Non Hosted Support Advertisement?

[TheBlizzard]

Since there has been some confusion on whats ok to advertise on here I want here some opinions on it so there will be no more confusion.

This only has to do with people advertising other vendors services or sales that are going on from non hosted support vendors. There will be no tolerance for non hosted people trying to sell a new product on here unless approved by administration.

So I think the fair thing to do is let the hosted support people decide what is ok since they are the ones forking out the money to advertise on the site.

So lets here what you guys want? Is it ok? Or do you want to be rid of all other sales other than hosted support sales and services?

CRAIG

[AJ]

Yeah, I would really like to hear from SGH, SLS, QPR, and Elite. I also wouldn't mind hearing from those indivuals who have paid to advertises their services.

[Jakey]

Quite frankly I don't see at all where there has been confusion. People, including myself, have pointed out to members opportunities that are available out there in the past and will continue to do so unless something is set in stone. It has happened before on here and to the best of my knowledge, no one has given two shits about it. One can go look on Tuners and see the Sparco or Apex sale mentioned in threads and I haven't seen the moderators or Chris lock down, frown upon, or question any of those threads.

[TheBlizzard]

The reason is because some local shops that pay for advertisement offer a lot of the same products people post up on here from shops that are in bum fuck Egypt somewhere. I would much rather see the local shops get the buisness even if they end up ordering from another vendor anyway.

CRAIG

[JET]

I don't see a problem, unless it is direct competition for one of the supporting shops. That doesn't leave much open because Elite, SLS and QPR have a big product line. If a rule is made, it needs to be definitive though. Either leave it open to anything or say nothing except from the supporting shops. Trying to police the middle ground would be a hassle.

[Shane@DBPerformance]

I think it is more of common sense though. Apexi having a once a year garage sale is different than someone coming on here to just sell some parts. Apexi doesn't even normally sell to the public. Apexi or Sparco trying to get rid of outdated inventory is a bit different than Joe Schmoe or a local shop try to sell a bunch of some current product. Like for the winter parts specials we do on here, we didn't post them on MNSC, because we are not a paid vendor on there. And when someone asks for some part on there, I don't reply or PM them telling them to call us at Elite.

[MATCHBX]

Most of the places that would be cheaper than what you get at the local shops on here will end up being close to the same price after shipping and such.

I know you wanted to hear from the hosted services members, but I figured I'd at least point out the obvious that some people overlook when they are only looking at what an item costs rather than the final price.

Personally if I had to spend a few extra bucks to get something local, I would do it. Most of these other places won't have the support before, during and most importantly after the sale like a local shop would. Plus, I can look at a face when I buy it instead of a computer screen.

Just my 2 pennies worth (which is only worth .05 cents after the government dips there hands into it).

[Shane@DBPerformance]

State sales tax kills most of the sales for us local shops. If people had to pay sales tax plus shipping for stuff over the internet, then the retail playing field would be alot more even.

[TheBlizzard]

So is the concensus here that its ok to advertise whatever you want as long as you are not trying to market your own product? It doesn't matter to me either way, the way I see it, if I am going to buy something I will buy it locally. The only way I would buy something from a non local shop is if there was a huge price difference or it the item was not available.

CRAIG

[Matt D.]

I just think it needs to be local if anything at all. I understand the whole trying to keep from having business taken away from shops that sponsor the site, but a groupbuy here and a garage sale there isn't going to do any harm, will it? New members should still be not be able to sell things until they've been around long enough.