Of Trad Gang and sponsorships

[Arctic Hunter]

I posted that thread to learn about Border bows.  And I did learn a lot before it was deleted.  I'd liked to have been able to learn a little more, but it is what it is.  I just have to remember all the Border shooters so I can send them PM's (for the record, I posted that here because I usually get some good information from this site).

I'll probably end up getting a Covert Hunter.  I still have a lot of questions if any of you guys that own one want to send me a PM.

[longbow fanatic 1]

Thank you, Rob! I appreciate the sponsors, mods for providing a great site to discuss trad archery. I've learned so much from the members and sponsors!

[Ron Vought]

This is the only site left where you can call a crossgun a crossgun and also refer to it as 'not archery equipment'. I'm in for the long run. I respect what is being done here to keep things in order.

Ron

[ARCHER2]

      Good job Rob!

[23feetupandhappy]

Originally posted by Jedimaster:
I don't frequent this sight as much as I once did. In fact, I'm not a contributor and very seldom post. However, I read the "Border thread" in question and feel compelled to comment here.
 
Once upon a time, I had a post about a bowyer deleted, so I PM'd Terry about it. He responded by sending his phone number and we had a very good conversation which opened my understanding as to why deleting that post was in everyone's best interest. Sometime later his private reservations about the bowyer were born out publicly. In the end I was grateful for the judgement call which resulted in my post being pulled. Not only that, but I learned Terry is not an egocentric monster but a very cordial and considerate man - at least to me.
 
On another occasion I sold a bow to Rob which he soon discovered had serious issues. It was completely my bad and he had a right to be frustrated but again, what I found was a very reasonable man and a man of honor. I refunded the money but didn't want the bow shipped back to me - Rob could have kept it, attempted to sell it, whatever - but what he did was send me a picture of the bow sawn neatly in two, demonstrating that the bow was taken out of commission as was my wish.  

Through these dealings both men were complete gentlemen and I continue to respect them very much. I may not agree with every decision made here, or at least not understand every decision, but I'm going to give them a pass this time and probably every time. They've proven themselves and they've earned it.

I've never been a shill for a company nor any man so I'm not pumping sunshine up anyone's skirt - just telling it like it is. There were some comments on the Border thread that were inappropriate - even if they were true.  I think it showed remarkable restraint for some of those comments to have been up as long as they were and for those who made them to still be members here.  

The thread wasn't pulled because it was a Border thread - it was pulled because it had taken a disrespectful turn and had ill-spirited posts.  Like I tell my kids, you may disrespect me but your not going to do it in my house.  So here' s to you Rob for keeping it in line and being man enough to take the criticism - and punches - without retaliating.  You've once again proven yourself to be a gentleman.

[fmscan]

I had a post pulled (I wanted opinions on neck shots) it was pulled, so discussion was not allowed. I disagreed BUT did not take it personal, the moderators etc are walking a fine line and pleasing everyone all the time is next to impossible. I have yet to find a man made organization perfect so let's relax and appreciate this site.
Also if I were a sponsor I would want some consideration on discussions when A FEW try to shill. Again a fine line is being walked to consider sponsors and people who try to beat the system.

[Archie]

I've been largely absent on TG in recent months, so I'm a bit in the dark on this one.  But I'd like to chime in that I have seen "shilling" being done on this site, and it smacked of someone out there trying to get free marketing space... trying to boost sales for someone's business.  It just didn't feel honest to me... You know, like buying a fancy suit, wearing it to a photo shoot, and then taking it back for a full refund.  That's using someone else's stuff without paying for it.

I think TG is a pretty well-run site.  Perfect?  No way... we're all human and there are bound to be differences in judgment from one person to the next.  But I am posting here in support of Rob's decision to try to limit the "shilling", but still allow discussions of both sponsored and non-sponsored products.