wrench turners, greasy monkeys, and pencil pushers that just share a hobby. Instead this forum is a wealth of information, a network of people and products, and overall a past time.
OP: I understand your upset because you may have gotten the "cold shoulder", however it isn't as if his specific cam is going to make or break your setup. Just don't use his services, and when you do find a service that your happy, then tell the world.... If you don't have an idea of how the process works, don't come on here spouting off. I am def. not knocking you, but you are taking a me vs. the world mentality and it isn't like that. Unfortunately it took 3 pages and almost 100 posts, but you now have purchased a book on cams and theory, which is good because your gather more information making yourself a brighter individual. However, I will put it like this, since you are an EE, you probably spend most of your time talking to people who aren't EE's trying to explain to them in terms they can understand what is the best thing, or the proper transformer, or wire size, or circuit breaker, or whatever... However as an EE, you wouldn't just give out your services for free right? Just taking a shot in the dark here... I am re-wiring my garage for 240v, what size wire, how should I set up my circuit breaker, can I use (2) 120volt and power my 240v transformer, is GE a good brand, does it need to be certified, all of these and more. I'm sure you could at least give me a better idea... however you wouldn't do it without charging, especially if your knowledgeable, and especially if you own/operate a business. What if I, my dad, my friend, my uncle, and 20 other people email you everyday asking for advice, notifying you of changes, potential business, etc. For every 20 people, you get 1 who actually wants your to pay for your services, and is willing to send you $100 before you even pick up the other end to say hello... Your likely to start figuring out how to find more of those customers rather than the other 19. With that in mind, as an EE, with a professional background, that you've worked hard to earn and no one can take it away from you, your more than likely not going to be doing free house calls or run a free-tip hotline. Instead, your going to find a way to charge everyone who even calls your phone number, even if its a penny, and they don't even buy what your offering, your still going to make a little something. However, if you charged $35 every phone call someone made for advice, you would be sure that no one would call it for fun, instead you are assured that with $35, it is likely their not kicking any tires, and that their serious about your services, then on top of the $35 commitment fee, then send you the money in full for the goods or services you offer, your likely to stick with your bread and butter, as opposed to pixie dust and fairy wings..
Hope this helps, sorry for the rant, I just see both sides.
