I usually try and keep out of these discussions, for obvious reasons, but as i've been mentioned let me try and get my point of view over.
Firstly, from a "members" point of view.
I've been a member of this club longer than i've been making a living from working on Ducatis.
I've always posted, or tried to post, on the message board as "Nelly". I joined this club, and have remained so, because of the passion I hold for the marque. This club and the people who make up the club, hold and portray my personal views and passions of the marque in the closest way of the other clubs available to me and that's why I remain loyal to the DSC.
Although unwritten, I "know" the rules. Those of the board, the club and in general those relating to common sense and politeness.
I abide by them as much as possible. Once I kicked Cornerspeed into existence, it became more difficult, but I believe I do the best I can. I've over stepped the mark once but it got sorted in an adult manner and it's now history.
Should the fact that I have day to day experience of Ducati and their problems stop me from posting? I personally don't think so. The regular board members know full well what I do, but a newbie may not, so what's the problem with helping out? If that's advertising, because my sig carries a link, then let me know and I'll bite my tongue and stick to taking the pi55 and having a laugh. Actually, i'd more than likely pull my sig
So as not to appear hypocritical I've bitten my tongue on several occasions when I've known full well that a post is from a trader selling stuff on here. I'd love to join in with some of the posts, especially from the maestro who is JPM, to voice my opinion on what is a blatant **** take. As Jools said, it's the perfect platform. Virtually 100% of the target audience will be interested to some extent in what you're selling. Why shouldn't it be paid for?
From a traders point of view.
I started Cornerspeed for the same reasons as I joined the club. It was a massive gamble but I had to give it a shot. It was my lifelong dream.
I'll be the first to stand up and state that without the support I got and still get from this club and it's members it would have been far more difficult, maybe even have failed.
I don't see myself as some big hitting entrapaneur. I do what I do because I love doing it. I work hard and with a bit of luck every now and then things are coming together. I learn every day and one thing I know is that advertising costs. Directly, or indirectly.
For me, this club is the best advertising I can get and whilst the personal recomendations I get from members/customers are essentially FOC, I feel I have a moral obligation to give something back. I do this with my membership and my advert in Pronto. I give up as much advice and help as I can, but that's primarily because I can and that I want to, but if it's seen as adding value to the club for it's members then so be it.
As mentioned, I also offer a discount to paid up members. I don't have accurate records of what this is worth but it was in excess of £4000 last year. Yep, that's £4k out of my pocket in discounts on servicing, P&P etc. I've even suggested new customers sign up to the club so they get their £30 or so off a service. Why? Because it helps the club and enables me to put something back.
Look at what this club has done in the past few years. How much it has grown. What it provides. Why shouldn't traders be charged for advertising on here? Beats me. IMO, if you're in the market for selling product to Ducati owners then there isn't a better place in the UK, possibly even Europe and further afield to do it. I've sold product to Spain, Sweden, Holland, France even the US and that's without even really trying.
I know I couldn't even begin to put a value on that kind of advertising.
I think the webteam do an excellent job of monitoring the site. Most posters know the rules and police them theirselves. The rules, written or unwritten, are there to be upheld and if someone over steps the mark, then pull them up. I personally think they are pretty lenient.
These people do it for nothing, in their own time, and if they start getting personal abuse for doing it then the perputrator deserves to get their post pulled. Tough ****. If there's any doubt, what's wrong with a quick U2U or a mail to check??
I don't see that as censorship...............
Finally, what beats me is why topics like this go on for so long and get so much attention.
BDG started a thread about "what a good job the webteam do"........ how many joined in on that one? Why does it appear to be that everyone wants to have a dig, yet very few want to praise?
Look at the bigger picture and what you have here. It's an amazing place to vist. If that seems too much of an over statement, do a quick check on what your home page is, how often you visit or how many £'s you've saved on bits and trouble shooting
I for one will welcome any rule changes that are brought in by the MT. If I disagree I'll speak up, as Nelly and as Cornerspeed if necessary.
I'm a paid up member of the club and i'm allowed to do that. I'm also a trader that pays into the coffers for my advertising.
As mentioned before, this is not a public forum. It's a club message board that is open to the masses to be able to gleen off whatever knowledge is present on it, and there is masses of it.
It would not exist without the membership of the club and the people that run it.
No one has the right to abuse it or the people that run it. If they do then they get corrected. If they don't like it, then that's their problem.
If you don't like or agree with the rules, then stand up and take an active role in the club. Give up hours of your free time to change it............
I don't have the time, i'll admit it, so i'll respect those that have taken the trouble and work with them. Period.