PIF thread?

Just curious if there was an official PIF thread still active. I searched and found an old one from 2005, but nothing recent (just a post from Lynn last year about keeping PIF momentum going).

If there's not, would there be a problem in starting one, and should it be in the classifieds or in another section of the forum?

My thoughts on the rules would be thus:

1. Strictly posting items you wanted to give away. No give something to get something, no asking for things, just a central and easily visible place for members to pass things along to help others out.

2. Whatever is posted has to be tangible items i.e. no honing/restoring/repair offers, only physical items up for offer.

3. Shipping costs to be covered by the one offering the items... if you're going to PIF, than PIF all the way. Besides, shipping is cheap. The only exception to this would be international shipping, and that would be at the discretion of the person offering the items.

4. A separate thread could be started for requests/needed items, and members could PM the asker to work out the details.

5. The first one to respond to the post gets the items to keep it fair, and after the initial "I'll take that" post, all details would be handled through PM to avoid personal info being leaked (not that I think there are a bunch of scallawags here).


If there's an official stance on not having a central thread doing this, I apologize in advance. Like I said I did try searching, but couldn't find anything relevant.

Thanks!

This is usually done on a person to person basis. Such as one member posting a question about, a soap, say. And then another member might offer to send over a puck. That type of thing.

If people do want to give specific things away, they could be listed for a nominal fee in the classifieds, like $.01.

Yeah, I was just thinking that it would be a good thing, particularly for beginners who were in need of certain things, if everything was centralized.

I seems to me as a beginner, it certainly would be awesome to be able to try a lot of new things when I don't always have the funds to go out and buy them. It just seems as though it might encourage some of the newer guys.

If this should still be handled on a one to one basis, that's fine. I just wanted to throw the suggestion out there. I will say the fact that so many people are willing to pay things forward on here is what makes this place so awesome, be it razors, soaps, strops, advice or even just a smile. You guys rock!

You have to only go to the free monthly raffles to see how many new members have done absolutely nothing else on this site but put their names in the drawing month after month after month. There are plenty who even open additional accounts to improve their chances.

So, an idea that seems good may not work all that well in practice.

For example, I would never want to put a rule requiring first come first serve basis. If I am to give something it's my stuff, my rules. If for example I think that first respondent is somebody who is dishonest and is just here to abuse the generosity of others, I would not want to give them anything.

I also do not think that if somebody has extra stuff that they want to give away it's very difficult for them to do so - all that it takes is for them to pick somebody who seems like they could use it and give it away, or just send it to str8razor for the monthly give away raffles.

I am not quite sure I like people begging for freebies either. Yes, may be that'll help out a few but (1) there is a big potential for abuse (2) a special section highlighting beggars seems a bit unseemly (3) instead of asking random strangers for stuff, it seems to me that a far better approach would be to make some friends and ask them to help you out.

I agree with gugi and holli4pirating, it should be more personal. I see people giving stuff away to other quite a bit; and it's always very personal. It warms the cockles of my soul to see this happening, and I would hope that a relationship is formed. I think it's quite shocking that people open additional accounts to get a free item; seems a bit unethical to me. I don't even enter the free prize thing anymore as, as a mentor, I feel uncomfortable doing so...

It was a reasonable idea, though, just that I think a really personal aspect is 'nicer'...

Heres a thought go to one of the razor meets. And ask out loud "Who here can use ________??? Thats what I intend to do...

Quote:

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Originally Posted by carlmaloschneider

I think it's quite shocking that people open additional accounts to get a free item; seems a bit unethical to me.

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Well, there's plenty of dishonest people and since our community to certain extent represents the society at large we get dishonest people as well. I wish I could say this is the worse behavior I've seen behind the scenes but unfortunately it's not.
In the case of the monthly raffles though, those who abuse the system are never going to win anything no matter how many times they enter and sometimes they even get banned from the site.

I also like very much the personal aspect of giving stuff away to somebody you think deserving, or to somebody you met at a meeting. I don't think there's ever been a meeting where a new guy hasn't been helped with above and beyond anything he needs. Also those usually offer opportunities to try out new stuff - I've borrowed other people's razors to try out and loaned mine, tried different shaving creams and soaps...


One very important thing though - I really think we should commend crouton976 for stepping forward with a really good idea which he obviously spent a good time and effort to think about and figure out details. As well as for posting it here for all of us to criticize.
In my opinion we need to keep reevaluating how we do stuff, as well as think of ways to improve them. I personally would be most happy if instead of shelving the OP's idea we could figure out a way to implement it in a way that gets rid of the negatives. So I'm not really prepared to say we can't or won't do it and end this discussion - I hope instead we could think of ways to solve the problems that were brought forward.

Thanks for the replies guys. :)

I absolutely cannot believe that folks create multiple accounts to try and win the giveaway every month. How deplorable....

My Thought was mainly helping beginners out, as I know that as a beginner myself, I'm still learning and trying everything under the sun to see what I like best. A side effect of that trial and error is I'm amassing a lot of things I won't use. To that end, I don't want to throw anything out of someone else can use it, and I also feel that another beginner can keep trying new things as well without emptying the wallet or upsetting SWMBO.

Also, I hope the idea of a want/need thread didn't come across wrong. I didn't mean it to be a beggarly thread, more of a "Hey everybody, I'm looking for this, so if you see it or have an extra lemme know" thread. I dunno, that still sounds a bit beggarly, doesn't it?

I also wish there were some meets near me (Atlanta, GA, USA) but I haven't found any. The closest I've come is an Atlanta group that seems inactive (sounds like I should maybe take some initiative, huh? :) ).

I still say that I haven't come across a forum yet that fosters such a great atmosphere and welcomes everyone so much. I definitely look forward to forging a long and deep brotherhood with all of you, and thank you for welcoming me into the fold. SWMBO and all the friends I have kinda look at me funny when all I do is talk about shaving. At least you guys just look at me (my avatar?) funny whether talking about shaving or anything else!!! :D

Quote:

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Originally Posted by gugi

You have to only go to the free monthly raffles to see how many new members have done absolutely nothing else on this site but put their names in the drawing month after month after month. There are plenty who even open additional accounts to improve their chances.

So, an idea that seems good may not work all that well in practice.

For example, I would never want to put a rule requiring first come first serve basis. If I am to give something it's my stuff, my rules. If for example I think that first respondent is somebody who is dishonest and is just here to abuse the generosity of others, I would not want to give them anything.

I also do not think that if somebody has extra stuff that they want to give away it's very difficult for them to do so - all that it takes is for them to pick somebody who seems like they could use it and give it away, or just send it to str8razor for the monthly give away raffles.

I am not quite sure I like people begging for freebies either. Yes, may be that'll help out a few but (1) there is a big potential for abuse (2) a special section highlighting beggars seems a bit unseemly (3) instead of asking random strangers for stuff, it seems to me that a far better approach would be to make some friends and ask them to help you out.

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I agree with your remarks, and don't want there to be any incentive to come here other than to exchange ideas and seek advice. Anything else cheapens the forum.

On occasion I offer something to a member who I think would benefit from something I have, but I don't want those occasions to be predictable.

Please keep the shaving purist king. This is this forum's strongest suit. We don't need any fun and sexy surprises to keep people interested here.

Seeing all those posts reminds me of some other forums that tried the organized PIF idea and, as said above, the freeloaders arrived in droves.
The idea of individual PIFs by personal contact is, in my experience, a winner! Be a mentor / Mentor and PIF through the contacts with new shavers, that is fun also.

By that I mean contact new shavers that you see online in your area and get together with them at mutually convenient times. Don't get together with anyone that has a post that you wonder about though! A meet for coffee can also be fun. And, if you have some PIF in your pockets it can be more fun!
YMMV but it has improved my life.
~Richard

Quote:

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Originally Posted by gugi

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I am not quite sure I like people begging for freebies either. Yes, may be that'll help out a few but (1) there is a big potential for abuse (2) a special section highlighting beggars seems a bit unseemly (3) instead of asking random strangers for stuff, it seems to me that a far better approach would be to make some friends and ask them to help you out.

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Sorry, I laughed so hard at this section,, I couldn't help picturing Gugi in this memory,,,,,Attachment 132241

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IT05hySTl6g

Absolutely, how can he dare ask for more after he has had his supper!!! You can't deny those mutton chops look good on me, not to mention the hair! It's all about the sheffield steel....

Geez, thanks Hirlau... I just choked on my Corona over this. :) :beer2: :cheers:

Quote:

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Originally Posted by gugi

...One very important thing though - I really think we should commend crouton976 for stepping forward with a really good idea which he obviously spent a good time and effort to think about and figure out details. As well as for posting it here for all of us to criticize.
In my opinion we need to keep reevaluating how we do stuff, as well as think of ways to improve them. I personally would be most happy if instead of shelving the OP's idea we could figure out a way to implement it in a way that gets rid of the negatives. So I'm not really prepared to say we can't or won't do it and end this discussion - I hope instead we could think of ways to solve the problems that were brought forward.

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Oh yeah I agree wholeheartedly; It's certainly not a bad idea, a lot of people put stuff out the front of their house and put a sign up stating 'Give Away for Free'. Actually, I'm a little embarrassed to say I don't know what 'pif' means. I wouldn't think the idea's dead in the water yet, I'm actually warming to it...

In regards to the re-evaluating thing, General Patton said "If everyone is thinking alike, someone isn't thinking". I like new ideas too...

Quote:

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Originally Posted by carlmaloschneider

Actually, I'm a little embarrassed to say I don't know what 'pif' means. I wouldn't think the idea's dead in the water yet, I'm actually warming to it...

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P.I.F. = Pay-It-Forward