I just want to say that I'm stealing virtual mercy booth as my next band name
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So Talkbass Has A Store Now...
- Thread starter DiabolusInMusic
- Start date
It's not a big deal to me but I agree with those who say the store should abide by the same CUP rules as independent merchants.
In any business balancing the concerns of the various actors against your own self-interest is a delicate and fraught endeavor and easy to get wrong. The perception or potential for wrong-doing or conflict of interest are as important as if there is actual abuse of position.
I'm a bit surprised the mods and Paul himself are not a bit more able to see the other side on this one, their emotional investment in the site and desire to see it remain profitable may be making it difficult for them to remain as impartial as usual, and understandably so.
I can see both sides, though I think the subject can be looked at a bit more objectively by the site's owner and mids going forward, for the good of the site long term and to avoid hard feelings in both sides.
Personally I think the store will not do very well unless they have a USP, like extremely low prices on selected limited in time items, or an extremely extensive range of products (unlikely and a bad idea for logistical and risk reasons) or branded one-offs and exclusive runs or versions of certain accessories or products.
Anyway, hope it gets sorted and doesn't drive away independent sellers because I can guarantee they drive more people to the site and generate more useful content that banner advertisers. I think Jason's idea of monetizing CUP sellers makes more sense than directly competing with them.
In any business balancing the concerns of the various actors against your own self-interest is a delicate and fraught endeavor and easy to get wrong. The perception or potential for wrong-doing or conflict of interest are as important as if there is actual abuse of position.
I'm a bit surprised the mods and Paul himself are not a bit more able to see the other side on this one, their emotional investment in the site and desire to see it remain profitable may be making it difficult for them to remain as impartial as usual, and understandably so.
I can see both sides, though I think the subject can be looked at a bit more objectively by the site's owner and mids going forward, for the good of the site long term and to avoid hard feelings in both sides.
Personally I think the store will not do very well unless they have a USP, like extremely low prices on selected limited in time items, or an extremely extensive range of products (unlikely and a bad idea for logistical and risk reasons) or branded one-offs and exclusive runs or versions of certain accessories or products.
Anyway, hope it gets sorted and doesn't drive away independent sellers because I can guarantee they drive more people to the site and generate more useful content that banner advertisers. I think Jason's idea of monetizing CUP sellers makes more sense than directly competing with them.
Hi again! 
I'm not going to spam the store in the forums. The forums ARE TalkBass and we're not going to do anything that would change or jeopardize the status quo. I'm not going to post about the store, I'm not going to be giving advice (buying advice or otherwise) in the forums. I stay busy enough working behind the scenes keeping the forums running. Nothing will change with paying advertiser banner space, all advertisers will continue to be guaranteed 100% of their purchased impressions. The only thing I'm going to do is run a few banner ads to fill unsold banner inventory. Inventory that is not doing anything for the site currently.
Sorry yes I suppose the grand rollout of the header link could have been handled better, but I guess I didn't assume y'all would think I would turn the forums into a big lopsided TB spamfest.
I'm not going to spam the store in the forums. The forums ARE TalkBass and we're not going to do anything that would change or jeopardize the status quo. I'm not going to post about the store, I'm not going to be giving advice (buying advice or otherwise) in the forums. I stay busy enough working behind the scenes keeping the forums running. Nothing will change with paying advertiser banner space, all advertisers will continue to be guaranteed 100% of their purchased impressions. The only thing I'm going to do is run a few banner ads to fill unsold banner inventory. Inventory that is not doing anything for the site currently. Sorry yes I suppose the grand rollout of the header link could have been handled better, but I guess I didn't assume y'all would think I would turn the forums into a big lopsided TB spamfest.
I enjoy this site and will continue to do so
This could have been rolled out better and TB should have considered and approached the vendors and addressed their concerns privately before the roll out. Both sides have valid arguments
I commend TB for allowing this thread to continue but perhaps a time out is needed so the sides can work this out privately
This could have been rolled out better and TB should have considered and approached the vendors and addressed their concerns privately before the roll out. Both sides have valid arguments
I commend TB for allowing this thread to continue but perhaps a time out is needed so the sides can work this out privately
Brad Johnson said>
I know you're wrong. You apparently aren't familiar with what he's contributed over the years
He has 15 years of content! Do you really expect me to read his entire post history? That's a tall order, Brad Johnson commercial user!
so we end up with this comedy routine based on a poorly thought out assumption.
I do what I can, Brad Johnson commercial user, and appreciate your affirmation.
As far as skin in the game, do you mean money?
Yes, Brad Johnson commercial user, but specifically the sentiment that user content provided by non-supporting members should equate to input in business decisions regarding a forum that they choose to post on. To be clear, being a supporting member doesn't give a poster any more expertise about business nor does it afford a right to be involved or consulted regarding the direction of the forum. But, Brad Johnson commercial user, even if the owner of a business were soliciting opinions from the public about the direction of a forum, do you feel they should listen to the people who actively pay money to support their business, or to people who have been posting for over a decade, but do not find enough value in the forum to pay 4 dollars a month to help it succeed? Perhaps they feel their non-monetary contribution more than makes up for the lack of financial support. That may be a sound argument, and one that has merit, and even motivates a person like me to renew my membership every month; however, it certainly entitles them to nothing more than an opinion, and is disappointing to see the reaction of some when the weight of their opinion to the owner doesn't match their emotional investment and perceived contribution to the forum.
Or, to reframe: you're a commercial user, Brad Johnson commercial user. Do you openly solicite opinions from the general public when you make financial decisions about your business? If you do, to whom do you listen: people who do not, and openly state they will never purchase your (insert whatever you sell), but say great things about your product, or will you listen to the people who actively buy your (insert whatever you sell)? Surely you can understand why the principle is very similar, if not the same. But above all, the business relies on you, and your acumen to succeed, and not the opinions of the people. I should think this is true even in this environment, and is evidenced by the lack of solicitation by the owner of this forum.
Perhaps you feel differently, and perhaps you have been asked by the owner for your expertise regarding this, which is apparently, an insufferable decision to sell strings. I can not join in the indignation.
If so, yes, he didn't make any money providing the content that he did.
I don't think he expected any money. If he did, he should have had a contract.
Neither have I for the handful of people I've helped over the years, largely with no benefit to me, just trying to help.
You are a commercial user, Brad Johnson commercial user. If you have helped only a handful of people, and have largely received no benefit from selling (insert whatever you sell) on the largest bass player forum in the world, do not be surprised if your business advice is not solicited. Although I am sure they appreciate your support, and thank you for not just posting opinions for over a decade (although that is important also, but for different reasons, as previously stated.).
Not a very good point for you to be making IMO.
No point, just observations. I'm an observational comedian. I'm sorry, I thought you could tell from my comedy show.
Maybe you'd like to tell us how stupid we were for doing it all these years?
I do not think you are stupid, Brad Johnson commercial user. But, in fairness, I have not read the years of contributions you have made, either, so I reserve judgment.
Also emoticons are creepy.
Thanks... it perfectly explains you. A comedian? Nah... can't say what really comes to mind. The beauty of a moderated forum.
And yes, I'm a commercial user. Got a problem with that?
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Oh, Brad...I'm sorry, I'm just a little disappointed. The truth is, I put effort into my original reply to you, and I thought I did a fine job of clarifying the points I had made. It was precise, free of typos, broadly correct in both tense and syntax....even a few jokes for brevity!Thanks... it perfectly explains you. A comedian? Nah... can't say what really comes to mind. The beauty of a moderated forum.
And yes, I'm a commercial user. Got a problem with that?
And all you could think of is "Got a problem with that?"
I COLORED THE WORDS GREEN FOR YOU, BRAD!
But seriously, that was very boring.
I tell you what...just to show there's no hard feelings, I'm gonna go "Like" your post.
Edit: ok I'm back. I just liked it. Olive branch.
I would not mind you advertising the TB merchandise in the normal ad banners.
Like, "Check out the new TalkBass Coffee mugs." With a picture of my Avatar holding a TB mug with hot coming out of it.
The problem is that you apparently put effort into it I'm guessing for comedic effect while putting very little actual thought. Just an observation.
Writing my name followed by commercial user, which is a title I'm required to list per the forum rules seems juvenile. Trying to clown someone because they continue to come here even though they no longer play bass was also juvenile. So I spoke up... and got the expected juvenile response. Cool... that's how some folks carry things. And just like the saying about publicity, this content could be drawing people to the site.
When I said I've helped a handful of people over the years, I was being facetious. You took it literally so you could make a crack about my knowledge. My gift to you.
I'm not mad... I've had plenty of opportunities to deal with people like you here on TB and elsewhere. I spoke up because I thought an obvious point was being missed. Apparently that continues. Oh well... I tried.
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That was much better. I'm here for you.The problem is that you apparently put effort into it I'm guessing for comedic effect while putting very little actual thought. Just an observation.
Writing my name followed by commercial user, which a title I'm required to list per the forum rules seem juvenile. Trying to clown someone because they continue to come here even though they no longer play bass was also juvenile. So I spoke up... and got the expected juvenile response. Cool... that's how some folks carry things. And just like the saying about publicity, this content could be drawing people to the site.
When I said I've helped a handful of people over the years, I was being facetious. You took it literally so you could make a crack about my knowledge. My gift to you.
I'm not mad... I've had plenty of opportunities to deal with people like you here on TB and elsewhere. I spoke up because I thought an obvious point was being missed. Apparently that continues. Oh well... I tried.
He doesn't have one. He shipped his bass to me so I can sign it. Once I ship it back, he can start playing again.
-Mike
Hahah yes! And we can sell it in the store for boat loads of money!
I was gonna ask you to sign Jaco's name, but I think it would be better to go with someone like Barry Manilow...less suspicious, and we won't have to answer near as many questions about how he came to sign it.
Always bet on the Fanilows'
I'll probably use my real name, Art Vandelay.
*I'm really hoping you're a Seinfeld fan.*
-Mike
*I'm really hoping you're a Seinfeld fan.*
-Mike
I want a tee shirt that says "talkbass off topic" on the front and
"Using a True Scots fallacy on my way to building a straw man" on the back.
"Using a True Scots fallacy on my way to building a straw man" on the back.
I'm going to chime in and say I'll proudly be buying some TB swag from the new TB store to further support the organization - but I'm going to continue to shop with the string & accessory vendors I've grown to know & trust over the years.
Got my strings a day earlier than expected. That paired with the initial discount makes me rather happy with the experience. I will still order from BSO too. But to know I can get dunlops sent to me fast if needed is a great option.
