yep.... im getting the same
whats happened to the raffle, cruch ?
karl
yep.... im getting the same
whats happened to the raffle, cruch ?
karl
There is no problem with the raffle! Just an misspelled error in the script! but it is fixed!
Pangolin FB3 QS/LivePro/SMS2Laser
Riya MultiBus
Pangolin LD2000 Pro
Hey lets get this going again! I would like to see something happen....It is going to take ages for this to get done if it is not "on top". Maybe some advertising ?
You are the only one that can make your dreams come true....and the only one that can stop them...A.M. Dietrich
Hey, no more interest in this?
7 #'s just picked. What's this negative talk about profit, Adam? Is PL a socialist forum?!?! Good luck to me & thanks Cruch!
I know you meant it as a joke, but you're closer to the mark than you realize. I actually *do* have a problem with someone using the forum as a way to make a sizable profit off what is essentially a gambling operation - especially if they make it sound like they're doing us a favor. That's why I asked the questions about profit.
Fortunately, Cruch's answers allayed my suspicions. I believe that his raffle is on the level, so I went ahead and joined up.
But consider this hypothetical situation: Would you pay $50 for a 1 in a thousand chance to win a 2 watt DPSS green laser? Of course not. But if someone *did* manage to find enough suckers - er, I mean willing participants - to buy into a scheme like that, they would net over $45,000 in pure profit. Not exactly in the spirit of one hobbyist helping another now, is it?
I don't mind people making an honest living. But if you're going to be making a large profit margin while wrapping the entire operation in the cloak of a charitable raffle that is designed to help everyone, then I have a real problem with that. That sort of misrepresentation is not appreciated. (Furthermore, a hypothetical operation like that mentioned above wouldn't belong in the lounge. Rather, it should be in the buy and sell forum.)
Happily, the raffle that Cruch is running does not fall into that category, so I support it, and I feel that his raffle *does* belong here in the lounge.
Still, raffles are a mixed bag, and I have some reservations about them. On the one hand, they *do* generate a lot of excitement. And someone *does* walk away with a great deal on a cool laser. The rest of the crowd doesn't loose too much, so that's good too. But I don't like the idea of turning it into a business operation. It's just too easy to abuse. And I *really* don't like the idea that the person running the raffle can participate in it. To me that's like having the fox guard the hen house!
We're actually toying with the notion of holding a raffle for a DPSS blue laser (150 to 200 mw range) for SELEM 2008 this summer. If we can make that happen, I'll be overseeing the raffle, but I will *not* be participating in it. The cost of the tickets will be just enough to cover the cost of the laser plus the shipping - no more. And we're negotiating right now with the laser supplier to get a discount on the cost of the laser so we can make the tickets cheaper. Even so, I have my doubts...
My point is that if you're going to do a favor to the community, that's cool. But if you're going to make a profit from your work, then don't talk about it in the lounge and try to make it sound like you're doing anyone a favor. Business is business, and that's fine, but it belongs in the buy and sell area.
And just to be clear: like I said above, Cruch's raffle does not appear to be an attempt by him to fleece the PL crowd. So I support it. But that wasn't immediately apparent at first, which is why I asked the questions about profit.
Adam
unfortunately I wasn't aware of the organizer participating in the raffle. Sorry I didn't read the posts close enough . That being said, I will be the first to respectfully ask that cruch remove his numbers.
If cruch actually won, a lot of questions would be passed by the other participants - even if the winning numbers were randomly chosen. I applaud cruch's efforts in organizing this, by dedicating his time and effort. But if there is a 2 in 225 chance that the legitimacy of raffles will be affected, we'll all be saying that we should of spoke out earlier. Also, this might dissuade others from joining the raffle as they might also take exception - and we all want to see who the winner is going to be, sooner than later!
Nothing personal cruch, and thank you again for your efforts as they are noticed and appreciated. Just would rather be pro-active than re-active.
I might not know much about lasers but unfortunately (or fortunately) have had a lot of experience with conflict resolution.
Afterthought - will this lower my chances of winning?!?!
Last edited by mados123; 05-04-2008 at 05:07.
I organised a raffle for UKLEM,it was alot of work and in the end i made a loss as forgot to take into account some costs, but the intention was to break even but it was great fun ! If i wanted to make a profit on a laser theres a lot easier ways than running a raffle
I also took part in the raffle but the winner was chosen independanlty and publically ,i think it would inspire lot more confidence if this raffle winner was not chosen by script but more a more public , verifyable way... not to cast aspurtions on cruchs honesty , more to make thinks verifyable and allow cruch to take part in the raffle.
i also have concerns theres a LOT of ticket to sell and cruch you dont seem to be pushing this raffle too much
There seems to be 52 tickets sold out of 225 ,leaving 173 tickets to sell , trust me thats a lot , my experience is the majority of tickets will be sold in the first few weeks , maybe if you offer a closing date it would encourage sales as at this rate it could take years and the price of the laser will have halved by time its drawn ... yes im playing devils advocate a little here ..but trying to get some reaction cruch !
Im considering taking part but im really not keen on the winner being picked by script and the idea of now knowing when it will be drawn , i have already been accused of being negative for raising some of these concerns but cruch something has to change to encourage more sales surely ?
PAUL
Last edited by Lasermad; 04-20-2008 at 17:49. Reason: I answered my own question
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I think that is a fair and more inclusive way to address my concerns. As for getting more people to become interested and informed so we can bring the raffle to fruition, what are the ways that this can be done other than by informing people on laser enthusiast forums? Craig's list? EBay? Any other ideas?
Just a note to you guys to check the legalities of such a raffle in your countries, in uk its not so easy and maybe not legal, here's a link to a storey from 2005 http://www.oft.gov.uk/news/press/2005/118-05
You cant do anything these days without the powers that bee jumping down our throats.