[Wraith]

I wasn't sure where to put this so chose to put it where I would follow up.

It appears that I have upset people by breaking some rules on the forum by advertising services, I can assure everyone that my intention on here is not to advertise but to help.

I put several post up showing work I had completed, I then added that I could do this for people if they wanted, this is is against forum policy.

So to make sure its clear that this was not my intention to run a business from free advertising on the forum I will be creating the following posts in the coming days with instructional videos on Youtube.

1. A start to finish on creating Urethane Tyres, from the mixing of the silicone to the end product, the tyres.
2. How to retrofit lights in cars that do not have lights, running on SSD chips.

I would like to do an A-Z on repainting cars but I'm currently unable to do this due to ill health.

I know these have already been done but clearly people still want to know how as I've had requests.

Please keep your eyes peeled for these threads, again, apologies if I have offended anyone.

Regards

Colin

 

[Lloyd.L]

I definitely look forward to your urethane tyre tutorial Colin, something I have been hoping to try for some time.

Regards, Lloyd

 

[astro]

Looking forwards to the videos, good luck with your health

 

[ss67]

Keep posting Colin!

Get well soon!

 

[DJ]

I can't see how you could have offfended anyone really, don't think there is any need to apologise.

There's always someone breaking the rules in some form or another, a little self promotion here or there, mention of web-sites and services, take a quick look at the WASP tyres thread for an example, no harm in it but I suppose it's against the rules, it upsets the folk who have to pay to advertise I guess.

Please keep posting your informative threads, let the mods do what they need to do but don't let it bother you too much.

Hope the health issue gets sorted soon.

DJ

 

[1 32 slotter]

well put DJ

 

[Keeto]

Huh????

You had to remove the link in your sig to our clubs YOUTUBE channel? What the farfallonious!?

You must be kidding me.... I thought things like that is suppose to IMPROVE this hobby.

 

[chief32s]

Colin,

If you are not running a business then why worry? If its only a bit of petty cash then surely no-one's going to get offended. I enjoy your posts, so please post away. So long as you don't upset the mods then OK (BTW, my advice is don't mention Tea).

Not that I've taken it up yet, but it might be an idea to become a slotforum PLUS member.

Your enthusiasm is very welcome. Looking forward to all that's yet to come.

ATB
Al.

PS. Although I have nothing against your mug/visage, I did prefer your previous avatar. hehe.

 

[Miker]

Helping and informing other forum users is to be applauded, and well done to you for taking the time to put such things together

I think the problem occurs when that changes from information to 'by the way, I can do this for you for a small fee' or something like that.

As I understand it, any selling on the forum is only allowed to be done by those that have chosen to purchase the Plus+ subscription. I have over the years seen a great many people try to circumnavigate the Plus+ swap shop by simply posting cars for sale in the 'cars forum' or scenery items in the 'tracks forum' etc etc....
I also see people that are not Plus+ members actively posting on a persons thread asking for info about decals saying that they can supply the decals in question and to P.M. them for details.
Again, I've seen people showing their latest resin 'kit' posted in scratchbuilding only to be followed with 'I can supply these kits for x amount of £'s'

I'm in no way implying that you are any of the above Colin

This is a great forum with great users, Plus+ subscription does not cost a lot of money, if you had that subscription you could freely offer your tyres or painting services or whatever it may be without problem I'm sure, and feel good in the knowledge that you're supporting your favourite (?) forum.

Hope your health improves soon

 

[Wraith]

Miked,

Apparently this is still not allowed for plus members, If it were that simpe I would have just signed up on the spot.

The rules state that No advertising of services can be one on the forum either in a post or links in the signature. I've even ad to remove hot links in my signature as the two sites I has left, although not offering a service had links to my website that did in its left hand bar.

Thanks for everyone comments, I will get the trye master class done when I get the time between crushing headaches.

Mods - one question, in my master class can I tell people where to buy the products or do I have to blur the product names out in the photos? I have no connection to these companies.

 

[John Cahill]

This is a great thread...good idea, Colin. There has been quite a bit of confusion lately about what is and isn't allowed.
About the comments to date:

1) there was no reason at all to remove the You tube "how to"

2) I think Mikers comments are right on target...everything except for details about the Swap Shop. The Swap Shop is more for
swapping your stuff...not intended for selling your wares. There's really no problem at all selling your wares on the
SlotForum if you contact Doug and arrange for it above board. It's sneaking it in for free that rankles...when others are
contributing.

3) and yeah, if you have a hot link in your signature (not to mention 6 of them) that points directly to adds offering slot car
tires, slot repaints and even photographic services, all for pay...right, that's pushing it a bit. Many people do use their
website listing in their profile to show a hot link to services they offer. And in fairness, Colin...I believe noone asked you to
remove that one.

note: "SlotForum does not allow the use of advertising in your member name (forum ID), Avatar or Signature. This includes
brands and website addresses. Unless with the permission from SlotForum administrators."

best regards,
John

PS: for further information, http://www.slotforum.com/forums/index.php?act=boardrules

 

[Miker]

QUOTE (Wraith @ 9 Nov 2011, 23:53) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>Apparently this is still not allowed for plus members

Selling of slot related items that you have made yourself is not allowed? Or, having 'hot links' in your signature is not allowed?

Maybe the forum is missing a trick here? Don't know what advertisers & retailers pay to the forum, but could there not be something inbetween that and Plus+ membership that allows the smaller guys to advertise their wares on the forum? Those people that do make things like scenery items, tyres, resin shells and so forth or can design and print decals. Lots of people do voice their need for certain items that are not available through the main stream makers, then someone comes along that can provide those items only to find they are berated for then trying to sell them on the forum.

Maybe a 'Cottage Plus+' subscription? It could at least define the boundaries for those enterprising and talented forum users that can offer us less able hobbyists or those without the time to do such things an important service.

Something for the mods to discuss at their next AGM?

Mike

 

[Wraith]

Mike,

I think that's an excellent idea, as you say, something for the Mods to discuss. Of course the price would have to reflect that I doubt any of the small people your referring to make much profit if any after buying all the equipment etc (Speaking from experience lol)

Until then, its keeping my nose clean time

 

[slotcarscrapyard]

Just to add my two penneth worth here,

Theres a lot of members on here that do blantly offer services and parts etc on here, and have done for as long as I've been a member, quite some time.

I must admit I very rarely click on links in members signatures so I didn't know the content of wraith's, but it looks to me like he's been singled out almost. (No offence to any mod or member here but just my view on this)

Again I don't tend to read every topic, only those that interest me at the time or if I need to research something, but of the topics I read through (not all) that wraith has penned, so to speak, I haven't noticed anything half as blatant as some other members.
Indeed some members only appear on here, it seems, to sell products they have produced.

Please don't get me wrong, and I do understand the "free advertising" aspect from the mods point of view, but the amount of times where I have needed something bespoke or unavailable through regular retailers, this forum has managed to put me in touch with that 1 person who could help me out.

Again, I dont mean to stir up a hornets nest (was going to say wasp's nest but that advertising, right?) but surley there are alot of others on here that need the same reminder as its appeared wraith has had.

Chris

 

[DJ]

I completely agree Chris, perhaps there isn't equal treatment for all.

 

[bricktop]

hi
appalling that colin has been humbled into making an apology for something so trivial when others signatures offer in your face upgrades of this and that.

Maybe a blind eye is turned because of the amount of new members these upgrades bring with them.

As usual the rules are not evenly applied just adhered to when it suits.

 

[Riley Elf]

Goodbye ,Guys.

I think I'll stick with a forum where this sort of thing doesn't go on.

Sadly.

David.

 

[Miker]

As I said before, I really do think this is one of, if not the best slot hobby forums around. Due largely to it's users and (not in any way sucking up to) it's moderators and admin team.
I have no idea and do not pretend to know how things are run in the background, but IMHO the mod's do a fine job.
I do have to say though that a short while ago I did see a thread where a guy was showing his latest resin model and people had jumped in saying they would love one or two themselves. This person did not have Plus+ membership yet he was readily agreeing to supply these people. To my surprise a mod had jumped on the band wagon and said he would like one too

Not saying it was favouritism or a blind eye being turned, but I found that instance a bit weird.

This is a very large forum, and I have no doubt it's a hard place to moderate and things can slip through the net. Also, it's a free forum that also offers an upgrade should users wish to take that option. I'm not saying that if users upgrade to Plus+ membership it entitles them to any privileges over and above other users (other than the ones we know of), but remember that we can all moderate the forum if we see objectionable posts made by a user, simply hit the 'report' button to the bottom left of a post.

I really do think that a special package could be offered by the forum for the guys that enjoy making some of the things that we all need in smaller amounts. As I said earlier, I don't know how much the retailers pay to advertise, Plus+ membership runs at just over £13, maybe an enhanced membership package for 'cottage' makers could be £20 or so.
Could initially be hard to police or moderate, but I'm sure it would strike a happy medium between those that want to offer their surplus items through the swapshop and those that are making items by themselves.

Sorry to prattle on gents

Colin, maybe a poll of forum users could gauge the possible interest in such an 'enhanced' Plus+ membership for those hobby manufacturers?

Mike

 

[dgersh]

Guys,

This is exactly the sort of thing we have been talking about among the mods for the last couple days, including the double SF+ option. This is probably the hardest thing to decide on in a forum like ours, and it's just not that easy drawing the line. If any of you think you have a magic formula, please feel free to share it with us.

Remember, we're all volunteers, and do have other things to do along with moderating the forum - we do what we can.

Don

 

[Mr Modifier]

Well here are a couple of suggestions...

The SF++ membership could allow that member to advertise their wares in a dedicated forum. Linking across to that forum could be allowed providing the linking is pertinent to the topic in question (moderators - three strikes and you're out?!?).

SF++ membership only to be allowed for anybody WITHOUT A WEBSITE.

If you are making a living or significant secondary income from this hobby you will have a website, if you are making a few bits and bobs for fun, to fund your slotcar habit and to help out others then chances are you won't have a website.

Somebody is now bound to say - I'm not a business but I do have a website showing my car collection and I don't push my products on it. Sorry, lines have to be drawn and you can't expect moderators to inspect website content but you CAN expect them to police external linking if there's SF++ subscription income.

Advertising on SlotForum is about £30 a month I think - nothing to a serious business but way too much for the hobbyist who makes a few bits and bobs to sell.

The only other way to do this would be for Slotforum to offer a classified ads section with pay-as-you-go rather than monthly subscription but you would have to ban linking to it unless it was pertinent to the topic.

I all cases SF++ advertising should only be allowed for things people make themselves - this stops retailing though the back door. OK the odd used car in the swap shop but nothing that could be construed as dealer-style activity. this supports the cottage-industry suggestion made earlier in this thread.

Just a couple of thoughts