Topic for Conversation : Why are members leaving VLJ?

[MikeyB-17]

Some of it is 'natural wastage' as guys just lose interest in the subject and move on to the next thing, I can think of a few that have done that. I have heard more than one complaint that it's too much about repros and not originals any more. Probably the increasing prices of both repros and originals is driving some away from jacket collecting. I know I have given up hope of ever owning an original of significant age. Some I'm afraid just seem to get the hump about something and storm off. I don't really know what can be done to stop people leaving. Things are busier here than they were a while back, I personally have no complaints, me I just keep plodding along. My interests are cyclic, one thing will come to the fore for a while, but I still stop in here every day pretty much without fail whatever my current fad.

 

[33-1729]

Being consciously respectful and gracious sometimes requires one to place their ego in check, while they seek to understand. The key word being “consciously” as we can easily disrespect someone by poorly chosen words, such as “so called”, when that is not the intent. It’s always easier to communicate with someone in person as body language conveys the majority of our thoughts and I think about that when I write as I do not wish to offend.

With that said, yes, I miss learning from Andrew et al and hope they are all doing well and will return. I'm thrilled Ken is still here.

 

[Smithy]

Some of it is 'natural wastage' as guys just lose interest in the subject and move on to the next thing

Like surfing with Queensland Andrew Mikey. We don't see anything of him anymore after the boarding bug hit. You want to be careful living in Cornwall Mikey, if you're not careful the flying jackets will be out the window and it'll be all Hot Tuna boardshorts and Billabong spring suits before you know it.

 

[Carl]

Being consciously respectful and gracious sometimes requires one to place their ego in check, while they seek to understand. The key word being “consciously” as we can easily disrespect someone by poorly chosen words, such as “so called”, when that is not the intent. It’s always easier to communicate with someone in person as body language conveys the majority of our thoughts and I think about that when I write as I do not wish to offend.

With that said, yes, I miss learning from Andrew et al and hope they are all doing well and will return. I'm thrilled Ken is still here.

Whats poorly chosen about "so called". ?
Who is an expert ??
Spoke about this before in another thread .Experts become elitists and full of aggrandizement.

Obviously the members that have left are so sorely missed anyone thought of asking them back ?? Or the reason why they left in the first place ?
Yes a good friend who was on here has left and i know the reason why . But thats upto them to explain their individual reasons .
We all get "pissed on" at some time in our life , what you take from that is upto each person .If you cant take criticism and want to have a temper tantrum and throw the toys out the pram then so be it.
Im going nowhere !

 

[Edward]

well, don't thank me all at once! look I TRIED really really hard to turn this into the WWII Coffee mug of the month club and vintage Cocktail peanuts can group but you all resisted! nay, you ignored me and my ego is HUUUUUUUGGGGGE! so I'm gonna bugger off and take my USAAF Seth Thomas clock with me! so there!

I still enjoy reading posts and digging deep into posts I wasn't around for. I can only hope I come across a vintage jacket one day. and if I do I know where to come for info and advice!

(thanks for letting me be a goofball) lol!

 

[Carl]

well, don't thank me all at once! look I TRIED really really hard to turn this into the WWII Coffee mug of the month club and vintage Cocktail peanuts can group but you all resisted! nay, you ignored me and my ego is HUUUUUUUGGGGGE! so I'm gonna bugger off and take my USAAF Seth Thomas clock with me! so there!

I still enjoy reading posts and digging deep into posts I wasn't around for. I can only hope I come across a vintage jacket one day.

(thanks for letting me be a goofball) lol!

 

[MikeyB-17]

Like surfing with Queensland Andrew Mikey. We don't see anything of him anymore after the boarding bug hit. You want to be careful living in Cornwall Mikey, if you're not careful the flying jackets will be out the window and it'll be all Hot Tuna boardshorts and Billabong spring suits before you know it.

Was doing all that thirty years ago Smithy, except it was skateboarding and not surfing. To my eternal shame, I never got into surfing. Keep meaning to take it up, never quite seem to manage it, although I know a good wave when I see one. Everybody wears surf clothing down here, no shortage of surf shorts in my drawer.

 

[Smithy]

Was doing all that thirty years ago Smithy, except it was skateboarding and not surfing. To my eternal shame, I never got into surfing. Keep meaning to take it up, never quite seem to manage it, although I know a good wave when I see one. Everybody wears surf clothing down here, no shortage of surf shorts in my drawer.

I used to surf back home. I was quite into it too until I got a bit of a fright which put me off. I've got a mate here from Cornwall who's told me there's excellent breaks on the Cornish coast. There's still time Mikey although I imagine you need a full suit rather than a spring suit most of the year.

 

[ausreenactor]

You can see more or show more at a faster pace on Facebook forums with more specific focus.

 

[MikeyB-17]

I used to surf back home. I was quite into it too until I got a bit of a fright which put me off. I've got a mate here from Cornwall who's told me there's excellent breaks on the Cornish coast. There's still time Mikey although I imagine you need a full suit rather than a spring suit most of the year.

Yeah we can get World class surf on a good day, Newquay is on the tour for several big surf competitions. I always try to make it over there for Boardmasters if I can. I have loads of friends who surf, even when sensible people are wearing B-3’s! My mate, if the weather man said surf conditions were dangerous, would immediately rush for his board! Maybe when I retire!

 

[taikonaut]

I know I have given up hope of ever owning an original of significant age.

What originals are you after?

 

[Silver Surfer]

surf? did ya write surf? hahahahahaha, im off to playa guiones cr tomorrow for some nice clean shore brake. when-if it gets over head there, it gets fast and juicy. if it gets big, theres a cove an hour or so down the road that kinda sets up like places in hawaii, that works in the double o+ range. why mention it? cause im leaving the vlj.....................just for a coupla weeks, that is. like the fella says, "when ya gotta go, ya gotta go".

 

[MikeyB-17]

What originals are you after?

I'm not after anything in all honesty. I have never owned an original A-2, I came close once but it never happened. I have had any number of G-1's, but nothing older than a 50's 7823(AER). I have never had a wartime jacket full stop. But TBH I can't justify spending the money they cost these days for something that is likely to sit in the wardrobe.

 

[taikonaut]

Get one that is wearable and has no provenance that you need to be concern about.

 

[Smithy]

My mate, if the weather man said surf conditions were dangerous, would immediately rush for his board!

I had a mate like that too, whenever there was a storm and the wind was right for it to be offshore he'd be calling work and pulling a sickie.

Maybe when I retire!

Beats bowls!

 

[Thomas Koehle]

well i think in Forums is always a like "come and go" - i remember at least 5 Forums where i have been active but since the circumstances of my life and also my interests "develop" (i think they don't really Change but get into a different state) my participation in Forums Change ...

as for me i did not really recognize that much of a loss but off course i'm maybe simply not Long enuff participating and due to that maybe do not miss specific persons - so far Person that come in my mind are GEBOO and NKANG which have been more active

other than that???

maybe another reason for me not to get that affected by a loss of those 100% cracks 'n specialists is that i simply not interested in such a depth all all the Details of those jackets - for me the Overall Impression is what Counts

anyway - if there is a remarkable loss THX to Burt to bring that issue up but so far i do not have a clue how to improve - i was and still am highly satisfied with what i learn, with the issues that get discussed and actually i feel kinda "at home" in the relaxed and friendly atmosphere on VLJ

just my 2 cents

 

[taikonaut]

I remember when VLJ first started and I got an invite to join. I remember John Chapman of GW being here and we emailed a lot when he first started his business and meant to order a jacket from him. Things got in the way somehow.
I stayed for a little while and left but came back here a couple of weeks ago.

 

[Stony]

I've been a member of these forums since back in the Yahoo days and I have come and gone several times as I've gotten busy with life or had other interests come and go.

Originals are my forte and I've only owned a couple of repros over the years, neither of which I still own. I have also noticed like other members, that you rarely see an original for sale on here. If I'm not interested in something being discussed on the forums, then I will not comment on it. I do like posting pictures of items I have and also like seeing other members' items that I have an interest in.

What I don't like, and what caused a long time member to leave recently, is when one or more members get on someone that hasn't posted a profile or "glad to be here" thread because they ask opinions on what something they have is worth. People are different and if they don't want to post in the new members section, then don't get on them for not doing it. The "unwelcome" wagon won't get them to stay. Be nice to people and they will feel comfortable and stick around. Be a dick and they will leave. It's really a simple concept.

I am active now, but down the road something else may catch my attention for a while, but I still will come around occasionally and then will become active again as that is my pattern since the forums inception.

 

[taikonaut]

I am considering putting my original WW2 Dubow on sale here soon. Too big for me

I think this place need more ladies to join to increase interest. What do you think?

 

[Rutger]

This forum is just like the real world. People come, people go, some stick around forever. This forum isn't the fleeting experience that facebook represents.