Raffles

High Octane said:

A bit of a twist to the original idea.

Another way to manage this fund:
1. Members send money to SenKat or other forum mod. Money goes into LPF Review Raffle fund.
2. LPF orders a laser using friends, family, some not so well-known name and address.
3. Laser is reviewed.
4. If it is a nice unit, up to spec, something the members want it can be placed up for a Raffle.
5. Those members who contributed to the Review Raffle Fund will have their name added to the Raffle.
6. Proceeds would be used for crappy units that are not worth keeping, and used for the next purchase and any restocking fees that apply.


This could be called the LPFRRF

I believe this method will generate more interest and therefore more funds.

Click to expand...

Shilood said:

Very well said. In order to truly review a company and their products, you absolutely need to review them while being treated like one of their many customers. Then you get a representative sample, and if there are issues, representative customer service.

I wonder how many members are interested enough in a particular laser to put some money up for a truly representative review? I would be willing to send money to (a forum mod) as part of a "review fund," sort of like buying shares in LPF. If 25 people sent $10, there would be enough money to review greens in the 100mw range and below. (Of course it would take more interest to get our hands on blue lasers or higher power samples which is where lots of the interest probably lies.) It would at least give a more accurate snapshot of a company and their CS reviewing lasers we could afford, and that information would still be useful when members choose a company to trust for a higher end purchase.

One way to manage this fund:
1. Members send money to SenKat or other forum mod. Money goes into LPF Review fund.
2. LPF orders a laser using friends, family, some not so well-known name and address.
3. Laser is reviewed.
4. If it is a nice unit, up to spec, something the members want it can be placed up for auction.
5. Those members who contributed to the Review Fund can bid first, starting bid = purchase price.
6. If no takers, all membership can bid. Starting bid would be the price paid by LPF less 15%.
7. If the unit is crap, it goes back (probably costing 15% restock fee.)

Every laser LPF reviews could have the potential of costing the Fund a restocking fee (providing we can't get the company to agree to waive fee if the laser fails to perform.) That risk has to be born by those who contribute. If it isn't up to stated spec, we of course have the option of pressuring the company to refund 100% by revealing the purchaser's affiliation with LPF as a reviewer. The fund donators would have the option of asking for a return of their donation (minus operating costs from restocking fees etc.) For myself, I would consider the donation an entertainment expense

This same concept could be used for a special purchase rather than a general fund for reviews. If enough people really want a 9mw blue or something, once enough members post their interest in a GB style post, money is solicited, laser purchased, reviewed, auctioned or returned, remaining money returned if no one wanted the laser.

This idea might be too much of a headache to implement, but hooefully it provoked some thought.

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High Octane said:

Was playing with the idea of a raffle on this thread.
http://www.laserpointerforums.com/forums/YaBB.pl?num=1192204888/20#20

[quote author=High Octane link=1192204888/15#20 date=1192385891]A bit of a twist to the original idea.

Another way to manage this fund:
1.  Members send money to SenKat or other forum mod.  Money goes into LPF Review Raffle fund.
2.  LPF orders a laser using friends, family, some not so well-known name and address.
3.  Laser is reviewed.
4.  If it is a nice unit, up to spec, something the members want it can be placed up for a Raffle.
5.  Those members who contributed to the Review Raffle Fund will have their name added to the Raffle.
6.  Proceeds would be used for crappy units that are not worth keeping, and used for the next purchase and any restocking fees that apply.


This could be called the LPFRRF  

I believe this method will generate more interest and therefore more funds.

Click to expand...

ixfd64 said:

We should also have free random drawings.

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SenKat said:

More raffles, you say ? FUNNY you should mention that ! I was planning on hosting another raffle soon - do you think there would be any interest in it ? A couple of WL Phoenix (one NICE one, one...eh...a little below their average) and some other goodies....

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