Shops using MORC forum for self promotion

[Pete Hamer]

What does everyone think about shops/shop employees using this forum to promote the shop they work for or to promote themselves? Don't get me wrong, I'm not trying to say anyone has been doing anything wrong:) and I'm not starting a fight:hit: . I know that I have posted up in the past when someone said they were looking for something that I had or I could help them with. So far I have refrained from trying to just push products that we sell at Penn.
I don't want this thread to get inflamed so if people could post up with constructive/positive responses:D I would apreciate it.

[jjrsds]

It is always good to post up if you can help someone find a solution to their problem so please keep doing it. I don't think anyone has pushed self promotion on this website (other than Shad of course) :D. Don't take it to heart some people can't even put in their full name to be accountable for the items that they post so keep trying to help.

[gopherhockey]

I agree.. we're all here for each other. If someone has something to give others - be it advice or promoting a product they know to be good, I don't consider it a problem. From time to time we all back a certain shop or product... and all shops in town support MORC, so I certainly don't mind anyone stepping up to offer something and mention a particular place by name.

If it got out of hand or biased I think it would be obvious... but I haven't seen any of that.

I encourage people from Penn, Eriks, REI and all the rest of the great shops in town to step up and offer their thoughts. If someone works at one of these places and wants to give their opinions I don't see why they need to avoid mentioning where they work or where they feel a person should go for good service, parts, bikes, advice etc.

We'll all keep each other honest ;)

[nigel]

Ive been guilty of self promoting, but mine usually is a one on one experience with a bike of course, and you learn while we repair or build.

[Buck]

I self promote just like this.


YA ALL SHOULD COME TO SPIRIT OF THE NORTH ADVENTURE FILM FESTIVAL AND CHECK OUT RISING STORM by me. and FRESH by Derrick Taylor and DAKIB by Cliff Langley and Joel Decker. then you should by our DVDs so we can keep making films with zero budget.

www.spiritofthenorthmag.com (http://www.spiritofthenorthmag.com)


I think this is fine, it certainly doesn't hurt anyone, and hey you just might meet some cool people there. :D ;) :cool:

L8R
Buck

[manual63]

Hi, my name is Shad. I ride a bicycle......and I think I am cool because of it.....:)

[Pete Hamer]

Hi, my name is Shad. I ride a bicycle......and I think I am cool because of it.....:)
I think you're cool too Shad:D .
As I look at this thread I realize that I titled it wrong.:embarass: What I was really trying to figure out is whether or not it is acceptable to do business on the forum. It appears that everyone is cool with that so I won't shy away from it. Keep up the self promotion guys and thanks for the positive feedback.

[nigel]

I think you're cool too Shad:D .
As I look at this thread I realize that I titled it wrong.:embarass: What I was really trying to figure out is whether or not it is acceptable to do business on the forum. It appears that everyone is cool with that so I won't shy away from it. Keep up the self promotion guys and thanks for the positive feedback.

Personally if its bike related or even sports related i dont see any problem with it being on here. If its non-bike related keep it to the non-bike (sports) related areas and it should be fine there. Keep in mind also, to do actual shop bussiness you may want to make sure its ok with the shop first. Nobody has been an ass about self promoting yet so it should not be a big deal. Saying that, my home shop is al built up so c'mon folks gimmie builds to do!

[Primo Tiki]

I think that it would be ok to help someone obtain a hard to find item that you know your shop has, via the MORC forum. If you are trying to push a sale or convince someone that your shop is better to buy from than another, that's just wrong.

[bikingbruise]

Hey who snapped the picture of me and my bike jumping off for the "Spirit of the Mountain" film:scream:

[Bighit]

It is always good to post up if you can help someone find a solution to their problem so please keep doing it. I don't think anyone has pushed self promotion on this website (other than Shad of course) :D. Don't take it to heart some people can't even put in their full name to be accountable for the items that they post so keep trying to help.

I don't use my real name because my views may not represent that of my shop, and I don't think some people can seperate the two in their minds and would link my opinon to the shop. Otherwise I have no problem being accountable.

[syntaxjunkie]

Thanks for bringing this up. One of the ideas I'm considering right now is establishing something of a "free classifieds" thread for shops and businesses that support MORC to promote special offers, sales, etc. The thought being that creating an area for people to post and access information like this minimizes the likelihood that someone will be overly commercial in their posts.

Thus far, we haven't had any real problems with blatant hucksterism, people shilling a shop or business they're involved with on the site, etc. Just about all of us work somewhere, and if there's a connection between what you do for a living and a question or problem someone has, I think you should feel free to identify yourself as such in a post. [So, if anyone's looking for a full-service advertising agency...]

Anyway, if you have any thoughts or questions you'd like to run by me about this, shoot me an email: marketing@morcmtb.org

[gopherhockey]

I don't use my real name because my views may not represent that of my shop, and I don't think some people can seperate the two in their minds and would link my opinon to the shop. Otherwise I have no problem being accountable.

I almost wonder why the shops don't promote activity here more... it seems wrong to have to hide. Maybe thats something that can change in time through some programs like Charles is talking about.

Frankly I couldn't name one shop employee right now even if the name weren't hidden.... other than mara who has a pretty close tie to a shop in town. I have no problem separating it in that situation either.

Doug is the only other bike shop guy I know... and thats because he stepped up and did classes for his shop and for MORC.

If any other shop or employee stepped up and made themselves known I'd probably be apt to want give them more business... so I see a real benefit for people coming forward for everyone involved. I realy believe there is much more chance of drawing more business than there is of losing any... at least IMHO

[Pete Hamer]

I don't use my real name because my views may not represent that of my shop, and I don't think some people can seperate the two in their minds and would link my opinon to the shop. Otherwise I have no problem being accountable.
That's something that I've been concerned about too mostly because you can come across differently on line than how you intended. It can be easy to upset someone on the forum unintentionally and you don't want it coming back to affect you at work. I think using your real name is a personal choice or a business choice that needs to be respected. That's all I want to say about that topic becuase it was covered in a recent thread:) .

[Pete Hamer]

I almost wonder why the shops don't promote activity here more... it seems wrong to have to hide. Maybe thats something that can change in time through some programs like Charles is talking about.

Frankly I couldn't name one shop employee right now even if the name weren't hidden.... other than mara who has a pretty close tie to a shop in town. I have no problem separating it in that situation either.

Doug is the only other bike shop guy I know... and thats because he stepped up and did classes for his shop and for MORC.

If any other shop or employee stepped up and made themselves known I'd probably be apt to want give them more business... so I see a real benefit for people coming forward for everyone involved. I realy believe there is much more chance of drawing more business than there is of losing any... at least IMHO
I think that that's cool:cool:. Shops and shop employees are part of our bike culture one way or another and it's good to know that we are welcome here:)(ahhh, warm fuzzy feeling) . I think I will likely start to get more involved.

[syntaxjunkie]

Just a general principle: Regardless of whether or not you use your real name, the easiest way to avoid sending the wrong message is: Don't be a jerk.

I am periodically amazed by the lows that people sink to in online conversation, here and elsewhere. I don't think it's too much to ask that people express their opinions without going out of their way to insult, degrade or otherwise disrespect others. It's passive-aggressive, it's lame, and it's a waste of pixels. Especially if it's being done under an alias that provides an extra degree of cover.

[Pete Hamer]

Just a general principle: Regardless of whether or not you use your real name, the easiest way to avoid sending the wrong message is: Don't be a jerk.

I am periodically amazed by the lows that people sink to in online conversation, here and elsewhere. I don't think it's too much to ask that people express their opinions without going out of their way to insult, degrade or otherwise disrespect others. It's passive-aggressive, it's lame, and it's a waste of pixels. Especially if it's being done under an alias that provides an extra degree of cover.
Good point! I remember a time when being a mountain biker was like being part of a club and everyone was friendly towards everyone. Back in my day................:laugh:; just kidding I won't do that.

[Pete Hamer]

Just a general principle: Regardless of whether or not you use your real name, the easiest way to avoid sending the wrong message is: Don't be a jerk.

I am periodically amazed by the lows that people sink to in online conversation, here and elsewhere. I don't think it's too much to ask that people express their opinions without going out of their way to insult, degrade or otherwise disrespect others. It's passive-aggressive, it's lame, and it's a waste of pixels. Especially if it's being done under an alias that provides an extra degree of cover.
One reason I think people are concerned about indentifying themselves as a shop employee on this forum is that a different shop employee might attack or critisize them just because they are from a different shop. Let me be the first to say that I will never critisize another shop on this forum or anywhere else. I think it just makes the person doing the critisizing look bad.

[gopherhockey]

One reason I think people are concerned about indentifying themselves as a shop employee on this forum is that a different shop employee might attack or critisize them just because they are from a different shop. Let me be the first to say that I will never critisize another shop on this forum or anywhere else. I think it just makes the person doing the critisizing look bad.

The good thing is that I think our community, club, forums etc. have all held a much higher standard than some... maybe its Minnesota nice? Whatever it is I have always been proud to be associated with the people on the message boards and I am always eager to see a new face join in...

I have no doubt that we can keep things positive.

[ppgc]

I wish the shops in town would ask me if I was a MORC member when I purchased something. I always forget to say that I am and get my 10% off. :) Anyways, I have no problem with shop promotion in threads. :)

[drmrboyalex]

well from what i can tell...anyone who cares to post doesnt mind as long as it is in moderation

[gopherhockey]

I wish the shops in town would ask me if I was a MORC member when I purchased something. I always forget to say that I am and get my 10% off. :) Anyways, I have no problem with shop promotion in threads. :)

I have the same problem. I once tried to just tell them I was a MORC member but forgot my card and they said "MORC what?". :embarass:

[nigel]

I have the same problem. I once tried to just tell them I was a MORC member but forgot my card and they said "MORC what?". :embarass:

I used my MORCness at Freewheel not to long ago.

[tedsti]

I think the real difference is who initiates it. If someone posts that they are having trouble with their X and asks for help, I have no problem with a shop person saying you may need a new one and BTW we have them in stock.

I think the line gets drawn if a shop starts throwing up new threads saying "We just got Y in stock, come buy some..." Note, I haven't seen any of this.

[gopherhockey]

I think the line gets drawn if a shop starts throwing up new threads saying "We just got Y in stock, come buy some..." Note, I haven't seen any of this.

Unless, of course, someone wanted to post something like "we have X items in stock and 50% off for MORC members only this weekend".... :D

[syntaxjunkie]

Unless, of course, someone wanted to post something like "we have X items in stock and 50% off for MORC members only this weekend".... :D
Now THAT'S what I'm talking about.

Apologies in advance if I elbow you out of the way to get to the cash register first.

[Pete Hamer]

I think the real difference is who initiates it. If someone posts that they are having trouble with their X and asks for help, I have no problem with a shop person saying you may need a new one and BTW we have them in stock.

I think the line gets drawn if a shop starts throwing up new threads saying "We just got Y in stock, come buy some..." Note, I haven't seen any of this.
I like the way you put it. That is kinda how I have been approaching it. I wasn't sure if it seemed schmucky so I figured I better ask.

[manual63]

I think you're cool too Shad:D .
As I look at this thread I realize that I titled it wrong.:embarass: What I was really trying to figure out is whether or not it is acceptable to do business on the forum. It appears that everyone is cool with that so I won't shy away from it. Keep up the self promotion guys and thanks for the positive feedback.

I don't have a problem with shop people supporting and plugging their shops, as long as it's in-line with a current thread. I don't want it to be like spam or something. If someone asks about FS bikes, hey someone just did, and a shop wants to plug a brand they sell and state where they can get it, fine by me.

For those of you who work at or manage shops, this is a good place to promote sales or events and I think if you work with MORC on this, it can get on the calander, but you might want to ask Charles or someone about that to be sure.

Anyway, some of this might be repeat, I didn't read all the posts.

[gopherhockey]

Where is that dead horse picture when we need it? ;)

[mtnbykr]

Where is that dead horse picture when we need it?

shad will prolly get po'ed but.....



http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v319/mtnbykr/deadhorse03.gif


kl

[Primo Tiki]

I think the real difference is who initiates it. If someone posts that they are having trouble with their X and asks for help, I have no problem with a shop person saying you may need a new one and BTW we have them in stock.

I think the line gets drawn if a shop starts throwing up new threads saying "We just got Y in stock, come buy some..." Note, I haven't seen any of this.

I couldn't agree more.

[manual63]

shad will prolly get po'ed but.....





kl

Nope, I will just close my eyes......:p:)

[Pete Hamer]

Saying that, my home shop is al built up so c'mon folks gimmie builds to do!
Got any pics of your shop?

[nigel]

Got any pics of your shop?

Here are 2 quick ones

http://www.morcmtb.org/photopost/showphoto.php?photo=1871&size=big&ppuser=156

http://www.morcmtb.org/photopost/showphoto.php?photo=1872&size=big&ppuser=156

I had to build the room from scratch since, its not too big and not too small, just right for what i need. I got room outside this room for many more bikes. That table with the truing stand on it moves around too. Just need to drop some outlets and do up a ceiling and its done, but no hurry for either of those.

D

[drmrboyalex]

Here are 2 quick ones

http://www.morcmtb.org/photopost/showphoto.php?photo=1871&size=big&ppuser=156

http://www.morcmtb.org/photopost/showphoto.php?photo=1872&size=big&ppuser=156

I had to build the room from scratch since, its not too big and not too small, just right for what i need. I got room outside this room for many more bikes. That table with the truing stand on it moves around too. Just need to drop some outlets and do up a ceiling and its done, but no hurry for either of those.

D

looks nice....and yea, who needs outlets:D

[Pete Hamer]

Here are 2 quick ones

http://www.morcmtb.org/photopost/showphoto.php?photo=1871&size=big&ppuser=156

http://www.morcmtb.org/photopost/showphoto.php?photo=1872&size=big&ppuser=156

I had to build the room from scratch since, its not too big and not too small, just right for what i need. I got room outside this room for many more bikes. That table with the truing stand on it moves around too. Just need to drop some outlets and do up a ceiling and its done, but no hurry for either of those.

DLooks Nice! Is that Dry Deck on the floor?
I wish my shop was indoors or heated, cold tools suck. Thanks for the pics.

[nigel]

Looks Nice! Is that Dry Deck on the floor?
I wish my shop was indoors or heated, cold tools suck. Thanks for the pics.

I painted the floor with a white garage sealant and then popped these interlocking rubber tiles over "dirty" areas, but will do them over the whole floor when i get more, saves on sweeping just need to shop vac em every once in a while.

[Pete Hamer]

Is it O.K. to highjack a thread that I started:laugh:? Doug I will start a new thread and create a link so that your posts are included.:)

[manual63]

Is it O.K. to highjack a thread that I started:laugh:? Doug I will start a new thread and create a link so that your posts are included.:)

If it's about floors, sealing, fixing, painting.....yeah sure. Put it in Non-Biking Discussion please.......:)

If it's bike related, keep it here. Doesn't matter if you go off topic a little.

[Pete Hamer]

If it's about floors, sealing, fixing, painting.....yeah sure. Put it in Non-Biking Discussion please.......:)
Oops, :embarass: I already put it in general discussions. It's about home bike repair shops. Where does something like that go?

[ppgc]

If it's about floors, sealing, fixing, painting.....yeah sure. Put it in Non-Biking Discussion please.......:)

If it's bike related, keep it here. Doesn't matter if you go off topic a little.

It is bike related, places to work on bikes. He didn't get into how Bush is ruining this Country or how domestic autos suck. :crazy2:

-pete