Hunt Giveaway Eligibility?

[Wishfulthinker580]

Just curious what others thoughts are on this subject..

Obviously you’re going to have people joining solely to enter into the drawing (to what degree that actually happens I don’t know). Especially given the time window for entries.. That is if the idea to offer it to the AH community not the entire internet?

Would it be “wrong” to limit eligibility to members who joined before a giveaway is announced? Personally I think it should be done but what do I know.

Regardless, it will definitely be a contentious subject…

 

[Wishfulthinker580]

I get that we want AH to grow but setting this limitation just seems sensible to me and perfectly reasonable. I see the aforementioned problem as taking advantage of the generosity of the outfitter.

 

[DieJager]

Interesting subject. I see multiple angles. I think there are a lot of lurkers who aren't members yet who take the time to register because there is a hunt giveaway. They also are responsible for traffic on the site and some of them will probably be active members afterwards.

There is also an argument to make for what you are proposing, it's the active members who make the site interesting.

As of the contest whatever gives me the greatest chance to win I am fine with it.

 

[Louis Toadvine]

I imagine marketing (for both the outfit/individual doing the giveaway and this website) factors heavily into how these are designed and conducted. While I'm sure they appreciate the regular forum members and their continued participation in these giveaways, one of the likely goals is bringing attention to the outfit and driving new traffic to this website. If even 5% of new members stick around and participate in the forum on a semi-regular basis, that's probably a win for AH, and if the outfit giving away the hunt/scope/rifle/book/etc. gets a couple more people visiting their site and buying their products and services, that's also a win.

 

[Wishfulthinker580]

Understood. I’m sure this topic will make for interesting discussion.

Conversely, (playing devils advocate here) do you really want people that join for free stuff? Meaning in the middle of a giveaway..

 

[PARA45]

I've seen here where new members sign up when there is something free here, never to be seen again. Prime example is the Free Pay it Forward, or when @Von Gruff gave a free knife, or when there was a free book give away. Tough to enforce. I don't know the answer to this.

 

[Wishfulthinker580]

I've seen here where new members sign up when there is something free here, never to be seen again. Prime example is the Free Pay it Forward, or when @Von Gruff gave a free knife, or when there was a free book give away. Tough to enforce. I don't know the answer to this.

On the enforcement part I would think it would simply go off of the date/time a person joins. Easily seen by the mods

 

[PARA45]

On the enforcement part I would think it would simply go off of the date/time a person joins. Easily seen by the mods

True, it's a tough nut to crack. I believe that it could be up to the individual giving out the goods and if he/she feels that A member with 10 posts should have the free goods or not.

Another one that Jerome is all over is the scammers trying to sell things here. That one has taken a big toll on our members, me being one of the victims.

 

[375Fox]

I would think it’s less about a giveaway to participating AH members and more about advertising. It helps AH create new members, but for the company doing the giveaway it puts their name on top for 4 or 5 weeks. Whether it’s goes to a participating AH member or a new 1 post member is irrelevant as far as their business is concerned. The more interests it generates the better.

 

[WAB]

Just curious what others thoughts are on this subject..

Obviously you’re going to have people joining solely to enter into the drawing (to what degree that actually happens I don’t know). Especially given the time window for entries.. That is if the idea to offer it to the AH community not the entire internet?

Would it be “wrong” to limit eligibility to members who joined before a giveaway is announced? Personally I think it should be done but what do I know.

Regardless, it will definitely be a contentious subject…

It seems like a reasonable idea and relatively easy to implement.

 

[Wishfulthinker580]

True, it's a tough nut to crack. I believe that it could be up to the individual giving out the goods and if he/she feels that A member with 10 posts should have the free goods or not.

Another one that Jerome is all over is the scammers trying to sell things here. That one has taken a big toll on our members, me being one of the victims.

I definitely agree that it should be up to the outfitter and AH (obviously). Just food for thought

 

[Wishfulthinker580]

I would think it’s less about a giveaway to participating AH members and more about advertising. It helps AH create new members, but for the company doing the giveaway it puts their name on top for 4 or 5 weeks. Whether it’s goes to a participating AH member or a new 1 post member is irrelevant as far as their business is concerned. The more interests it generates the better.

I definitely understand it from a purely financial/business perspective.

Having said that, I believe it’s a touch different since this is essentially a club (albeit an open one) and not a site like book your hunt or something like that.

The giveaway is specifically offered for current AH members at the time it is offered [theoretically(?) technically (?) speaking]. Obviously the duration of the whole process provides ample opportunity for word to spread and people to throw their hat into the ring so the previous statement isn’t completely accurate.

 

[Wishfulthinker580]

I just want to point out that I’m aware of how my viewpoint can be perceived. This is not a case of being a poor loser (past, present or future tense). I just think it’s a worthwhile discussion.

 

[Kevin Peacocke]

I don't think you can restrict people who join recently from entering. Perhaps they are chancers but if they are entering to win a hunt one presumes they are genuine hunters.

 

[Wishfulthinker580]

I don't think you can restrict people who join recently from entering. Perhaps they are chancers but if they are entering to win a hunt one presumes they are genuine hunters.

I can understand that.

Regardless, it is great marketing for AH and the respective outfitter offering the hunt. No matter who it is.

I just wonder to what degree it’s really “for” AH members if proverbial Joe Blow from off the street can waltz in at the final hour and win.

Worse yet, how appreciative is Joe Blow going to be of this generosity and is he going to express that when he tips and add a little extra (obviously depends on overall service) or add an animal or two or hunting or touring days to help make up for the outfitter’s “loss”(likely not much if at all when considering the marketing factor of all this, still a nice and welcome gesture I’m sure)?