Free advertising on the forum?

[speedplay]

I've noticed that some members use this forum for free advertising for their shops/sites to reach our members. Yes, we are not many members here, but I still feel that it is rude to simple use this place to advertise with out offering anything back.

Most recent was a post advertising for some comp on another site, made to attract members to that site. Not sure how to deal with this, but I strongly feel that if anyone wants to place adds on this site, they should offer something in return, both to Rob and the rest of the members here.

Seeing how we have a section called Competitions makes me wonder, is this section open for anyone to start a competition or place and add for a competition? In the end, this is Rob's decision, but the way I see it, if some one else wants to start a competition in this section, fine, but then the competition should be heldt with in this forum and the winner should be some one on the forum.

Other people's opinions on this?

[pingpongrob]

Speedplay you are 100% correct. But remember this is our Forum (Although the heading states otherwise). It is up to all of us to decide what happens here.

Your idea about competitions sound very fair. But we should make sure that the comp's dont steer members away from here.

[Vinnie]

I think that it can't just go to their site, such as tabletennisdb did, but if people start a competition within the forum, with them sponsoring the prize, that's fine.

[big ears]

Anything that leads members away is bad, if you allow it for some you have to be consistent. Maybe its a little different if they join in properly.

[speedplay]

Biggy, I agree. If a member like JKC (where the heck is he???) announces a competition on another site, then I'm fine with it as I know he does this to give us all the opportunity to win something, but if a new member joins and starts to post about competitions on other sites, I feel like he is trying to lure away our members to this new site with the competitions. That is why I feel that any form of competitions that is suggested should be closed for non forum members, then we know that some one on the forum benefits from the comp.

[Vinnie]

Yep, I entirely agree with you biggy and speedplay.