Quote:
Originally Posted by sww914
Pelican Parts provides this forum for free. They don't get paid by any of us for this very valuable service. They and volunteers have compiled a great deal of information as a service to us while asking for little in return.
We are very lucky to have several world class experts posting here regularly, just to share their wealth of knowledge for our benefit. I truly appreciate all that these people do for us for free, asking for little in return.
Pelican Parts asks that we not post links to their competitors' websites and that's very little to ask in return for all of the time and expense that is required to build and maintain a forum as big and comprehensive as this. They even allow used parts classifieds! They could be selling some of those parts to us new, but they see classifieds as yet another service that we can benefit from.
Have a little grace and some class, please.
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This is true and I appreciate it, but be aware that Pelican is first of all a company who's not a charity ; hosting forums like this is a very good way to "hold" part of the market. Most members on these lists are likely to check Pelican first for parts, and in fact even pay more for parts just because it may help fun the list. It builds up strong "brand" loyalty, and in fact as compared to a bricks and motar company, is a pretty good investment for the advertising and market presence it creates. Creating links to competitors erodes the brand and that is why its not allowed.
Overall , its a fantastic symbiotic strategy and has benefits to both sides. There are other just as active forums (Rennlist comes to mind) that do not have this orientation, but have memberhship fees that fund the infrastructure. They also have some restrictions regarding sponsors and such.
IMHO anyways, for what's its worth!
Cheers,
Mike