INTRODUCTION & BACKGROUND
It has become increasingly apparent in recent times that the current trader system is not really well-suited to Club VR-4.
The amount of time dealing with just one trading issue can be extensive, and this is not a worthwhile use of the Committee's time. It is a simple fact that the amount of time spent by Committee members in dealing with such issue MUST be reduced, or virtually eliminated.
However, it is recognised that a having a system in place that allows anyone to have greater prominence on the site should they wish to do so, is, in the main, generally a positive for the club and its members.
With all this in mind, it has been agreed that as of the 1st of January 2012, the trader system as we know it will be withdrawn.
In its place, but now available to anyone, will be the Site Sponsor system.
WHAT WILL BE OFFERED?
Anyone who is a Site Sponsor will have their name in green with the title Site Sponsor. They will, should they wish to do so, have their own forum and/or an advertising banner on the site.
WHAT ARE THE REQUIREMENTS TO BE A SITE SPONSOR?
Anyone can be a site sponsor. It may be that you wish to give a little bit more to show your support to the Club, which will be used towards the ongoing running costs of the Club and the website. The system is of course still anticipated to be of benefit to those entities wishing to improve their visibility on the site.
HOW MUCH WILL IT COST TO BE A SITE SPONSOR?
To be a Site Sponsor, there will be an annual cost of £50.
WHAT WILL HAPPEN WITH CURRENT TRADERS?
I will shortly be consulting with all existing Gold and Silver Traders as to how they wish to move forwards with the Club.
Any existing Gold and Silver Trader will be entitled to a refund. This will be the default position if a trader does not indicate their wishes by 1 January, as the trader system will be withdrawn regardless.
However, they will also be offered, in lieu of the refund, the option to become a Site Sponsor, for one or two years, depending on whether they are an existing Silver Trader or Gold Trader. This is the option that we are hopeful will be the most popular.
Any Bronze Traders will be returned to normal Blue paid-up members.
Any Group Buy Organisers will be returned to normal Blue paid-up members.
WILL THIS BE APPLIED RETROSPECTIVELY?
No, it will only be applicable from 1 January 2012.
WHAT WILL HAPPEN WITH GROUP BUYS NOW?
The Group Buy template will still be required to be used, but there will be no requirement for the Club to 'approve' group buys or group buy organisers.
WILL THE CLUB GET INVOLVED WITH ANY TRADER ISSUES?
As an overriding general rule, no. While the Club may have facilitated a sale (by use of the forum), it is not involved, and any transaction is only between the parties on either side of the transaction. The stance will be, quite simply, 'Buyer Beware'.
If someone is selling illegal or contentious items, then they will be removed.
The requirement to be a user with more than a few posts and several months on the site, or a paid-up member, will still be in place in order to sell items on the site.
WOW, YOU GUYS DESERVE A MEDAL!
Aw, shucks!
We are really just hopeful that this will be the end of a system that was at times detrimental to the Club, although it should be noted that this was only ever due to a small minority. We wish to foster and nurture what is best about this Club - the continually-proven ethos of simply being very friendly and helping others out, often above and beyond the call of duty.
Long live Club VR-4!