Why was my swiss thread dropped?

[johnbear]

Hey Ted and Co,

My Swiss Trip thread has been removed. I know it points to an external tour firm, but Chris and I decided it was better to use them than have the hassle of booking hotels and collect money etc. We just wanted to drive and have some fun.

We orginally called it the Shagball 1200 but it gave the wrong impression so we renamed it to the Swiss 1200.

Feedback as to the removal would be useful. We're not doing this for profit so give us a break.

Cheers

JohnBear

[johnbear]

Any one there for an answer

[Mattt]

You would be better off in Website Feedback I believe, why not just send an email to Ted? It's always best to ask permission beforehand, which is usually forthcoming anyway

[Big Al.]

Sorry what do you mean by Dropped?

Ed to add

OH and moved to Website feedback.

Edited by Big Al. on Wednesday 18th July 17:42

[johnbear]

Hi Big Al,

I posted details of Cmr2Payne's and my trip to Switzerland in this post http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

However, it disappeared and I assumed (we know what they say about that) that it had been removed.

Could you provide details as to what I did to break the rules.

We only want to get a few more takers to make the trip happen.

Cheers

John

[Hughesie II]

johnbear said:

I know it points to an external tour firm,

Sorry - you were asking why it was removed and yet freely admit that it was advertising something that isnt a paid up advertiser on PH ??

I removed it for exactly that - think i also edited one of your other posts advertising the website as well, this was after a paying advertiser too umbrance to you gaining free advertising in direct competition to themselves.

If you only need a couple more drop Garlick line for our very reasonable advertising rates.

Edited by Hughesie II on Wednesday 18th July 19:01

[Big Al.]

I think it might have been removed (dropped) as it breached the sites no advertising in the forums policy. Not sure as I can't see closed threads.

Your thread is still running I thought you meant this one

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

Had been dropped.

BTW that thread also looks like an ad.

Hope it been cleared by the management?

[Hughesie II]

Big Al. said:

BTW that thread also looks like an ad.

Just got rid of that one as well.

Moral of the story, dont draw attention to yourself

[H10TVR]

I had a post removed for much the same reason towards the end of last year, Petrol Ted did give the me the courtesy of an explanation via email and we did speak.

I was attmepting to bring a few people together for a european run, just as you are.

It does beg the question when does trying to get fellow PH's together for a legitimate run out together become an 'organised tour' I joined John Bears Christmas North wales run in Decmeber, how did I find out well through PistonHeads, I would not have known otherwise. The run was "advertised" on PH and I am glad it was as I had a great couple of days out and stayed in a good hotel in the midlands.

I think that when individuals promote a tour on a non profitable bases it should be supported, yes there need to be caveats ABTA insurance (lack of) and various disclaimers to cover legal iiability but I am sure that there must be a way that fellow PH's can be advised about foreign runs.......

[dazren]

Not sure where the confusion is coming from here.

Checking back to the abuse report, the deleted thread was advertising a tour being organised by a commercial operator, who would have been doing the trip for profit (There was even a link to the tour operators website). The fact a PHer instructed the tour operator to put the trip together is surely irrelevent. A commercial trip is a commercial trip and thus subjuct to PHs no advertising rules.

[Garlick]

Hello all

Here at PH, we don't mind helping PHers get together for drive outs etc and, as long as the event is not run for profit, we will allow users to promote on the events forum for free. However we do like to be asked first either by calling the office or by sending an e mail to Ted or I. PH is here for the benefit of like minded people after all.

If an event is run for profit, or even when attendees have to pay to cover set up costs, we would rather it was advertised through paid for advertising.

Don't forget that the PH calendar is free and can be used to promote any event.

Cheers
G

[johnbear]

I appreciate the points, but I wasn't making any profit out it. I asked the tour company in question if they would handle the admin side for me at cost.

The trouble is individuals like myslef who organise run outs can spend a lot of time organising them and answering questions on PH.

I was aware of the issues surrounding travel bonding (ABTA is a commerical bonding organisation, my employer Global Travel Group is another).

The tour company route provided me with bonding of funds and liability cover in the event of an issue.

I seem to stuck in between a rock and a hard place - I and others would like to organise a tour to Switzerland that doesn't cost the earth, the admin and bonding needs to be covered (a tour company) and to promote requires PH (who also would like a small margin as well). This all adds to the cost.

However, the Spain trip did have a thread running on PH and that also had advertising in Sprint.

If I have to pay to start a thread could there be a non profit rate so as to keep our costs down.

PS Who is running a trip to Switzerland (the competitor who complained)?

Because if there is a trip at reasonable cost, it would save me a lot of hassle - we'll just book on that tour.

Edited by johnbear on Thursday 19th July 17:58

[H10TVR]

Here Here ,

John Bear behind you all the way with this one..........

Lets hope this can be sorted, (I would love to go on the swiss trip but work on this occasion prohibits).

[tinman0]

johnbear said:

I seem to stuck in between a rock and a hard place - I and others would like to organise a tour to Switzerland that doesn't cost the earth, the admin and bonding needs to be covered (a tour company) and to promote requires PH (who also would like a small margin as well). This all adds to the cost.
....

Because if there is a trip at reasonable cost, it would save me a lot of hassle - we'll just book on that tour.

StreetSafari is putting one together for next year. (It wont be banger rally though - proper cars this time). It won't cost the earth either. You are welcome to drop me a line for possible dates.

When the website is ready to be announced, it will be advertised on PH as we already do. Thems the rules.


(edit to remove angry smiley which i didn't notice was on the post. odd)

Edited by tinman0 on Friday 20th July 16:35

[Hughesie II]

tinman0 said:

When the website is ready to be announced, it will be advertised on PH as we already do. Thems the rules.

[johnbear]

This trouble with that sort of trip is, it's more of a race / competition. I am looking to do a trip that's primarily for TVR's and doesn't involve others making a profit out of us - I'am not doing for profit just for fun.

The breakdown element is a major concern for TVR owners. The spares alone for a TVR trip are considerable and then there's the specialist knowledge required to fix any problems. The Racing Green trip required a backup Range Rover packed with parts.

It not aiming at the streetsafari customer. I am looking for couples aged 35 to 60 ish that just want to take their TVR's out on some great roads, enjoy some local culture and great hotels. We drive fast but safe.

We not interested in reading maps or getting lost - what's where the Sat Nav's come in. The only people that supply them are Driving Adventures. The radios really do change the atmosphere of a trip and are a must.

Aftet this Swiss Trip in September, we are likely to do another one next April, but I'll have to get the rates from PetrolTed and advertise on here and in Sprint.

Anyway who am I in compeition with? The Eurohoons are a different type of event and on different dates, going to different locations , Driving Adventures don't have any tours for TVR's later in the year (except mine) and the other companies are very expensive or appeal to a completely different car market.

[Mattt]

Furball5k sounds like a similar type of event, many PHers go on that.

[tinman0]

johnbear said:

I am looking to do a trip that's primarily for TVR's and doesn't involve others making a profit out of us - I'am not doing for profit just for fun.

better tell the hotels, the petrol stations, ferry companies, restaurants, and the tour operator that you chose. strangely enough - i think they are all looking to make money out of you.