Weekend discussion topic: self promo in forums

[beneteau373]

Might be wrong if you were not so good

I have purchased quite a lot from SailboatOwners.com and it’s been an excellent experience. As far as I am concerned please let me know when you have something I needMichael ElliottB-373Boston

 

[Ross]

Phil, Not only do I not mind some self promotion,

I expect it and would wonder why you work this hard if it were otherwise. I haven't had occasion to make any purchases so I haven't gone shopping. Just keep on keeping on and speak up when someone asks, "where can I get a hexagonal jack shaft for a Catalina 30, 1978 model with white trim?"

 

[Maine Sail]

Phil..

You should do more of it and I should too (promote your site). After all, we all value these forums and you guys pay for them with money made from your chandlery! We don't want to see these forums go away and we all need to do a better job of buying from you. Even though I have Hamilton Marine at my back door I promise to order more from you because I feel I owe you for all your support and hard work!If I were to ship you my sail cover can you guys duplicate it for me?I think when a post goes in a direction, let's say waxing, and a product is discussed, let's say Collinite wax for example, you guys should chime in with a price and a direct link to that item or others like it.As another example Xantrex Link 20's, 10's and XBM's often get referenced here and you guys could probably sell a few if you'd tag a post with a "thread specific special price" that would expire within three days or so of the threads start date.For example: "If you guys want a Link 10 at 10% off our regular price enter this threads title in the coupon code box at checkout!"Just a thought as there are plenty of items you can pitch to specific threads you're already monitoring..

 

[Ken13531]

Lest we forget

Sometimes we need to be reminded that you have what we are looking for and should give your store a chance for what we need.As far as I am concerned I think it's great when you chime in and advertise your store. It shows us you care.

 

[Patrick S/V Shangra-La]

Go for it

You give us a chance to ask for, or give advise on subjects we may need help with.If you want to let us know you have some thing we need for sale I'd like to know, I'll also comparison shop for it and if you are close I'll buy from you.

 

[caguy]

*! POP-UP's Have you ever considered pop ups?

You can link them to words like wench and/or handle. When someone mentions "coffee" who wouldn't want to know about your Polycarbonate French Press? When someone complains about being fleeced by WM, bingo up pops your Nylon lined fleece blankets, available in five colors (custom embroidery included).I have never found your Chandlery suggestions invasive or offensive. Certainly not as offensive as some of the "Related Links" that take you to someones personal business that has nothing to do with the discussion at hand. Some of them I now recognize and resist hitting the Related link button.Keep up the good work Phil, and its all free! Ebay can't even beat that!By the way where are those self promoting Burgees?

 

[Rich Stidger]

I think you are doing a service by announcing.......

the availability of some item in your chandlery. A poster may not realize that you have a particular item, and your reminders are just fine IMO.I've bought items from you that I've had trouble finding locally and I don't hesitate to check your availability and prices when I need something and have the time to mail-order. I do have to admit that I mail-order only items that are either a great price or I can't buy locally. The reality is that often I need an item on short notice in season or the shipping cost on low value items pushes the total price out of reason. It's nearly always much less expensive to buy low-value, relatively heavy items locally even if the item price is higher because of the darn shipping cost. It also doesn't help the shipping time and costs that you are on the west coast and I am on the east coast....

 

[Peggie Hall HeadMistress]

Not popups!

Everyone who's the least bit web savvy has a popup blocker (it's built into Firefox), so few will ever see 'em.

 

[Pete]

I like your idea

about linking key words. This still gives you(the web store) "ad" time as well as gives the reader the option to open or not. I personally don't mind you promoting you products on the board. After all without you and your services there would not be this site. I got no problem with this. My 2 cents for what it is worth....

 

[Roger]

other than the nuisance of popups (hard to ignore those)

I agree with the majority of posters to this thread. My first thought was that since it was your site, it was your right to post/advertise as you see fit. I for one do not find it offensive, (although I do think popups would be) Having said that, I secondly think you are doing people a service since most posts that result in your reference to the store, start with... "where can I find a..." type question. You don't seem to mind a reference to potential competitors, (very gracious of you), so actually you are helping. (other posters are correct in stating that we often forget that there is a store attached to this site. Living (likely the farthest) inland from any ocean, I do a lot of ordering of boat parts on line, and although I haven't ordered from this site yet, ( I tend to order from Canadian sources), I will definately check it out as soon as I am finished this post.

 

[Brian D]

Phil...

That wasn't a complaint. Like I said, I have purchased and will continue to purchase from SBO. I know it keeps all'ya'll's boat afloat.And I stand corrected, that wasn't a wench handle I saw, it was an admiral alignment tool.

 

[r.w.landau]

Phil, I tried clicking onto the chandlery to post it and I can't.

That could that be a problem?I wanted to post the Chandlery for Rodgers convenience, but I could not copy it to paste it.r.w.Ps: send all pop ups to caguy, he will receive them with the care that they need. Sorry but this is kind of like a Frazier episode...

 

[Ross]

Phil, Do you have enough bandwidth for this.

I think my calculations indicate about 8 posts per hour. At that rate you should get about 500 more by Monday morning. It is gonna take you longer than thet to chart them and write the conclusions. ;D

 

[r.w.landau]

I think Ross said, I Love you dude!

so do we...remember, Phil is looking for ways to promote not just SBO but the Chandlery that is well stocked and cost effective.In all reality, what would it take for you to order from the Chandlery?r.w.landau

 

[Ross]

For me it comes to price and availability on like items

I checked the price on a new mainsail and It is very competative with the local sailmakers. Shipping cost might be a factor but the mainsail for my boat is a one hand carry so shipping won't break the bank.

 

[Stillraining]

OH shoot

What we all really want to know is...what is our cut...Just kidding Phil..I have looked a couple time for this or that ...Last time it was Teak Guard...not there or I would have bought it...I know you cant have everything and some times I have to have it right now cuz Iv got a day off and didn't preplan to buy what I need... I like the way your doing it now...PLEASE NO POP UP's

 

[Dennis W.]

PriceBusters

Phil, I have about 15 different web sites under "Boat Stores" in my favorites. I price shop extensivley because now its easy to do so. I use WM and Defender catalogs and my own needs for ideas and then find the best available price to my front door. The internet has advanced the concept of capitalism one more time. He who is most efficient can prosper at the lowest price, he who believes that something is owed by virtue of his position in the marketplace will ultimately fail. I do not wish to do business with foolish people.Dennis W.S/V FullSailed

 

[Andy1237]

Opt In or Opt Out..can it be done

Phil, is there any way for technology to do this for you? When you register as a user you could opt in (Chandlery Post accepted) or opt out (no post accepted). Guys that appreciate what you do and how hard you work will opt in. Tight pi$$e Bass that want to can opt out.I promise, I'm going to place my spring order by this time next week! (But don't call in the backhoe! yet)

 

[r.w.landau]

Dennis, You must be young and dumb.

Some day you will (hopefully before all the good guys are gone) find out that it is not always the best price at your door that is in your favor but whom that provides the best price and service. Play with that and you will find yourself in trouble often not only in what you thought you bought but in why didn't they send me what I asked for? Try to fight that over the net! Then you will find out whom the foolish are. It may be you.Sailboat owners is here to be here. Sailnet has messed with many people for many years. Waste Marine asks for all your extra buck and some how is still on the scene and the only other big player, Defender can not offer you support like Sailboat Owners. Lets see.... capitalism, you may get a lower price, will you get the product, will they stand behind it? If you don't take that whole concept into account, you do not understand how our nation has become what it is.Integrity can not be bought. This site is built on integrity and feedback. You would be foolish to think that Sailnet would be so kind as to reply to an individual.Thanks SBO for the support of your products. Of which I have had no...complaints.You are the bestr.w.landau