Business Sponsors
 

Why are there only 5 companies who are business sponsors of MFCA? Buzzball, Electric Gridiron, G-Force, Roller Boards, and Tornado Alley are all listed and doing a great job supporting our group and the hobby. But I see some glaring absences. I think if you have a business that is related to Electric Football and are on this forum promoting your business, i.e. offering things for sale on a regular basis, that you should think about becoming a business sponsor. Especially if you are the a huge supplier that everyone does business with. I am not talking about the guy who has a team that he wants to sell to get money to buy another one on a once or twice a year basis. But I do think guys that routinely offer their services should at least think about supporting the organization, after all it is helping you to do business. This is just my opinion. Maybe some of the guys have never thought about being a business sponsor and this will give them a gentle bump to be one.

I wonder, does the board approach the major players and ask them to become a business sponsor???


Doug in Dos Palos

Being a business sponsor is an option when one reups their membership.

This is an excellent Post1
 

You should be a sponsor if:

You post over 100 sells of products on the forum in a year.

That's a start.

No offense!

Of course we have the many who give, to each other! :rtfl: :rtfl: :rtfl: :rtfl: :rtfl: :rtfl: :rtfl: :rtfl: :rtfl: :rtfl:

Let me stop! Great Post! thmbsp$

WORD!

MODERATORS
 

PULL THIS POST.......

THIS IS HEADING DOWN A SLIPPERY SLOPE.......:D :D :D

INTERESTING POST...VERY PERCEPTIVE YOU ARE DOUG.........

Oh Man!
 

I wasn't thinking just setting a criteria, that's all! Maybe I should pull my suggestion? Naw, the intent was proper, not directed. thmbsp$

Business Sponsors
 

No the Board does not approach anyone about being a business sponsor, nor do I think we should.

Like eflfanatic said, it is an "option" out there for the guys who do business here to get their logos/businesses on top of the forum. I too wish more of them supported us in that way, but it is up to them and the economy is not helping the situation right now either.

It kind of bothers me in a way, but to each his own.

I TOTALLY AGREE!
 

I believe that when your goal is Unity, Integrity, and Fellowship I figure:

Unity-The Board promotes this through the Tweak, supporting all tournaments, figure artists, and endeavors.

Fellowship-The Board has provided a forum whereby marriages and personal relationships have been repaired, life matters, death matters, anything you could imagine being discussed. Sure you have some disagreements but we are human are we not?

Integrity-This is where the board has no control with exception to setting the example. It's amazing when I see a guy from France putting all this information, free to all, articles in the tweak with more coming. Wow! what an example.

Now on the other hand you have people broadcasting sells, holiday sells, and other businesses disguised as trade offs. Now some of the newer folks just starting out so it's kind of unfair to ask of them. Provide the opportunity and maybe they will show their integrity.

I for one am growing tired of one vendor extolling the contributions of another to make thousands of dollars off this forum without contributing a dime to their cause. Let's see them try that on Ebay or on their own. I have purchased here but rarely sold but if I did I would donate. Integrity.

For example, Hoop and I had a garage sell and the same people who use this site to rake in dough and pay their bills did nothing, not a base, a figure, nothing. Now those of you who did contribute this does not apply to you.

It's really sad because the board should not even have to address this issue because they should be trying to find enough room to show all the sponsors who reap the benefits of the forum.

Integrity! That's on us and if you know these people then take a stand. Stop buying their products until they do the right thing!

That's Integrity, and that's us right?

:eek: :eek: :eek: :eek:


Enjoy the ride Fellas....Wolf you spoke too soon......:rtfl: :rtfl: :rtfl: :rtfl:

I'm just strrngthpt strrngthpt strrngthpt ......... To be continued.....

You know the worst part . . .
 

The guys up their have it tougher than anyone Shabby. But they are still there doing it the RIGHT WAY. They were raking it in when the economy was good. Now an excuse is the economy? It just don't sit well with me bro!

But it is what it is and so long as they are glad-handing one another folks won't see through the crap.

Support what's up there and they will have to comply. It's on us!

It's just an opinion
 

Not an attack bro!

Has anyone thought of asking someone like pepsi, Coke or Budweiser to be a sponsor? anyone work for one of those companies?

Trading forum
 

Well, this is one of those threads that I do feel is important and am monitoring very closely.

Unfortunately, I don't have an answer other than posting on the Trading Forum is one of the benefits of being an MFCA member since only MFCA members can post threads on the trading forum.

Ken I do not feel as though your words are an attack on anyone...I do not feel threatened in any way. I have sat back and wondered when this topic was going to be approached. I am honestly surprised that it took this long for someone to speak up.

This could turn out to be a very informative post......

So many times we as consumers are overlooked ....that is until someone needs something or are in a bind and need bills to be paid.....It's about time we as consumers speak... and not settle for a less than average product.....

I know for me I have shelled out a few thousand of dollars for teams, bases, and boards... and I am still in search of that perfect board.....that perfect base......that perfectly customized team....but where do we go?
This is not to bash anyone......or better yet...maybe I will stop spending my money and look into doing things myself like others have done.....

Businesses ...when you look around and wonder why your orders have fell off or noones ringing your phone off the hook... Look into the mirror and ask yourself have I given my consumers what they wanted? I know many have put in alot of hard earned cash......

Like I said I am not attacking anyone in particular.....because I have gotten quality from many on this forum.....but on the other hand I have some complaints also.......:) :) :)

I have been trying to formulate a response to this thread and have deleted two attempts already. This is one of those things that needs to be looked at very carefully as there are a number of angles to it. I have heard from 4 people today already regarding it and the responses all have valid points.

The BOD will take up the issue in the near future and will come up with a plan. In the meantime and in as respectful a way as possible, if people want to make their voice heard on this subject, please do so. We don't need to call anyone out directly, but keep in mind that what we are talking about could effect not only the Business Sponsors who advertise, but the trading forum and links to anyone that sells anything by way of this site.

There are "mom and pop" operations who make little to nothing, there are others who are attempting to run as a business, there are those working with illegal trademarks who can't advertise without risk to themselves yet they produce a product that we all want. It is a sticky teeter totter of issues that needs to get balanced out fairly.

Whatever decision is found, it will effect a group of people one way or another.

PM FEATURE
 

We do have a PM feature....I don't feel as though I have called anyone out...Like I said my post wasn't intended to attack any individual....

If anyone has a problem with what I wrote......PM me.....

I have renewed as a business sponsor. I have made a little from being able to post pictures and ads for my products, so the only right thing to do is to give back to the forum and the association that has allowed me to showcase my abilities.

Thanks to the MFCA for keeping this site going.thmbsp$

Class Dude
 

I don't know what you got but I'll be checking.

I just feel it's the right thing to do. We all serve in some capacity as garage sellers, tweak contributors, even moderators but business is business.

No offense.

look in my signature. it gives an idea of the custom figures that i am selling. i have done boards for people, too.thmbsp$

Thanks 5-13 Studios
 

Thanks for renewing as a Business Sponsor.

We
 

Not done yet



If 5-13 can do it, Duane Jennings, Geno, etc., then why not others!

Now where's the rest of ya!'s

THANKS
 

Just wanted to shout out THANKS publicly to 5-13 studios and to all those who have been supporting as a business sponsor in the past AS WELL!!!!

Hey Jeff
 

I really would like this discussion to remain general in an effort to compel those who are able to do the right thing. It would be nice if we didn't point fingers.

FREETIME INNOVATIONS -Closed For Business.....
 

FREETIME INNOVATIONS,my humble business,such as it
is, is now closed.Shut-down.No more.I'm done.You have to go
elsewhere for teams/gear,etc..I appreciate all the business that
came my way.I have several commitments to honor then it's
history.I'm also walking away from this hobby.You guys kill me.....
I've heard enough on this "sponsor" issue.You guys never
cease to amaze me.You're never satisfied are you......
First,you grumbled and groaned about non-members using
the site.If I remember correctly,initially when Beenutt started this
thing it was for everyones use.No charge,blah,blah,blah.....
That soon changed.You weren't happy until you got your members-only
changes.I'm sure those "changes" aren't done.You got it.Congratulations.
Now it seems you're not going to be happy until you get anyone that's
made a dollar,(most of us trying to help the hobby & not our wallets,)
in this hobby to become a business sponsor.Someone said don't point fingers.Well you've done everything but name names.You may as well
do that too.I'm sure I'm on your list.Someone else mentioned
"doing the right thing",that becoming a certified sponsor is the right
thing to do.All the time I was doing teams,I thought I WAS doing the
right thing,by giving you guys a decent price for a decent job,with a
very decent turn-around time.Guess I was wrong.Money never was the
bottom line for me.I made very little as opposed to some.Most of the
time I was lucky to break even.I even lost money on some jobs so
don't preach to me about ALL the money I made.I gave tons of stuff
away.Give me a break.And it seems that some of those that came to
me for work ( and some have posted on this topic) didn't have any
issues with the low prices I offered or the fact that I wasn't a Business
Sponsor.How soon we forget........
I did what I did to help enhance others experiences in the hobby.
Money was never my main-source of motivation.I probably couldn't
go across country and back on what I've made from this hobby.
Don't get me wrong,the hobby doesn't owe me a thing.Nothing !
But I've done more than my share,I think, to help it out.Never
expecting nor wanting accolades.I liked what I was doing.I
though I was helping make a difference.Again,I guess I was
mistaken.Someone else mentioned Integrity.I honestly don't
think my integrity has ever been in question,in or out of this
hobby.I know what I've done to serve this hobby as well as
this country.Don't any of you EVER question my integrity !!!!!!!
I've had my say.Respond as you will.It just doesn't matter
to me anymore.I wish you all the best and I honestly hope
you don't screw this hobby up beyond repair.If you're not
careful,you just might........

Respectfully Yours,
Christopher M. Stacey

Chris, when have you ever broadcasted? Never. I personally don't feel you fit the argument, or criteria that people refer too. I for one can definitely speak to the fact that you definitely don't do it for profit. Moreover, it's always something more that you do for each person. Just my humble opinion.

Remember when you gave me your card at Buzzball. Believe it or not it's the only Electric Football card that I have. I asked you how much of it was free! That's when you said you loved doing this on your spare time thus the name.

I may have a position on this issue but to be quite honest when I posted I never once thought about you.

Maybe I should have. My apologies if you felt anything I said was directed at you. I can assure you it was not. Again, I know for a fact you don't do this for the money.

Chris
 

I want you to always do my teams ! If I have to pay you more I will !

Hear, Hear
 

ppls$ ppls$ ppls$ ppls$ ppls$ ppls$ ppls$ ppls$ ppls$ ppls$ ppls$ ppls$ ppls$

NO MAS AMIGOS/:dohdh:

Sponsor
 

I own my own company but I don't sell my products on here 'cause they aren't EF/MF related but what does a business sponsorship cost ? I don't mind at all to support the forum.

I have thought about this subject a lot since even before we had sponsors. I was originally against the idea of sponsors unless they were from outside of the miniature football area i.e. coke, pepsi, etc. I knew that eventually this subject would come up. However, I was contacted by people running miniature football business who WANTED to pay extra to be on top or more noticeable. They knew at the time how the forum worked and that the trading forum existed and they had to know that there would be people who would continue to sell, but would not spring for the extra sponsorship dollars.

There is NO pressure put on any one by the MFCA leadership to become a sponsor.Period! The only time we contact sponsors is to renew, pay their bill on time or to place their ad in the magazine. The forum is not going to go to trying to control the businesses or people that choose NOT to sponsor. Many of them donate in other ways to their customers and also to the MFCA through finances or through informative and instructive threads and articles. These have value as well.

The MFCA, is in healthy shape financially and does not require the extra $80 brought in through sponsorships. Any one who chooses to sponsor does so, not because it is "the right" thing to do, but because THEY want the extra exposure. That is the way it is and the way it will probably remain. I would rather do away with sponsorships than try to police everyone who sells something. This would, by far, be the easiest fix if this continues to create problems. It is just not worth my time or energy to try to control that.

With no disrespect to any sponsors and with no hard feelings if you decide to leave, but If any of our current sponsors feel that this is unfair, than they can ask to end their sponsorship and get their refunds. We don't need additional animosity over this. It IS that simple.

because of you nice people are getting hurt
 

i knew this was going to happen someone getting there feelings hurt.
that is sad :( once you spill the water out the bottle you can't put the water back in the bottle. and you can't say oh your ok, I'm talking about someone else if any one sales something then your talking about all not who you want to point a finger at and say i was talking about them not you. thats not right not right at all. :( :( :( :( :( :( :( :( :( :(


don't go chris please don't go my friend.

Great Insight!
 

Thanks for the insight and the position. You and I both know that some members have had long standing issues with membership/sponsorship matters and the like. As anyone knows Chris has done most all my teams except my Giants that Mike did. However, he has long ago held his own position, as many of do, with regard to what direction the hobby, and board, should take. Quite simply, he has his own position. To some extent others have theirs including yourself.

I actually agree with doing away with the sponsorships because it does create conflict when you wonder why others who benefit more are not stepping up. Period. Just on those premises, with no arguement to present, a person's work should speak for itself.

Hopefully, those who have darn near closed down the trading forum with their shady antics will not try to captilize on a person who has integrity by using his position to further their own exploits. Unfortunately, I already see signs of that.

The people I patronize with my money?, we have more in common than electric football and if our integrity is on opposite ends of the table it is still recognized as integrity so our friendship remains. Simply stated, Chris is my real friend regardless to this forum or these comments. We didn't meet here and if he leaves we'll still talk because what matters most is that we became friends first, then did business. If everyone did that we wouldn't have a need for this discussion. He always got paid, and I never was disappointed.

Thank you for the intelligent, non political as always, response Wolf!

Peace.

love for all
 

i got nothing but love for all EM-F-er's.ppls$ ppls$ thmbsp$ thmbsp$

just shkthbx: