Thread: How should interests be declared?

Yes Michael, they should and we would obviously like people to state their interest in a given product, in fact in our Reviews forum we actively encourage that.

https://www.woodworkforums.com/f171/g...0/#post1428106

Having said that, it is nigh on impossible to police by the Admins/Mods and we do rely to a lrge extent on the honesty/integrity of the person recommending that product, and if that fails hopefully some member will be wise to that persons' interest.

This has happened on a number of occasions so AFAIK that system has worked, so far anyway.

If there is a paricular case you are concerned about, and don't want to point that out publicly, please feel free to PM me the detals and I would be happy to investigate.

I hear what you are saying and do agree up to a point. No matter what the subject being dealt with on this Forum, there is usually a large number of contributors who can "that look through the mist", that it doesn't take long to arrive at a reasonable solution/advice. I think it fair to say that there is a genuine consensus that will offer unbiased answers to what ever is thrown up. Personally speaking I have made known of a couple of suppliers that gave me good solid service which was higher than normally expected and I made the disclosure that I was only ever a cash sale with no attachment to the companies concerned.
After a while with reading the threads you start to know who prefers what and why and if they have any attachment to the companies they are referring. I wouldn't let it worry you.
This Forum has been quite beneficial to me to read and have contact with others who do similar things to me. I have a wife and 2 daughters. So one can only take so much of Facebook, and what this one said about that one etc etc etc.......My eyes glaze over and I find myself reading about Bob L's shed fit out or Mini's help with dust extraction.......much more stimulating (it must be the testosterone) Pettycoat governments are OK but there is a limit

Originally Posted by chambezio

This Forum has been quite beneficial to me to read and have contact with others who do similar things to me. I have a wife and 2 daughters. So one can only take so much of Facebook, and what this one said about that one etc etc etc.......My eyes glaze over and I find myself reading about Bob L's shed fit out . . . . .

Cor Lummey . . . things must be pretty grim eh!

I have to agree Michael. We learn from an early age to 'never believe the salesman'....well, unless you want to of course.

Phil

I think its a great idea, and one that I have tried to embrace by declaring my interest in something on the odd time I might have one, and further to reveal when I am just parroting reviews that I have read without direct experience.

That said, almost everything i sell is "Extra Special Finest Kind-Export-Quality-Pinnacle of the Zenith. Seriously", so I'd be wary of those other guys.

Greg's House of the Rare and Delightful
And two dollar shop.

Disclaimer: I am Greg

Can't remember the last time I sold anything. Give it away or trade, sure.

My heirs can worry about selling. I've got acreage, why should I worry.....

PDW

There was a post a few weeks back about a guy who wanted to make some fancy finger guards for what looked like a computer fan. I suggested CNC laser cutting. Yes I work for a laser cutter. However, I did not suggest that he/she give money to the business that employs my good self. There are other businesses around that can do it also.

While it is true that every job that the company does helps pay my wages, my motivation at the time was exactly that- TIME. I for one would not hack something out of plate with a file for two hours when I can achieve near perfection in a few minutes, and no-one else should have to either. Once you go down the dark path, you can never return....

If anything I was spruiking the PROCESS, not one individual business that performs this process.

Yes, I am spoilt. I get to cut stuff for myself too, but there are also things I do for the business outside of work hours.

Gerbil, I haven't an issue with that - but on the other hand if you did own the business and suggested that people should use it because it was a good place then you should then be declaring that you were the owner. Similarly, a straight forward sale whether ebay, in the for sale section or by private arrangement is not a worry because people know you are selling something and expect to gain from it.

The concern is that a lot of people assume that advice is given in good faith when it may occasionally be biased for commercial reasons. Without a declaration, people may not know. Members who have been around for a while have usually sussed out the relationships, but for newer members or those that haven't twigged, it could end up costing them when it shouldn't.

I've passed my thoughts onto Fred, so we'll see if the moderators are as paranoid as I am.

Michael

Originally Posted by Michael G

it could end up costing them when it shouldn't.

anything heard or read on any forum if incorrect or biased is usually challenged, argued or corrected etc by other members and should give the recipient food for thought before they embark on a certain track eg....hand over cash for services...

should'nt we always obey.....caveat emptor no matter what?

Originally Posted by eskimo

should'nt we always obey.....caveat emptor no matter what?

Exactly Eskimo, you beat me to it. I've been on forums where every second post ends with "usual disclaimers apply" and I find it really annoying. I mean, do the words "usual disclaimers apply" actually constitute a valid disclaimer anyway?

I see where you are coming from but if someone is recommending a product/service that they own, they normally say "come down to my work and we'll see what we can do". very open, and not misleading.
Also if someone was tricked into buying a item/service and it was substandard i don't think selling it to a fellow forum member would be wise as we would all know to steer well clear of that business because the review the customer would put on here the next day.
From my experience, be it not much yet! everyone seems to be straight up and have not come across any scamers just trying to flog me there products on here.

Most people seem to do this well on this forum, so I don't think there is much problem. The usual thing seems to go something like this:

I recommend this product, this is why, and here is a link to it on my website where you can buy it.

That certainly lets a person know that the recommender has an interest in the advice they are giving, and also gives an idea of why a particular recommendation was made (which the person receiving the advice is then free to agree with or reject at will)