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[Manormanic]

Its wierd, I was going to start a thread about the received wisdom of the forum in light of the MSR thread, and this plays into it entirely.  There are a lot of boutique brands out there and some - H4L, SAF, BC - are always the first namesout when someone ask what they should look at yet there are other batmakers - ones that sprang to my mind were Warsop, Choice, Hawk, Solitaire and Kippax - who make bat that are every bit as good but never get mentioned.  Is it a sponsor/non sponsor thing at work, or is there a hive mind forming>?

[uknsaunders]

Its wierd, I was going to start a thread about the received wisdom of the forum in light of the MSR thread, and this plays into it entirely.  There are a lot of boutique brands out there and some - H4L, SAF, BC - are always the first namesout when someone ask what they should look at yet there are other batmakers - ones that sprang to my mind were Warsop, Choice, Hawk, Solitaire and Kippax - who make bat that are every bit as good but never get mentioned.  Is it a sponsor/non sponsor thing at work, or is there a hive mind forming>?

Part of sponsorship is raising awareness, I think sponsors would be disappointed if they didn't get first mention.

[Manormanic]

Part of sponsorship is raising awareness, I think sponsors would be disappointed if they didn't get first mention.

If they didn't get firt mention from the Admin team, yes, but they would surely have no expectation of the same from the majority of users; it goes beyond that though, as 9/10 of the threads are related to the same few brands, disproportionate to the actual size of them etc.

[tim2000s]

Manormanic, I think the answer lies in the "your Kit for 2013" thread. People on here seem to use either big boys or mostly forum sponsors. There are smatterings of Chase, Warsop and others, and I recall that Solitaire was a "trendy" brand about 18 months ago, with a fair few people trying them out.

I think the hive mind of which you speak does have a tendency to occur, especially where an internet forum has multiple members who have been happy with what they receive.

There is also the side effect of people's experiences, which comes to the fore frequently as well. I don't buy Warsop as I've never found one I liked amongst those my friends have, and I've seen too many break, despite them being a well regarded brand. I've also not found a Kippax that I liked.

Maybe it's because their stickers don't appeal...

[Manormanic]

Valid points - though I have never known of the issues you describe regarding Warsop breakages!!! 

On the hive mind point - I wonder how the forum community would react if one of the sponsors got a really bad review.  Would they take it for what it was, or treat it as a sinister attack on the batmakers integrity?

[Alvaro]

There was a review of a bat custom bat on here - Colesy had one that he really didn't like. I think the batmaker was shown in a good light because he took it back and gave him a refund. People still rave about his bats now. I think that the majority of the people on here accept a turkey may occur. The good relationship that most sponsors have fostered means that people are prepared to give a little slack, perhaps?

[ppccopener]

no wish to offend anyone on here,but im going against the grain here. i can totally understand why Hawk and other batmakers would not want a review on here, i'm actually surprised more do not object(maybe they do).
I'm not saying they have anything to hide with unhappy customers for example or return policy's for their bats but information posted on here is out on the worldwide web.
We(i say we because I happen to be a member on here) have also seen so called 'special contacts people' on here,in fact forum sponsors turn out to be con men-simple as.
My view is some of the bat companies would rather keep their business between customer and company without a hundred view being aired in public.
End of the day it's their business.
As I say, just my view.

[Tom]

Forums cause a lot of problems for proper batmakers, with allusions to what they do and also being put on the same level of those who just finish/sticker bats.

[tim2000s]

no wish to offend anyone on here,but im going against the grain here. i can totally understand why Hawk and other batmakers would not want a review on here, i'm actually surprised more do not object(maybe they do).
I'm not saying they have anything to hide with unhappy customers for example or return policy's for their bats but information posted on here is out on the worldwide web.
My view is some of the bat companies would rather keep their business between customer and company without a hundred view being aired in public.
End of the day it's their business.
As I say, just my view.

I think there is a difference between a sponsored player airing their views on a forum and a regular punter. If a maker asks a punter not to participate, in my view there is a lot to question about that particular maker. It is no different to buying a product from anyone else and deciding that it and the service you received is good or bad.

We(i say we because I happen to be a member on here) have also seen so called 'special contacts people' on here,in fact forum sponsors turn out to be con men-simple as.

This statement bothers me. What do you mean when you say that Forum Sponsors turn out to be con-men? Are you referring to a very specific incident that we all know about are are you referring to something more widely?

[tim2000s]

Forums cause a lot of problems for proper batmakers, with allusions to what they do and also being put on the same level of those who just finish/sticker bats.

But it's up to a batmaker to make the argument for or against them. There are plenty who simply choose not to participate and if that's their choice, then that's their choice.

If they were to actively go out and say "I'll sell you this, but you can't talk about it in a forum", I'd have to question their judgement.

[ppccopener]

yes good point
also some of us probably know who makes who's pro bats,some also think they know, or a mate's mate told them.
Whilst some batmakers might tell you if you actually go and visit them,some also would want to keep that part of their business secret and that would be their decision.
it's not covering anything up, it's just that they would rather not broadcast it over the net.
I've personally seen a couple of pro's bats which are not in the same workshop as the brand on the stickers but I would'nt say who that was on here as it's not my business to.
I'm pretty sure some of the batmakers don't like that info over the web,this forum is not alone there are others which discuss topics like that.

[tim2000s]

Whilst some batmakers might tell you if you actually go and visit them,some also would want to keep that part of their business secret and that would be their decision.
it's not covering anything up, it's just that they would rather not broadcast it over the net.
I've personally seen a couple of pro's bats which are not in the same workshop as the brand on the stickers but I would'nt say who that was on here as it's not my business to.

Respecting client confidentiality is always an interesting one, and I'd agree that certain batmakers probably don't want it broadcast, indeed, if someone who worked for them was to do it, it would probably constitute breach of contract.

Rumour and innuendo, however, is always rife and as much as some people get off on Heat publishing stories about celeb affairs, it's the same thing with Cricket Forums and who is making who's bats...

[ppccopener]

Indeed Tim,quite right.
I remember the 1st time I saw SRT's bat which had MRF on it,which was the 1st time( i can recall) someone used a bat which was'nt a manufacturer,so there was a lot of interest there.
I think it's Madras Rubber Factory(not sure on that).
Of course now a lot of Indian players,and others use bats simply for sponsorship which get's people speculating

[M77]

Part of sponsorship is raising awareness, I think sponsors would be disappointed if they didn't get first mention.

This bit i can understand but its also their (sponsors) responsibility to promote themselves... I could never opt to push a sponsor over another external brand if it simply wasn't what i believed to be true/bestoption or didn't benefit the person asking the question. Those instances to that specific may be a rare occurrence but i think i'd like to see honest options and choice given. The sponsor can then follow up on any thread and promote which is kind of the point as well as having their own platform within the forum... but its worth extending better knowledge than promoting.

Just my opinion.

[uknsaunders]

This bit i can understand but its also their (sponsors) responsibility to promote themselves... I could never opt to push a sponsor over another external brand if it simply wasn't what i believed to be true/bestoption or didn't benefit the person asking the question. Those instances to that specific may be a rare occurrence but i think i'd like to see honest options and choice given. The sponsor can then follow up on any thread and promote which is kind of the point as well as having their own platform within the forum... but its worth extending better knowledge than promoting.

Just my opinion.

Totalling agree, I was just making the point that like all Marketing and Advertising you pay your money and expect to gain sales and a level of awareness for your money. As you said it's then up to the sponsor to promote their business to gain maximum advantage of the opportunity, ideally through some great deals that can't be had elsewhere (easily).

With regards to forum members, they buy the product and assuming it's a good experience, promote through word of mouth. When somebody asks who shall I buy a bat from, people naturally fall back on their experience and promote the brands they are aware of which may well be a sponsor, who they got a good deal off in the first place. I don't think it's anything more sinister than that but I suppose it is more surprising that we don't get more non-sponsor brands mentioned. In the last 2 years I've reviewed Kippax, Dukes and Raje for example.