Group Buys - How do we proceed?

[PhilT]

This thread is here to discuss what the approach should be to protect the following:

- The users' cash
- The site's reputation
- The vendor

Possible topics:

Should RS246 apply a level of control to Group Buys orginised through the site?
To qualify, should vendors be required to advertise on the site? (Although this is probably already covered in our advertising/trading terms and conditions)

This the buying power this is a very important topic and should be considered seriously. We need a black and white approach as the Crew feel that this is the only approach that minimises the time spent and the ongoing concern.

[BRETTCOLLINS]

Don't think that vendors have to advertise on the site to qualify, This would liimit buying power of the group.

But vendors reputation should come into play YES.

[PhilT]

Don't think that vendors have to advertise on the site to qualify, This would liimit buying power of the group.

This is a tricky one. As one of the people who invests both time and money into the site, I think that it should be a requirement to ensure that we are in a position to fund site maintenance and activities.

A Group Buy should be percieved by a vendor as being a critical step in the partnership with the site and its members. In fact, we actively encourage site sponsors to organise Group Buys.

[SimonS4MTM]

I dont believe group buy sources need to advertise.

I think that group buys should just be organised by a forum member collecting numbers and negotiating a discout with the supplier. Money is then paid to the supplier by the individual purchasers as normal. It carries the same risk as any other on-line or telephone purchase.

Why would RS246 be liable over that, and why would RS246 have to lay the law down over the group buy.

Pay with your credit card and get insurance!!!

[S4Jem]

Why are we not allowed to be offered a choice . If we continue to just deal with advertisers we enevitably end up paying higher prices as there is no competition to encourage greater discounts.

As Simon says, we have the choice, we take the risk, we are all adults. The members should decide what suits them best rather than being told.....this who they have to buy through.

You have highlighted the risks (which is welcomed) and if things go pear, then this should bear no reflection on the reputation of this website.

I urge you to unlock the AWE group buy thread, so we have a choice and are not shackled to a preferential seller.

Regards
Jem

[s4woody]

now although rite at the beginning of the DTS group buy i made a statement that i bought my DTS from vag tuning i did not in anyway imply that they were the best or only supplier people shud use.. i have also bought from AMD,and QSTuning..my point is this..as a london cab driver we only have 1 person supplying our cabs and with that in mind they charge 30,000 for a vehicle thats really only worth 15,000. we have no choice but to pay that sort of money,so surely if a company can meet supply and demand then shouldn,t it be up to the individual to decide..will AMD pull there advertising from this forum if people go elsewhere??now there,s more than 1 audi forum but people choose to be part of this happy forum so with that in mind why cant we all agree 2 work as a team ,get the best deal from whoever fit them 2 our cars and enjoy..
its just a thought as i can see this going tits up.. :

[flashyg]

Why don't we call it

Rs246.group shackle
http://www.thefreedictionary.com/shackled
http://www.answers.com/topic/hamper

its always an education, this life.

I think we have said enough.
Gordon

[confusionhunter]

I think there are too many cook's in the DTS one and there is no "nominated spokesperson" in the DTS one which is now why there may be 2 groups!(need to read up)
I think site sponsors should be given the opportunity to quote and thats it. Thats what they pay for advertising... its up to them to convince us that their product is best value for money. Its good for them as they generate volume and good for us and we get better deals. If their products dont meet our needs and a competitors do then tough thats business.
Competition is what its all about. If a company gets attention for have a good or better value product then the product does the advertising. They shouldnt be penalised for not advertising specifically here, although they may be interested in site sponsorship. My 2p.

[PhilT]

Nice to see that we have struck while the fire is hot

I'll try to respond so that you can see where we are coming from (What a week!!):

- Unfortunatly under our Advertising terms, anyone trading through this site must pay for advertising (We need the money to keep the site running. No money, no site).

- As a Site Sponsor, the vendor would actually organise the Group Buy directly on here. Therefore the details are logged and everybody knows what is going on. No phone calls/emails to 20 people explaining the same thing.

- RS246 prides itself on it its 'firm but fair' attitude; this is what makes the site different to others.

- Investing in our sponsors does mean that there may be situations where existing sponsors are not competitive. We can handle these as they arise, and I think a couple of pounds difference is not the end of the world in some case. In the VAG-Tuner / AmD scenario, those of you who have ordered your parts today have spent 7 pounds each more for the product than AmD was almost ready to offer (They were coming in at £210 until the brakes got put on their supply). What's more is that it will probably cost more in total when you add up all the shipping and fitting, than having it in a central location.

- RS246 doesn't care if you are kids/adults/whatever. The fact remains that to keep our reputation as a safe place to converse/trade will be defended by us for the sake of those users who do appreciate what we do.

- In no way should you feel shackled by our terms and conditions (Which based on the critical mass of the site, we will be combining and posting soon). If you are unhappy with the the way we run the site, please feel free to voice your opinion in this area. If there is no resolution, I'd suggest looking at alternative sites such as www.TyreSmoke.net www.Audi-Sport.net www.AudiWorld.com, or why no set up your own.

[PhilT]

Just in addition to the comment I made here "I'd suggest looking at alternative sites such as www.TyreSmoke.net www.Audi-Sport.net www.AudiWorld.com" - You may not be aware that I was an administrator and moderator for both TSnet and ASnet for quite a while. John approached me to help him with RS246 as we had had enough of the chaos that was emerging on those sites. In fact the RS246 Crew have been hand picked and represent a wealth of experience in online communities.

RS246 was born (We have other sites running and planned too). Why? Well because there is a core community that share the same principles.

I suppose what I'm trying to say is that we are not the bad guys. We have nothing to gain, but have lost a lot and will continue to run this site in the best interests of the members and ourselves. If we closed the site down it would be a great strain off our shoulders. The fact remain that we keep the site running because in this day and age, it's refreshing to see a sense of community.

[Scotty]

Sorry for being dumb but does this mean if there's a group buy for a product on other forums or with a non-sponsoring vendor then I can't mention on here?

[PhilT]

Sorry for being dumb but does this mean if there's a group buy for a product on other forums or with a non-sponsoring vendor then I can't mention on here?

Good point Scotty. I suppose that in that scenario we would expect that if the Group Buy is discussed at length on this site, we would contact the vendor and ask for sponsorship. If it is just a casual link to another Forum/Group Buy, then we must allow it to continue for the benefit of the members.

At the same time we, with the help of our sponsors, would look to present a comparable offer.

Sound fair?

[johneroberts]

Sorry for being dumb but does this mean if there's a group buy for a product on other forums or with a non-sponsoring vendor then I can't mention on here?

Think thats taking the point a little too far, but please understand that its very difficult for RS246 to entice sponsors on here when A.Ripoff and Co are trying to set up massive group buys which inturn take business away from those sponors. The end result is loss in revenue, which if we dont get sponsors ends up with no RS246, or individuals having to fund it once again!
Cheers
jr

[Scotty]

I think Phil's answer sounds fair.

JR - I don't think it's taking it too far at all as this is the most common occurrence on other forums. If for example I see a GB on another forum that I think could bebfit members here then I was unsure of your stance on it hence the question. I don't think you can ask for a discussion on a subject and then say I've gone to far for asking a legitimate question.

From Phil's response I'm taking it that I shouldn't post but instead I should contact the crew and see if they can beat or match it via a sponsor. My only cocern with that is timescales.

[johneroberts]

Scotty
i think you got the wrong end of the stick
Im saying that no we cant stop that from happening
hence
Taking it too far!
Its impossible to stop that from happening
But

I gave the reasons why it should not be encouraged
Thats all mate
jr