Competitions Discussion Thread Part 13

blackmidnight

melorablack wrote: »

I have a quick question for you all...I may be moving house a bit later on in the year and I have been wondering what the best way to manage a change of address is with all the comps I have entered already...does anyone have any experience of this? I was wondering if a Royal Mail redirection thingy would work but if there are any other ways I'll gladly accept any advice you have .

Couldn't see a response to this although there was a lot to look through! I've moved twice since I started comping - first time was easy as it was just from my mum's though so didn't have to worry about missing any wins there.

2nd time once I knew we were moving I entered comps using my mum's address for about a month so that anything I might win would be sent there. I tried to enter only the comps that were ending soon and used my mum's address for those and otherwise only entered the ones that only required an email address/telephone number (i.e. no address). Any that didn't fit into those categories got bookmarked. I then also set up a royal mail redirection which worked *most* of the time however on the day it ran out they redelivered a red card to my new address from 3 weeks previsouly and when I complained they said nothing that they can do as redirection had run out! grrr... so I did loose one prize I would therefore also check that it covers packages... sure it should have but didn't seem to have those redelivered so makes me wonder if I missed anything else.

Problem is with redirection is that it doesn't work for anything that might be sent by courier Best bet is probably only to enter essential comps, update ALL the sites that you enter competitions through to a different address as soon as you can (to a family/friend's address if they are willing to let you use it or otherwise your new address the minute you move in) so that any comps you have already entered have the correct details.

grannybiker

To add to the debate, again.. :rotfl:

Barnabysue wrote: »

I so agree with you, I find the magazine comps threads get really confusing with all of the chat that takes place in there. Personally I would like all comps in individual threads on one board with a link to the Regular Board for those that are considered regulars for people who like to comp from there, it worked for the Advents.

And it could so easily work in this instance. When I suggested it before, there was a lot of support and it would suit the Regs fans too. This debate could so easily end in a win / win situation rather than the regs V main battle we have now. Surely it's not rocket science....?
Why should it be a battle anyway? This is an ideal solution that would suit all styles of comping...

toniq wrote: »

What I found baffling is when Glad started moving posts we were told a trail (usually says moved and when u click it, it takes u to where the thread has gone) would stay on the board for a while, but that never happened, If it had at least we could have noticed something had been moved. xxxxx

It's so frustrating when comps are simply removed... I often pop comps I want to enter into a folder on my favourites when I'm short on time, but sometimes find I'm following an "Invalid link" when I try and return when I've more time... . I've had folk PM me to say they thought comps had been discontinued as they'd been taken off main & hidden in regs. It boils down to the majority having the opportunity to enter taken away from them...

Amilucky? wrote: »

also by having multiple sets of rules for posting on the regulars board with some regular comps remaining on the main board only makes the boards more confusing for regular comp posters never-mind newcomers

Not having a proper definition of a "Reg" and the inconstiencies of the policy being applied has created confusion, and yes, bad feeling too, as people spend time and effort posting comps for the majority to enter, only to have them removed and hidden away Other comps were apparently allowed to remain without ever being challenged...

Al Mac hit the nail on the head when he said that people like things simple and that's the way it should be instead of entering comps on multiple boards they should be all together in one place and certainly not in there own threads which only results in slowing compers down


most of the people on the main board don't visit comps discuss and are unaware of the debate going on, and the opinions in comps discuss only at present reflect the views of the vociferous minority

the debate now needs to move forward and involve all mse users and for this reason the debate should have a place of prominence on the main board so that every MSE comp user can contribute and voice there opinions

Considering no BGs have commented on this thread until now, it's strange that AmIlucky's post was moved from the main board so quickly...

it is vastly unfair to consider only the opinions of a select few and then make changes to the regulars board as is now being done with multiple post's being transferred from the main board onto regs and it also being done covertly without telling any of the posters and users that post's are being moved


whatever happened to "no changes will be made until the changes have been discussed" :mad: This has been particularly upsetting as we belived it to be true...

Sorry you feel hurt, Glad, I'm sure that hasn't been the intention of anyone who's posted here, (myself included - I've clearly stated my opinions aren't intended as a personal attack more than once.)

However, it's BGs who've been removing comps and you are a BG, so must take some responsibilty, (Remember, it's the policy we're objecting to, not YOU as a person!) I'm aware there are 4, but 1 is taking time out, 1 can rarely be found online (I've only found them online when I've needed to send a merge etc once in over 2 years of active comping) and the other has clearly said they cba to move comps as they get moaned at!

Never have had a satisfactory answer as to how / why some comps are regularly removed, but others stayed, but perhaps this will be un-necessary if you/ admin / BGs really are going to address this once and for all.

(Please remember this doesn't mean I'm grumpy at you, or any other BG personally, just that comps have been removed, and without the promised consultation!)

Glad

grannybiker wrote: »

To add to the debate, again.. :rotfl:


And it could so easily work in this instance. When I suggested it before, there was a lot of support and it would suit the Regs fans too. This debate could so easily end in a win / win situation rather than the regs V main battle we have now. Surely it's not rocket science....?
Why should it be a battle anyway? This is an ideal solution that would suit all styles of comping...



It's so frustrating when comps are simply removed... I often pop comps I want to enter into a folder on my favourites when I'm short on time, but sometimes find I'm following an "Invalid link" when I try and return when I've more time... . I've had folk PM me to say they thought comps had been discontinued as they'd been taken off main & hidden in regs. It boils down to the majority having the opportunity to enter taken away from them...



Sorry you feel hurt, Glad, I'm sure that hasn't been the intention of anyone who's posted here, (myself included - I've clearly stated my opinions aren't intended as a personal attack more than once.)

However, it's BGs who've been removing comps and you are a BG, so must take some responsibilty, (Remember, it's the policy we're objecting to, not YOU as a person!) I'm aware there are 4, but 1 is taking time out, 1 can rarely be found online (I've only found them online when I've needed to send a merge etc once in over 2 years of active comping) and the other has clearly said they cba to move comps as they get moaned at!

Never have had a satisfactory answer as to how / why some comps are regularly removed, but others stayed, but perhaps this will be un-necessary if you/ admin / BGs really are going to address this once and for all.

(Please remember this doesn't mean I'm grumpy at you, or any other BG personally, just that comps have been removed, and without the promised consultation!)

I still haven't read all of the points but to quickly answer a few here

if a thread is moved to another board the link will still be the same, this was asked before and we went back and tried it

I can't answer for other BGs but MSE has always asked to give only as much time as we are able, the comps boards needed more BG time so a 4th was added, and I've got plenty of evening time to look at it

I take full responsibility for moving any threads to the board they are supposed to be in at the moment, no one from the team has told me any different, and until the format of the comps board is changed I still will, I work here for Martin/MSE and use the boards as they are meant to be used
but I did listen to people's thoughts about the boards and have got lots of my own ideas to discuss, but it's not going to happen overnight, at the moment the regs board has been tidied up, old comps have gone to GO, all threads are open so people can post on them if links etc change, if the comps are in the stickies the link will take you to the comp whichever board it is in, threads with an end date are being moved to GO when they end etc

I've checked some of the more recent moved threads and it's pretty equal between myself and 2 other BGs on who is moving, it was more confusing over Xmas as I made a point of not moving the advents/xmas comps, I thought that would be more confusing when the board was at its busiest

again, at the moment the boards should be used as they were set up to be and ideas discussed for making things smoother, part of the problem has been the growth of the board since it was set up and the impossibility of 3 BGs trying to keep on top of things, adding me as a BG meant that more could be done, so more threads have been moved (as I said no one gave me a rulebook stating some threads could/should stay on the Main board despite falling under the category of a regular so I've just got on with it) so there aren't changes to the rules just an extra body sticking to them, hopefully some of what I do is an asset to the boards too

all I'm asking is that we think of ways to utilise the regs board as well as ways to just get rid of it, that's the debate, and give me some time to look at it please

bargainhuntergal

grannybiker wrote: »

It's so frustrating when comps are simply removed... I often pop comps I want to enter into a folder on my favourites when I'm short on time, but sometimes find I'm following an "Invalid link" when I try and return when I've more time... . I've had folk PM me to say they thought comps had been discontinued as they'd been taken off main & hidden in regs. It boils down to the majority having the opportunity to enter taken away from them...

I'm pretty sure that if you've got a link to a comp bookmarked, it doesn't matter if that comp then moves to another section of the board, the bookmark will still take you there, I bookmark hundreds of comps myself and the only time I've ever had a problem is when comps were dupes and have been merged.

It's such a shame the previously (from the past few days) friendly discussion has now descended into this kind of conversation again

Just to clear up a few things from Amilucky?'s post earlier on, me taking over the daily thread was arranged between me and Gilla only on the day before and the day that I actually made the post, it went something a little like this, Gilla made a post in the discussion thread (during the discussion about regulars) that she didn't have time to enter the comps, I said that I didn't mind helping with either or both threads if it was getting too much, Gilla PM'ed me and asked if I was serious, I said I was, she said asked if I would take over the dailies, I said of course, she said let me know when you want to do it, I said 'is now too soon?' she said she no and she would leave a message on the thread explaining what we'd agreed, which she did, and that's how that all came about!

The first Glad knew of it was when I PM'ed her and asked her to sticky my thread when I'd made it and unsticky Gilla's thread (Glad was the only BG on at the time as I checked all of their profiles, and I waited for her to reply before posting my thread as I knew she would be able to do it quickly when she was aware of it)

When my daily post was made I left the first post the way it was previously and I was testing out the new format in the second and third posts, when I made changes to those posts I posted on the discussion thread and asked for opinions, the feedback I had at the time was positive, so I went on to change the first post and all of the feedback (bar one PM which said it was difficult to read as there's a lot of text, which is something I completely agreed with and fixed by spacing it out a bit more) I've had since I changed the first post has been very very positive, however, if anyone else has any other problems or issues with it they are very welcome to PM me and I will see if there's anything I can do.

Edited to add: I've just seen Glad's post above saying the same thing about the bookmarked links, which I'd already thanked, doh, sorry, I typed this out a while ago and forgot I'd not submitted my post as I got distracted and opened the discussions thread up on another window, should have realised my post wasn't showing!

purplecatlover

melorablack wrote: »

I have a quick question for you all...I may be moving house a bit later on in the year and I have been wondering what the best way to manage a change of address is with all the comps I have entered already...does anyone have any experience of this? I was wondering if a Royal Mail redirection thingy would work but if there are any other ways I'll gladly accept any advice you have .

i would use royal mail redirection and also if possible let previous landlord/new occupiers have my number and ask would they mind terribly ringing when i have post.

i think id also possibly stop entering for a while beforehand or accept that i may loose out on stuff cause it goes to my old addy. i might start using new addy a couple weeks before i move if i know it and can.

beffffff wrote: »

Just sticking my oar in.
The problem with a poll is that you're NEVER going to get agreement between so many of us who all have ways of doing things and very strong opinions that their way is the right way.
It's the BGs, PPD, Gilla and BHG who will have to do all the work so as long as everything is made clear to us (and properly enforced) I'm sure we''ll get used to any changes soon enough

well said beff and so true

bargainhuntergal

Amilucky? wrote: »

from a bystanders point of view

this is why I was so upset because changes where being made right before my eyes with the BG who instigated change and had repeatedly promised that no further changes would be made without the changes being discussed beforehand was literally viewing the comps discuss thread when the changes where being discussed but choose to make no comment on the reg board or main

while I now understand that there where mitigating circumstances for the "No Comment" I still think that the fact that Gilla choose to relinquish her dailies stickies thread and changes to the format of the dailies and monthlies thread followed almost immediately and without the apparent consent and knowledge of Glad knowing and also not being able to respond sounds a bit iffy to me

I put it to Glad that she knew Gilla was about to relinquish her dailies sticky thread in the New Year and that the thread maintainers had discussed the changes that where about to be made with her, are we honestly supposed to believe that they changed the format of the regulars board stickies without first consulting a BG (I think not)

if Glad did no about the changes then she has broken her promise yet again not to allow any further changes to the Regulars board without consultation and a poll before any more changes are made

while I feel that the changes made by BHG and PP contribute immensely to the regulars board I still feel that it sends the wrong signals out that they have been allowed by a BG to make changes without the consent of a BG or the comp users on the main board the vast majority of which where not aware that changes where being made to the regulars board and so where not able to discuss the changes or make any comment

I'm sorry that you felt hurt by my post Glad and normally I would apologise but on this occasion I feel that there is no need for me to apologise as I feel my comments are justified and I stand by them wholeheartedly with no reservations whatsoever

as Grannybiker has said it's nothing personal and not an attack on you personally but as one whose has contributed to the debate I feel personally let down by you as a BG and like you also feel rather hurt as I also believed you when you said no further changes would be made without consultation and a poll of MSE members

I also believed you when you said that you could bring about changes to the regulars board while this may still be proven to be e true it dosn't bode well that you are now saying that you are not allowed to make changes to the board and need the consent of the senior MSE management team before changes can be made and that it might take some considerable time before changes can be made

I seem to recall that when changes to the regulars board was initially discussed there was no mention of having to have senior MSE managements approval before changes could be made once again I feel let down by your initial comments and the results afterwards

I don't understand your point, Gilla did both the dailies and the weeklies, surely you can see how much work that was for her? I saw her message that said she didn't have time to enter the comps and wondered if it was a hint that maybe she wanted someone to take one or both of them off her hands, so I offered and the reason it came about so quickly was because when she said let me know when you want to take over I said is now ok because it was the weekend and less posts are made then so I had the chance to do the thread without getting too far behind myself as I'm trying to keep up as things are posted at the moment.

The fact that the thread format has changed, that's ALL that's changed by the way, the same comps (bar the ones that had ended) are still there, is just because when you take something over you do it in your own way, a way that makes sense to you. This format makes it easy for me to see which comps need removing (before removing I make sure they are over.)

The fact that no one has said they are unhappy with the thread (bar the one PM I mentioned previously, which is now resolved) yet I've had lots of supportive PM's and comments from happy people surely means that the new thread is a good thing so it doesn't matter how it came about?

What I've said about how it came about is the truth (but whether you choose to believe that is your prerogative) and I don't like being made to feel like I've done the wrong thing when all I was trying to do was help out someone who was struggling and try to help out everyone else by keeping the thread running!

purplecatlover

Amilucky? wrote: »

from a bystanders point of view

this is why I was so upset because changes where being made right before my eyes with the BG who instigated change and had repeatedly promised that no further changes would be made without the changes being discussed beforehand was literally viewing the comps discuss thread when the changes where being discussed but choose to make no comment on the reg board or main

while I now understand that there where mitigating circumstances for the "No Comment" I still think that the fact that Gilla choose to relinquish her dailies stickies thread and changes to the format of the dailies and monthlies thread followed almost immediately and without the apparent consent and knowledge of Glad knowing and also not being able to respond sounds a bit iffy to me
i think you are being very very unfair to both gilla and bhg here, the decision for gilla to give up dailies has been explained above and bhg is taking over. tbh if she wants to change how the thread she si now responsible for is managed then thats her perogative, she needs to do what suits her and is being nice enough to ask for everyones opinion, but would have every right to just do as she pleases in her thread. and it reads to me here like your saying she should not have done that without everyones permission, what gives any one of us the right to tell another member they cant give up a time consuming task if they can no longer fit the tiome in to do it?
I put it to Glad that she knew Gilla was about to relinquish her dailies sticky thread in the New Year and that the thread maintainers had discussed the changes that where about to be made with her, are we honestly supposed to believe that they changed the format of the regulars board stickies without first consulting a BG (I think not)
again i think you are being very unfair and assuming things. where have you seen gilla say she was giving up dailies in the new year? before it actually happened? why should gilla nad bhg have asked permission form bgs to change who maintained the daily thread? why should bhg have discussed changes to the format of a thread she has taken on responsibility for with a bg? she didnt even have to discus it with us..

if Glad did no about the changes then she has broken her promise yet again not to allow any further changes to the Regulars board without consultation and a poll before any more changes are made
again your saying gilla is not allowed to give up daily thread and bhg take it on without permission of the masses or at least the bgs as that is a change made? how unfair and how demanding!!
while I feel that the changes made by BHG and PP contribute immensely to the regulars board I still feel that it sends the wrong signals out that they have been allowed by a BG to make changes without the consent of a BG or the comp users on the main board the vast majority of which where not aware that changes where being made to the regulars board and so where not able to discuss the changes or make any comment

I'm sorry that you felt hurt by my post Glad and normally I would apologise but on this occasion I feel that there is no need for me to apologise as I feel my comments are justified and I stand by them wholeheartedly with no reservations whatsoever

as Grannybiker has said it's nothing personal and not an attack on you personally but as one whose has contributed to the debate I feel personally let down by you as a BG and like you also feel rather hurt as I also believed you when you said no further changes would be made without consultation and a poll of MSE members

I also believed you when you said that you could bring about changes to the regulars board while this may still be proven to be e true it dosn't bode well that you are now saying that you are not allowed to make changes to the board and need the consent of the senior MSE management team before changes can be made and that it might take some considerable time before changes can be made

I seem to recall that when changes to the regulars board was initially discussed there was no mention of having to have senior MSE managements approval before changes could be made once again I feel let down by your initial comments and the results afterwards.

there may have been no mention but its always been the case that anything that needs decisions has to come form them....its them who sdaid no to more stickies and that has been pointed out frequently in my time as a comper, every time the issue of more stickies gets raised. i think its unfair to now blame glad for not having reitereated it millions of time before when it is the normal pattern of things? why would you, who has been here plenty long enough to know that the mse team make decisions about everything be surprised that they must be involved in a major change that may happen?

I also am very disappointed that you have no plans to move the debate to a more visible part of the MSE main board where the vast majority of compers don't know anything about the debate in comps discuss and so are unable to express there viewpoint or discuss any changes to the regulars board
where has this been said, that it wont ever be moved to a more visable place? why is glad (and the other bgs too) not allowed time to get her thoughts etc together, try and summarize things for everyone? its not something i would like to try and do int he space of 5 or 10mins in a post for the masses who can easily come here and read should they choose to do so, (its sad that so mnay people wont read this thread which under normal circs is full of comping questions by newbies etc imo)

and i agree with whomever said before that its sad that this discussion has once again been brought down to a slanging match!

bargainhuntergal

purplecatlover wrote: »

and i agree with whomever said before that its sad that this discussion has once again been brought down to a slanging match!

Thank you :A

I'm feeling pretty deflated now if I'm honest, I've really enjoyed taking over the thread up to now, and it's been lovely getting all the messages of thanks and support, one of which was actually earlier on today from 'Amilucky?' so I'm quite confused how this has now turned into something bad in a matter of hours?

I'm trying to remember all of the messages of support and not let this conversation get me down, but to be honest it's difficult, as I now feel like there's a lot of people that feel this way but are too scared to say anything?

I didn't realise that it would cause any problems, perhaps that was naive of me?

MARTINS_DOLL

comping_cat wrote: »

I have no idea what this is about but if something is/has been going on, i think that maybe now is the time to let us know about it, any changes etc.

(If anyone can point me in the direction of what has been happening, i would be grateful)

Me too cc...

Not been around for a few days due to my 2 little Cats being very poorly, and am totally mifed TBH...
xxx

purplecatlover

bargainhuntergal wrote: »

I don't like being made to feel like I've done the wrong thing when all I was trying to do was help out someone who was struggling and try to help out everyone else by keeping the thread running!

you havent done anything wrong at all! nor has gilla! please dont think or feel that. i think you and gilla both are owed an apology here to be honest. thnak you for all the hard work, time and effort you have put in already on the thread and all that to come.

and ill say again thank you to gilla for all her hard work time and effort over the years she has maintained it.