Custom Bats Cricket Forum
Forum News and Suggestions => Old Advertisers => Admin Board => It's Just Cricket => Topic started by: ItsJustCricket on November 18, 2015, 10:37:01 PM
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Hello All,
As Chris stated on another thread earlier tonight, I have taken the decision to stand down from the forum. Chris will continue to represent IJC on here but it's all become too much for me. I would rather focus on other (more enjoyable) areas of the business instead.
I don't really want to whinge about it, and I know I have used the phrase "keyboard warrior" before (in a tongue in cheek manner), but I do genuinely feel like I am being bullied on here on a daily basis and there comes a time where enough is enough.
Unlike others on here, I am not the kind of person who can just sit on the fence and be diplomatic enough in discussion - I think I am just too passionate in my beliefs for that and I'd rather not have public arguments and scrutiny every day. Some may think this is weak and cowardly, but I think many on here probably don't understand how demoralizing it can be - both personally and professionally - to be picked on in public so regularly.
I do hope you understand.
Thank you and goodbye,
Paul
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This makes me very sad, I hope one day you can come back without having the same feelings. Keep building IJC and I hope it goes from strength to strength :)
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That's very sad to hear. I think your passionate feelings made for some very good discussions. Hope you continue to write on the new IJC blog that was just launched. It is great to hear opinions of some one working in the industry. All the best.
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Goodbye Paul (perhaps, it's just for a while?)
I wish you every success for the future with IJC, and will keep my eye out for your latest posts on Youtube and LinkedIn.
I hope the other areas of business you are deciding to focus on go well for you. I'm sure even us "keyboard warriors" will miss your opinions and insight.
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I do think that if you have been bullied on here then copy and paste the comments for all to see. Name and shame
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Shame. The M&H topic got more than a little out of control, but I think the debate caused by IJC posts lately has been great.
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As always Paul you have always been a gentleman and explained thing how they are and that's something I really like I know you got a lot of stick over certain brands and bats etc but I really do wish you the best of luck and hope one day you can come back on hear take care and keep your chin up
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You probably need to be a bity more thick skinned in business than that, remember that this forum is a tiny % of the cricket market and the % that know what they are actually on about is smaller again. Maybe a holiday is in order.
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Sad to see this message. I hope you will still be in touch with customers on your IJC mailing list.
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I guess you will remain as a silent reader of the forum @ItsJustCricket (Paul) as you will miss the good things about the forum for sure :)
I am sure you agree there is lot of good stuff here as I myself have learnt so many things from this forum
CBF being a public forum has members varying from teenagers to senior members. So the comments can be immature sometimes and -ve instead of leading to a constructive feedback (not pointing to anyone in particular)
Anyways best wishes to you and hopefully we will keep on getting constant updates from IJC.
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Paul, your advice has saved me well in excess of a thousand pounds by avoiding duff purchases. I will be forever grateful for your prompt and detailed responses to my questions ref bats, etc! Thank you. TGW
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This is a real shame. The forum has lost a person with fantastic knowledge, passion for cricket and great customer service but above all integrity. I thought it was unbelievable that some people critisised his decision to hand pick bats. I was even more surprised that some people seemed to think he was in anyway to blame for the ALLEDGED M&H scandal. He had the decency to stick his head over the parapet and was actually prepared to investigate.
You trolls know who you are and perhaps in future will think before you write.
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Its a real shame that it has come to the point where you have had to step away. I've had a lot of fantastic bats from you and that was due to the forum. So although you probably feel that there has been much negativity recently, don't forget the positives.
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That's a real shame to hear Paul, I know sometimes the discussions you started got a little out of control especially the whole M&H thread. I always thought your view were put across in a passionate/unyielding (delete depending on view point!) yet articulate and well written way.
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It is true about southerners then?
Soft? lol
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Sad to hear!
Goodby Paul! I wish you all the best with @ItsJustCricket and will be keeping an eye out for more LinkedIn posts!
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
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Sorry to see you go, Paul.
The insights and views of people inside the trade are invaluable for us 'anoraks*' who love the sport but aren't privy to the inside track. Thank you for sharing your views and informed opinions.
Best of luck with building IJC.
David
* Optional description for enthusiasts - no offence intended.
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Very sad to hear this Paul. All the best
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Hallelujah ............. AMEN
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What a shame, really enjoyed reading your articles all the best Paul!
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I'm sure the articles will continue, it seems that Paul simply doesn't want to be involved in the differences of opinion on the forum that some posts create.
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I'm sure the articles will continue, it seems that Paul simply doesn't want to be involved in the differences of opinion on the forum that some posts create.
I thought that was the point of a forum, is to hear other opinions on certain situations! End of day you play with fire your going to get burnt!
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Some of the farewells sound so weird/bitchy. So what they are trying to say is that Inspite of this being a forum, people are to blindly accept & follow someone knowledgeable without questioning?? Really ?!
Just like someone mentioned- u need to toughen up being in this business, well any business for that matter. You can't - you leave. Fair enough & end of the matter.Accusing people for questioning is the dumbest thing to do.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
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I think it's a good idea Paul. If its causing you stress, better to just switch off. Was good having you on here and will continue to read your articles.
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Best wishes Paul and good luck with your IJC forget the thick skinned comment thats just stupid I don't blame you myself and others do realise rationality and integrity on here can at times Be hard to find.
Alan.
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Paul's stance on a few issues is obviously a bit controversial and bound to provoke comment, and there's nothing wrong at all with questioning and lively debate. However I think that some of the recent comments from one or two people have had a nasty edge to them which doesn't do much credit to a forum which most of the time is pretty friendly.
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You probably need to be a bity more thick skinned in business than that, remember that this forum is a tiny % of the cricket market and the % that know what they are actually on about is smaller again. Maybe a holiday is in order.
It is not wrong to have a sincere approach to business along with 100 percent respect for customers knowledge regardless of what percentage of knowledge they have.
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I wasn't going to post on this thread as for me Paul & IJC is always around as a customer but it boggles my mind when I read some of the comments on here. Whatever happened to decency and courtesy? Can't people just not get out of their own way and wish someone well? Learn to be the bigger person!
Even if Paul's stance on some things were controversial their are better ways of expressing disagreement, speaks volumes of peoples mindset/childishness and I won't say anymore. Good luck Paul, I am sure we'll be in touch.
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Thank you all for your kind words - I will make sure they are passed onto Paul, should make him feel a little bit brighter about CBF (so too would you all getting in your Kookaburra pre-orders, or your ideas for the Christmas event ;) ).
To those who have posted negative comments at this time - I think most will agree that is pure childishness and is completely unnecessary. The facts are these - Paul has been playing cricket all of his life, and left a high paying job, with guaranteed holidays and a steady (and generous) income, for the tumultuous life of owning a cricket shop. Seasonally the income is very uncertain, you cannot plan for the money coming in, you can very rarely take holidays, the work is often over 100 hours a week, and can have very real impacts on personal relationships. Add to this, the stress that this forum creates, with us feeling like IJC is often the only retailer who actually joins in and provokes discussion, as opposed to some who merely post about their own brand and products, and you can see why things get a little bit much. The forum takes up a hell of a lot of time for sometimes very little, or even no returns, and as a sponsor we have to assess whether our time can be spent more constructively.
We enjoy the forum when it is a positive force, but as on some recent threads, it can become like a witch hunt by certain people with certain agendas, and we don't want that - we want the same things as others. I'm surprised IJC comes under the stick for hand picking, for investigating the M&H thing, etc etc. It is surely what you want from a retailer who you spend your hard earned on? We have a passion for cricket, and will focus on that, not the pointless minutiae and bitching which the forum can turn into sometimes sadly.
Once again, thank you for the support, I'll make sure Paul receives the messages.
Chris