what can we do for each other?

[MustRib]

Roguewave was talking to me about Car clubs and how the Saab owners club apparently published a directory of members and what they would be willing to do to help out another member.
Why couldn't we do something similar on here?
Specifically - in the User CP, so it was displayed in your profile, there could be a little check list detailing what you would be willing to undertake to help another member. Specifically - in these days of online auctions - being willing to collect purchased items and hold for a fellow Ribnetter until they could arrange collection, help with parts, launching, local knowledge, emergency trailer, temporary storage or parking.
What does everyone else think?

Andy

[Trailer Guy]

sounds ok to me

[jambo]

Originally Posted by MustRib

Roguewave was talking to me about Car clubs and how the Saab owners club apparently published a directory of members and what they would be willing to do to help out another member.
Why couldn't we do something similar on here?
Specifically - in the User CP, so it was displayed in your profile, there could be a little check list detailing what you would be willing to undertake to help another member. Specifically - in these days of online auctions - being willing to collect purchased items and hold for a fellow Ribnetter until they could arrange collection, help with parts, launching, local knowledge, emergency trailer, temporary storage or parking.
What does everyone else think?

Andy

Great idea Andy. Admin team can you do a poll of the members to see if its a goer? The examples shown by Andy are spot on and I'm sure there will be others but I do
Think we have to ascertain if its feasible.

Sent from my iPhone using Rib.net

[Bern Hanreck]

Originally Posted by Trailer Guy

sounds ok to me

As long as Trailer Guy doesn't volunteer any " Paramedic " service , sounds good to me too!

[Trailer Guy]

Originally Posted by Bern Hanreck

As long as Trailer Guy doesn't volunteer any " Paramedic " service , sounds good to me too!

reckon I could build one of these:

[neil.mccrirrick]

Or create a new area for members asking for help along the lines you describe? I've picked stuff up for members before now it's no hassle and you never know when you might need a favour returned

Might be better if its a shout out tho as a refusal is sometimes hard to do

[whisper]

Sounds good

[biffer]

Good idea but isn't that what we do already, we all ask questions and most times get the right answer from someone, the only cloud I can see on the horizon is that the trade guys who enter into this agreement may get bogged down with questions and spend more time doing that than working

[jambo]

Originally Posted by biffer

Good idea but isn't that what we do already, we all ask questions and most times get the right answer from someone, the only cloud I can see on the horizon is that the trade guys who enter into this agreement may get bogged down with questions and spend more time doing that than working

Fair point Bif. I would like to think that rib-netters wouldn't take advantage.

Sent from my iPhone using Rib.net

[Trailer Guy]

Agree - I think it has to be something out of your usual sphere - like holding a won ebay item or whatever. I get loads of requests for info, but genuinely don't mind helping pointing people in the right direction, where I can.

[kerny]

Originally Posted by biffer

Good idea but isn't that what we do already, we all ask questions and most times get the right answer from someone, the only cloud I can see on the horizon is that the trade guys who enter into this agreement may get bogged down with questions and spend more time doing that than working

Those are my thoughts too. Someone needs help then puts a post up on here such as delivering a rib from A to B and somebody replies that can help.

I think that what you have to be careful of is for example, someone says that they can receive parcels because they are always home during the day and then it gets lost in the post or damaged, they then can be blamed or deemed as not very honest or unreliable.

Then there could be all sorts of post and arguments being posted on here which could get ugly and also put RIBnet in a bad light.

But that is my own opinion and I could be wrong.

[MustRib]

ok ...point taken fellas - am sure many of us already do these kind of things for each other, but not everyone knows everyone else on this forum.
It would have to be understood that stuff collected or delivered etc would be at the owners risk. Just trying to make the world turn a bit more smoothly for everyone.
Everyone has to have an appetite for this to make it work.

[Chris Caton]

I was a member of a motor club that trialled a similar scheme, it became an admin nightmare in the end and resulted in a big falling out, teddy out of the pram etc. my feelings are, if you need a hand with something just ask, there's plenty on here willing to help, but much better if its kept informal. but there again, I've been wrong before and no doubt will be again

[biffer]

There are sometimes to be fair when I could jump in on a thread but don't, there are time when it's been covered so many times before that I know someone will tell them to look at the old thread, if we were contactable for these types of situations it would sound offish if I said ( go look at an old thread it's been covered), or have to look through the old threads and tell them that, I will help anyone out if I can but haven't got a lot of time just to chew the fat over how high should I put my engine or how bigger engine can I put on this, I know it sounds a bit harsh but most people want to know answers when they ain't at work which is usually when I would like to have a rest also

[Rogue Wave]

Going from Southampton to Dartmouth then Iona then Aberdeen then Buckie then Newcastle then Cardiff then Southampton. If anybody needs anything picked up let me know.

[teamplonker]

Originally Posted by Rogue Wave

Going from Southampton to Dartmouth then Iona then Aberdeen then Buckie then Newcastle then Cardiff then Southampton. If anybody needs anything picked up let me know.

If your going past Bristol I have cash waiting for that A frame.

[clydeoutboards]

I think its a great idea and yes we get calls but it is part of our job and its not as if it is hundreds a day and more like 1-5 per week.

anything that helps other boats will always be a good thing.

Dave

[Poly]

Originally Posted by jambo

Great idea Andy. Admin team can you do a poll of the members to see if its a goer? The examples shown by Andy are spot on and I'm sure there will be others but I do
Think we have to ascertain if its feasible.

Sent from my iPhone using Rib.net

Jambo / Andy,

I think generally many people on RIBnet would be happy to help if they can. I know for example I've looked at some ribs for people who weren't local and wanted to be sure they were real and the pictures were up-to-date before travelling hundreds of miles to close a deal. I'd happily check a boat that is within a few miles exists for almost anyone; but for regular posters I'd go out of my way to help more. Similarly I know Willk went way out his way to help (and rustle up help for) the guys doing round ireland last week. He couldn't do that level of help for everyone all the time so he probably wouldn't be offering - but if someone was stranded I am sure he would want to help. I think people's circumstances always change too - and they would forget to update their user CP.

I've also simply searched for "local" people and PM'd them when looking for local advice. It seems to work. A post along the lines of "can anyone in Cornwall..." is likely to get offers of help. Some people might be willing to do it for free, others for a crate of beer and others will see the service as their business and expect payment. Its easier to discuss on a case by case basis than have a generic offer. I think its also easier (for the Admin team!) if "we" keep out of the management as otherwise we will need to police it when it goes wrong!

Poly.

[uncle al]

I help where I can with advice, as I am rather restricted in health and time (two grand children)

[MustRib]

Ok Poly...
fine with all that.
I wasnt trying to re-invent the wheel, or ask trade members to put themselves out, rather I was interested in developing a trusted members network.
If it exists unofficially that is great,
what we need is a secret handshake !
For the record am happy to help anyone that requires anything in/from/launched/collected/inspected in my home area.
cheers