Do you want raffles here?

[TFP Admin]

I am a little surprised at the lack of entries in the first Raffle here at TheFloorPro.com (http://www.thefloorpro.com/community...-cordless.html ), so I thought I would ask you all for your feedback. Having raffles seems like a good way to help support the costs of the website so we don't have to sell a bunch of advertising space, and a great way to offer our members a chance to get valuable products tools and other merchandise for a tiny fraction of the cost.

The current raffle is for a cordless screw gun, but future raffles could be for other tools, computer equipment, trips, memberships in organizations or clubs, subscriptions, clothing or any number of other items. The raffles could be held once a month, more often, or only a few times a year. This is still new and in the planning stages, but the screw gun raffle is our test of the water.

Please let us know what you think. Participate in the poll or add your comments to this topic (or do both). Your feedback is important.

Thanks,

TFP Admin

[rgfloor]

I would participate but am not eligible, sorry.

[Jerry Thomas]

I think raffles are a good way of fund raising for various things. This was sort of short notice I think and also the first raffle as far as I can tell.

I am not eligible either, and that''s OK. But , what is wrong with unpaid volunteers like moderators and guides being eligible for future raffles? These people put in a lot of time here and do a real good job.

I understand an administrator being exempt, or if a member or their company is donating an item to be exempt.

[TFP Admin]

Jerry said I am not eligible either, and that''s OK. But , what is wrong with unpaid volunteers like moderators and guides being eligible for future raffles? These people put in a lot of time here and do a real good job. I understand an administrator being exempt, or if a member or their company is donating an item to be exempt.

Hi Jerry,

The most obvious reason for staff being ineligible for raffles or any contests on the open boards is that they have the ability to edit, move and delete messages and topics. What isn't so obvious, but a very great concern of any legitimate enterprise, is the appearance of impropriety. Even though you have what some refer to as a merit badge (Advisor), you have no power to edit, move or delete messages and topics. But to some, it appears that you are a staff member. In fact, you do have access to the staff forum (which regular members can't even see) and, as an advisor to me and other staff, you have the ability to influence decisions and policy in a more direct manner than regular members. So, it just wouldn't look right if any staff member, whether or not they could actually affect the votes or results of a contest or raffle, to be able to participate in them.

But there will be ways that staff members can reap material rewards that regular members can't participate in. We hope in the not too distant future, companies will send us tools and other products to test, review and write articles on. These items will become the property of the author of that piece. Other companies, and through the surplus donations to this site, will be able to offer gifts of gratitude to the staff who volunteer countless hours to support this site and help make it function well.

It's a matter of fairness. Sometimes being fair can be unfair to those who deserve more. But what goes around will come around. In this first raffle, the most unfortunate circumstance is that all the donations received so far, have come from you and other staff members. If the current raffle does fall flat and gets no further donations, then we will award the Senco Cordless Screw Gun to one of the staff members who donated. But I hope it doesn't come to that. I hope some of our members will see that the quality of this tool and the very low buy-in of $5.00 is a fun way to take a chance at winning this raffle.

Thanks.

[Bud Cline]

I too would have participated but OH WELL!

Give it some time.

[Jon Scanlan]

I look at me buying a raffle ticket at a funtion/clubs that I go to is like a small donation which in turn keeps the price of going through the door affordale. As I am in a different country,12hours by plane, I would not be involved but you guys go for it.

[TFP Admin]

Jon, you are as eligible as any other member, no matter what country you live in. The only caveat to those outside the 48 contiguous United States is that anyone living in Alaska, Hawaii or anywhere else in the world will have to pay the shipping charges only.

Your donations to this site through PayPal are also converted for you to USDollars.

[Peter Kodner]

Adm, I'm for any ideas you come uup with to generate some revenue. As I don't install, regardless of being ineligible, I would not participate. Tolls should go to folks that workk with them. I get something like that, I'll be walking around with bolts in my head

[Bud Cline]

Just curious....Does New Zealand have the same power source as the U.S.?

[Jon Scanlan]

No mate we make our own power here you don't export it to us. (teasing/smiling) I presume you mean the voltage We are 240 volts so your electrical tools etc do not work to well here. They go very briefly. Our plugs are different so when we go to the States we have to take an adapter. Even some phone chargers will not work over there but camera batteries are okay

[Bud Cline]

Thanks Jon I kinda thought it was something like that. That answers my curiosity.