Thread: A Confused Citizen

There are actually two different ways to get a badge


Please remember that the ability to sell your products and services on SRP is a privilege extended by the Owner and the Admins of this site. It is not a right of membership. Selling products on SRP is not free, but we do give you a choice of how to pay. The easiest way is to contact Gugi and purchase rotating banners on SRP. This helps the site cover the cost of operation. The other way to pay is through your active participation in the forums. Most vendors know their products and areas of expertise and can answer questions and share their knowledge with the other members of the forum.

After all, the whole purpose of this site is to get everyone a better shave



Also just to clarify, probably 90% of the vendors that Apply don't want to do either of those things so it is a rather moot point being batted around

I see its a somewhat of a why pay taxes on the milk when the cow is willing to be milked for free.

I know I'm a noob around here, but I think SRP does a good job balancing vendor access and maintaining the integrity of the site. Many vendors offer good services or products and they would be hard to find by mcgoogling them...

Originally Posted by Razorfaust

I see its a somewhat of a why pay taxes on the milk when the cow is willing to be milked for free.

First time in a long, long time that I have seen a reference to that old, old, old song, "Why Buy A Cow When Milk Is Cheap?", even if the reference is in reverse to the song's title.

I agree Chopper, I don't think the average user is bothered one bit about vendor exposure and the like. I think the average user loves to see cool razor stuff and services, enjoys finding out about them and possibly acquiring some for themselves. Just curious why some take objection when one guy posts some new razors and might let another do so. No worries on my part either way.

Originally Posted by gugi

I don't think you can because to know somebody's intent without evidence you have to read their mind. So the line is drawn at 'direct advertising', i.e. do not mention it is for sale, do not list it for sale at the same time you post it in the gallery, do not talk about your website or store, etc.

I think you are making things unnecessarily complicated here, Ivan. It really is quite simple:

SRP makes a distinction between commercial vendors ("vendor") and hobby sellers. Before you advertise on SRP, you have to ask yourself into which of these categories you fit. If you are a vendor, you must seek vendor status with SRP. You are a vendor, if you meet any or all of these criteria......

1. have a commercial website on which you offer shaving related products;
2. listed items for sale in the Classifieds on a regular basis.
3. buy or make items with the sole intent to re-sell them.

[Source: http://straightrazorpalace.com/vendo...1-2010-a.html]

So, if you have a commercial website on which you offer shaving related products, you must seek vendor status.

So, let's take today's example: http://straightrazorpalace.com/custo...ml#post1544029

I'll add https://www.etsy.com/shop/CarterMonroeRazors to Ron's eBay find.

So we have an undercover commercial vendor, advertising on SRP, with a commercial website. That is a policy violation. One out of many. One way to solve the problem would be to abandon the policy. The other to enforce it. As a member, I would definitely prefer the latter. Members have a right to know whether people showcasing their goods have a vested commercial interest, don't you think?

I see and understand your point Robin. This sort of thing in the end doesn't bother me anymore than you extolling the virtues of Thater, Meissner Tremonia, Ralf Aust or Revisor. If its out there I want to know about it. The question is if it can be done orderly and with transparency.

Originally Posted by Razorfaust

The question is if it can be done orderly and with transparency.

You forgot to mention that I also extol the virtues of Frank Shaving $1 synthetics, Groomed!, and Koraat razors.

But I have no vested commercial interest in these products. And that's the difference. If you sell Dovo razors, you will not say that recently, Dovo has been having massive problems, because you need to sell your stock. And I want to know if you want to sell your stock. For what I hope are self explanatory reasons.

Originally Posted by RobinK

Members have a right to know whether people showcasing their goods have a vested commercial interest, don't you think?

I would say that this would be an example of tautology. Commercial interest is the whole point of a marketing device, so requiring a disclosure of it is silly.

I don't think I want to see signs "WARNING, THIS MAY HAVE BEEN CREATED FOR SALE!" when I go to a gallery.

Now, unlike showcasing a product, reviewing/opining on a product is different because of the potential influence of the commercial interest onto the review/opinion.

As far as vendors coming to SRP solely for the free advertising without contributing anything to the community, I certainly do not like it, but my approach is to keep the emphasis on community and not let the commercial pressure take over. Restricting the direct marketing within the designated areas is the main tool we use.

Originally Posted by gugi

I would say that this would be an example of tautology. Commercial interest is the whole point of a marketing device, so requiring a disclosure of it is silly.

I think you got that backwards. Vendors can showcase their goods in the vendors section. That's what it's for. Disclosure is required for undercover vendors posting outside their designated forum.

Originally Posted by gugi

I don't think I want to see signs "WARNING, THIS MAY HAVE BEEN CREATED FOR SALE!" when I go to a gallery.

But Ivan, nobody wants warning signs. The badges are unintrusive, yet informative. In other words, they're perfect.

Originally Posted by gugi

Now, unlike showcasing a product, reviewing/opining on a product is different because of the potential influence of the commercial interest onto the review/opinion.

That may well be the case, but that's not what we're talking about here, is it? We're talking about giving members the ability to quickly establish whether they are dealing with a regular member, or a member with a commercial interest. I fail to see how this can be a bad thing, really.