Its time to be a completely open forum

[Rossi fan]

I think further consideration should be given to opening up all sections, to everyone. I accept that there will be posts previously made that some companies may see as inflamatory, so I think it should be opened to all from an agreed date and all past closed posts should be protected.

Currently, Glen and Sweetfix have full access, but Hurleys and tubz vending do not. I believe that this is bad for this business in a time of real change.

I would like to give companies not on here an opportunity to comment and debate why they are not allowed on with full access. I therefore hope that they and others who may not feel the same way as me, will get involved.


I have not been asked to do this by Hurleys, before anyone may think otherwise, I just think it will be better for all.

Thanks,

Paul

[Venderbase]

We have good reason to have the closed section. People want to be able to open their mouths without any ramifications.
We know tubz vending play dirty when someone gets on the wrong side of them.

A pretty pointless post really as we will always have a closed section.

It was asked that we let suppliers have a voice on here and we've done that.
We give an inch, you want a mile!

[Rossi fan]

Daz,

I take offence at your reply. Why is it ok for Glen to be an operator supplier, and not Rob, or Paul from Hurleys. If its a pointless post, I will not post on here again.

Paul

[Vendingwarehouse]

Paul I can see your point and it has good merit from a point of view of someone who is a member of the forum. You definitely have a good case that way .However, speaking as a member of the admin team and not as an operator, there are things that have happened in the past that have brought us to the position we are in , namely Glenn has access and other suppliers don't. Glenn and Jonny were initially just operators and only recently suppliers. It would therefore be wrong to restrict them now unless they give us cause to do so. tubz vending and Hurleys are suppliers AND are operators, but only ever tried to gain access as suppliers. It's a classic catch 22 situation and it is by accident more than design that has brought us to this point. Yes Glenn and Jonny might have a slight advantage but as someone who has full access to the whole forum, I can say it is not as big an advantage to them as you might think. Also some suppliers have in the past used many dirty tricks to gain access to the forum and caused us quite a bit of work to keep them at bay, mostly done by Daz our teckie. So believe me we have no favouritism to any supplier, it is just circumstance that has brought us to this position. We have discussed it many times between ourselves and feel that for the time being, and with what little resources we have at our disposal it is best to keep it the way it is for now. Also it was a big step to let suppliers on any part of it at all as Daz said . We have to consider the privacy of ALL our operator members before we consider the wishes of suppliers. I hope this explains why we have it this way, that it isn't favouritism, it just worked out this way. Maybe in the future we will find a way that suits everyone. And I for one sincerely hope that you stick around and continue to be a valued member and contributor to the forum.

Kind Regards

Noel

[Venderbase]

Sweetfix have been here from the start as operators. They started supplying stock because everyone wanted someone to do it!
For years there had been talk of operators supplying stock to move away from the ridiculous contracts that where asked to be signed by the others.
It could have easily been a larger co-op of operators that started Sweetfix, but nobody actually stepped up to the plate even though a lot of people talked about it.
Would you then have expected me to kick them all off the forum for doing what everyone wanted?

I said it's a pointless post as Admin spoke at length about this when we let the other suppliers register, and this is how it is.

[Coin Operated Group]

They dont need access as they have it anyway, they told me.

[Venderbase]

And let's not forget, this forum is here for the Operators benefit, not the Suppliers.

[glennborthwick]

i tell you what, we will stop supplying and see how quickly the prices jump back up to £30 a box.

[Rossi fan]

Paul I can see your point and it has good merit from a point of view of someone who is a member of the forum. You definitely have a good case that way .However, speaking as a member of the admin team and not as an operator, there are things that have happened in the past that have brought us to the position we are in , namely Glenn has access and other suppliers don't. Glenn and Jonny were initially just operators and only recently suppliers. It would therefore be wrong to restrict them now unless they give us cause to do so. tubz vending and Hurleys are suppliers AND are operators, but only ever tried to gain access as suppliers. It's a classic catch 22 situation and it is by accident more than design that has brought us to this point. Yes Glenn and Jonny might have a slight advantage but as someone who has full access to the whole forum, I can say it is not as big an advantage to them as you might think. Also some suppliers have in the past used many dirty tricks to gain access to the forum and caused us quite a bit of work to keep them at bay, mostly done by Daz our teckie. So believe me we have no favouritism to any supplier, it is just circumstance that has brought us to this position. We have discussed it many times between ourselves and feel that for the time being, and with what little resources we have at our disposal it is best to keep it the way it is for now. Also it was a big step to let suppliers on any part of it at all as Daz said . We have to consider the privacy of ALL our operator members before we consider the wishes of suppliers. I hope this explains why we have it this way, that it isn't favouritism, it just worked out this way. Maybe in the future we will find a way that suits everyone. And I for one sincerely hope that you stick around and continue to be a valued member and contributor to the forum.

Kind Regards

Noel

Hi Noel,

I understand how difficult it has been in the past and agree with most of your reply. I see things in a clear cut way and struggle to find the middle ground on some issues. I have nothing against Glen being able to post in the closed area, but I believe that it would be much fairer, if all Supplier/Operators had the same rights.

I hope that Hurleys and tubz vending comment on this thread, so everyone can see what their views are. Theirs may not be the same as mine- who knows.

Operator/suppliers could be made to stick to a stricter code than operators, but I believe strongly that if it is ever opened fully for all, then it would settle down and it would be more productive for all, if every member, had a chance to respond/reply to comments made by others and promote their business on a level playing field.

I agree this forum is primarily for the benefit of operators, but having it set up as a two tier system, is not helping operators as much as it could do, if it were opened up. For competition to work at its most effective level, companies need to be able to compete and it seems to me that this forum is an ideal platform for that to happen.

I have said all I want to say , but I hope you can give further consideration to this over time.

Thanks,

Paul

[Rossi fan]

i tell you what, we will stop supplying and see how quickly the prices jump back up to £30 a box.

Hi Glen,
I thought you liked competition- thats what you said you were bringing to the tower vending industry. Please dont get upset when someone else wants to see a more level playing field. There is room for all three companies to keep growing, especially with the charity angles. All I want to see is fairness, but it seems that you disagree.

Paul