Competitors - a clarification

Dave M · 23 Jul 2011 at 16:09

Hi,

I don't think it's reasonable to ban all mention of Amazon, any more so than it's possible to ban mention of tesco, asda or comet.

As has always been the policy (certainly for the last few years) has been that mentions of larger firms who have their fingers in many pies are okay so long as you aren't mentioning products that directly compete with OcUK.

Hence talking about toasters from comet or beans from tesco is fine, but telling people about their laptop deals isn't really on (say what you like, they wouldn't let us post our deals in their store!).

To be clear, kindle fine, games we don't sell fine, hardware not cool, games we sell (yeah, all of them) not cool.

A few dons lost their temper yesterday but to be fair to them under heavy trolling - yes trolling.

Please chill out and stop the trolling or this will go on and on and end badly.

Thanks for reading.

Dave M · 23 Jul 2011 at 16:16

Tombstone said:
Does that apply to Steam too if its a game you are selling?

I think it has to, only sensible way forward.

Dave M · 23 Jul 2011 at 16:23

orderoftheflame said:
Another turn around on the actual rules we've been told? Are we allowed to talk about their DD wing or not.

Yes but not a game we sell as that is direct competition.

There is no cover up, no deleted threads (moved, but now moved back) and no bans. I've told Valkie he's a prat and Ace modder doesn't make forum policy (neither do I for that, but Spie is off and I'll take the lead in his absence).

Wanting people sacked for getting some forum rage? Some perspective required I think, what kind of employer would that make OcUK?

Dave M · 23 Jul 2011 at 16:26

LOAM said:
Do we need to check what you sell and what you don't sell every time we make a game sale related post ?.

That's up to you, but I doubt a couple of days sus'd would be the end of your world if you did fall foul of the dons. Most likely just get edited out anyway unless it was a blatant 'don't buy it here lol get it here instead'.

Dave M · 23 Jul 2011 at 16:27

peterattheboro said:
Can I ask why **** and a few others are being followed by OcUK on twitter?

Dunno, it is odd, but I guess you could say the reverse is OcUK is listed as a follower on their twitter page too.

I think, I don't really twit I must admit. It's probably something that will be discussed now I'm aware of it.

Dave M · 23 Jul 2011 at 16:31

Gimpymoo said:
I think many would expect Valkie to lose his Donship as punishment enough untill he can be trusted again.

Nobody but Spie would make that decision and for my part one I don't think he would share your opinion on.

Dave M · 23 Jul 2011 at 16:53

Gimpymoo said:
This.

Which is the reason this whole thing is continuing.

Missed those two, also ubanned now.

It simply CANNOT be ignored if you expect us to treat ANY company employed mods with respect.

I didn't realise you did

I don't want anybody's respect, just some peace and quiet.

Dave M · 23 Jul 2011 at 16:55

Komedy said:
Where the eck where you last night Tele ?

Working, then sleeping

Dave M · 23 Jul 2011 at 17:14

Kempster said:
So are posts/threads like that not allowed too.?

I'd obviously prefer they weren't posted, but as I mentioned on post 36 I'd expect that to merely be edited rather than incur any wrath (just like most competitor mentions or an occasional mild sweary gets quietly starred).

Dave M · 23 Jul 2011 at 17:18

Martini1991 said:
I agree with you there.

I'd agree with "don't" but not "couldn't". Big investment would be required and making big losses at first, but not impossible, the resources are there if that was the chosen strategy.

Dave M · 23 Jul 2011 at 17:35

Tefal said:
really?

isn't ocuks revenue something like 30 million yet game's is 1.8 billion?

I doubt you could ever compete with that kind of clout considering that they get exclusive bonus content from the publishers yet ocuk doesn't so even if you sold at the same price people would buy there.

Certainly but then again Amazon is huge by any reckoning but doesn't really compete with our core products - I think it's about focus and brand.

I'm certain a few mil spent carefully could put OcUK on the path to being at least a bit part player in the games market, certainly to the point of being competitive enough to be able to cross-promote with hardware sales. I'd be less sure that few mil would ever be made back as profit though, in my lifetime at least

Dave M · 23 Jul 2011 at 17:58

Just be considerate and balance the needs of members to find the cheapest stuff with the needs of the business to sell stuff.

I don't think there's a hard and fast rule which will be fair to both sides so some give and take is best imo, less rage and more understanding of each others needs

Dave M · 23 Jul 2011 at 18:06

Martini1991 said:
Does that mean Valkia will be balanced in his judgement on whether or not we're not balancing the need for the cheapest stuff with the balance of the business? I don't think so. What you've said is down to interpretation.

Feel free to message me (in trust) if you think somebody's interpretation needs a 2nd opinion. So long as you don't catch me before my morning cuppa I can be quite reasonable

Dave M · 23 Jul 2011 at 18:11

EVH said:
Thundy still looks like his avatar

Al from quantum leap imo