JJ Rolex Giveaway

[Tools]

I've been tempted to close this thread, but then, that wouldn't accomplish much except appear that TRF is stifling legitimate discussion.

I disagree completely with Rolex Junky's entire premise.

1. There is no "membership year". If you donate at any time, your name color changes forever - or until you choose to donate again.. Many members have donated only once, others, not at all.... there is no validity in the contention that "donating now will only be good for a month" because a Pledge donation is good for as long as the donater himself wants it to be.

2. There is no "personal gain" from this simple honoring of a long time member. Giveaways are intentionally restricted to a manageable number to cover costs with only a small residual for Forum Management.. Indeed, without the giveaway and costs involved in it, the Forum would net more proceeds from Pledge Donations alone.

3. To publicly insinuate that there is something "unethical" about honoring a deceased member is ignorant on the surface, and clearly shows a lack of understanding of ethics in general.

4. Personal and Forum donations and contributions have been made during the time that JJ and the family most needed them. Any member is free to donate to any cause at any time, including the Cancer Foundation. For the Forum, or anybody, to make this simple gesture of recognition during what would otherwise be a routine give-away is a noble one and demonstrates the highest level of endearment to the man.

Indeed, the entire premise of the original post is more telling than the YM dedication, which was fully vetted by Pledge Members before running it..

You don't need to make excuses for not donating to keep the forum running, nor do you need to make excuses for not participating in the event..

Since you feel strongly in your position, it is fitting that we keep this thread open for a while longer so that you can also see other members positions as well..

[Gaijin]

and please nobody throw up any "IBTL" posts prior to this thread going to its proper demise and shutdown. Sometimes "IBTL" posts are funny. Not here.

[Welshwatchman]

Originally Posted by Rolex Junky

When I choose to do so is at my own discretion.

Perhaps a better way to procure a constant stream of donations would be to allow membership for the duration of 1 year regardless of when one donates.

With the current system people will remain less inclined to donate near the end of the year since all privileges are lost in february of the next year.

Just my

Keep your 2c, it is not welcome here.

You seem to forget that the pledge system has been in place for a few years now. Your "less inclined to donate" supposition has been proven useless by historical facts.

As far as telling us how to run the forum, yeah sure.

[britincali]

All I know is JJ would have got a massive kick out of the givaway.

[Numismatist]

Originally Posted by Rolex Junky

With the current system people will remain less inclined to donate near the end of the year since all privileges are lost in february of the next year.
Just my

Your supposition is that people are inclined to donate because of the privileges. I suspect many donate for the cause of running the free forum, the 'privileges' are just a perk.

Membership is the privilege - and it's free. I'm inclined to donate anytime Steve-o asks - and have so regardless of the 'time of year'.

[stephentross]

Despite the original post with all of the rules and such people as it seems, RJ, believe that are giving money for a raffle.

It is a donation to the forum for upkeep maintenance, etc..etc.. I am not sure if people understand that web site hosting or domain name registration is not all it takes. We don't know, nor do we need to know, if the site is hosted at the owners home or not. electricity, backup tapes, virus protection, Bandwidth, storage space (TRF is one of very few that allow as many attachments as you would like to post, No need to link to other online hosting sites. I can go on for days on this. Good websites cost money. That is what this is about.

What TRF has done is give an incentive for giving a donation. And nothing is guaranteed. It is all about comradery to me.

[SaddleSC]

Originally Posted by Numismatist

Your supposition is that people are inclined to donate because of the privileges. I suspect many donate for the cause of running the free forum, the 'privileges' are just a perk.

Membership is the privilege - and it's free. I'm inclined to donate anytime Steve-o asks - and have so regardless of the 'time of year'.

+1 Well said, Chris.

[eric23]

I think the JJ giveaway was a great way to honour JJ!!

Mods please close this thread, it is making me sick!

[The GMT Master]

I have nothing more to add to what has already been said here, but I think it's a great way to honour JJ and the contribution he has made here. Anyone who had the chance to interact with him personally would know this. If you had an issue with the way things are being run, OP, it could have been handled with a lot more class and dignity

[SaddleSC]

Originally Posted by The GMT Master

I have nothing more to add to what has already been said here, but I think it's a great way to honour JJ and the contribution he has made here. Anyone who had the chance to interact with him personally would know this. If you had an issue with the way things are being run, OP, it could have been handled with a lot more class and dignity

+1 Well said, Chris.

[speedo]

i think this thread had a point: it convinced me finally that i do need to pledge in order to show my support for this forum.
so, in a way, well don rolex junky!

[GradyPhilpott]

Could someone direct me to the thread announcing the JJ watch giveaway?

I'm a pledge member already, but I'd like to see something more concrete on the giveaway.

Thanks.

[Welshwatchman]

Originally Posted by GradyPhilpott

Could someone direct me to the thread announcing the JJ watch giveaway?

I'm a pledge member already, but I'd like to see something more concrete on the giveaway.

Thanks.

http://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=206532

[GradyPhilpott]

Thanks, Paul and to Stephen for helping out.

Grady

[stephentross]

Originally Posted by Welshwatchman

http://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=206532

Originally Posted by GradyPhilpott

Thanks, Paul and to Stephen for helping out.

Grady

See that is what it is all about. Helping out. Happy this thread turned into a positive. Good job guys/gals

[perpetualman88]

#1 JJ would have been extremely happy to see a yachty ss/plt as part as a giveaway

#2 As far as most of us know JJ's family is not in debt or in need of funds to put food on there tables ect

#3 This site is expensive to run and I calculated it out, the "profits" after everything is said and done is very minimal and I personally couldnt be happier knowing its going towards the upkeep of one of my favorite places on the net

#4 why dont you get to know our community especially our mods before you blast them or their practices

#5 or we can give him one more chance

[TheVTCGuy]

Originally Posted by Rolex Junky

I am well aware that this forum does not run on hot air and am extremely greatfull for all the effort the moderating team puts into running this gem of a forum. I enjoy the wealth of information this forum has to offer and feel priviliged to be able to associate myself with such a fine and upstanding community. God knows I have spent many hours lurking around here and the forum is long due compensation from my part. Not because I am obligated to but because they well deserve it. I feel any amount I may contribute will be well below that which the fine moderating team dereves.

Perhaps it was better if I had brought my grief to the attention of the moderating team via PM. It is not my intention to insult anyone on this forum; and let me state once again that I am greatfull for all the efforts by the moderating team. I understand that giveaways besides creating extra well deserved and needed revenue to keep things up and running are a great way to renew intrest in the forum and get members to more actively participate.

Although I never got to interact with JJ on a personal level I am well aware of JJ's contributions and what he ment to TRF. I mean no disrespect to JJ and I understand that the community here wants to honor him and keep his memory alive. The givaway is an option to honor and remember him by; but I hope you understand that by choosing to do so the action is open to scruteny and interpretation.

Where I come from; remembering or honoring a deseased person in a way that creates revenue without directly contributing to a cheritable cause is not done. The impression of personal gain must be avoided at all cost for it is viewed as unethical and unaccepted by the community as a whole.

To avoid such impression it would perhaps have been better to increase the donation amount but donate part of it to some meaningfull cause besides puting a "platty" on some members wrist. I know JJ loved the "platty." I also recall that near the end he sold all his beloved Rolexes so he could procure for his family once he was gone.

Is only the opinion of those whom have actively contributed to the forum tolerated on TRF? Lol-X you are correct to point out that I so far have not actively contributed to this forum. When I choose to do so is at my own discretion. Perhaps a better way to procure a constant stream of donations would be to allow membership for the duration of 1 year regardless of when one donates. With the current system people will remain less inclined to donate near the end of the year since all privileges are lost in february of the next year.

Just my

This... is an apology?

Junky, you are entitled to your opinion, and I will say one thing, you are correct in this post that perhaps it would have been better to send Steve (or Paul or Dalip) a PM with your suggestions, and your idea (although I personally believe it's mis-informed, but I could be wrong) about the timing-yearly-dues/donation thing is a valid question, but it has nothing to do with your OP. Everyone here has said everythiing that needs to be said much better then I can, so I'll give my (as you put it)

You pissed a lot of people on this, probably not intentional, but the way to stay a valued and welcome member of TRF is to simply say you're sorry, request the original post be forgotten and move on. If you have further questions or suggestions, I'm sure the Mods will be glad to respond to your PMs. We've all made... "mis judgements" in posts that have upset people (LORD knows I have!), but we are a friendly community and can look to the future, here is your chance to re-join

If you don't agree, or think I'm full of .... for suggesting this, then my last bit of advice is find another forum.

[GradyPhilpott]

I think the OP has a point, but what he perceives admin to be doing is not exactly what is being done.

The admin runs occasional giveaways in order to raise funds.

JJ was a beloved member of the board who loved his Yachtmaster.

This time the prize is a Yachtmaster.

Thus the connection between the watch and JJ.

JJ has become the "patron saint" of the board so to speak and we have a forum named after him and many members memorialize him in their signatures.

Having a fund raiser in his name under other circumstances might be viewed as chicanery, but on this forum, it seems only natural to correlate JJ's name with a giveaway of a watch model that was so beloved by our most beloved late member.

[threemonkeys]

Lorenzo - I've re-read your original posting many, many times. And I want to assume that you meant no malice in posing your question. And had you asked the same question in another forum regarding someone else, the responses may have been much different.

But you have to understand that this is JJ. And anything that could even be considered to question the integrity behind a contest giving reference to this man, is really beyond being insensitive. And your follow-up comments did nothing to help with this delicate situation. Based on the feedback from the members, it would probably be best if you give recognition to the pain you've caused to the group.

We all have made wrong comments at the wrong time. Sometimes a simple heart-felt apology can do wonders.

[The Joker]

Nicely said Paul, was hoping that Lorenzo was gonna come to his senses, and make a better apology than that after reading members responses. I hope he still does, because we can all make misjudgements (I'm a very forgiving person)

[wantonebad]

What the heck is it about the giveaways, somebody always has to try and mess it up!! I hate when ignorance has a big mouth!!

[Dan2010]

Originally Posted by wantonebad

What the heck is it about the giveaways, somebody always has to try and mess it up!! I hate when ignorance has a big mouth!!

Yes, always one person that feels the need to "ENLIGHTEN" us on the donation process.

[Dr.Brian]

The only thing I will add, other than noting that your posts are in extremely poor taste, is that you can be assured that JJ was approached many times while he was ill, by many members about raising money for him and his family, and he adamantly rejected the idea, including the idea of auctioning off his beloved Platty to the highest bidder. If he didn't want our help then, he wouldn't want it now.
He would be honored to be associated with the draw, and it's far more a way to honor and recognize a lost friend than a money making operation for the forum. I suspect that part of the reason for your post was ignorance of the history of past give aways and an ignorance of who JJ was and how he felt about the forum. The idea that Steve is trying to profit off of JJs name and our feelings for him is absolutely unfounded and ridiculous, not to mention offensive.
I'll try to refrain from commenting further.
If you feel the need to make a charitable donation in his honor, there are a number of well run cancer related organizations that would be happy to accept your donation.

[Lol-x]

I do have a regular job, I do get paid very well. That means I can easily afford to run this forum from my own pocket. Many people like to make donations such is their passion for this community.
I've never said the forum will close down if we don't have donations.
The forum is not in trade & commerce. There is no paid advertising in your face.
If a company took JJ and used him for example to sell Nike shirts that would be one thing. Here we are not selling anything. Here we are not using JJ in a commercial sense. It his not because of JJ that we can offer these giveaways, we've been doing these giveaways time and again and they are popular and enjoyable.

If you look carefully at the forum you will find several threads dedicated to the memory of JJ.

It's like some say...if you've got to ask...you'll never understand.

[316lad]

Originally Posted by Lol-x

I do have a regular job, I do get paid very well. That means I can easily afford to run this forum from my own pocket. Many people like to make donations such is their passion for this community.
I've never said the forum will close down if we don't have donations.
The forum is not in trade & commerce. There is no paid advertising in your face.
If a company took JJ and used him for example to sell Nike shirts that would be one thing. Here we are not selling anything. Here we are not using JJ in a commercial sense. It his not because of JJ that we can offer these giveaways, we've been doing these giveaways time and again and they are popular and enjoyable.

If you look carefully at the forum you will find several threads dedicated to the memory of JJ.

It's like some say...if you've got to ask...you'll never understand.

Well said Boss.

You're the man.

[TheVTCGuy]

Originally Posted by Dr.Brian

The only thing I will add, other than noting that your posts are in extremely poor taste, is that you can be assured that JJ was approached many times while he was ill, by many members about raising money for him and his family, and he adamantly rejected the idea, including the idea of auctioning off his beloved Platty to the highest bidder. If he didn't want our help then, he wouldn't want it now.
He would be honored to be associated with the draw, and it's far more a way to honor and recognize a lost friend than a money making operation for the forum. I suspect that part of the reason for your post was ignorance of the history of past give aways and an ignorance of who JJ was and how he felt about the forum. The idea that Steve is trying to profit off of JJs name and our feelings for him is absolutely unfounded and ridiculous, not to mention offensive.
I'll try to refrain from commenting further.
If you feel the need to make a charitable donation in his honor, there are a number of well run cancer related organizations that would be happy to accept your donation.

Well said Brian!

[Rolex Junky]

I did not intend to disrespect or question our facilitator's integrity; but I did.
I did not intentionally mean to hurt any of my fellow forum members; but I have.
I am astonished by some of the responses here. I guess I had it coming. I apologize for having stirred up so much anger and having caused so much grief.

[perpetualman88]

Originally Posted by Dr.Brian

The only thing I will add, other than noting that your posts are in extremely poor taste, is that you can be assured that JJ was approached many times while he was ill, by many members about raising money for him and his family, and he adamantly rejected the idea, including the idea of auctioning off his beloved Platty to the highest bidder. If he didn't want our help then, he wouldn't want it now.
He would be honored to be associated with the draw, and it's far more a way to honor and recognize a lost friend than a money making operation for the forum. I suspect that part of the reason for your post was ignorance of the history of past give aways and an ignorance of who JJ was and how he felt about the forum. The idea that Steve is trying to profit off of JJs name and our feelings for him is absolutely unfounded and ridiculous, not to mention offensive.
I'll try to refrain from commenting further.
If you feel the need to make a charitable donation in his honor, there are a number of well run cancer related organizations that would be happy to accept your donation.

x3

[T-Rip]

Originally Posted by Rolex Junky

Is it standard practice for mods to encourage flaming? Is flaming not against the rules?

You are an idiot...go away..TROLL

[TheVTCGuy]

Originally Posted by Rolex Junky

I did not intend to disrespect or question our facilitator's integrity; but I did.
I did not intentionally mean to hurt any of my fellow forum members; but I have.
I am astonished by some of the responses here. I guess I had it coming. I apologize for having stirred up so much anger and having caused so much grief.

Good enough for me Lorenzo

If you have questions or suggestions further on this, I'm sure the mods will respect your PMs.