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Votes

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Yes - always (spam)

Yes - only if someone requests product information

Yes - only if someone requests product availabilty

Yes - both 2 & 3

42%

Yes - but only by Personal Message function

17%

Yes - only if sponsorship is disclosed in reply

34%

Topic Date User

Advertising or Information? 13-Jul-2005 At 7:12:09 PM climberman

Message

On 13/07/2005 nmonteith wrote:
"I think sponsored climbers need to appreciate that there are negatives
to being affiliated with a company commercially. This is one of the negatives. If you don't like the rules at Chockstone then either ditch the sponsor or don't post information about products that your sponsor sells on Chockstone. You can't have it both ways. Your sponsors have their own web sites, with fantastic information, stories ect. Keep your reviews and recommendations to that website - not Chockstone."

I kind of agree with this. As a mug punter, who knows only who a few of the folks on here are even as 'real world' names, I'd expect sponsored climbers to respond to a climbing equipment related query with an honest opinion on the worth of the product at hand, but with an aknowledgement of their sponsorship.

Reasonable people understand that you have probably only accepted sponsorship from suppliers/products you believe in. It assists in transparency for all involved if you just say what other interests you have. It also says to me though that you probably climb well and widely enough to have a good idea on product, rather than being a twelve year old inexperienced nethead who has only gymclimbed commenting on new cam brands: so as well as being something of a drag, aknowledging your sponsorship will be something of a benefit. Restraint and honesty will also do you well in your commercial climbing life in the long run. Grandstanding is best left for boxers.

For instance, if we were discussing backcountry skiing and I said "Root me, this site: www.users.bigpond.com/vertica is AWESOME and the bible on backcountry routes in NSW", it'd be remiss of me not to mention that I wrote it... But that also allows me to have a certain insight (or bias !) as to what that website (read: product) can/did/tried to do. That website IS awesome though.

Retailers ? Naaahhh, f--- em. Any idiot can find a retailer on the street or on the net. Though good specials stumbled across by punters I think should be mentioned, and an HONEST appraisal of any retail experience can be beneficial to all - but bitchin in the kitchen is best avoided unless you have already failed to resolve an issue with the firm involved before posting your problems here, and they were f---wits.