Why don't you participate in contests? Yes, YOU!

[Frank Pellow]

I do particiapate in most of the contests here and I do enjoy them.  [big grin]

I have even been a winner in a FOG contest (twice). [thanks]

 

[PeterK]

Well - Frank
You know we just felt sorry for you and let you win. 
We all know you won a winter's supply of firewood !!
Can't have our Northern friend freeze to death.  [big grin]

 

[GPowers]

Being a relatively new to the FOG, I was surprised at the lack of participation in the contest. This fact and the value of the prize stimulated me in to participate in the review contest. Not something I normally do.  Plus I'am only a part time woodworking hobbyist and spar time is relative scarce. But once I started it was fun.

So thanks Shane for putting on the contests.  I would have participated in the MKF 700 router contest, but do not own one.

Looking forward to the next opportunity. Maybe I will be able to participate again.  

 

[Rob-GB]

I like the competitions, they throw up some really interesting things.
I have not entered due to not having either experience of the product or not owning something others had not written quality reviews about. The charity one was a different issue, I did not think it proper to post a charity project undertaken prior to my owning a Festool product. ( and installing a new cooker top for an elderly  neighbour on New Year's eve when hers broke, would not be much to write about! Trion's have been covered before) ;D. I have posted about things I have and thought needed a bit of a say, and will continue to do so.
Hopefully there will something in the future I can have a go at. Keep 'em coming!

Rob.

 

[Neill]

I do particiapate in most of the contests here and I do enjoy them.  [big grin]

I have even been a winner in a FOG contest (twice). [thanks]

Frank,

You won because you cheated.  You entered!  [smile]

Neill

 

[Administrator_JSVN]

I nominate that the winner of a contest is the one responsible for choosing the format and theme of the next contest.

Good luck, Andreas.  We're counting on you!  [blink]

 

[peter halle]

Actually, there MIGHT be a little quick contest before Andreas can come up with one.  Shane is a fast typer.

Peter

 

[EcoFurniture]

I nominate that the winner of a contest is the one responsible for choosing the format and theme of the next contest.

Good luck, Andreas.  We're counting on you!  [blink]

Ok, Ok I'm on it!  [tongue]

 

[EcoFurniture]

Couple of thoughts:

The idea I have in mind will not be aimed at one specific Festool item! That gives a fair chance to everyone.
It doesn't matter if you own your own company/shop or not!
It will not require a lot of time to participate!

It's very simple:

Tell us, the most unique, fun, outstanding situation (documented with a picture/video) you had while using any Festool! This could be, for example, working high up on a wind turbine (as shown in a recent video), or you taught you dog ( or cat--Rick, did you read this?!) how to run the TS55, or maybe you converted your rotex into a winch while touring Africa in your Land Cruiser....

Shane, can I also pick the prize? PLLEEEAAAASSSSEEEEEE  [big grin]

How is that? [smile]

 

[rnt80]

I agree with the project based contests, I honestly dont have much time to sit and take a million pictures for a tool review, especially when there are so many reviews out there already. Project based contests for me please.

I would certainly echo this.  I guess it's a matter of priorities.  Technically speaking I guess I have the time but it's spent working on jobs not taking pictures or writing about the process (more power to those that do).  Since the use of these tools is part of my job it would be a huge waste of time if I spent 3-4 hours doing the documenting thing with the hope that it would win me a new tool only to find out that it didn't.  It's really just a matter of choice, as I think David mentioned earlier, the ROI is just not worth it to me.

 

[mhoy]

I've participated and actually won something!  Many of the projects done by the rest of the members take a lot of time and skill. As to the reviews, well, they too take a lot of time to do a good job. So the best contest for me is one in that a random draw can win.  [embarassed] 

Ideas:
Award a well presented 'how-to' build with pix (many of which have already been posted).
How about short projects that take minimal time/skill but improves something around the home/office/etc.
Or some kind of short time limit on how long it takes to build something.

Mark

 

[tigger]

Hi Shane

I've been thinking about this since you posted the question and, like most have already posted, came up with the same answers. But I think I have one extra point for you to consider.
Why are school raffles, fun raisers etc so successful? More than one prize is the answer. Not 10 Rotex sanders  [eek] (that would be nice) but a first, second, third prize and maybe also a FOG T shirt for the first 20 entrants or runners up. Whatever. [scratch chin]

Theis dispells the idea that as an entrant, I have only ONE chance. Now at least, I'm in the running for something. - Make sense?

Anyway, thats been my experience from a marketing perspective.

 

[ScotF]

I enjoy the contests/lottery and entered the recent Tool Review contest.  I do not own the MFK700 or I would participate and since I am a member, I am not eligible for the magazine subscription.  As others have said, limiting the contest to a specific tool or geography will limit participation.  I had a lot of fun with my tool reviews and I will enter more contests in the future as I think that they are fun. 

Maybe a contest on how Festool has changed the way you work would be interesting...this would apply to anyone who owns one or more Festool tools...many users may only have one Festool tool to start.  However, they acquired that tool for a reason and it has more than likely changed how they work in general or on a specific project.  Since several folks own multiple tools, we might learn of new tools or unique ways of using our tools that would go beyond a mere review of a tool.  I think that the entry should be limited to one per member and maybe you have a drawing at the end to award prizes for first, second, third etc...  I like the suggestion of having multple prizes for the entrants.

I do think that Shane, Peter, Matthew and everyone that makes the FOG what it is is doing a great job and I certainly am very appreciative.

Scot

 

[harry_]

some thoughts as echoed by others:

Reviews:
I had thought to write one, but the best camera I own is my cell phone so I thought the pictures would be sub-par. Additionally as other reviews poured in, I thought, what more can I say that hasn't been said.

Projects:
Quite easy to be intimidated by some of the others in this group.

Maybe to help alleviate some of these inhibitions the contests could be "blind entry" the idea is as follows:
(Sorry Shane, this might require some back-end work from you)

1. Announce the contest at the top of the thread.
2. Then make the thread "write only" (users can read only the opening post) until the contest is over and winner is decided.
3. Open the thread to full functionality with the announcement of the winner.

By doing it this way there will be no visible 'intimidation factors'. No one will be able to see who has entered what until the contest is over.

Another thought:
I think that some may not enter because of the prize. We seem to be a fairly respectable bunch and I am willing to bet that if you were giving away , if someone already has one they are less likely to enter. Sure the member _could_ take the new one, and ebay/craig's list the old one, but that just doesn't seem like this group. there is also the issue of 'region specifics'. I think that both of these could be cured (wouldn't know how to deal with it on the Festool side of the equation but...) with a "gift certificate" type thing redeemable at any Festool retailer. This way the winner could pick a tool that (s)he doesn't already own.

[2cents]

 

[nickao]

Harry it is way to late for that to work. Everyone has already seen the reviews that have been put out on this forum. No one has to actually read a particular thread to know how good the reviews can get. The intimidation is already there even now with no contest. Unless you are brand new to the forum it won't make anyone forget  that someone can and probably is  putting up something similar to reviews we have read in the past.

And for projects it is the same thing. I have seen eiji and many others work and I am not going to forget about  it.

 

[harry_]

nick,

But with the 'blindness', we will never know if they actually entered

 

[peter halle]

Here is a contest that less than 60 people have entered.  Open till midnight tonight.  Right or wrong you will be entered into a drawing that will be the next FOG project.

Here is the link:  Look to the future!

 

[Matthew Schenker]

However, the only time I entered a FOG contest (way before Shane's time) I felt that the judging was biased.  I got the feeling that the winner was selected based more on established participation in FOG (I was a newbie) than on the merit of the entry.  It left a sour taste that isn't Shane's fault, but makes me reluctant to bother again.

I can guarantee that no FOG contests were ever biased towards established participation.  Check out the history of the contests and you'll see that new members won often.  However, in certain cases (project-based contests, for example) it's possible that people with more woodworking experience may have had some kind of unintentional advantage.  But even that, I believe, was evened out by other factors.

Thanks,
Matthew

 

[Wonderwino]

I always thought they were fixed. [poke]  But seriously, since Fuller got my drill in the last contest I participated in, I've lost all my confidence and my wife left me.  Thanks Fuller!!!

Maybe you should have built a doghouse, Chris!  [scared]  [poke]  [big grin]

I like to participate, but I don't always have time.  If the prize is something I already have, I leave it for those who really need it.  Now let's see, what I DON'T have: OF1400, OF2200, TS55, MFT3s, Kapex, RO150FEQ, Trion, CT36, Carvex, Planex, Vacuum clamp.....

 

[pugilato]

To win one of these beautiful pieces of equipment, I'll enter any contest.  If I am the only entrant, then I am the winner by default, yes?

One thought is that everyone knows that Festool is somewhat pricey (that's what they say about Macs), so how about a contest on why its worthwhile putting up the extra cash for a festool.  It could be written or in a movie format.