Bugout4x4

Docs(dot)google(dot)com

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...VuS3c6MQ#gid=0

Bugout4x4

Yes... After you become a premium member you get a notice message in your PM inbox.

NewKindOfClown

Okay, that's news to me but entirely different from this thread, which is solely for ordering stickers.

I'm sure you could reach out to IB and provide the necessary information via another means if you'd like, but I can't speak for them there.

In this thread, there's a link in the first post that takes you directly to PayPal, either via web browser or app. PayPal's stuff is encrypted and not tied to Google.

https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/websc...=YPCBFF8DX5898

Bugout4x4

I get it... And my reply is directly related to "ordering stickers". Just discouraged that after paying for stickers by purchasing membership I have to share my information with Alphabet Inc. to get them. And let's be honest... If they actually cared about selling stickers, even to the general public through paypal, they would care more about getting them out to the customers ASAP.

But we have spoke about this lack of concern for the site, the members, and customer service before.

NewKindOfClown

I've never disagreed about the problems regarding timeliness of distribution. I simply don't want people choosing not to purchase stickers due to fearmongering about a different product's ordering form.

Bugout4x4

I understood... And someone is welcome to remove my replies if they like to protect sales because they are apparently a priority over customer service, the site concept, and the community. All one has to do is read back through this and the discouragement due to lack of customer service or concern for the community is already there without my help. It's nothing more than a Billboard to IB.

NewKindOfClown

Nobody is deleting your replies or trying to protect their sales, and I don't know why you think that's the case.

I'm not flexing my moderator muscles or threatening reprisal. We haven't tried to mask the issues with this process. In fact, we, as mods, have spoken with IB about this in an attempt to better the situation.

For them, these stickers aren't a priority. They run quite a few forums, and these stickers are unique to ours. They choose to honor this offer that the previous owner of the forum had started, but they're doing it at no gain. The advertisement argument has been beaten to death in this thread, and I have no interest in rehashing it, but they aren't profiting from these sales. Should they stop offering it? Maybe. That's debatable. But it's well-publicized here that there's a delay.

The only reason I interjected is that you're talking about privacy concerns from an entirely different purchase process. If people don't want to buy stickers, that's fine with me. But citing a false premise as the reason not to is something I take issue with.

EZEARL

Just ordered 2 using the link posted with no issues. We'll see what happens.

Bugout4x4

I understand and am serious about pulling these if you feel it is a detriment to the thread. I won't mind. Yes... I am well aware that IB could care less about anything except that the site is here to rent out as a billboard. And I will leave the fact that to purchase as a non-premium member is more secure than it is as a premium member alone. There is a flaw in principle with all this. Hopefully purchasing premium membership allows one to voice a little concerned about these important matters of principle?

Outlaw Star

Sorry guys, but as NKoC was trying to explain, we (Mods) have no control over these. That includes, how they are ordered, when they are shipped and where they come from. It is 100% controlled by the owners of the forum. All we (Staff) can do is relay any issues/problems you (members) may have up.

Bugout4x4

I know my friend, it's out of your hands. The total disconnect about issues from you guys, the members, and the community is dis-hearting and very telling is all. The fact that IB really doesn't give a crap about what they are serving up just as long as the ball park fence is loaded with ads is discouraging especially now that I am a paying member to be a vested interest in it. This could be much much more but disinterest from the top promotes further disinterest all the way down to the bottom. There are a lot of folks here taking the time and effort to try and keep the site going and not much is coming back downhill from the top in appreciation and respect.

And without these folks taking the time to do this there would be absolutely nothing here for anyone to come see, let alone the ball park fence ads. I am not even going to go into my analogy about why Mexican food restaurants give free chips and salsa at no cost to themselves because in the end they can write it off their taxes anyways. It just drives me crazy that something with so much potential for much more increased profit is being screwed off in such a way as this.

Do I think I could do better? ABSOLUTELY... And I honestly think 25% of the folks who visit their sites could also. A job performance evaluation is well overdue at the top of the IB mess. Must be someone's (can never fail no matter what) son in law in control of operations. Honestly... Not sure I have ever experienced such an irrational unproductive business situation as this. Even a billboard needs to attract attention and deliver what it promises or it is worthless.

So are stickers actually that important? absolutely.... They are the chips and salsa that lead customers to buy a meal and keep the employees working and keep the store open to read the ads on the wall. Yet... here we are with folks in good faith asking where the hell are my chips and salsa? It just doesn't make any sense at all.

Outlaw Star

Ok.... Without divulging too deeply in buisness politics. The ads are a necessary means because it takes money to run a site/forum. IF, that's a big IF, more members here were premium members or even helped to donate once a year for the fees like other smaller sites, the ads would be almost nill. But that is up to the members here.

Bugout4x4

I have been observing for several years now and done my background homework on IB Inc. With all due respect what you propose is a nice thought man, but not with IB, They are in the billboard rental business and could care less about the quality of the posts that hold this billboard "vertical". (pun about their company statement.)

But I will drop it and leave it alone...

Martlor13

Totally off topic, but ive noticed that restaurants that give free chips and salsa aren't the good as those that charge... real authentic Mexican restaurants are like "the hell if i'm giving my damn good salsa away for free!"..salsa is a prideful thing.

ok my sharp left turn is over, carry on

Robb M.

whoa, there are a lot of misconceptions in here. firstly, I apologize I have not been subscribed to this thread when clearly I should have been.

to address a few things: stickers for you guys who sign up as premium members are a priority for us, making you happy is a priority for us. In recent months we have been dealing with some staff turnover at the office, coupled with summer vacation time and out of office events taking up the time of those still with the team. Not making excuses, but we are aware of being behind on getting stickers mailed out, we're working to resolve this.
the fact we use a Google form to collect addresses is simply because it's the easiest and most convenient way to do so, we are not selling or giving Google access to your information.

In regards to other issues/concerns/suggestions that any of you may have, please let your mod team know so that they can inform us. We don't want to be micromanaging the community, but we do want to support the needs of everyone.

obviously as a corporation we have a need to 'make money', but without you guys we can't do that, hence you're the priority unlike some of our competitors in the space.

cheers,
robb