Please Hold Off, Bear With Me....I need Your Help Reoville.

[darkzero]

Robert, please forgive me for posting this hear & if it's not appropiate I will have it removed.

I'm asking for the help & opinon of Reonauts cause that's what I am, this is where I frequent on ECF, I rarely check other areas.

I have to make a decision. From time to time I share things that I have done or made. Sometimes that leads to people asking me if I can do mods or make things for them. That's what I used to do for many many years modding flashlights. I don't share my work with the intent to make a living out of it, it's my hobby, it's in my blood, I like to mod & make things. I don't advertise, sometimes people come to me & out of enjoyment of doing it I tend to accepet. But time & materials cost money & I'm not rich to give things away for free all the time. but here on ECF there are policies for this.

I inquired about my status yesterday & it seems I should be classified as a Supplier if I am to offer services here. I don't consider myself to be one but that is ECF's policy & I respect that. I don't have my own business, I don't have a website, I don't have a line of products that I offer, I don't solicite. If some says to contact them for work to be done, I won't......I'm just a modder, I do custom work, everything I do is on my free time. I do have a normal day job. I leave the badd ... mod making up to Robert.

I don't mind registering & paying the associated fees so my title under my name will read "Registered Supplier.....". But if I do so, where it say "verified Member" now, I loose that, which means as a Supplier I no longer have access to participate in the member classifieds. That I don't want. What if I want to sell some personal stuff that I don't want anymore, what do I do, where do I go? I have to find another place to sell or look for things I might want to buy. I will loose any chance of seeing used Woodvilles being up for grabs? I have been buying new Reos but I can't buy stuff that's no longer produced. I can't ever part with things I might not use anymore, luckily there's not much of that.

So ReoFam, what should I do? I'm not here for a commercial standpoint, I'm here for personal, cause I choose to quit smoking & with the help of Reo I have succeeded. I don't want to have to make this decision but I have to choose one. So until (if) my title reads "Registered Supplier", if you contact me asking me for something, unfortunately I have to turn you away in respect for ECF's policies.

Thanks

 

[Dturp]

I say stay as you are. If you make something and choose to give it away awesome. I hate that people won't quit bugging you though. I admit I thought about asking you to make a button cover for me but I resisted fearing you were probably already getting overwhelmed. If you feel like registering as a supplier I am sure some of us would be glad to help keep an eye on the classies for you or helping to sell unwanted items (if that's allowed of course ). And of course make people pay for your time and effort. I know all to well material costs especially on that titanium you so love. Nearly $80 a foot for 3/4" rod for anyone who doesn't know!

 

[Crash Moses]

Wow...that's a stumper. You do such beautiful work and I, for one, appreciate the hell out of it.

What if you were just to charge for materials and shipping? Would you still qualify as a supplier if you weren't making a profit?

 

[FACE MEAT]

Is it against the rules to start another ECF account as a registered supplier and keep your existing account?

The stuff you make is just way too cool. I can't help but PM you when I see stuff you've made.

Me: Fat kid
Your creations: Cake

I'm sure I'm not alone in being understanding of your conundrum and respecting whatever you end up deciding.

 

[nerak]

I say stay as you are. If you make something and choose to give it away awesome. I hate that people won't quit bugging you though. I admit I thought about asking you to make a button cover for me but I resisted fearing you were probably already getting overwhelmed. If you feel like registering as a supplier I am sure some of us would be glad to help keep an eye on the classies for you or helping to sell unwanted items (if that's allowed of course ). And of course make people pay for your time and effort. I know all to well material costs especially on that titanium you so love. Nearly $80 a foot for 3/4" rod for anyone who doesn't know!

If you read ECF policy you can not buy or sell for someone else. You would be classified as a broker.

So, it is true as a supplier he would be banned from the classy's.

 

[DoogieTony]

So what are you intending to do if you become a supplier? Opening your own online store and advertising on ECF? What would you be selling, one off mod parts?

That's a tough one. Personally, I wouldn't want to loose the support and friendships here in Reoville. I'm not familiar with ECFs supplier rules but would it be possible to keep your ECF account the way it is and just not advertise or promote your business?

 

[Dturp]

If you read ECF policy you can not buy or sell for someone else. You would be classified as a broker.

So, it is true as a supplier he would be banned from the classy's.

Booo ok totally unfair! Although I understand that they don't want suppliers selling goods on the classies.

 

[vang0gh]

Do whichever gives you the most enjoyment. If you don't want to become a registered supplier, I think most of us would understand and respect that, and you're probably better off not dealing with the people who don't respect it.

 

[PayleRyder]

Stay put. That's what makes you happy. You said yourself you have a day job. This is a hobby for *99.9% of us here, and the majority of that percentage is rife with people who like to tinker. If you aren't planning on selling your wares as a side venture (which it sounds like you're not), then being labelled as a "supplier" seems a bit inaccurate.


* Note: 87.6% of all percentages quoted on the Internet is usually inaccurate.

 

[JC Okie]

I see the dilemma, but it seems like there has to be a way around it. I would think just move it completely away from ECF. Word of mouth from your friends will get you together with people who admire and want your talents.

Maybe I don't know what I'm talking about......there's that.

 

[TheAngryBovine]

I also wanted to ask you to make me a button cover, but I knew the rules. There are f-book groups to sell your items through if you choose to.

 

[Rhapsodies Fire]

I hear ya....this is not a decision to be made lightly. There are trade offs to be sure. Before I became an SA, I spent a lot of time in the New Member section...and I loved it. The freedom to post nearly anywhere in the forum was refreshing. And yet, I was so enamoured with this thing that enabled me to quit smoking, I was content with making that trade off so that I could assist Rob since he was getting so busy, he was having a hard time keeping up. I still miss the New Members section and I scan through it every now and then, but I can not post there anymore. I can't post in the classies either, but I've never used the classies so honestly, I don't know what I'm missing. To be honest, it was an easy decision for me....but I wasn't signing up to be a supplier.

things to consider:
You can become the center of much attention, good and bad.
There will always be the potential to be scammed.
You will be the hero for some and a nemesis for others, so thick skin and a handle on your temper is good.

Whatever you decide...I'm sure many of us support your decision, knowing its not an easy one.

One last thought....you know, you can always change your status later if you decide it's not for you.

 

[Rhapsodies Fire]

Wow...that's a stumper. You do such beautiful work and I, for one, appreciate the hell out of it.

What if you were just to charge for materials and shipping? Would you still qualify as a supplier if you weren't making a profit?

Yes...the ECF doesn't track whether you make a profit or not. If you are taking money selling items you make or items you purchase elsewhere with the intent to resell, you are a supplier.

 

[Rhapsodies Fire]

Is it against the rules to start another ECF account as a registered supplier and keep your existing account?

The stuff you make is just way too cool. I can't help but PM you when I see stuff you've made.

Me: Fat kid
Your creations: Cake

I'm sure I'm not alone in being understanding of your conundrum and respecting whatever you end up deciding.

Yes it is against the rules, you can only have one account on ECF.

 

[Crash Moses]

Yes...the ECF doesn't track whether you make a profit or not. If you are taking money selling items you make or items you purchase elsewhere with the intent to resell, you are a supplier.

Makes sense. There's no way to know who's being honest and who isn't.

 

[darkzero]

Thank you everyone for your support! That's why I come here. I know if I had posted anywhere else, no one would probably give a hoots ayus.

I admit I thought about asking you to make a button cover for me but I resisted fearing you were probably already getting overwhelmed.

Do whichever gives you the most enjoyment. If you don't want to become a registered supplier, I think most of us would understand and respect that, and you're probably better off not dealing with the people who don't respect it.

I can & have got overwhelmed. I have learned years ago not to bite of more than I can chew anymore. Some people want things right away & I can understand that. But I'm just a hobbyist & I can't always deal with people like that. People here in Reoville are not like that though from my experience which is another awesome quality you guys & gals have.

What if you were just to charge for materials and shipping? Would you still qualify as a supplier if you weren't making a profit?

Is it against the rules to start another ECF account as a registered supplier and keep your existing account?

Nope, no can do, if the "transaction" invloves an exchange of value that's not acceptable. So even if I said "I'll make you this in exchange for this" that might also be against policy.

Starting another account is definitely a no no. Actually on every forum I've been on that is not allowed even as just a regular member.

If you read ECF policy you can not buy or sell for someone else. You would be classified as a broker.

On another forum I frequent this is also a strict policy. It's called something else but essential the same. Can't sell or buy for anyone else but yourself.

So what are you intending to do if you become a supplier? Opening your own online store and advertising on ECF? What would you be selling, one off mod parts?

That's a tough one. Personally, I wouldn't want to loose the support and friendships here in Reoville. I'm not familiar with ECFs supplier rules but would it be possible to keep your ECF account the way it is and just not advertise or promote your business?

Good question, what would I do.....nothing, I wouldn't do anything different except for the fact that I may be able to accept someone's request. Open an online business, nope... advertise, nope.... selling one off parts, well maybe since I would be allowed too but on rare occasions. I would also be allowed to post a couple of sale threads in the modders forum.

I don't intend to be any different than I am now. I'm here for personal enjoyment. If some ask me for something I may consider it depending on what my schedule is like then. Life gets in the way you know.

If some asks me to contact them if I need work, I won't, not cause I'm ignoring you, cause that's not me. I'm just another everyday Reonaut. The only reason I am even considering this is to give me a bit more freedom on what i like to do, make things & share sometimes.

I just learned some new info that is sounding better for me. It it's true them I very may well get registered. But it's just a title & a priveledge for me. I'm not going to step on anyone's toes.

 

[Statistic]

If you want to hook your cohorts up with some wicked darkzero creations and want to let them (us) pay you for materials and your time (not a profit situation, just compensation for what it costs you) then do it. If you just want to continue sharing your work and tantalizing us with images of your stuff but really don't want to get caught up in spending lots of time duplicating things you show us (and keeping access to the classifieds is no small consideration) then I say don't feel bad about staying a regular member and telling people that it's a hobby and you want to keep it that way.

Personally, I'd rather have a darkzero atty than a chalice, but even more than that I'd rather know my fellow REOnaut is happy. Whatever you decide just don't stop sharing your talents, they are very cool to see pictures of and read about.

Maybe there is some alternative that satisfies both ideas of sharing your skills and maintaining your verified member status? Maybe we could put together a modest co-op WordPress site or something not connected to ECF where everyone who is part of it contributes something to the group.. I know I'd like to learn the art of machining and one day be able to contribute finished products. Don't mind me, just thinking out loud here.

 

[Raynman]

The few things that I've seen of yours are of high quality works of art. I've not been here long enough to see everything. I even thought about asking for a button cover until I got to the line that said the tolerances of them and knew how hard it is to keep those. I just wouldn't want to put someone out and ask them to work that hard. I say go with your heart and like RF said if you find it's not your cup of tea go the other direction. Just be a happy Reonaut and I for one will respect your decision.

 

[_more_]

Have fun with whatever makes you happy.

 

[Vash]

Your work is amazing that is obvious What matters though is what you want to do .If all we can do is look at pics and admire your work then so be it Do what you think is best man .Either way you are a amazing member and that wont change