Touting for business

[Nos4r2]

Originally Posted by scm

I have had some late notice cancellation's so have some space available this weekend.
Starting midday Friday.
Rib-net discount 15%
Regards
Stuart

Maybe you'd like to pay for a trade membership before advertising?

[scm]

No, but if you wanted to learn something you could have come along and got discount...

Simple enough offer for anyone out there on RIbnet but if you want me start advertising my services i will if you would like me to, which i don't think i have.

[Poly]

Originally Posted by scm

No, but if you wanted to learn something you could have come along and got discount...

Simple enough offer for anyone out there on RIbnet but if you want me start advertising my services i will if you would like me to, which i don't think i have.

So the original post was not an advert ?

If you read the thread Nos linked to it quite clearly says:

Anyone can register and post as an individual, even if they work in the RIB industry. However, if you use the forums to promote your business you should join as a trade member.

I think you were using the forum to promote your business.

[Rogue Wave]

Agreed it definitely looked like touting to me, but unfortunately it's becoming the norm on this forum,and SCM isn't the worst. I dread to think how much pitching goes on via the PM system

I joined this forum because I loved ribbing and liked being on the water and to learn stuff. Times change now I like ribbing , love being on the water and pass on more knowledge than I seek and I like a bit of banter

Most trade members and instructors/salesman post on here to show how eriudite they they are, or think they are, and to make the website link from the forums. The love the pastime comes a very distant second. This often causes advise to be biased towards whatever make of boat the instructor is an agent for or in the more cynical occasions where the instructors fan club or suppliers highly recomend the schools services without declaring an interest.

If somebody asks for a training course or an engine then fair enough but don't get caught in the rush I don't like it and I think it degraded the forum I think something should be done about it before it becomes Spivnet

[Limey Linda]

Well said RW
I am peeved off also, with " I am RYA this or that". " I have a 1,2 3/12 certificate" and BTW what the fyk is an RYA Principal? Sounds like a marital aid to me. And, "I have so many gongs hung around my neck that that the end of my nose get's sore from rubbing along the ground" attitude. And, then we have all the lawyer types, both soapbox and otherwise all with their "I am better than you qualifications" All a bunch of self indulging, pompous idiots who usually post bad information trying to flog their services.
Sorry rant over.

[The Jackeens]

Well put Rogue Wave. Very eruid/erid/eriduite/erudite of you altogether.

Spot on Stu!

Limey to be fair most Instructors we know are helpful friendly people who are open about making a living but never short of a free tip or two over a pint.

It's useful to know that someone has good qualifications before you enlist their help but they often seem to get repeat business anyway via word of mouth which is the case with many of the excellent instructors in this area.

The role of Principal Instructor could perhaps be clearly explained by someone on the inside but it seems reflect a responsible system of monitoring and accountability in the business in this country.

True, those of us in RIBbing 'for fun' need to apply a 'caveat emptor' approach to anyone pushing a product but that seems to reflect real life?

Helpful discussion though.


K & P

BTW Limey, some Principals may also be doubling as marital aids but that's another tale altogether More for the pub than the forum!

[RAD]

Its been removed, either by the boss or himself, has now run into hiding.

Oh well, will look at doing my Advanced Pb come the summer.

[Rogue Wave]

Your better off doing your course in the winter as the nights are longer/darker!

The person with the course was SCM on this forum you can PM him I'm sure for a place.

It wasn't my intention to have the thread removed just comment on something that's been bugging me for a long time, and will eventually see me off I'm sure!

[John Kennett]

Originally Posted by RAD

Its been removed, either by the boss or himself, has now run into hiding.

It was removed on my behalf, but not by me, and I have now reinstated it.

I have no problem with bona fide RIBnet members occasionally posting offers like the one that started this thread. The Guidelines for commercial posting even include this bit:

Originally Posted by John Kennett

The RIBnet forums are generally non-commercial, although occasional relevant, useful or interesting commercial posts are acceptable.

SCM isn't a hit-and-run spammer, he's been a member for over 5 years and I have no reason to believe that this isn't a genuine offer. Whilst I would be delighted if he wanted to join as a trade member, a one-off post like this isn't a problem.

I very much appreciate Nos4r2's help in keeping RIBnet spam free (he often spirits away the mobile phone touts before anyone has even seen their spamverts) but I'm happy to cut a bit more slack in cases like this, so I've overruled him (sorry!). Some other forums have such a rigid anti-promotion stance that a lot of genuinely useful information is prohibited -- if I feel that the balance has changed at any point, then I reserve the right to be less generous!

If anyone has specific complaints about any particular message (either a forum post or PM) then please let me know.

Originally Posted by Rogue Wave

Most trade members and instructors/salesman post on here to show how eriudite they they are, or think they are, and to make the website link from the forums.

You're entitled to your opinion, but I don't agree. Whilst you're probably right about some people, I don't think that it's fair to stretch it to "most".

As for Limey Linda, if I may be so bold you're sounding fairly self indulging and pompous yourself. And we all know that's my job!

John

[DM]

Originally Posted by John Kennett

a lot of genuinely useful information is prohibited

I'd agree with that up to a point but where do you draw the line.

There's a Trade Announcement, a Ribs For Sale and a Bits and Pieces section. Isn't that enough without having blatant ads in the other sections.

SCMs post was an advertisement. He was advertising a Powerboat course outside of the forum rules. To allow it is not fair towards the people that do pay for a trade membership.

Originally Posted by John Kennett

so I've overruled him

Nice one. Nothing like supporting the staff

[Mollers]

Originally Posted by davidmanning

Nice one. Nothing like supporting the staff

Ummm, a private pow wow followed by mutually agreed joint action may have been the correct course, minus the patronising smiley grins.

[Biggles]

Awful lot of peeps have links in their sigs to bona fide businesses that don't have trade membership.

[Poly]

Originally Posted by John Kennett

I have no problem with bona fide RIBnet members occasionally posting offers like the one that started this thread. The Guidelines for commercial posting even include this bit:

I have already expressed my viewpoint - but I aslo included a quote from your guidelines - which clearly indicate that direct promotion of your business is for trade members only... time to make up your mind or quite rightly your other trade members will decide not to renew - and have one off, ad hoc offers!

SCM isn't a hit-and-run spammer, he's been a member for over 5 years and I have no reason to believe that this isn't a genuine offer. Whilst I would be delighted if he wanted to join as a trade member, a one-off post like this isn't a problem.

but presumably you are not suggesting that trade membership entitles you to spamming or posting non genuine offers.

I recognise that there is a fine balance between a one-off offer which is in the interests of forum members and a promotion for commercial benefit. Frankly 15% discount on a course a few days before it was due to run is not about benefiting the forum - but making the course commercially viable. So I guess what I am saying is - make it a great offer (not a token jesture) and I wouldn't object either.


The reality is RIBnet costs time & money to run and therefore needs trade members (unless we are all willing to put our hands in our pockets - which will definitely discourage new members). I therefore accept that occasionally people will be selling something. Just as when I buy a magazine it will cost less if it has adverts. I would prefer people were upfront (as SCM was) and make clear that they have a vested interest. Actually compared to some other fora - I think RIBnet is not too bad for the "hidden agenda" posts. But I do object to someone directly promoting their business if they are not even willing to support the site. There are a few posts in the boats for sale pages which also, IMHO, are commercial rather than primarily a service to individuals in rib community.

[Poly]

Originally Posted by Biggles

Awful lot of peeps have links in their sigs to bona fide businesses that don't have trade membership.

But that has always been acceptable under the published "rules".

1. You can turn off displaying signatures if you wish (in the User CP settings)
2. It makes clear if someone may have a commercial interest in their post
3. Actually most of them add more to the content of the forum than your current signature (and that is not unique to you!).

[Biggles]

Originally Posted by Polwart

[*]Actually most of them add more to the content of the forum than your current signature (and that is not unique to you!).[/LIST]

Whatever !

[Biggles]

Originally Posted by Polwart

[*]Actually most of them add more to the content of the forum than your current signature (and that is not unique to you!).[/LIST]

Must admit I never thought I was expressing a world changing slogan. Just something relevant to the world of Ribbing. Glad to see I'm not alone.

[Nos4r2]

well MY signature is unique.

[Biggles]

A Killer Chicken ?

[Nos4r2]

Originally Posted by Biggles

A Killer Chicken ?

A stealth ninja chicken wearing a bad disguise.

[Limey Linda]

Originally Posted by Nos4r2

A stealth ninja chicken wearing a bad disguise.

Following the example set by Nos I have changed my signature.