October News

Member list cut:-

We were amazed at the response that a topic started this month led to. The topic titled "Is your trade status due to expire? ("Status Lapsed" member group)." led to a huge debate on the forum as to what a member of Ifitstuff with trade status should do per year to keep their status, the results from a poll voted by 123 members showed the following:-

-Members should do nothing each year to keep their status (20)-
-Members should post some technical information each year (42)-
-Members should pay an annual subscription (17)-
-Members who post tech info who would also like to pay (35)-
-Other votes (9)

Following the poll and general feedback that members should contribute to the forum by posting technical information we started a massive clear out of inactive members that has seen our member list drop from around 3,000 to just over 1,250! There have also been some status reductions that have seen other inactive members have there access reduced until they re apply for trade status.

We have taken this difficult step as a result of requests from members who contribute so very much to the site and believe that things should be fair and people should give as well as take. Our community is bulging with technical information of all installations to all vehicles as a result of valued members who contribute and it would be nothing with out them. So we apologise to anyone who has lost their status or account, we do want you back if you are prepared to contribute what you can.

Advertising price slashed:-

We also have a treat in store for our advertisers, it has been suggested that our advertising banners on the forum were too expensive!! We have taken this on board and have decided to slash the price of banners on the site by half! This will last for a trial period initially so we can gauge the response (visit www.ifitstuff.com/advertise.php or email advertising@ifitstuff.com for more details).

MEN Awards:-

Lights, Camera, action! Ifitstuff will be going to the MEN awards at Sopwell house on the 15Th September and we will have our film crew on hand to capture the events of the evening. If you are going to be there then come along to our table to say hello, if you are unable to make it this year then a video news clip will be on the site shortly afterwards (watch this space).

Free Prize Draw:-

The Free Prize Draw was thought up last summer as a way to encourage members to take their camera out with them while working and take pictures of installations and then to take the all important step of posting the pictures on the forum along with text information of what was needed and wiring colours etc. The member would then be entered along with other entries from the same month into a draw for a prize (with a minimum value of £40+VAT) donated by a very kind trade supplier! a simple idea that has scene the quality of technical information on Ifitstuff go through the roof.

The concept was launched October 2008 with the first month being sponsored by Peter Dallas of Daltec who gave away a set of Steelmate PTS400 reverse sensors which were won by Simon Eves. More recently CTA sponsored the August 2009 Prize Draw by giving away a state of the art 9.2" roof mounted DVD system which had a record amount of 24 entries and was won by David Beecham. The September prize draw sponsored by The Chameleon Group had a record breaking 27 entries and was won by Ian Mewse! Many thanks to all sponsors of the Free Prize Draw as it would not have been possible without you.

Other news:-

Jim Bute who is a veteran member of our forum will be fighting in his first amateur boxing match in Newcastle on the 26Th of November. Jim aged 47 has been training hard this year in the lead up to the event where he will be cheered on by Ifitstuff members who will have traveled hundreds of miles to support him.