Custom Bats Cricket Forum
Forum News and Suggestions => Forum Announcements => Topic started by: Buzz on April 20, 2012, 08:08:20 PM
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During the last couple of days we have been off, there have been a few comments made by people expressing their frustrations about the forum.
Some have been fair and some I feel need to be presented with a fairer argument.
I think that the server issues have been a long standing headache, but this isn't what I wanted to say.
It is the accusation that the forum is only in it for the money and lacks independence.
Firstly look at what the sponsors offer, you get first hand contact with, by and large, the brand owner, access to some premium products at very competative prices and a bigger choice than almost anywhere for bispoke brands.
How many of you would have heard of 90% of the brands without them sponsoring this site?
How much have these guys shared from being part of the forum?
Finally on the independence front, yes we unashamably look to promote the forum brands and retail outlets, because by and large they are independent and offer great products or very attractive deals on the big four, five or six brands.
Finally most of the custom made bats on the forum are sold for less than £200. In the outside world they would be nearer £300. that is a serious value.
Personally I would like to thank the sponsors and if you don't feel you can make honest statements about the bats and equipment on this forum then please use this as an opportunity to explain why.
Oh and one more thing, all the forums have some form of revenue stream, we just choose to have one that can give the members something unique.
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Buzz, you are right, the deals offered by the sponsors are fantastic & offer great value for members. Also, there are many bargains in the 'for sale' section, again benefiting members.
The downside to the forum is that through numerous sponsors and the 'for sale' section it has created an environment where a significant chunk of members are only interested in buying / selling, which in my opinion spoils the forum.
It is easy to predict the members who will put items 'for sale' effectively as soon as they reach 50 posts.
I accept as somebody who reads more than they contribute, my viewpoint is somewhat diminished, but I think it potentially sums up the frustrations of some people.
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I think you make a valid and important point, the goal is to share the knowledge not flog stinking kit!
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I feel like members have been asking for something to be done about the poor performance for the last 5 months largely to be ignored until something like this happens which does make people think its all about the money Buzz. Isn't this forum about the members?
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I have to confess that until you mentioned it I had never really considered the financial implications (or do we call them benefits) of running the forum - now that I have, I suppose I can see where the perception might come from, in that the number of advertisers multiplied by the likely cost of advertising minus the likely costs of running/hosting the site do result in a tidy profit. Nothing anyone will get rich or retire on, but a hefty sum nontheless.
Do I care that someone makes an indirect profit out of my participation? Not really. As far as I can tell that a private matter, and one that is not massively affected by me being here or not.
Do I think the forum is well run? Sometimes yes, sometimes no. Having previously performed Admin duties on another similar forum, I know how tough the job can be, so I accept that noone gets all of the decisions right all of the time, and that every time the odd user might feel debate is being stifled could just as easily be a time where net useage is cripplied by a Lekka style hatefest. But the server issues really do need to be sorted posthaste, they're just silly.
On the issue of content, I think it is inevitable given the kind of people who populate what advertises itself as a kit forum that there will be a lot of bits of kit for sale - I'd just like to see a bit moer discussion of actual cricketing issues alongside the endless "that bat looks SOOOOOO lush" threads!
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But the server issues really do need to be sorted posthaste, they're just silly.
Well at least you have posted this on the forum's new server...
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happy days, at last etc! :D