ALL READ - Zero Tolerance Policy - Any more blatant rule breaking = BAN !!

[Mekrel]

I think in some ways the forum does distort the market in OcUKs favour. There's a lot of very useful information about hardware that's available here (provided by the members (for free), not by OcUK or it's staff). A lof of people will google and end up here. It might be recommendations they're after, technical help, or whatever, and they end up getting OcUK products recommended at OcUK prices because the rules don't allow otherwise. It could be viewed as anti-competitive. And yes sadly there are many many noobs out there who are too clueless to find the best prices. People here would like to be able to help them but can't.

I think OcUK should be a bit more open and honest about what the forums are here for - generating sales. Yet they talk like they're providing a public service. It's not clear when you join that the forums are basically a marketting tool. I've read posts from people here who didn't even realize OcUK were a retailer, they thought it was a general forum for 'overclockers'.

I can see that posting direct links to competitors is too much, or using their names, but I think it should be ok to say 'have a look at product X you can pick it up for around £xx'. I also think the banning of mentioning auction sites is rather bizarre. Like there's anyone who hasn't heard of them.

But OcUK paid for that right to have a forum. There is no rule of "If you post here you have to buy here."

I found the forum, by putting my name as "Anyone know any retailers with 6800GT in stock" on MSN and funnily enough a Greek person actually linked me here, then I joined the forum. So I found the shop first.

Yes, I have no doubt that the forum does generate sales, yet it was their idea and funded by them. So kudos to them. You can't knock them for looking after their assets.

a lot of retailers do it, its like saying it isn't fair Boots have an advantage card system to tempt people to spend their custom there. Yet they designed the idea and paid for the cards and the system to be able to reward customers with points.

If you wish to help those who are too lazy to search t'interweb, then there are loads of other forums to do just that.

I don't see these forums as a Marketing tool at all, these forums do not make me buy from here if the price is cheaper elsewhere - what I do see though is a lot of technical problems resolved by the excellent member base it has. Yes the forums do generate money, as they post about first to get offers etc, but again they paid for that right. It's called R+D, you put money back into your business so it grows.

I've never seen OcUK stating anywhere on the forum that it doesn't generate sales.

 

[Tooks]

Well for me, this forum is like a public service! I wouldn't know how I'd get through my working day if it wasn't for browsing this forum and lusting after the latest kit, and working out how I can afford it!

Like others have said, what is so difficult about not linking to competitors, not swearing and generally being civil? There are other sites if you want to do that sort of thing...

Incidentally, I first heard about OCUK a few years ago when I went into my local retail park based PC superstore to purchase a Socket 478 motherboard. The sales guy told me the stock they had in was a bit basic, not to mention a bit pricey, so he helpfully wrote down OCUKs website address on a headed compliments slip, and I've never looked back to be honest!

Sure, I've had a few customer service problems along the way, but those were dealt with in the proper manner - ie contacted the shop privately, escalating my complaint as necessary. They've always sorted things out to my satisfaction.

 

[Rob43]

Well for me, this forum is like a public service! I wouldn't know how I'd get through my working day if it wasn't for browsing this forum and lusting after the latest kit, and working out how I can afford it!

Like others have said, what is so difficult about not linking to competitors, not swearing and generally being civil? There are other sites if you want to do that sort of thing...

Incidentally, I first heard about OCUK a few years ago when I went into my local retail park based PC superstore to purchase a Socket 478 motherboard. The sales guy told me the stock they had in was a bit basic, not to mention a bit pricey, so he helpfully wrote down OCUKs website address on a headed compliments slip, and I've never looked back to be honest!

Sure, I've had a few customer service problems along the way, but those were dealt with in the proper manner - ie contacted the shop privately, escalating my complaint as necessary. They've always sorted things out to my satisfaction.

Could'nt have put it better myself mate,agree with you 100%.

 

[ernysmuntz]

Its easy,


Dont mention competiton in the market.

Talk about hardware.


Thats it.

We all know how to use google....

Do we need to discuss it on the forums?

No.


COME ON!

The problem comes not when discussing hardware that ocuk sells, but when someone wants a pointer on where to get something they don't sell. Someone might list a site that sells that item as well as other items that ocuk do sell....as I'm sure you know.

In that situation I don't see what the problem is...and where the "having your cake and eating it" comes into play.

Sales generated from forum +

Vs

Sales lost in forum because of stuff like that -

But at the end of the day the sales generated coupled with the more lenient attitutude would prolly help in the long run...

Maybe not, I'm just being idealistic, I guess Gibbo is aiming this at the serial rule breakers, in which case, I'd say suspend, and then ban them.

This thread could go on forever.........oh well kinda interesting....no im just bored again

 

[Sem]

the thing that bothers me is the fact that OcUK dons say they store and forums are NOT connected
but then they use the forum to promote items in the store and then members will get the wrong idea
and post a question store related and will then get his head bitten off by the dons

now i understand about the competitors if i owned a shop and forum and would like my users promoting my rivals with my own board they just need to change the way they deal with it

totally staring and out a certain website seems childish IMO

 

[kitten]

I can see OcUK's point, What's so difficult in NOT posting links to competitors.

"Where can I get xxxxxx cheap" can be answered with "google and ye shalll find"

If it bugs you that it's OK to promote OcUK, but not to promote competitors, then don't promote OcUK either! It's a no brainer, this place is a free resource, and as such the rules should be respected.

Personally, I would direct to OcUK in answer to a request for product, I guess I am giving a bit back for the use and usefulness of this forum. However whenever it comes to a request for price, and although OcUK cannot be beaten on many products, (this is fact, and in no way should be seen as desire to ingratiate myself) I would suggest google.

If a person is not smart enough to google for information or product. The words "google and ye shall find" should be sufficient to switch on at least one light bulb. If not then woe betide them. Depite the idealist fantasies I nurture, pragmatism tells me it is becoming more and more dog eat dog. If one cannot look after one's own A** then tough. We spend far too much time messing with natural selection anyway.

For example:
I think the flashing lights at pedestrian crossings, or the crossings themselves should be removed. If someone is dumb enough to walk into fast moving traffic, so be it. lt's got to have a positive effect on the gene pool.

Just an opinion

 

[Mitch007]

The Fact that OCUK forum is accessed via web store front end indicates that the forum is run, allowed, moderated and managed by OCUK business Ltd. As such it (OCUK Business) has a vested interest in the content and will select moderators to support the business code/ethic/mantra/model....blah blah as they see fit....
This being by the forum rules...It is a shame that theis has some how been blown out of proportion in some way that has caused OCUK to step in and re-state the rules and enforce a tougher line on those who cross the line.

Rules are rules and OCUK should state their intent in providing forum space for people lik e me to share hardware comment, and state it's link to the OCUK business as a whole, In my mind they are ONE....

Having Don's moderate the forum 'independantly' is tosh.....


some clarity on the link between forum and business and those who moderate woul dbe appreciated.

I will follow rules set out, but OCUK needs to clarify it's need/want/ and business model in allowing and supporting this forum to make it clear to those using it why the rules are in place....

 

[Mitch007]

Just been to geneal hard3ware, and seen a thread talking about Apple mac-book purchse, cost, saving etc...

WHY ARE THESE RULES NOT POSTED ON THE OTHER THREAD TOPICS???
LIKE:-

CPU
General Hardware
Memory
Motherboard

etc
etc
etc


THIS SEEMS TO BE A SINGLE PERSON ISSUE NOT AN OCUK ISSUE????

Come in Gibbo, what's going on?

 

[Alexrose1uk]

I think its due to the fact, that whilst, yes it does happen in the other forums, you seem to see it FAR more frequently on the gfx forum than the others.

I myself do not have a problem with the dont mention competitors deliberately, even if this is a free country, someone pays for these forums and the only thing asked is to play by a few rules. For a free commodity, not providing companies considered competitors in my name is all fair and well.

I mean, they dont charge, these are provided for us, following a few small rules isnt too hard is it? I mean, is it too hard to just say its available around £xxx, check google?

 

[jpe20]

Well I think it is rather harsh being banned for a 1st/2nd offence really. I have already had one warning for having a signiture that was 1 line too long!!! even though it appeared 2lines on the preview. Anyhow it is oc's forum to do what they want with.

Personally I think they get a good deal out of the forums for what it costs to run. It provides a sort of community that at the end of the day will feel some "brand" loyalty to OC.

Secondly they gain a lot from people on the forums doing some of the job of Tech Support and Sales Advice by supplying possible solutions and reccomendations for products.

By and large OC provide a good customer service with reasonably competitive prices. To save a few pennies elsewhere is a waste of time as the good customer service with OC makes up for it. There are a few other competitors out the whom I buy from along with OC. I think OC would be naive to think that people who post on their forums do not buy from elsewhere. Personally OC is in my top three of suppliers I buy from.

I do agree that to some extent that OC should protect their own interests by having a rule saying no direct links to other retailers etc. Though I think where I and others fall into the trap of the "new regieme" are
(1) Linking to reviews (which ones are allowable???) many review sites have google ads and ad links to competitors amongst very valuable review articles. Most are US/ overseas based so I guess that don't cause a problem unless it is UK based with loads of refferal ads to competitors.

(2) Many people mention "fleabay". A term I sometimes use for items that are hard to locate that people cannot buy from OC ... I assume this is acceptable. Mentioning a product OC supply is cheaper at fleabay would obviously violate these rules. The instance I remember was someone wanted a replacement socket 439 board (I think) which OC no longer supplied so I suggested fleabay to find a replacement. Having said that I often mention rough alternatives from OC where possible.

And so on....

So at the end of the day I respect that OC are a business but I do feel however that if they get too harsh on policing the site they may start to lose the benifits that the forums give them (to as well as us). Running costs for them I think is a relative non-issue unless staff members are spending all day reading every post etc.

If I got banned then I would maybe appeal it but I won't grumble too much and look elsewhere for another friendly forum as there are plenty around though not many UK based ones I know of at the moment!!!!

Jules

 

[fish99]

is it too hard to just say its available around £xxx, check google?

Check the first post in the thread, that would also be against the rules.

 

[subroutine]

Hi there

In the rules on these forums this part is made very clear:-


OcUK are happy to provide the resources of these forums to responsible individuals without charge. They cost a substantial amount of money to maintain and use considerable amounts of bandwith which is paid for exclusively by OcUK. As you know OcUK are in the computer hardware business and therefore the promotion of OcUK's competitors is forbidden. ms.

I have to say that making an issue of this has drawn my attention even more to the fact there may well be better deals elsewhere on the web.I fully agree that members shouldn't post links to competitors as it's free advertising but making a specific topic on it kind of implies there's something to hide. Are there really that many members abusing the system as I can't say I've seen any cases. On the 'free' forums, I have no doubt the forums more than pay for themselves with the extra revenue gained from sales directly relating to forum activity.

 

[Rob43]

the thing that bothers me is the fact that OcUK dons say they store and forums are NOT connected
but then they use the forum to promote items in the store and then members will get the wrong idea
and post a question store related and will then get his head bitten off by the dons

now i understand about the competitors if i owned a shop and forum and would like my users promoting my rivals with my own board they just need to change the way they deal with it
IMO

This is a very valid point that you have raised mate,so it's now pretty obvious that both are related imo
A little more clarity regarding this would help everyone

 

[Chong Warrior]

Are there really that many members abusing the system as I can't say I've seen any cases.

Hmm, wonder why..?

Let me make it clear that from this point onwards myself and other DON's are tired of constantly having to edit people's post and find it insulting when in its long term members who think they can push the rules and get away with it. Well no more !

Their point is people ARE abusing the system, over and over and over again. It's a very simple rule that I've managed to follow since I joined these forums about 6+ years ago. It's not rocket science and I think they're well within their rights to feel a bit peeved about it. I've seen numerous warning threads like this and people still keep doing it.

Note Gibbo particularly mentioning the fact it's long term members who are breaking rules and not just new ones.

 

[Gibbo]

Hi there

Let me make it a little more clearer.

If your new and break the rules your not gonna be shot down, each case will be different and chances will be given.

Whats is annoying is a lot of members here who know the rules very well seem to be under the illusion due to their large post count and time on these forums makes them immune from the rules. As such hinting where product can be had elsewhere or that they got product for x amount elsewhere is fine. Well its not and its these long term members who need to be thinking before posting. You guys know the rules and there is no excuse.

 

[fish99]

For example:
I think the flashing lights at pedestrian crossings, or the crossings themselves should be removed. If someone is dumb enough to walk into fast moving traffic, so be it. lt's got to have a positive effect on the gene pool.

The point of the crossing is that pedestrians have right of way once they stand there waiting to cross (I should know I failed my first driving test because of this ), so the cars have to stop. Otherwise on a busy road you could be stood there waiting to cross for half an hour, especially if you're elderly.

 

[Yewen]

the thing that bothers me is the fact that OcUK dons say they store and forums are NOT connected
but then they use the forum to promote items in the store and then members will get the wrong idea
and post a question store related and will then get his head bitten off by the dons

now i understand about the competitors if i owned a shop and forum and would like my users promoting my rivals with my own board they just need to change the way they deal with it

totally staring and out a certain website seems childish IMO

Ahh but you have read that wrong there.

Not all the mods work for OcUK, and any issue like a return / RMA is dealt with off the boards.

Spie said in the new website section that the site and forum are linked together and that you can post shop stuff here, it just depends on what shop stuff you post here.

Anything only an employee can answer should be directed towards the shop, and that is where the the shop and forum are not linked comes in. Not part of OcUK's official technical or sales issue support.

It is only one really the one rule, it is not unreasonable to ask you not to post competitors on a shop forum.

I have been here for a lot longer than my join date, if a 13 year old can refrain from posting and asking for competitors then I think the majority of the so called adults on this board can aswell. It is not like the rule is new.

 

[Lanz]

Man, what a lot of replies and bitching for what was essentially a fair and simple enough request.

 

[AndyOcUK]

Man, what a lot of replies and bitching for what was essentially a fair and simple enough request.

Agreed - The rules are there for all to see before you sign up.

A simple and civil request that was made quite clear for all to see in the rules and FAQs. No obligations to join or sign up if you don't like the rules.

Not rocket Science is it? lol

AndyOcUK
OcUK Tech

 

[TaKeN]

Not rocket Science is it? lol

AndyOcUK
OcUK Tech

Exactly, Some people just like to moan...