TonyTebbe
New member
I wasn't going to touch this topic with a ten foot pole, as it's a No-Win situation, but here we go....
On the topic of HOB Advertiser Membership:
I've been posting calls for a couple of years now. I did it before the HOB Advertiser rule, I did it after the HOB rule, I got spanked by Mr. Cronk, I joined the HOB, and I continue to post calls.
I was reluctant to join the HOB membership. Spending $50 of hard earned money was tough for me, especially when I was giving most of my calls away, at the time. But, I must say that it was the best thing I've done. I've clearly sold more calls on this board, than all other websites combined (including my personal site), excluding eBay.
Posting calls on PM has allowed new hobby call builders to show off their work to the massive amount of followers of this site. If Predator Masters sets a rule, I'll review it. If I agree with it, I'll abide. If not, I'll leave the site. It's that simple. It's all about free will, on both sides of the fence.
I've stewed for months trying to come up with an idea/suggestion to get rid of the need for HOB membership for PM users. I have yet to find a way for us, as call builders, to offset the $1275 that Predator Masters is gathering from HOB to help cover server costs.
On the topic of PM Rules being treated fairly:
This is a sticky one. I've seen the rules being applied fairly and non-fairly. It's all about human judgement, and I wouldn't want to be the one having to scan all the posts and passing judgement.
Unless, the website software is changed to remove the posting ability of Image and URL tags for non HOB members, this will continue to be an issue. There will always be some moderator stepping and enforcing the rules...as they should.
On the topic of the Hand Call section:
It's been reported of that there are "huge amounts of Spamming" and the the Hand Call section "looks like a swap meet". I infact, am responsible for part of that.
I enjoy the "family" that I have on Predator Masters. I look forward to posting a photo of something new I created. I do the same thing at home. I run in the house and tell my wife, with the same enthusiasm, evertime I created a new howler or distress call.
I also enjoy, the friendly competition to come up with great creations. An unspoken challenge among friends to outdo each other. No different than trying to catch a bigger fish, shoot a bigger buck, or knocking your buddy's double ringer off the horseshoe post. What comes out of it? Absolutely beatiful calls. Great sounding calls. Who benefits is the callers. The calls being posted are getting better and better each year. Callers can pick up a gorgeous piece of artwork, that works, for a very very cheap price. If someone wants to buy one, they can and will. If not, it's all for everyone to admire. Nowhere can someone view such a selection of 'fresh of the work bench' calls and have it in their hands in a few days, for the little cost that we sell our calls for, than on Predator Masters. A bit of time spent on duck call sites, will proof this.
I stand in awe when each HOB member posts something new. I am not a collector, but am starting to get a pretty significant collection from these guys. I jump on and buy a call when I catches my eye as something different. Almost all of these purchases and swaps were on this site.
This time, last year, I didn't even bother going to this site. During the off season (March through September), usage of this site traditionally goes in the dump. I bet I didn't go to the site over 10 times during that period. I'm actually proud that this year, things are different. New call builders are posting great creations. I've seen a bunch of posts, emails, and had multiple conversations on the phone, that people are addicted to the Hand Call section. They check it multiple times a day, just for the sake of seeing the next post of from someone saying, "Check out I what I just created...."
I would like to see the web traffic statistics for the Hand Call section for the past 6 months, in comparison, to this time last year. I believe the momentum of "spamming" for "swap meets" are a good thing for this site and it's ranking.
I've watched the site change over the past few years. If this is what the Hand Call section is morphing into, then GREAT for Predator Masters. A bigger following of people equals bigger advertisers.
Unless I trim down my call selection to a couple of models, with a handfull of woods or horn colors to choose from, I will continue to post new creations, as they are built.
In closing:
I plan on building custom howlers and calls for the next 30 years or so. Of which time, I plan on being a Predator Master member and advertiser. If I decide to take this venture past the "hobby" status, I would upgrade to full advertising on Predator Masters.
In addition, I agree with Paul on the separate section, splitting HOB from general hand call questions. This should cost PM not a dime to add the new sub-forum.
Sincerely...Tony Tebbe
On the topic of HOB Advertiser Membership:
I've been posting calls for a couple of years now. I did it before the HOB Advertiser rule, I did it after the HOB rule, I got spanked by Mr. Cronk, I joined the HOB, and I continue to post calls.
I was reluctant to join the HOB membership. Spending $50 of hard earned money was tough for me, especially when I was giving most of my calls away, at the time. But, I must say that it was the best thing I've done. I've clearly sold more calls on this board, than all other websites combined (including my personal site), excluding eBay.
Posting calls on PM has allowed new hobby call builders to show off their work to the massive amount of followers of this site. If Predator Masters sets a rule, I'll review it. If I agree with it, I'll abide. If not, I'll leave the site. It's that simple. It's all about free will, on both sides of the fence.
I've stewed for months trying to come up with an idea/suggestion to get rid of the need for HOB membership for PM users. I have yet to find a way for us, as call builders, to offset the $1275 that Predator Masters is gathering from HOB to help cover server costs.
On the topic of PM Rules being treated fairly:
This is a sticky one. I've seen the rules being applied fairly and non-fairly. It's all about human judgement, and I wouldn't want to be the one having to scan all the posts and passing judgement.
Unless, the website software is changed to remove the posting ability of Image and URL tags for non HOB members, this will continue to be an issue. There will always be some moderator stepping and enforcing the rules...as they should.
On the topic of the Hand Call section:
It's been reported of that there are "huge amounts of Spamming" and the the Hand Call section "looks like a swap meet". I infact, am responsible for part of that.
I enjoy the "family" that I have on Predator Masters. I look forward to posting a photo of something new I created. I do the same thing at home. I run in the house and tell my wife, with the same enthusiasm, evertime I created a new howler or distress call.
I also enjoy, the friendly competition to come up with great creations. An unspoken challenge among friends to outdo each other. No different than trying to catch a bigger fish, shoot a bigger buck, or knocking your buddy's double ringer off the horseshoe post. What comes out of it? Absolutely beatiful calls. Great sounding calls. Who benefits is the callers. The calls being posted are getting better and better each year. Callers can pick up a gorgeous piece of artwork, that works, for a very very cheap price. If someone wants to buy one, they can and will. If not, it's all for everyone to admire. Nowhere can someone view such a selection of 'fresh of the work bench' calls and have it in their hands in a few days, for the little cost that we sell our calls for, than on Predator Masters. A bit of time spent on duck call sites, will proof this.
I stand in awe when each HOB member posts something new. I am not a collector, but am starting to get a pretty significant collection from these guys. I jump on and buy a call when I catches my eye as something different. Almost all of these purchases and swaps were on this site.
This time, last year, I didn't even bother going to this site. During the off season (March through September), usage of this site traditionally goes in the dump. I bet I didn't go to the site over 10 times during that period. I'm actually proud that this year, things are different. New call builders are posting great creations. I've seen a bunch of posts, emails, and had multiple conversations on the phone, that people are addicted to the Hand Call section. They check it multiple times a day, just for the sake of seeing the next post of from someone saying, "Check out I what I just created...."
I would like to see the web traffic statistics for the Hand Call section for the past 6 months, in comparison, to this time last year. I believe the momentum of "spamming" for "swap meets" are a good thing for this site and it's ranking.
I've watched the site change over the past few years. If this is what the Hand Call section is morphing into, then GREAT for Predator Masters. A bigger following of people equals bigger advertisers.
Unless I trim down my call selection to a couple of models, with a handfull of woods or horn colors to choose from, I will continue to post new creations, as they are built.
In closing:
I plan on building custom howlers and calls for the next 30 years or so. Of which time, I plan on being a Predator Master member and advertiser. If I decide to take this venture past the "hobby" status, I would upgrade to full advertising on Predator Masters.
In addition, I agree with Paul on the separate section, splitting HOB from general hand call questions. This should cost PM not a dime to add the new sub-forum.
Sincerely...Tony Tebbe
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