Suggestions

[Deano]

What does everyone suggest, seriously?


Newbies have been treated well, except known trolls who were proven to be trolls.


The odd mod is sarcastic in threads that get bombarded with people coming out of the woodwork. They're human. They're sick of having to deal with trolling.


So apart from these two things that people keep going on about, and I believe have been very very very self-serving for a long time, what do you believe could be done to improve things? Anything?

[Puff Scotty]

I was busy typing this when you locked the other thread....wondered WTF had happened when I tried to post it .
A couple of suggestions..you get trolls & attacks on all forums, even private ones, although this is obviously a lot harder to do..
Have a standard method of dealing with trolls, monitor it but don't get into it on the threads..if they prove to be trolls ban them.
Open up PM's to all members after 10 posts or even straight away...Reduce the number of rules OR put stickies on each class of thread stating what can & can't be discussed...period...
remove other stickies..
Allow people to discuss sources but do not allow site links or prices..in or outside the UK..I see no problem with this when the likes of Suckling has openly said he has no problem on his forum/blog with this happening.
Make it part of moderator behaviour to welcome newbies with as much support as they have time to give..if they don't have that time, replace them...
Above all Dean, your the owner of this forum..most new guys would probably like to have a little more interaction with those 'in management' if time permits..
Just as I say a couple of ideas...give us a minute to think of some more...

[bambini]

Really? You've deleted the whole last thread? Disappointing, Deano.

Maybe a policy of not deleting inconvenient threads would be a good start to opening up free and open discussion, which, after all, is the main reason we come to online forums.

I'll get back to you when I have other, more level-headed suggestions - I'm feeling too angry at the moment.

[Deano]

I like most of it mate cheers. Apologies for the thread move!

Unfortunately the sources thing is the only thing not up for discussion. I think Suckling doesn't know what he's started if he's said that!!! Any fully legal source is open for discussion, but not grey market.

[Deano]

It's moved, I can reinstate it if everyone wants, but mainly it's you/me not getting anywhere! I thought this was more constructive.

I'm going to bed too now.

[Moon Dancer]

The potential Rise and Fall of a good cigar forum spoilt by mischievous buying & selling questions Plus not helped by the tone & time taken to reply

Nevertheless, gentlemen, be you as so ever high - The Club Rules are The Club Rules, agree to them, or simply walk away


I'm staying to lurk about

[Puff Scotty]

I like most of it mate cheers. Apologies for the thread move!

Unfortunately the sources thing is the only thing not up for discussion. I think Suckling doesn't know what he's started if he's said that!!! Any fully legal source is open for discussion, but not grey market.

This is the part a lot of people do not understand..I won't go into my understanding of it, but I think you need to make what you understand as "grey market" clearer to people..perhaps refined down to the stickies I mentioned.
I have contacts with Covington & Burling's London office if that would help, they specialise in petrochem, but know all the wrinkles of international trade laws.( They should do anyway..their billing is seriously scary..)

[Eddie]

The issue of foreign sources needs dealing with much better. A few weeks ago someone asked about it and was shot down immediately and rudely. I even asked if the reply was a joke as it seemed so abrupt. I understand the reasons they can't be mentioned, but it needs handling better. If that reply was given in a pub all hell would break loose.

There are cigars sold from abroad and its not stopped. People admit to selling cigars from havana and no mention of duty being paid and other cigars are sold at way below UK prices. So you need some leniency. Why can't we discuss sources as long as the tax rules are clearly in a sticky and people never mention evasion techniques.

Newbies need treating better. TJ acts like a twat to them. Some people may find him amusing, but I can see a lot not. I tried to block his posts, but as a mod I can't.

People coming here are winding people up as the results are amusing. I appreciate that this is the answer bullies give but if you and some mods were to chill out a little people won't try to rial you.

I've enjoyed it here in the past and you have been good to me, but this place has appeared a bit like a cyber 1984 with the mods needing virtual blue boiler suits. And the members the proles. If people get invites then so what. The 2 forums are different to each other. And lets face it theirs has a better membership and therefore is more active as a lot of posters with loads of posts are now banned from here. These members put a lot of their time making this forum what it is and are now obviously not adding anything any more.

So in summary please relax a little and hopefully this place can be what it once was, but you need to look at the mods and have a real hard look at who should still be a mod.

[bigbarneyhotdog]

An inner sanctum. 50 + posts and moderator agreements. Maybe even a small annual fee.

[Deano]

This is the part a lot of people do not understand..I won't go into my understanding of it, but I think you need to make what you understand as "grey market" clearer to people..perhaps refined down to the stickies I mentioned.
I have contacts with Covington & Burling's London office if that would help, they specialise in petrochem, but know all the wrinkles of international trade laws.( They should do anyway..their billing is seriously scary..)

Yeah you are right, I will put more emphasis on it and clear up all the sticky rules. Bit all over the place at the mo.

But no thanks to contacting a law firm, I can't fund that kind of thing - albeit I've had free advice and a warning or two already (which ensured the rule change). Basically it's always "you'll probably be ok, but if they decided to do something, you'd probably become unstuck". So no, no more suggestions on non-UK sources thanks!

I'm not sure what you're still confused on (regarding grey market sources) after so many many discussions, of which you've been a key party?

[Deano]

An inner sanctum. 50 + posts and moderator agreements. Maybe even a small annual fee.

We don't need the fee tbh, considering the lack of resources needed for only 100ish members.

I'd be happy with this but not sure what it would give us? What can we discuss in there what we can't discuss elsewhere? It just hides useful posts that others may wish to read - this forum should be a resource.

[Deano]

The issue of foreign sources needs dealing with much better. A few weeks ago someone asked about it and was shot down immediately and rudely. I even asked if the reply was a joke as it seemed so abrupt. I understand the reasons they can't be mentioned, but it needs handling better. If that reply was given in a pub all hell would break loose.

There are cigars sold from abroad and its not stopped. People admit to selling cigars from havana and no mention of duty being paid and other cigars are sold at way below UK prices. So you need some leniency. Why can't we discuss sources as long as the tax rules are clearly in a sticky and people never mention evasion techniques.

Newbies need treating better. TJ acts like a twat to them. Some people may find him amusing, but I can see a lot not. I tried to block his posts, but as a mod I can't.

People coming here are winding people up as the results are amusing. I appreciate that this is the answer bullies give but if you and some mods were to chill out a little people won't try to rial you.

I've enjoyed it here in the past and you have been good to me, but this place has appeared a bit like a cyber 1984 with the mods needing virtual blue boiler suits. And the members the proles. If people get invites then so what. The 2 forums are different to each other. And lets face it theirs has a better membership and therefore is more active as a lot of posters with loads of posts are now banned from here. These members put a lot of their time making this forum what it is and are now obviously not adding anything any more.

So in summary please relax a little and hopefully this place can be what it once was, but you need to look at the mods and have a real hard look at who should still be a mod.

Usually because they're trolls, but otherwise yes ok I'll try to ensure people are kinder.

No leniency regarding 'sources' sorry, this is about the only thing thats not debatable here. You have another closed forum for that. This forum is about discussing cigars, not about cheap grey market tip offs.

Newbies are generally treated fine, except known trolls, and have been for some time. However, TJ's stuff is all meant to be tongue in cheek, but a lot seem not to 'get it'. We'll talk to him and see if the Coro clan have a newbie-friendly character...

Better membership? Yes majority of which were invited from here. Including yourself several weeks back.

[bigbarneyhotdog]

We could discuss what ever we wanted to in there. It would only be available to full members. Secret curry recipes, tips for the horses, car / bike modification hints. Or even Cigars

[Deano]

Well ya couldn't, it would still be a UK forum full of UK people hosted in the UK, we would still not discuss non UK sources.

[Puff Scotty]

I think Suckling doesn't know what he's started if he's said that!!!

Still trying to be constructive..he is pretty high profile in our small cigar world...
but he has said that..I can post a link to his blog/forum if I'm allowed.
I'm not trying to fabricate issues I'm hoping to deal with them..