now I want samoosas :rollsmile:
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Read the WELCOME ALL BMWFANATICS post.
TheFanatics Event Feedback Thread
- Thread starter Arbee
- Start date
B///Moodley
Events Organiser
Someone say Samoosas?
Firi offered me a pie last year.
Guys come on, you can't expect a group a guys who all probably met through the forum to walk up to an individual and make them feel comfortable.
You've got to socialize with the guys, come for meets if you can, greet the guys as you walk past them, compliment their cars/clothing, basically just add something to start a bond. Last year at ODI/Clarens there were some guys that I've never seen or known before and this year they're like family to me.
The point of this post was to get some tips on how to better the events and get more attendance not complain about the groups of people that "stick to themselves" so come on guys you need to put in some effort, we're all car enthusiasts here and we all share a common liking for cars so put some effort in and make friends.
The guys that I've met so far from the forum have all been pretty welcoming to me and my fellow newbies it just takes time and effort.
Firi offered me a pie last year.
Guys come on, you can't expect a group a guys who all probably met through the forum to walk up to an individual and make them feel comfortable. You've got to socialize with the guys, come for meets if you can, greet the guys as you walk past them, compliment their cars/clothing, basically just add something to start a bond. Last year at ODI/Clarens there were some guys that I've never seen or known before and this year they're like family to me.
The point of this post was to get some tips on how to better the events and get more attendance not complain about the groups of people that "stick to themselves" so come on guys you need to put in some effort, we're all car enthusiasts here and we all share a common liking for cars so put some effort in and make friends.
The guys that I've met so far from the forum have all been pretty welcoming to me and my fellow newbies it just takes time and effort.
GoCart
///Member
I personally do not care much for days at ODI, or dyno events... if however we were to do track days, even something in the Vaal sometime, I'd be interested for sure. In this way, we can all do what we love, and that is to drive our cars and not stand around not fitting in the we know everything and you know nothing groups.
ANiMOSiTY
BMW Car Club Member
BMWs are drivers cars, even the older ones.
I had an E39 M5 that I took to multiple track days, Tarlton, skidpan / gymkhana days etc etc and guess what happened to it? Nothing.
It overheated on Z once, but I did a cool-down lap and carried on.
They're engineered to be driven.
Sure, it's completely understandable that this isn't to everybody's tastes, but there has to be a bit of compromise and the way to do that is to alternate event types.
Yes, unfortunately you do get the guys who showboat and ruin it for the rest.
You know how you handle that? You askthem to stop, or they can leave the club. Simple.
I had an E39 M5 that I took to multiple track days, Tarlton, skidpan / gymkhana days etc etc and guess what happened to it? Nothing.
It overheated on Z once, but I did a cool-down lap and carried on.
They're engineered to be driven.
Sure, it's completely understandable that this isn't to everybody's tastes, but there has to be a bit of compromise and the way to do that is to alternate event types.
Yes, unfortunately you do get the guys who showboat and ruin it for the rest.
You know how you handle that? You askthem to stop, or they can leave the club. Simple.
Ralf*
///Member
ANiMOSiTY said:
I am sure I will look like a real "prat" if I take the old "gal" 530d on a gentle sightseeing cruise around the track
hell my tyres are on their last legs, but finances dictate that I try to squeeze another 1/2 year worth of driving on them, maybe even a full year, so no harsh manouvres allowed, unless I win the lotto
Sent from my GT-P1000 using Tapatalk 2
NtandoN
///Member
Arbee@TheFanatics said:
Thanks Arbee for opening up a feedback platform.
I attended the Car Candy event on Saturday. I enjoyed it very much, as it was my first event. I saw many great looking cars, especially the fanatics cars. However, I found it difficult to mingle. It was fairly packed and I could not work out who was a fanatic or not. That for me would have been a great icebreaker to meet fellow fanatics and start chatting. I stayed for a short period because I wandering alone for most of the time.
Have you guys thought of having a fanatics stand at these kinds of events for noobs like me? That would be a great start to meet with fellow fanatics.
my 2 cents ,since you asked for it
a couple of years ago I was the person to start of the midnight runs/ice cream meet ups,first event was 7 cars,next was 45 plus,then the biggest ever,we gave up at 100 as the cars still rolled into the Caltex garage,after that I held another 5 succefully runs with at least 50 cars at a time.
I stopped doing it as being awake for nearly 24 hours and doing over 350km in one day was taking it out of me
after that there became fights amongst the members,many left,those that didn't leave didn't feel welcome,even too this day I hear that I accepted freebies with my fellow mods at the time,which is a load of bull
but after this I started not to feel welcome,and left for a long period,i then came back and tried again,unfortunatelly I pitched up in my new toy,a land rover,and even though was greeted by some of the old faces,still felt out.
since then,i done a couple of vw events,and had more fun with them,than here,hell I even have more fun with guys on the 4x4 tracks,and that is only about 8 cars.
also the forum isn't the same as it was 3 to 4 years agohech,i even removed my bmwfanatics stickers,as this forum had become about who has the fastest car,the fun factor has gone,as was said,it is now all about a business.
well that's about it from me,doubt you will see me at an event
cheers herr bmw
a couple of years ago I was the person to start of the midnight runs/ice cream meet ups,first event was 7 cars,next was 45 plus,then the biggest ever,we gave up at 100 as the cars still rolled into the Caltex garage,after that I held another 5 succefully runs with at least 50 cars at a time.
I stopped doing it as being awake for nearly 24 hours and doing over 350km in one day was taking it out of me
after that there became fights amongst the members,many left,those that didn't leave didn't feel welcome,even too this day I hear that I accepted freebies with my fellow mods at the time,which is a load of bull
but after this I started not to feel welcome,and left for a long period,i then came back and tried again,unfortunatelly I pitched up in my new toy,a land rover,and even though was greeted by some of the old faces,still felt out.
since then,i done a couple of vw events,and had more fun with them,than here,hell I even have more fun with guys on the 4x4 tracks,and that is only about 8 cars.
also the forum isn't the same as it was 3 to 4 years agohech,i even removed my bmwfanatics stickers,as this forum had become about who has the fastest car,the fun factor has gone,as was said,it is now all about a business.
well that's about it from me,doubt you will see me at an event
cheers herr bmw
VictorMike
///Member
Honestly, its like people only read what they want to read, and am REALLY starting to resent all the snide remarks and accusations.
So let me make it as clear as possible, so that there is no misunderstanding:
I did not sit in a corner and expect people to come to me.
I did not pass judgment based on race (also, am not Afrikaans by a LONG shot, am not even from SA). On a personal note, I detest with every cell in my body being called a racist. Please don't ever insinuate that again. Ever.
I literally approached a number of groups of people, and introduced myself. Let me re-iterate, I physically walked up to people, extended my hand and said: "Hey, I'm from the forums, VukMiler" (or something to that effect). Responses ranged from "Cool" to no sound at all, and people just nodding (apart from the few people I have mentioned, who were actually friendly). I had a really nice talk with the gentleman with the forced induction e36.
But 5 people out of 150, do not a social event make, and at the end of the night, I did not feel like I was attending a social gathering of people with similar interest, I felt like I had walked into a the wrong party, where I was not invited or welcome.
Questions were asked as to the reason for the low attendance, and I gave my opinion based on actual experience, not made up bullshit, so stop trying to make me out to be some sort of socially awkward, judgmental, racist, asshole.
//RANT!
Now that I have that out the way, let me try and be part of the solution:
I do not expect people to force members to be more friendly, that would be ludicrous!
But maybe at events, the mods can wear identifying clothing (like the caps that have been suggested), so that newbies can easily identify them and then use them as a conduit into the pre-existing social circles.
So let me make it as clear as possible, so that there is no misunderstanding:
I did not sit in a corner and expect people to come to me.
I did not pass judgment based on race (also, am not Afrikaans by a LONG shot, am not even from SA). On a personal note, I detest with every cell in my body being called a racist. Please don't ever insinuate that again. Ever.
I literally approached a number of groups of people, and introduced myself. Let me re-iterate, I physically walked up to people, extended my hand and said: "Hey, I'm from the forums, VukMiler" (or something to that effect). Responses ranged from "Cool" to no sound at all, and people just nodding (apart from the few people I have mentioned, who were actually friendly). I had a really nice talk with the gentleman with the forced induction e36.
But 5 people out of 150, do not a social event make, and at the end of the night, I did not feel like I was attending a social gathering of people with similar interest, I felt like I had walked into a the wrong party, where I was not invited or welcome.
Questions were asked as to the reason for the low attendance, and I gave my opinion based on actual experience, not made up bullshit, so stop trying to make me out to be some sort of socially awkward, judgmental, racist, asshole.
//RANT!
Now that I have that out the way, let me try and be part of the solution:
I do not expect people to force members to be more friendly, that would be ludicrous!
But maybe at events, the mods can wear identifying clothing (like the caps that have been suggested), so that newbies can easily identify them and then use them as a conduit into the pre-existing social circles.
Wow...
I am surprised how the many people have come out the woodwork with very little of value other than complaints... if all this has been festering on your chests then why not reach for your mouse and pm an events/mod/admin individual and get it off instead?
The excuse of cliques existing and nobody new can get holds very little water, in KZN we have our youth league members who are a team of youngsters with barely stubble on their chins(or elsewhere):crazylaugh: They didn't let the lack of fast cars or daddy's cars hamper their passion, a year later they are all involved in assisting with KZN fanatics in a big way and have been a roaring success in their efforts. the reason is they reached out and made an effort...
So while there are a lot of smart and cynical comments, I ask you, are you willing to sacrifice your free time for no reward to do a better job than the events teams? instead of complaining about how there aren't events to your liking, propose an idea and carry out some leg work to make it happen...
I am surprised how the many people have come out the woodwork with very little of value other than complaints... if all this has been festering on your chests then why not reach for your mouse and pm an events/mod/admin individual and get it off instead?
The excuse of cliques existing and nobody new can get holds very little water, in KZN we have our youth league members who are a team of youngsters with barely stubble on their chins(or elsewhere):crazylaugh: They didn't let the lack of fast cars or daddy's cars hamper their passion, a year later they are all involved in assisting with KZN fanatics in a big way and have been a roaring success in their efforts. the reason is they reached out and made an effort...
So while there are a lot of smart and cynical comments, I ask you, are you willing to sacrifice your free time for no reward to do a better job than the events teams? instead of complaining about how there aren't events to your liking, propose an idea and carry out some leg work to make it happen...
VictorMike
///Member
BMW Fanatics: Hey why is no one attending our events?
Forum members: reason a, reason b, reason c, reason d, reason e...
BMW Fanatics: SHUT UP! There is obviously something wrong with you! Why cant you be like these other guys over here, that are 700kms away from the event you are complaining about.
Forum members: wtf?
Forum members: reason a, reason b, reason c, reason d, reason e...
BMW Fanatics: SHUT UP! There is obviously something wrong with you! Why cant you be like these other guys over here, that are 700kms away from the event you are complaining about.
Forum members: wtf?
JadielM
Events Organiser
:facepalm:VukMiler said:
Arbee addressed all of the issues brought forward in this thread, in the form of a list. You continued to rant, hence the replies from staff.
We hear you loud and clear.
Try to understand that most staff members take ludicrous amounts of time away from their jobs, families and personal lives, in order to co-ordinate these events with the utmost pride and passion, which is the reasoning behind the somewhat stern replies. Nobody enjoys having their hardwork nitpicked at, especially when solutions have been brought forward for future events, as well as many constructive suggestions, along with explanations for all of the concerns. Please take the time out to read this thread from beginning to end, once again, before replying, and rest assured that every concern you have will be addressed to the best of our abilities from here on. :coolshake:
VictorMike
///Member
JadielM@TheFanatics said:
I have no issue with Arbee. He has been exemplary in his conduct, and is one of the main reasons I am sticking around. But he is not the only @theFanatics here, and a lot of them are turning this into a conflict.
JadielM@TheFanatics said:
Fair enough, and I do sympathise. Furthermore, I do think that the members that have given criticism would much rather work with the mods to come up with solutions (as in my post before Kish's), rather than have to fend of personal attacks and insinuations.
:coolShake:
splintheter
///Member
I'm sitting here at 4am in the UK with nothing to do and I re-read this thread from beginning to end. The thing that surprised me is how many of the @fanatics comments harbour what appears to be genuine animosity for members. As well as how many feel their hard work is unappreciated.
As I have said before Fanatics is a business and the Mods are the management team. Now in any business if you start taking out your issues on people below you in the hierarchy then all you are doing is creating a foundation which will get weaker and weaker. Complaints and frustrations need to go up, and in this case I guess it's the forum owners who need to address why you feel unappreciated for spending your time and money organising events.
It's not the average forum members job to pat the organising team on the back, when an event is organised. Of course any decent human being would be appreciative.
I am no fool, I know there are many of you who love volunteering and spending most of your life keeping this forum running, and for this Im thankfull, but judging by some of the @fanatics replies on this thread, I'm not sure the Thanks is reciprocal to its members, who were asked for comments.
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As I have said before Fanatics is a business and the Mods are the management team. Now in any business if you start taking out your issues on people below you in the hierarchy then all you are doing is creating a foundation which will get weaker and weaker. Complaints and frustrations need to go up, and in this case I guess it's the forum owners who need to address why you feel unappreciated for spending your time and money organising events.
It's not the average forum members job to pat the organising team on the back, when an event is organised. Of course any decent human being would be appreciative.
I am no fool, I know there are many of you who love volunteering and spending most of your life keeping this forum running, and for this Im thankfull, but judging by some of the @fanatics replies on this thread, I'm not sure the Thanks is reciprocal to its members, who were asked for comments.
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andre320D
New member
This is the way I see it.
When you purchase a BMW at a bmw dealership and they call you 3 months later(example) and ask you to give feedback of your purchase experience and you tell them for instance that you felt that your vehicle was not cleaned properly. The bmw representative is not going to tell you but WHY didnt you tell the sales person there and then that your vehicle is not clean. Why do you wait for someone to call to say these things.
Feedback - Is to confirm that the forum is on the right track or that improvements/changes need to be made.
I also share the view that some of the @Fanatics comments are disappointing.
My 2cents.
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using Tapatalk
When you purchase a BMW at a bmw dealership and they call you 3 months later(example) and ask you to give feedback of your purchase experience and you tell them for instance that you felt that your vehicle was not cleaned properly. The bmw representative is not going to tell you but WHY didnt you tell the sales person there and then that your vehicle is not clean. Why do you wait for someone to call to say these things.
Feedback - Is to confirm that the forum is on the right track or that improvements/changes need to be made.
I also share the view that some of the @Fanatics comments are disappointing.
My 2cents.
Sent from my iPhone 64
using Tapatalk
Ashy Boi
Active member
I attend meets when i can, there are times when stuff comes up and one cannot make it.
The first event i went to i was alone, however i did not feel out of place, i did chat to a few guys, even standing in their circle listening to the jokes shows what a great group this is.
I know the feeling of going to an event alone, but we are here for common reason, the love for cars. I always have a buddy or two with me when i come to events, so that rules out the "lonely" feeling.
@Mods - maybe setting up a convoy to each event from different area will help. I for one love convoys, aint nothing like driving with 10+ BMWs turning heads on the freeway :rollsmile:
Just remember guys - You get out what you put in, don't let one bad experience turn you off, it is a great community that we have here, guys that will go out of their way for you to assist when they can, it is up to each one of us too build The Fanatics brand.
P.S - excuse the typos
The first event i went to i was alone, however i did not feel out of place, i did chat to a few guys, even standing in their circle listening to the jokes shows what a great group this is.
I know the feeling of going to an event alone, but we are here for common reason, the love for cars. I always have a buddy or two with me when i come to events, so that rules out the "lonely" feeling.
@Mods - maybe setting up a convoy to each event from different area will help. I for one love convoys, aint nothing like driving with 10+ BMWs turning heads on the freeway :rollsmile:
Just remember guys - You get out what you put in, don't let one bad experience turn you off, it is a great community that we have here, guys that will go out of their way for you to assist when they can, it is up to each one of us too build The Fanatics brand.
P.S - excuse the typos
AdiS
Well-known member
splintheter said:
I think this is probably how a most of TheFanatics team are feeling, but I agree 100% with Anthony. This should be treated like a business problem. If you have a product that is not selling, you don't get upset about how the market is not appreciating your effort, you ask yourself what changes you need to make in order to satisfy the market and make the product a success.
Research, listen to the market (and don't get upset by the feedback), learn, think strategically about what changes to make, and then execute. Repeat the process until things start working.
Arbee has been trying to keep things constructive in this discussion, and I think everyone should support him in that.
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