How do you feel about people joining to post Surveys?

[C_Claycomb]

The irony of posting a pole on this question is not lost on me!!!!

How do you feel about people joining to post Surveys?

As a rule we have not permitted posting of surveys, particularly by new members who have joined just for that purpose alone. We do not like the idea of our membership being viewed as a resource to be exploited. Recently Tony made an exception for a chap asking about some sort of outdoors game show thing. Then this passed week I made an exception for a young chap doing a GCSE project.

Today there was a chap from a retail design agency wanting to run a survey on outdoor activities (running, climbing, skiing and so forth) for purely commercial reasons. I don't like the feeling that this is becoming a trend. I am curious what the existing membership thinks about this.

If you REALLY don't like surveys, or polls, by all means just say so as a reply

Cheers

Chris

 

[hughtrimble]

I'd say fine with non commercial. Otherwise it's people just pumping and dumping the place for their own financial benefit with no benefit to the forum.

Edited my post realising I responded to something you didn't actually ask!

 

[Pattree]

You haven’t got an option that says:-

I never fill in surveys and I’m not filling in this one!

 

[Chris]

I think if people want information they should post a thread starting a conversation, rather than just wanting information for free without contributing to the discourse.

 

[Broch]

If it's commercial they should pay for the audience that Tony has spent years developing - to them it's a form of advertising.

For research - let them post, people will decide themselves if they want to respond.

 

[Nice65]

Just about every time I buy something or use an online service I’m asked if I’d participate in a survey. The answer is no unless the service or product was exceptionally good or exceptionally bad.

Personally I think if it’s commercial then it’s not for a bushcraft forum, especially using our knowledge and experience for gain. However, if it’s something as fundamentally important and discussion worthy like “What’s the best grind, scandi, flat, hollow or convex” then the popcorn is at the ready

Leads to skewed figures anyway,

 

[MartinK9]

Only after 100 posts.

 

[lostplanet]

I think there should be some financial gain for tony or bushcraftuk.com as the forum is a very valuable source of concentrated information. Where to draw the line on what is relevant? not so sure. Maybe a trial in the full members section?

 

[haptalaon]

I feel pretty strongly opposed to commercial surveys - it's so easy for hobby spaces to become overrun by commercial interests & for those spaces to be seen as untapped client bases instead of social spaces, and it's a bit gross.

(Although I don't think anyone would begrudge long-time community members asking for feedback, I think that should possibly be allowed on a case by case basis)

I'd support the mods continuing to make a decision about each survey, and I like filling in surveys and am happy to do so if the goal is in some way for the general good.

 

[Woody girl]

I don't do surveys. End of conversation, .....unless of course they are offering a benefit I want. Which never happens. So I don't do surveys .

 

[JonathanD]

If it's commercial they should pay for the audience that Tony has spent years developing - to them it's a form of advertising.

For research - let them post, people will decide themselves if they want to respond.

This pretty much sums up my opinion too.

 

[C_Claycomb]

I really do not much like surveys, and as a general rule I refuse to do them. My folks are even more strictly anti-survey, which is a big help with tele-market scammers who open with “we are calling because you filled in a survey.”
Occasionally I fill one in at work, maybe about training or IT support, usually because I though it either particularly good, or especially poor.

 

[Wayne]

My view is that membership to BCUK comes with tights and obligation. The same as any other organisation. Respect is earned and good will takes time to build.

So if a long standing member requires information that might prove beneficial to them I’m happy to donate some time to the cause.

However if they are just using my experiences purely for profit without contributing to group then I’m unlikely to provide them with information.

I leave reviews on trip advisor etc to support small businesses. I’ll occasionally fill in a customer survey if it’s from an organisation I support. Otherwise they get ignored.

 

[Broch]

My view is that membership to BCUK comes with tights and obligation. The same as any other organisation. Respect is earned and good will takes time to build.

I never got any tights when I joined!

 

[Pattree]

Oh @Broch
I’ve been congratulating myself on not referring to that.



I’m trying to imagine woollen bushcraft ?camo? tights with an anorank.

 

[JonathanD]

I never got any tights when I joined!

They stopped that in 2006. The leaf logo wasn't big enough for some people.

 

[HillBill]

Not too fussed. Don't what the commercial side of thing, ever, anywhere. But actual knowledge seeking, experience gaining stuff. I dont mind. Gotta be useful to someone right? More power to their desire to learn.