Tender forum

[INDIZINE]

Yes, though its not yet highly visible....yet. Lookm in your User Control Panel, bottom left, under Miscellaneous - paid subscriptions link.

£36 gives you paid membership where you cna acces to view all the tenders, which can be posted by any member, paid or not, but only viewed and replied by paid members. Non paid members can only view/edit/reply to their own tender posts.

 

[T Smith]

Thanks for that...will look out for it

TS

 

[MaverickJGR]

I was wondering where everyone had gone from this, are people still posting many jobs there?, it says no jobs in the past 2 weeks when I look. Where have they all gone?

 

[INDIZINE]

you have to be a full member to view, read this thread in full and you will see what it says about it all.

 

i think taking the tender section away is not about anything else than making more money, you have to become a full member to get involved, so to do that you have to sign up.
Its regretable and I am dissapointed.

Michael

 

[andysv1k]

Bad move.

If you are a printer or logo designer or something, its worth the £36, but for me the only part of the paid part of this forum is now the tenders section, but its such a long shot that anything will come up of interest to benefit me, i wont be paying.

It wasnt just for my own benefit that i used the tenders section either. I used to read many of the threads and if i had a contact or wanted to recomend someone i would do.

I cant see any other reason that this has been done other than to squeeze a few more quid out of the forum.

My view of this place has been dealt a blow.

Andy.

 

[RayB]

Bad move.

If you are a printer or logo designer or something, its worth the £36, but for me the only part of the paid part of this forum is now the tenders section, but its such a long shot that anything will come up of interest to benefit me, i wont be paying.

Andy, I hear what you are saying - but the £36 is worth it just for signature links and the traffic they generate, let alone tenders. Plus there is the directory, and private area to discuss things you don't want indexed by Google.....

 

[INDIZINE]

yes there is mor to paid membership as Ray says, and the reason was stated.

 

[Fuzzy]

Best £36 I paid last year

 

[Alice3537]

Couldn't they at least move the thing up to the Private Forums section? I like a neat forum index and it offends me every time I see the out of place forum half way down the page!!

 

[Rusty]

Bad move.
I cant see any other reason that this has been done other than to squeeze a few more quid out of the forum.

My view of this place has been dealt a blow.

Andy.

I am sorry that it looks this way but I can assure you it was nothing like that at all, the idea was thought up by the members, the members voted on it in a poll and all the owners did was put it in place.

 

[Jaydee]

I must say that I cannot see the logic of making it private - all the more so if the forum itself is not physically moved to within the private section.

I would not want to pay the £36 - just a personal choice as I do not want my details in my signature and am not looking to increase my business by posting here - simply doing my bit for the community when I can by assisting posters if I know the answers to their questions.

As such, becoming a fully paid-up member would have been no benefit to me as (if I understand correctly) the added benefits that it provides are not a benefit in my personal situation.

But now, if I have potential business for the community, I cannot post the opportunity in tenders? So surely that is a loss to all of the community, including the fully paid-up ones?

What harm did the unpaying members of the community cause by accessing tenders?

 

[jamie1183]

One thing I have noticed is that there used to be alot of posts for jobs from unregistered users (Who have not paid) but these seem to have stopped and the tender section has now just about gone cold, very few new posts etc going on, I personally agreed with it but it seems it is putting off none fully registered members posting tenders and from what i saw although not been here long alot of the tenders were from none full members, I think the benefits you get from been a paid member are great but this new move of making the tenders section private does look like it has reduced the number of tenders posted.

Just my opinion.

EDIT

But now, if I have potential business for the community, I cannot post the opportunity in tenders? So surely that is a loss to all of the community, including the fully paid-up ones?

Just re-read the post above and noticed this part which kind of proves my point, that they may not post a tender even though they can or may not be aware they can.

 

[Alice3537]

I imagine, Jamie, that the paid up members (oops, looks like I'm creating a kind of tribal divide here!! - I'm not, I promise) probably get to know each other well - especially the ones who have been about for longer. Thus, someone needing finance may automatically think of Gillie because they trust her, or someone thinking of printing may go to Ray coz he posts on every thread ( - sorry, Ray!). That, in itself would make the forum appear quiet. Probably happened before anyway, but those guys did also benefit from being able to reply to posts made by non-paid up members.

Could those who pay potentially lose out on a good service/product at a good price? Yup. Could they also lose potential business because their prices, deals etc are no longer available to the wider community? Yup! (not talking about the UKBF offers thing here!). Did those members discuss and 'vote' on it? Yup, so I respect that. Did UKBF look at the wider view? I don't know.

To be honest, I think the net result of the change will be that non-paid up members will merely do what some of them did anyway and post in other forums for a tender! Therefore, I'm not sure that it really neatens things up for either side.

Just my opinion and not a discussion about the benefits or not of joining (which I consider to be of benefit to many) or a criticism of the decision (which I have already said does not really affect me).

 

[Gillie]

Having read yet another thread in the private forum about the tenders section and there would appear to be almost a nightly discussion in that part about things that need changing, I would just like to state in this thread, that everyone can read, that I believe every member has a right to input in any changes that affect the forum and that all threads about forum changes that members would like implementing, should happen in the main part.

Its creating an us and them situation and I really don't like it! I feel that the private section of the forum should be to discuss delicate matters where advise and opinion is sought as its not trawled by google. It would be nice to have one section that ALL members could do this in without paying, and then leaving all the other bits as incentives to pay yer money!

That way, Sift can recoup some dosh still but also this whole us and them and better or not better thing would please please go away!!

I lurve everyone!!!!!! (well nearly!)

 

[hi-de-hi]

Andy, I hear what you are saying - but the £36 is worth it just for signature links and the traffic they generate, let alone tenders. Plus there is the directory, and private area to discuss things you don't want indexed by Google.....

I do agree that £36 is not that much on the face of it, but when you're running such a teeny-weeny business like mine with a very small budget, £36 does make a difference. I don't need signature links yet as I don't have anything to link so that's of no use to me and although I didn't post in the tenders forum, I did read it and it was only from reading it that I placed an order this weekend with someone here on the forum!! I found it useful because forum members could advertise their prices and current offers they were running, so to me, it's a lose-lose situation because I don't get to hear of any offers and advertisers end up advertising to a smaller audience!

 

[Jaydee]

Just re-read the post above and noticed this part which kind of proves my point, that they may not post a tender even though they can or may not be aware they can.

Yes Jamie - I see what you mean now.

Because it states "Private" to the right of the Tenders forum in exactly the same way that it does for the previous private forums, I had never clicked there as there had never been any point in doing so.

By not clicking there, the user does not get to see Darren's message explaining that anybody can post a tender.

So (a) I am not surprised that the number of threads in tenders has reduced as lots of posters probably made this mistake, (b) I now see why it cannot be in the really private section, and (c) it probably should not be called private at all - but simply have a message along the lines of "You need to become a fully paid up member to reply to this thread", if a non-member clicks on an existing tender thread. Aaaaargh - there are now three classes of forum - really really extra-specially private, a little bit private (but not really) and not private at all!

Infact, if a non-member sees a good opportunity it may be a good incentive for him to pay Sift - now he does not know what he is missing in the Tenders forum.

 

[andysv1k]

Andy, I hear what you are saying - but the £36 is worth it just for signature links and the traffic they generate, let alone tenders. Plus there is the directory, and private area to discuss things you don't want indexed by Google.....

But there are people on here who arnt paid members who have links in their sig, i cant seem to put them in as it appears my user status stops url's being put in the sig.

Also, how many people voted on this? I obviously missed the thread, was it recently?

Andy.

 

[Alice3537]

Yes Jamie - I see what you mean now.

Because it states "Private" to the right of the Tenders forum in exactly the same way that it does for the previous private forums, I had never clicked there as there had never been any point in doing so.

By not clicking there, the user does not get to see Darren's message explaining that anybody can post a tender.

So (a) I am not surprised that the number of threads in tenders has reduced as lots of posters probably made this mistake, (b) I now see why it cannot be in the really private section, and (c) it probably should not be called private at all - but simply have a message along the lines of "You need to become a fully paid up member to reply to this thread", if a non-member clicks on an existing tender thread. Aaaaargh - there are now three classes of forum - really really extra-specially private, a little bit private (but not really) and not private at all!

Infact, if a non-member sees a good opportunity it may be a good incentive for him to pay Sift - now he does not know what he is missing in the Tenders forum.

I did click (don't know why really as I already knew it said private!!!) I totally MISSED that Announcement and I suspect most others would as well - I'm undecided as to whether it's a nod toward those who didn't go with the whole completely private thing (hence not really promoting the fact that anyone can post there), an inability to post that in more obvious ways or a mere oversight.

 

[sabian1982]

ANY member can post a tender. If you wanna bid for that tender it's £36 per annum for the privilege. That seems to be perfectly reasonable to me.

I think it's brilliant and stops all the cowboy's who only join to quote on stuff, and never add anything to the community

I second that - the issue we had with the tender forum of late was also that new members were dragging up year old tenders in an attempt to drum up some business.

Ultimately £36 isn't much and you'd make that back many, many times with the ability to bid on tenders! I tend to be a complete tight-ass and i've paid for it....

To stress - if you are looking for a service you can still post a tender for free - it is only those that are looking to bid on a tender (in order to generate business) who are required to have a paid membership!

 

[RayB]

But there are people on here who arnt paid members who have links in their sig, i cant seem to put them in as it appears my user status stops url's being put in the sig.

That only applies to some long standing members who were well established before the two tier system was introduced last year

Also, how many people voted on this? I obviously missed the thread, was it recently?

Andy.

I can't comment on that - as it was a debate in the private section

 

[Proximitum]

The whole thing is nonsense dreamt up by people with too much time on there hands. This used to be quite an interesting place, now its full of "but why can they post this, and isn't that the wrong place to be posting that...blah blah....its suppose to be a business forum. I didn't see any vote by members paid or otherwise.

I understand the job (well I don't but I can imagine its fairly hard work) the mods have on their hands and also the effort that goes into running a forum like this and accept that a fair fee may be in order as a sign of appreciation towards the work that they put in, but isn't the whole thing starting too lose some of its original intent. I used to enjoy scrawling through all the guff posts in tenders when I was starting out looking for a tit bit ( is that how you spell it?)over my morning tea.....now no more because for what....too much spam, too many one posters? its business thats what people do, its called competition also by some people....

so thats my rant over with looking forward to my subscription running out so I can join the mortals again.....

 

[RayB]

I didn't see any vote by members paid or otherwise.

You are a paid member - you have access to the private area - did you look there??

 

[Gillie]

Yes 48 people voted on it and it was decided by 52% of those .. aint democracy a wonderful thing!!

 

[Proximitum]

i'm not too good at math but that implies a little over 24 people voted this thing in then. 24? and not even the owners of the site...or did they?


I didn't see anything to do with an actual vote... i saw a lot of arguments about it but not the actual vote thingy...

 

[INDIZINE]

there wasnt really any arguing over this topic that I recall? that must have been the other topic where blood was drawn!

 

[andysv1k]

Hang on, so a vote was put forward in the private area where you need to be a paid up member as to whether the tenders area should stay public or not. and 24 people decided the outcome for the other few thousand?



"That only applies to some long standing members who were well established before the two tier system was introduced last year"

Ray, would that mean me?? ive been here for a while now. Mods/owners??

Ok enough worrying about this for me. its not my forum so its done, move on.

Andy.

 

[RayB]

"That only applies to some long standing members who were well established before the two tier system was introduced last year"

Ray, would that mean me?? ive been here for a while now. Mods/owners??

I'm no expert, I'm just trying my best to convey the rules as I understand them

[/quote]

 

[Alice3537]

I'm no expert, I'm just trying my best to convey the rules as I understand them

[/quote]

Thing is, Ray, you are so busy being a champion of UKBF, it's hard to take you seriously in a discussion about decisions made these days!!

 

[RayB]

Thing is, Ray, you are so busy being a champion of UKBF, it's hard to take you seriously in a discussion about decisions made these days!!

Any other day I'd concede Alice. But I've had a gutful of UKBF today - and I don't feel like championing anyone

 

[adventurelife]

I have not read through every post as it is too long but sampled each 2nd page.

My thoughts as a member who has paid but only been about for a few weeks.

I have been advised and helped in a short period of time by people who do not know me. The advice and help makes £36 laughable and I felt duty bound to pay who ever runs this place some money.

Wherever money is involved you will always get disagreement which is fine but life online and offline is full of givers and takers. I like to think that I can help the odd person each week on here or during my other business activities and I really appreciate others offering the most valuable thing they have to help me which is their time!

If after spending some time here people do not think the quality of advice an help is worth £36 per year well my advice is you need to rethink your business activities because you are a fool.

As for the original OP point about tenders for paid members only, to be honest I do not know. I like to see what people offer but I will always buy from those that have built a reputation that is solid.

 

[andysv1k]

But im guessing this advice you are getting isnt from the owners of the forum, but from the members. So you are not paying those people for their advice, they are giving it for free, look at Ray for an example, he joined later than me yet has many more times the post count of me (some forums refer to these people as forum whores ) but his input to the site is just huge, in terms of quality of posts, even if there is more of them than i could ever read! I bet Ray doesnt get a share of that £36 though.

Dont get me wrong, im not against a paid membership at all. I think its actually a good idea and im right behind the owners for doing that, this after all a business forum, why shouldnt they earn from it! I do think that its a fine balance of advancing the forum, gaining an income and keeping hold of the escence of the forum that made it popular in the first place, this particular decision i think was a step backward in that respect.

Andy.

Sorry for picking you as an example Ray, i used you as you have had a good input here and also some of the other threads ive followed. No offence meant

 

[Fuzzy]

But im guessing this advice you are getting isnt from the owners of the forum, but from the members. So you are not paying those people for their advice, they are giving it for free, look at Ray for an example, he joined later than me yet has many more times the post count of me (some forums refer to these people as forum whores ) but his input to the site is just huge, in terms of quality of posts, even if there is more of them than i could ever read! I bet Ray doesnt get a share of that £36 though.

Dont get me wrong, im not against a paid membership at all. I think its actually a good idea and im right behind the owners for doing that, this after all a business forum, why shouldnt they earn from it! I do think that its a fine balance of advancing the forum, gaining an income and keeping hold of the escence of the forum that made it popular in the first place, this particular decision i think was a step backward in that respect.

Andy.

Sorry for picking you as an example Ray, i used you as you have had a good input here and also some of the other threads ive followed. No offence meant

Yeh but most of Ray's posts are G&D - eh Ray ? Love Fuzzy

 

[RayB]

But im guessing this advice you are getting isnt from the owners of the forum, but from the members. So you are not paying those people for their advice, they are giving it for free, look at Ray for an example, he joined later than me yet has many more times the post count of me (some forums refer to these people as forum whores ) but his input to the site is just huge, in terms of quality of posts, even if there is more of them than i could ever read! I bet Ray doesnt get a share of that £36 though.

No offence taken, quite the opposite. Although to be fair, I post a fair amount of drivel and banter alongside the serious help and advice.

I have no issue with Sift charging £36, after all they are a business; and I certainly don't feel I should get a share. If anyone should it is the Mods not the members.

I get my moneys worth through the friendships and support I have here; let alone the other benefits such as sig links (worth the £36 on their own IMO)

As to tenders, well, if somebody judges the fee solely on the right to post bids and can't make a ROI on £36 they should pack it in and get a job IMO.

 

[FastFinger]

I am new here, and not a paid member. But I am planning to become a paid member so that I could access the tender forum. I really wish it is free, but somehow it is better to be that way so that we can know that only legit business people benefits from that section, but i really wish it is free

 

[davisonconsultancy]

I like Free, but there are times when it's worth paying the money.

Membership is inexpensive for what you get, take my word for it there is a lot of dross out there.

Keep up the good work UKbusinessForums!

 

[Alice3537]

Why don't we just have one big debate about the benefits of joining versus the choice of not paying? Seems to me that's such a major feature of the points that are getting raised in various threads, we may as well!!

By this time next year, it'll probably only be time out which is free anyway and no-one new will join on the basis that that's the only taste of what is a good forum they are allowed to view!

 

[RayB]

Why don't we just have one big debate about the benefits of joining versus the choice of not paying?

No need for a debate on this one IMO. A debate about the national debt might useful (for example) amongst small business owners.

But a debate about spending £36 PA on a business resource as useful as this??? I'll spend more on my dinner tonight.

 

[Alice3537]

No need for a debate on this one IMO. A debate about the national debt might useful (for example) amongst small business owners.

But a debate about spending £36 PA on a business resource as useful as this??? I'll spend more on my dinner tonight.

Well, you missed the rest of my comment plus the at the end!

It just strikes me that whenever a discussion starts it turns into a discussion about paying. I don't pay, as you know. Doesn't bother me not to access the private forum - I was around last year when some of us had access by mistake and it didn't encourage me to pay.

Now, for the private forum web-site review, I would consider it good value.

I don't think you can blame people for complaining when an entire forum is moved - people who may have posted on here for a while and contributed to it. So, for the response to merely be, well pay £36 it's not that much, isn't (to me) a great one.

 

[RayB]

Well, you missed the rest of my comment plus the at the end!

No Alice, I didn't miss the rest of your comment. It's just that I can make certain business decisions instantly. Instinctively.

Anyone who needs to debate whether to shell out £36 per annum on a business tool is better off getting a job though. IMO