Rob...
I don't really disagree with you and I have said on here many times the PM system is a disgrace because for mature grown allegedly intelligent men some of the stuff sent is like a little fish wives convention. He did this and they said that and guess who is doing what against whom!!!!
I avoid it like I avoid boring and dreary figures!!!LOL I also from very early on have had no trouble seeing who is actually critiquing for the reasons we all want better and more accurate AFV's and troops and figures and who is doing it as a wind up. (I do use PM but, I say what I have to say to people instead of behind their backs. I think, you know this though!!!)
Terry is spot on though as more and more its the collectors of K&C (off the top of my head I have seen CFM, polar bear and scott all take rubbish for speaking out against things they don't like. Hardly not K&C collectors) who face this torrent of abuse from the owner and those who feel they need to defend the manufacturer cause he is a mate and, the pack that feels it must follow suit.
I don't think I have spoken to an actual hater. I have spoken to a few who immensely dislike Andy because of the way he speaks to his customers but, nearly everyone has been a collector of the stuff at one time or another. some move on and collect what they see as better. That's subjective though as everything has its plus and negative points no matter who is making it.
I don't even mind if someone says that's a pile of doggy doo well, tell me why you think that. we are hear to talk toy soldiers and that is part of the tapestry. some will like stuff some will hate it. I just don't get emotional if someone says what I buy is pants and theirs is better. I still sleep well, and once logged off get on with what I have to do. I wonder how many have actually logged off and have been angry about what has been said about Toy soldiers???
Everyone must change for things to move on and as I recently said if people keep displacing issues that affect not just the forum but the hobby onto a small allegedly called usual suspect group the problems will still keep happening with the same people which, as everyone who has been on more than say four years will know that these arguments etc are nothing new the only thing that differs is some of the personnel change.
Everyone should go back and look at a number of threads to see this and read a thread Pat placed on here I think entitled ''I am ashamed'' or similar to see the issues that have been ever present because people have problems allowing or listening to people who have a different opinion speak because they dare not like my chosen toys.
I remember clearly yourself and two dealers telling me I should distance myself from seemingly siding with a member who was making comments about K&C. I suppose, in today's vernacular it would be seen as ''Ad Nauzzeum'' I did not get it then and I still don't. we are hear to talk about Toy soldiers and, some are good and some are not so good to bordering on being pants but, we should all want to speak about it as we all are interested in the hobby. I know I am and never tire of the scale, Haig, Monty etc threads there all a part of it. to attack someone personally because they like something different is bizarre.
Mitch
Of course part of the problem is that some folk partake of the ' poisonous pm' and think that fully acceptable, but if YOU defend yourself however robustly on the forum then they mount up their horse of moral outrage. I think if everybody (myself included) thought more about what they posted or pm'ed then things might be less volatile around here and that might lead to an atmosphere where genuine criticism would not be confused with hating and baiting.
And before anyone asks I am NOT talking of Mitch here!^&grin (I thought that might save us having another row Mitch:wink2
I have said this many times before so forgive me, but if someone says ' I'm not buying the Tank because the camo is wrong and I don't like the tracks, well in my books that's freedom of speech. But if someone says this Tank is a pile of £$%" and those buying it are "£$% idiots then they pretty much get what they deserve.
Wouldn't it be good if we could actually discuss items , the good and the bad, without pages of deletions/infractions.
Just my thoughts , as you were
Rob
