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Lightspeed Group Buy
Posted: Tue Apr 06, 2010 3:54 pm
by aparchment
Interesting thread on the other forum about the Lightspeed group buy. Interesting in the sense that Doug made it clear that the only authorized group buys on his site are those that come from one of his advertisers.
I understand the business logic, but this approach doesn't seem very friendly to the community as a whole.
Not trying to start a flame war here, I guess I am just a little disappointed that BOTH forums aren't doing their best to save us a few bucks where possible.
Thank you again Spike and Patty for not having such restrictions. Do you guys take donations to help defray the costs of this site (kinda embarassing that I am only now asking this)?
Posted: Fri Apr 09, 2010 2:39 pm
by svanarts
If Spike won't take a donation I will.
We've had group buys on this forum from time to time. Usually organized by a RB'er that needs something and thinks, "I wonder if someone else needs that?"
Posted: Fri Apr 09, 2010 6:47 pm
by captain_john
Well Antony,
That is my issue with the "other place".
I have done several group buys and when he dictated this policy, I was done with the other place!
I am all about the enthusiast! ...US!
He is all about making money... damn shame, really.
For Enthusiasts, By enthusiasts...
That is my motto!
Maybe we should do a group buy on G3 Ignitions here?
Hmmmmm?

CJ
Posted: Fri Apr 09, 2010 7:06 pm
by Spike
That might be worth talking to them about CJ. They were talking with me about maybe doing something with us after Osh.
Spike
Posted: Sat Apr 10, 2010 8:04 am
by captain_john
Sounds good to me!
I cannot make it to OSH this year so I will have to spend my hard earned cash on SOMETHING!!!
It is literally JUST PILING UP in my bank accounts!!!
The women just can't spend it fast enough. I need to get back into buying plane parts!!!

CJ
Posted: Mon Apr 12, 2010 9:15 am
by lancef53
Well, the Zulu group buy turned out to be a big bust, IMO.
Funny how it got built up for a week, and then announce half the discount that was expected.
I think I will go without the bluetooth for a while longer.
Ridiculous really . . .
Posted: Mon Apr 12, 2010 11:50 am
by aparchment
What a waste. What could have been a great group buy is squashed because it didn't originate with the right person. Too bad.
As someone on the thread in the "other place" pointed out, this would be a great opportunity for the manufacturers to put some serious cash on the books from people who might not otherwise commit. By way of example, I like the Zulu, but have no interest in it at the regular price since I have a Bose 10 and a Lightspeed 20XL for my guests. That said, if someone could offer me a great deal on either the BOSE or a ZULU, I would buy one so that those who fly with me have the best in comfort and features.
From my perspective, and I'm sure I'm not unique, if the deal is awesome, I would buy so as not to miss the opportunity. I did the same thing with the Whirlwind group buy. I don't need a prop yet, but the deal was too good to pass up.
Profit is okay
Posted: Mon Apr 12, 2010 12:01 pm
by aparchment
Hey Johny:
Ya know, I don't fault him for trying to make money, but it kind of seems like he blew up a deal just because it wasn't making him money. Maybe there is more to it that's not coming out on the forum, but that's my take at this point. If that's the case, that's not very community oriented and doesn't earn you a lot of good will. Good will seems to translate to making more money in this industry, as exemplified by Stein, Rob Hickman, American Propeller . . .
VAF is Doug's playground and his rules, so he can do whatever he wants I guess. I would rather play with the kids who are willing to help each other even if they don't stand to benefit directly.
captain_john wrote:Well Antony,
That is my issue with the "other place".
I have done several group buys and when he dictated this policy, I was done with the other place!
I am all about the enthusiast! ...US!
He is all about making money... damn shame, really.
For Enthusiasts, By enthusiasts...
That is my motto!
Maybe we should do a group buy on G3 Ignitions here?
Hmmmmm?

CJ
Re: Profit is okay
Posted: Mon Apr 12, 2010 1:28 pm
by captain_john
Yup... I know it's his playground. That is why I don't play there.
Like I always said, I do check in there and participate only when it directly benefits a builder.
My group buys were VERY successful. I never made a dime on them and they were ALOTTA WORK! I did them for the fellow builders for NOTHING!
What-ev...

CJ
aparchment wrote:Hey Johny:
Ya know, I don't fault him for trying to make money, but it kind of seems like he blew up a deal just because it wasn't making him money. Maybe there is more to it that's not coming out on the forum, but that's my take at this point. If that's the case, that's not very community oriented and doesn't earn you a lot of good will. Good will seems to translate to making more money in this industry, as exemplified by Stein, Rob Hickman, American Propeller . . .
VAF is Doug's playground and his rules, so he can do whatever he wants I guess. I would rather play with the kids who are willing to help each other even if they don't stand to benefit directly.
captain_john wrote:Well Antony,
That is my issue with the "other place".
I have done several group buys and when he dictated this policy, I was done with the other place!
I am all about the enthusiast! ...US!
He is all about making money... damn shame, really.
For Enthusiasts, By enthusiasts...
That is my motto!
Maybe we should do a group buy on G3 Ignitions here?
Hmmmmm?

CJ

Posted: Mon Apr 12, 2010 3:33 pm
by lancef53
I recieved an email from Sportys today offering the Zulu for $800 with 1 cent shipping.
So I guess I could save a penny

Posted: Mon Apr 12, 2010 5:11 pm
by captain_john
Sooo, I had to go there and skim the thread (as I had no idea what anyone was really talking about because I don't read that site anymore!).
This one looks like the primary thread:
http://www.vansairforce.com/community/s ... oup&page=3
I was thinking Lightspeed Ignitions! Hahahaha
This whole thing began with one guy and some good intentions. There is living proof that no good deed goes unpunished over there! hahaha
I hope that is a lesson to you kids! What a silly waste of resources this was! (Hey, wasn't that a line from Christmas Vacation from the drunk grandmother when the lights didn't work?)
I hope AndyRV7 learned something from this!
Hahahaha

CJ
Lightspeed Group Buy
Posted: Mon Apr 12, 2010 5:22 pm
by Spike
Actually, it looks like that thread was just deleted.
Spike
Submitted via email
Posted: Mon Apr 12, 2010 5:47 pm
by captain_john
Well, there you go! Doug reads this forum too!

CJ
Posted: Mon Apr 12, 2010 5:59 pm
by Spike
I gotta say, that there was pretty funny ...

Posted: Mon Apr 12, 2010 7:11 pm
by captain_john
You know what is going to be even funnier?
When people begin asking, "What ever became of the Zulu Group Buy"?

CJ
Posted: Mon Apr 12, 2010 7:28 pm
by smithhb
I guess the thread never really existed.
Posted: Tue Apr 13, 2010 4:36 am
by captain_john
If a thread falls in the forest, and no one is there to read it... did it ever really exist?

CJ
Posted: Tue Apr 13, 2010 10:39 am
by TomNativeNewYorker
smithhb wrote:I guess the thread never really existed.
screenshots baby, screenshots. You gotta take a screenshot to preserve it for eternity!
Posted: Tue Apr 13, 2010 10:41 am
by TomNativeNewYorker
smithhb wrote:I guess the thread never really existed.
screenshots baby, screenshots. You gotta take a screenshot to preserve ot for eternity!
flashy thing
Posted: Tue Apr 13, 2010 8:36 pm
by aparchment
you did not just flashy thing me . . . did you?