Ways to improve reviews section?

[wflaschka]

Originally Posted by Dclax07

I know a lot of people on this board fence alot, so maybe you can put together a "Fencing.net's Set", and put togethor a beginners, intermediate, advanced set. Include prices and where to buy

This would be a life-saver for lots of instructors (meeeeee)... to simply say, "For equipment, visit http://www.fencing.net/newfencer." And it has everything mapped out.

OTOH, this makes fencing.net a consumer advocate, which carries a bunch of hassles. Can fencing.net really give a "2004 Fencing.net Stamp of Approval" without getting a copy of each starter-set from each supplier? Would a 2004 Fencing.net Stamp of Approval be a big enough feather in the cap for the supplier, and would fencing.net be able to send over enough shoppers? Probably.

Probably, one of the respected armorers on the board could work with Craig to test/review each starter set. Fencing.net would then issue a stamp of approval (a nice web graphic, some stickers) to the top starter sets in terms of price/quality. And then post the armorer review(s) to the /newfencer page, and link to vendor's web page.

For new fencers (or non-fencing parents), the equipment maze is horrible to navigate. I believe a stamp of approval would be pretty useful, but it would entail more work for this website. OTOH, the review process would only have to happen once a year.

[JEC]

The alternative is to have members vote on the items as we did once before for certain items and best US vendors.

[Dclax07]

Thats exactly what i was suggesting, kind of like an

"editors choice"...

Thier could be different categories as well, such as "budget" where the stuff is cheap yet lasts long, "Pro" where the stuff is high range and top of the line, etc.

Instead of one person, i would suggest votes. But (craig?) would have to
pick respected "armorers" to vote, as this could turn into a very biased thing if everyone is allowed to vote, such as people with brand preferance, no experiance (me) etc. Have really experianced people that know equipment inside out vote.

The reason im saying more than one person, is people want opinions.
Even if people know one foil is better than the other, they want lots of opinions before they buy. So maybe like a comments section?

[Zilverzmurfen]

Have tried to submit allstar (GER) in the Equipment Suppliers section but they have still not turned up (submitted some two weeks ago)...

[Zilverzmurfen]

Originally Posted by Zilverzmurfen

Have tried to submit allstar (GER) in the Equipment Suppliers section but they have still not turned up (submitted some two weeks ago)...

I see Leon Paul has been added to the Equipment Suppliers section and allstar still hasn't...

I know most of you are in the US, but honestly, quite a number of us forumites are from Europe. And allstar is one the (if not THE) biggest brands in fencing equipment. Surely you can not deny that, Craig?

[tsalyards]

Post lightened.

-Tad

[CvilleFencer]

I think part of the problem is with the software itself. The Administrator has to add each vendor and item and so forth. It is a lot of work and Craig does have a real job (at least two now!), you know, the kind that is not done for free, unlike fencing.net!

If you have something you want to write a review about, fill out the form and suggest the item. Want to add a vendor? Fill out the form and suggest the vendor. Not any reviews of an item you are using and think it great? WRITE ONE! And two sentence reviews are a complete waste of time. If you don't have detailed info on the use and wear of something don't bother to waste the bandwidth on it. "Item X is cool. I think it is light and I like it a lot" is not a decent review!

Also a lot of what is sold by one vendor as their product is already listed, you just have to know something about fencing gear. Uhlmann/Allstar are the same company with the same equipment. The difference is the cut in some of the unis, the amount of padding on the bibs of the masks and rather you prefer red or blue. The blades Allstar sells are Vniti, StM, BF and FS. All of them are covered in the reviews section. All the parts and bits that say uhlman, if you insert allstar and paint them red you will have your review. Lighten up Tsalyard! If Craig or Fencing.net were trying to be biased they would not review Uhlmann/Allstar or PBT as those are their main competitors!

[Craig]

Originally Posted by Zilverzmurfen

I see Leon Paul has been added to the Equipment Suppliers section and allstar still hasn't...

I know most of you are in the US, but honestly, quite a number of us forumites are from Europe. And allstar is one the (if not THE) biggest brands in fencing equipment. Surely you can not deny that, Craig?

Allstar is listed as a vendor (manufacturer). There are quite a few allstar products listed in the reviews section. Was there a particular allstar product that you could not find?

Craig

[Zilverzmurfen]

Ah, no no... I just hought I'd share my view on the company based on my experience as a customer.

I thought of them as being a "supplier". I clearly have a language problem, I beg your pardon Craig!

[LUDICROUS]

I just suggested Allstar as a vendor as well. Why no Allstar? Sure, the forum is LP ish, but you have everyone else.... No cartel or carminari though

Edit: seconding Zmurfens idea of commenting as a customer dealing with allstar.

[Craig]

Allstar is there as a manufacturer. Nobody has submitted any carminari or cartel products for the review section yet and as they have no measurable presence in the US yet, there doesn't seem to be a need.

[KD5MDK]

It might be nice to split the lame section into foil and sabre. On the other hand, if one hasn't been reviewed, you can look at the other weapon's review of the same brand. Hmm.