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Post by Pinch on Apr 5, 2016 10:30:18 GMT
Since the relevant threads were locked, I've opened this thread, just to register my disappointment at the closure of the loan scheme. I had been looking forward to trying out the NVA BMU at some point, and so it's a shame for me that TAS won't be able to facilitate this. More generally, I think the loan scheme was a great idea, that generated some good threads and interesting discussion - it's disappointing that all of this will now come to an end. The reasoning behind the closure is somewhat obscure to me - it seems to me that, by their refusal to participate, vendors have effectively exerted a kind of influence over the forum that's contrary to TAS's stated aims. Speaking for myself, I never had the impression that TAS was not impartial - it was always very clear that the loan scheme was open to all vendors, and so I'm puzzled as to how anyone could have arrived at the opposite impression.
Anyway, obviously the admins should do as they see fit. I just wanted to register my thoughts on the matter.
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Post by ChrisB on Apr 5, 2016 11:03:02 GMT
Thanks for your thoughts Tom.
People should know that this decision was not by any means an easy one to make for any of us.
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Post by MartinT on Apr 5, 2016 11:22:01 GMT
I'd like to add, if it's not at all obvious, that we are disappointed that we had to take this action.
A forum isn't any good without its members, and we found ourselves in a position where we either listened to the complaints or held fast and lost a lot of members and involvement.
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Post by alaska on Apr 5, 2016 11:22:05 GMT
I would like to reinforce Pinch's spot-on post. TAS's willingness to facilitate the loan scheme was admirable and was one of the many things that makes this place so refreshing compared with the other hi-fi forums. Such a shame that other vendors chose not to participate for whatever reasons. The success of the scheme and amount of comment it produced surely shows how useful such a loan scheme can be ?
I urge you to re-consider. Thanks
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Post by alaska on Apr 5, 2016 11:25:22 GMT
I'd like to add, if it's not at all obvious, that we are disappointed that we had to take this action. A forum isn't any good without its members, and we found ourselves in a position where we either listened to the complaints or held fast and lost a lot of members and involvement. I get this, but would have like the complainers to have had the guts to complain openly on the forum, and explain their arguments. Otherwise it looks like cowardly sour-grapes to me. |
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Post by brian2957 on Apr 5, 2016 11:30:22 GMT
Yup , I'm also disappointed that this has come to an end , for whatever reason . I always thought that it was an excellent idea .
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Post by TheMooN on Apr 5, 2016 12:11:39 GMT
For my part I am disappointed and somewhat disgusted in the manor with which a handfull? Of members with a trade interest and other presumably grudge draggers have manipulated, and it would appear coerced, the forum admin team into making this decision! Perhaps a list of the former, might allow me to reconsider any future patronage that might have gone that way.
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Post by AlanS on Apr 5, 2016 12:14:37 GMT
Who are these trade members? There is no trade forum, nothing in their membership shows they are trade. Seems a mysterious clan with too much influence.
Why are they allowed to hide? Other forms give them their own area and say TRADE somewhere.
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Post by MartinT on Apr 5, 2016 12:29:47 GMT
Alan - we have no 'trade' members and no trade section - that is and always has been our ethos. However, we do have members who have a declared trade interest.
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Post by orbscure on Apr 5, 2016 12:42:42 GMT
Who are these trade members? There is no trade forum, nothing in their membership shows they are trade. Seems a mysterious clan with too much influence. Why are they allowed to hide? Other forms give them their own area and say TRADE somewhere. +1... the loan system clearly set TAS aside in a hugely positive way from the other Hi-Fi forums I frequent and for it to be withdrawn in the manner is has is very disappointing. Perhaps the descenting members would like to tell us why they are unhappy with it? |
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Post by AlanS on Apr 5, 2016 12:42:58 GMT
Alan - we have no 'trade' members and no trade section - that is and always has been our ethos. However, we do have members who have a declared trade interest. Pitty they/you are so quiet about it yet force the closure of a scheme I did not take advantage of. One Trade Member I recognise, the rest might declare themselves more openly. I would like to know who to avoid |
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Post by Pinch on Apr 5, 2016 12:56:07 GMT
I'd like to add, if it's not at all obvious, that we are disappointed that we had to take this action. A forum isn't any good without its members, and we found ourselves in a position where we either listened to the complaints or held fast and lost a lot of members and involvement. Thanks for further clarifying, Martin. It sounds like the management has been put in a difficult position. I do wonder if members who - presumably motivated by nothing other than sour grapes - would privately campaign for the removal of a service that was run for the benefit of the rest of the membership, and which many other members enjoyed, are really the kind of members that we can't afford to lose. |
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Post by Deleted on Apr 5, 2016 12:59:33 GMT
I would think it a damn shame if this scheme has indeed been torpedoed by hissy fits by a few with trade interests and others with petty vendettas. The scheme clearly benefitted all who took part and led to some very interesting reviews and spin-off discussions that I read with interest. If I'm honest I found them far more interesting than what's on TV or what folks have been listening to lately and there aren't otherwise a huge number of active threads on matters technical. I think it a very sad state when the gripes of a few spoil the interests of many ... and I think it will lead to membership attrition of a very different type - lack of interest  |
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Post by Deleted on Apr 5, 2016 13:01:35 GMT
At the very least its could have been put to a membership poll before a decision was taken
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Post by MartinT on Apr 5, 2016 13:47:15 GMT
I appreciate the sentiments, mikmas, I really do. But ultimately, we make the decisions and we take the hits.
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Post by Deleted on Apr 5, 2016 14:23:10 GMT
I'd like to add, if it's not at all obvious, that we are disappointed that we had to take this action. A forum isn't any good without its members, and we found ourselves in a position where we either listened to the complaints or held fast and lost a lot of members and involvement. The problem is the 'members' you are listening to are either the usual trade suspects or pathetic individuals with an agenda or grudge against RD. This is turning the forum into AOS. A situation which I thought we should be getting away from. Ask yourself why other vendors are not prepared to offer their own schemes if they think there is unfair competition? Frankly Martin I can understand and likely imagine the pressure you have been put under but surely these people could just go elsewhere if they don't like it. The loan scheme threw up some interesting insights and was not a significant driver of sales. The only method that is worthwhile for assessing hi-fi is often a lengthy home audition and putting money up front is a disincentive to most people on forums who are often penny pinching or cash strapped. I doubt NVA takes any business away from the dealers that specialise in expensive bling / status equipment brands. |
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Post by Slinger on Apr 5, 2016 15:30:35 GMT
I think the fact that some seemingly elite members of TAS have taken it upon themselves to send messages to the owners of this forum threatening to boycott it (or worse?) if the equipment loan scheme continued says a lot more about them than any of us "normal" members ever could. It has been pointed out to me that other members with trade affiliations were not bound to join in, it was their choice and they should not be pilloried for it. Fair enough. They should, however, have treated the scheme with the same decency and fairness that they required of others. Just because they didn't join the scheme there was no reason to bitch because one company did.  |
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Post by alaska on Apr 5, 2016 15:49:49 GMT
I think the fact that some seemingly elite members of TAS have taken it upon themselves to send messages to the owners of this forum threatening to boycott it (or worse?) if the equipment loan scheme continued says a lot more about them than any of us "normal" members ever could. Can I respectfully ask the Management if Slinger's post is a fair summary of what has gone on here ? If it is, who are these "elite" members, and how did they get to be elite ? How many "threatened" you ? Is this the sort of forum where secret threats are more valued than the open, honest postings of non-elite members ? So far, this thread has been 100% anti scrapping the facilitation of the Loan Scheme. Why not ask the elite to come on and explain why they oppose it? |
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Post by Pinch on Apr 5, 2016 15:52:30 GMT
I think the fact that some seemingly elite members of TAS have taken it upon themselves to send messages to the owners of this forum threatening to boycott it (or worse?) if the equipment loan scheme continued says a lot more about them than any of us "normal" members ever could. I think you're right, but still I'll have a go: Their vindictive pettiness is beyond juvenile, and they should be ashamed of themselves. |
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Post by MartinT on Apr 5, 2016 15:56:24 GMT
This is turning the forum into AOS. No, it isn't. You are completely free to discuss any vendor's products here and I believe we have proven that time and time again. We have lost the loan scheme, nothing more. |
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