Just putting the other side of the argument mate.
I suppose you could say I am writing this with a vested interest, but both for myself and probably alot on the forum.
What justifies a "Trader" status?
We stand to loose some very knowlegeable people over small technicalities with regards to links to their own private websites which may or may not
happen to be selling things but contain some very useful information to all users.
I'm writing with regards to "daxtojeiro" who is now leaving the forum as he has been branded a "trader" when he has never
outwardly offered to sell anybody anything, only impartial advice and links to information that just happened to be on his site.
Unlike others who have trader status and make posts up about nothing in
inappropriate sections to advertise their products and i'm sure lots know who i'm implying there!.
I think either a little link to their site should be allowed when they make such useful knowlegable contributions or there should be a sliding scale
for the trader fee's, from a small link upto people who post little more than pure adverts for their products paying more.
What does anybody else think to the matter? and whats the official stance?
I had to take this up with fozzie the other week, after quite a few tellings off I was branded a trader for advertising my own computer web site, and
even though I have been selling at trade with no profit for myself it wasn’t allowed.
Its a shame to the site users to loose this resource from me but a few know what I do and I will still offer trade to site users.
I’ve just taken it that it’s the rules of the site and that’s it, there still loads of useful stuff on the site with out my link being on it.
IMHO we stand to lose one of THE most knowledgeable guys on Megasquirt. I also have not seen any references from him offering to sell his site or
information and it does seem unreasonable.
Of course we could all log on to his site and get the relevent information it would be quite easy to do so.
BUT this is a guy who has appeared from nowhere to offer advice on this site and AFAIK has not asked for any information for himself yet.
I say we need to keep him onside as he is and will be a valuable source of free information to all MS users.
Untill the time he may or does try to sell his wares them surely it is not a problem.
Just had a quick look through a few of daxtojeiro's posts and it certainly appears that the guy has passed on very useful info to forum members
without trying to flog stuff, It would be a great shame to loose people like this.
But people who have paid to have trader status will feel a little miffed I think.
Steve.
[Edited on 19/1/08 by stevec]
quote:
But people who have paid to have trader status will feel a little miffed I think.
personaly i think it should be over looked and left, trader status to me is MMr Mac1 MK GTS etc etc etc, not my website or cheap megasquirt bits etc etc but the rules are there..
quote:
Originally posted by omega 24 v6
quote:
But people who have paid to have trader status will feel a little miffed I think.
Why? they should be making money from yhier status and AFAIK Daxtojiero has not offered services at a fee to any members (unless it's by U2U) so he is not actively trying to make money from the site.
No No I understood you.
Just putting the other side of the argument mate.
quote:
Originally posted by omega 24 v6
No No I understood you.
Just putting the other side of the argument mate.
I have looked at daxtojeiro's posts and they look like they just from someone who is enthusiastic about what they do and willing to help others.
In our garage we charge money to fix cars because we are traders but when we are at the stock cars or the autograss we offer advice and set up cars
free because its our hobby and are enthusiastic about it. I see that he has a link to his site (advertising) but i am advertising
www.scottishmini.co.uk with no problems although it is a forum where traders help out for free.
Ps Get your M.O.T done at Diesel Jocks M.O.T Centre.
quote:
Ps Get your M.O.T done at Diesel Jocks M.O.T Centre.
Right guys, this is how it works.
If you are in the business of selling a commercial service that is likely to be of interest to members of the site, and you are regularly mentioning
this fact, or using your signature to promote yourself, you are a Trader. If I (or Fozzie) spots you, your status will be updated to reflect this.
In DaxTojero's case, his sig contains a link to his webstie. The first line of this site...
'We are dedicated to sales of fully assembled, tested and warranted MegaSquirt ECU's '
Sound like a business to me, which means he is gaining exposure to his business and possibly making sales by taking advantage of my generosity of
providing this site for free.
Trader status does nothing to prevent posting, except in the for sale area of the site. They can still use the site the same as everyone else, but
readers are reminded that this person has not paid for trader status, and I would like to think there is some loyalty to the site that may make them
think twice should the trader try to advertise a commercial service either directly or indirectly. Most traders are good with this and respect the
rules, but some do not, and I rely on you all to let myself or Fozzie know if someone is trying this on.
Note that any Trader may request that their status be removed. They will need to remove any advertising they have placed on the site, and this is at
my discretion as to whether they have already gained sufficient exposure and just seek to sit back and wait for enquiries to come in.
The next step up is to become a registered trader, and this involves paying a small contribution towards the cost of running the site. If someone was
making money out of something you put time and money into each month and gave away free, you'd expect them to help out now and then,
wouldn't you? It's not expensive compared to other forms of Internet advertising, mainly because I run this as a hobby and I'm not
greedy. The registered trader gets free reign to advertise his/her products to a very targeted audience, and feedback I have recieved tells me that
it is a very effective and extremely cost effective way of advertising.
So, in short:
Anyone who sells on a commercial basis either directly or indirectly through this site is a Trader. They are more than welcome to post, read and
enjoy the forum like everyone else, but if they want to directly market using this site, they must pay to register.
Cheers, Chris
quote:
Originally posted by omega 24 v6
Burgoyne????
ChrisW
When is your Viento going to be on the road?
Well, Conrod has always said it won't be done before 2010. I'm determined to prove him wrong!!
If I spend as much money and time on the car as I do on this site I'd be long finished by now!
Chris
Chris W. Good points. Its the law of internet forums that things like this have to be talked about
I will contribute shortly as its on my list of things to do this year. One question: Would you take a ford mondeo instead of money?
Ps Thanks for this site. It certainly beats real life.
Cheers
Ronnie
I'd accept a Mondeo 2.0 (or just the engine!) as payment for a trader status, yes! 
Chris
quote:
Originally posted by ChrisW
I'd accept a Mondeo 2.0 (or just the engine!) as payment for a trader status, yes!
Chris
quote:
Originally posted by ChrisW
...... If someone was making money out of something you put time and money into each month and gave away free, you'd expect them to help out now and then, wouldn't you.....
Paradox?
Does this mean that as ChrisW advertises NetrinoUK and also sells advertising space on the forum, he should also be a registered trader?
I'll get my coat.
Valid points from ChrisW I suppose but I still say it's be a pity to lose this member.
[Edited on 19/1/08 by omega 24 v6]
quote:
Originally posted by ChrisW
Right guys, this is how it works.
If you are in the business of selling a commercial service that is likely to be of interest to members of the site, and you are regularly mentioning this fact, or using your signature to promote yourself, you are a Trader. If I (or Fozzie) spots you, your status will be updated to reflect this. In DaxTojero's case, his sig contains a link to his webstie. The first line of this site...
'We are dedicated to sales of fully assembled, tested and warranted MegaSquirt ECU's '
Sound like a business to me, which means he is gaining exposure to his business and possibly making sales by taking advantage of my generosity of providing this site for free.
The next step up is to become a registered trader, and this involves paying a small contribution towards the cost of running the site. If someone was making money out of something you put time and money into each month and gave away free, you'd expect them to help out now and then, wouldn't you? It's not expensive compared to other forms of Internet advertising, mainly because I run this as a hobby and I'm not greedy. The registered trader gets free reign to advertise his/her products to a very targeted audience, and feedback I have recieved tells me that it is a very effective and extremely cost effective way of advertising.
So, in short:
Anyone who sells on a commercial basis either directly or indirectly through this site is a Trader. They are more than welcome to post, read and enjoy the forum like everyone else, but if they want to directly market using this site, they must pay to register.
Cheers, Chris
quote:
It doesn't sound like the case has been handled very well from an admin point of view, either through crossed wires or whatever, this is not a direct critisism of ChrisW as I haven't the slightest clue how it all operates and how much time it must take up, bus I can only echo other peoples comments that this would be a sad loss the the forum and I hope a comprimise can be found.
Surely its not much to ask for, i dont know how much it costs to become a trader but it cant be 100's of pounds or iam i wide of the mark.
Perhaps we should have a Boffin status with a traders discount
I'll get both of my coats.
quote:
Originally posted by dave1888
Surely its not much to ask for, i dont know how much it costs to become a trader but it cant be 100's of pounds or iam i wide of the mark.
quote:
Originally posted by Fozzie
quote:
Originally posted by dave1888
Surely its not much to ask for, i dont know how much it costs to become a trader but it cant be 100's of pounds or iam i wide of the mark.
For those interested.........
Traders Info Linky
Fozzie
Yep you are right!
edited now....many thanks Ed
Fozzie
I was originally intending to get trader status but upon reflection, I doubt that I will be able to cover the £15 per month charge in profits from the
modest sales on the site (we're all skint here ) and it would be more effective to use the money in opening an eBay shop. Perhaps if the eBay
shop becomes profitable I will reconsider.
Just my opinion and not meant to be a dig at anyone - I realise that Chris has certain overheads to cover but the one-off charge to get rid of the nag
screen must surely amount to a tidy sum in itself.
Perhaps a smaller trader subscription like £5 per month would possibly attract more traders and therefore be of more benefit to members and more
financial support for Chris?
maybe you should scrapped the trader status completely and just charge and annual membership to everyone posting to this site. I know there are cost
involved in hosting this site and admin, but I'm sure if every user paid a reasonably modest amount then we could avoid this situation completely
and make sure chrisw is never out of pocket.
Some of the most valuable members of this site also work in the industry and if we continue to unfairly punish them for their helpfulness then the
value of this site to all will be reduced.
Maybe Chris would like to respond and give us an idea of the actual running cost of the site?
Cheers
Scott