Taking a break

Digimonkey said:
I feel the same way mate - I have all the kit I need - fair enough - but you have to draw a line somewhere - I'm mostly put off by - applicants - that enter for PIF's - who emerge out of the gloom - and then descend back into it. Not a word heard there after. I'll probably - still - post some pics or sotd of the day - occasionally - the forum has changed. I.
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Thank you all so much for your words of encouragement.
I hear what you all are saying, and I really don't want to step away for good.

@Digimonkey

Iain,
You've put in to words what has been rattling me over the weekend.
There are a number of 'members' here who don't contribute to any of the sub-forums who hold their hand up high when there is something to be had for free.
This has made me feel bitter towards those individuals.
I mean, I offer up an R41 and some other bits and a good proportion of the applicants are unknowns.
I've offered quite a few PIF's over the past 3+ years in the spirit of kindness - not to be 'the popular kid'
Perhaps I should've added another caveat to my PIF's - MUST HAVE MADE 40+ MEANINGFUL POSTS IN THE LAST THREE MONTHS ?

I digress, but sometimes we really need to speak our minds and vent our feelings.

I have a couple of things to deal with some forum members in the next couple of days, and after this I will stay away from the forums for a while.

Thanks again to you all - fine and kind gentlemen
 
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Paul L said:
Thank you all so much for your words of encouragement.
I hear what you all are saying, and I really don't want to step away for good.

@Digimonkey

Iain,
You've put in to words what has been rattling me over the weekend.
There are a number of 'members' here who don't contribute to any of the sub-forums who hold their hand up high when there is something to be had for free.
This has made me feel bitter towards those individuals.
I mean, I offer up an R41 and some other bits and a good proportion of the applicants are unknowns.
I've offered quite a few PIF's over thwart 3+ years in the spirit of kindness - not to be 'the popular kid'
Perhaps I should've added another caveat to my PIF's - MUST HAVE MADE 40+ MEANINGFUL POSTS IN THE LAST THREE MONTHS ?

I digress, but sometimes we really need to speak our minds and vent our feelings.

I have a couple of things to deal with some forum members in the next couple of days, and after this I will stay away from the forums for a while.

Thanks again to you all - fine and kind gentlemen
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I take your point - I was going to put some shaving cream and soap - up for PIF - but I'm not going to - I will just send it - to someone - who will appreciate it - I've used the PIF model before - not fit for purpose at the moment. No matter what criteria we apply. I.
 
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Good luck.
 
Digimonkey said:
I take your point - I was going to put some shaving cream and soap - up for PIF - but I'm not going to - I will just send it - to someone - who will appreciate it - I've used the PIF model before - not fit for purpose at the moment. No matter what criteria we apply. I.
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For me , isn't the purpose of the PIF to establish participation and engage people in the hobby? Your established Guys are likely to have most things they want so won't necessarily want to join a PIF unless it is something they want to try and don't have.

Guess it depends on what the PIF is.
 
I agree with your reasoning, Russ

The issue is that the applicants don't actively post on the forums, even if they are the lucky winner. They always fade back in to the depths until the next offer is made available.
If I were to put my Timeless up in a PIF there would be a stampede - mostly occupied by lurkers who have no interest of joining in the forums whatsoever.
I know that some members prefer not to post a great deal, rather they sit back and glean advice etc. . . But - to blatantly only participate when there is the chance acquiring something for nothing is taking the Michael in my book.
I know through PM's with others here that I am not the only person to have this opinion.

Perhaps I have over-stepped the mark on this subject, but I do not apologise for expressing my thoughts.
 
RussellR5555 said:
Your established Guys are likely to have most things they want so won't necessarily want to join a PIF unless it is something they want to try and don't have.

Guess it depends on what the PIF is.
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I agree with this but I can see why PIFs can be contentious. Are they there to increase member participation in the forum via comments or are they there so that we can all broaden our knowledge on hardware and software? Oh I've never tried that...ill put my name down and hope for the best....

Thats a genuine question because I don't know what their main purpose is.

For instance a PIF containing a well known so called luxury brand can gather 30+ names. Out of these 30+ how many have never used it before or don't own a jar of that soap? Not many I would imagine, meaning in all liklihood someone will win it who already has it. Which is fine by me, you have to be in it to win it - Each to their own as the saying goes but for me personally, I'd never go in for a PIF for something I already have just because its a luxury soap and costs more than other PIFs.

Obviously this is all just opinions, we're all grown ups (in body at least) and can make our own minds up.
 
I fully understand your stand point Paul. Especially on the aspect of forums and purchasing.

For years I was a huge poster on a Hifi forum as I had (and still have) a love for such matters. Then came the crunch when I was ejected for trolling (per se). I wasn't actually actively trolling but making a stand against a particular member who was spoiling it for others. It was the best thing that ever happened to me and saved a fortune. More so as top flight Hifi ain't cheap. Never looked back and the bank balance has never been healthier. So from that aspect I understand where you are coming from.

I have to be honest and say I'd never met PIF's before, but yeh you are correct and it does make you wonder who some of these folk are. There seems to be a lack of forum spirit and some loss of honesty and integrity displayed.

I will say Paul you will be sadly missed by many and I include myself. At least you got the long lost free box before you signed off and in your case I was more than happy to provide.

Be well
 
Paul L said:
I agree with your reasoning, Russ

The issue is that the applicants don't actively post on the forums, even if they are the lucky winner. They always fade back in to the depths until the next offer is made available.
If I were to put my Timeless up in a PIF there would be a stampede - mostly occupied by lurkers who have no interest of joining in the forums whatsoever.
I know that some members prefer not to post a great deal, rather they sit back and glean advice etc. . . But - to blatantly only participate when there is the chance acquiring something for nothing is taking the Michael in my book.
I know through PM's with others here that I am not the only person to have this opinion.

Perhaps I have over-stepped the mark on this subject, but I do not apologise for expressing my thoughts.
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No overstep at all Paul you are correct , and I know you are raising it for all the right reasons.

I had not viewed it that way, but yes I see what you and are saying and I can't disagree.
 
Nisse said:
I would say things have changed on this forum compared to when I joined in 2016, less classic foruming and more shop til you drop mixed with a Facebook look at me I need likes style, sign of the times I guess making me feel old and dated :)
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A lot has changed since 2016 when I joined also, stainless steel Razor's, Titanium Razor's, a massive influx of US Artisan soap's, Brushes to match the ever increasing price of razors.
We must embrace change and even if we do not, change will happen anyway! Life marches on.
It is not only this forum that has been effected by the march of time, change has effected all shaving forums to a greater or lesser extent.
Swimming with the tide is far easier than trying to swim against it! :) Paul.
Edit: or get out of the water and dry yourself off and take a rest on the beach whilst eating a pasty :) Paul.
 
Paul L said:
Perhaps I have over-stepped the mark on this subject, but I do not apologise for expressing my thoughts.
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Hello Paul, I don't think you have overstepped the mark in the slightest bit, FWIW I think it's a good thing to discuss something which would be an issue to cause the users here any form of consideration (if it's permissable eg doesn't involve breaking the rules like discussing politics etc) if it's possible to have a civilised discussion and this scenario here it seems not just yourself, have had frustrations regarding some users etiquettes regarding PIF's.

Nisse said:
I would say things have changed on this forum compared to when I joined in 2016, less classic foruming and more shop til you drop mixed with a Facebook look at me I need likes style, sign of the times I guess making me feel old and dated :)
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I joined the forum in 2017, and I've noticed things have changed quite a bit in the last few years regarding trends in the gear available (new synths, razors, etc) and of course it's to be expected some will take to these things more so than others. There are many shaving forums and I'd say this one is definitely less elitist than some others I've encountered.
 
RussellR5555 said:
No overstep at all Paul you are correct , and I know you are raising it for all the right reasons.

I had not viewed it that way, but yes I see what you and are saying and I can't disagree.
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I second the above comments..I don't try to keep up with the shaving joneses of shaving forum world.
Take care mate, and enjoy your shaves with or without shaving forums.
Regards. Barry. :)
 
Paul L said:
I agree with your reasoning, Russ

The issue is that the applicants don't actively post on the forums, even if they are the lucky winner. They always fade back in to the depths until the next offer is made available.
If I were to put my Timeless up in a PIF there would be a stampede - mostly occupied by lurkers who have no interest of joining in the forums whatsoever.
I know that some members prefer not to post a great deal, rather they sit back and glean advice etc. . . But - to blatantly only participate when there is the chance acquiring something for nothing is taking the Michael in my book.
I know through PM's with others here that I am not the only person to have this opinion.

Perhaps I have over-stepped the mark on this subject, but I do not apologise for expressing my thoughts.
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Overstepped the mark ! Not at all, you have the right to express your thoughts and opinions just as the rest of us have and I agree with all that you have said, there, I've said it! It was and is a bugbear of mine when running a PIF's which is why I started stipulating so many rules and regs just to weed out the very people we are talking about! :) P.
 
Paul L said:
I've decided to remove myself from shaving forum activity for a while.
I know I'm not among the most active forum members, but I like to think I've done my best to pass on a pearl or two of wisdom over the last few years.
I feel this game has got a bit out of hand - buying, selling and lusting after the next best razor/soap/brush etc. (Despite having enough shaving gear for every man in my street). This is a far cry from where I began, with one razor, one blade of choice and one tub of Trumpers at a time for over seven years.
I thought I had it licked, and that I was content with my lot - but it's still there. . .
I liken it to being a kid in a sweet shop and wanting every piece of confectionary on the shelf.
This is not a healthy way for a 50 year old man to carry on, so leaving the forums will hopefully remove some of the temptation.
I am leaving with only gratitude and respect for all of you guys - (there are a few among you who have deliberately gone out of your way to do me a good turn (you know who you are, and I am sincerely very grateful to you).
I may be back sometime, but until then please all be safe and happy.
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Take care and stay safe.
With thanks and kindest regards
Brian
 
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