WC posts/list affiliations

[Todd_NE]

Fellow WC devotees,

I'm not sure how everyone else feels, but I think posters/repliers should list their paid affiliations when:

1. Giving out information about products they represent.
2. Reviewing Competitor products
3. On any other "conflict of interest" posts.

For example, if I give someone information about Fisher boats, I think I should say up front that I'm affiliated with them. It gives me credibility and doesn't leave the impression I'm giving a "free will testimonial".

I also notice occasionally people ask a question like "I'm looking at a Alumacraft boat, whaddya think??" Someone else affiliated with Lund (for example) will then tout Lund as the boat to buy without mentioning they have a "deal". For illustration only, if someone says the RCL is great, fine, but say you run an RCL boat. If you don't like the RCL and YarCraft or some other non RCL manufacturer has you on staff, say it.

It just makes sense to me that anyone promoting a product in a paid manner just says it. Period. If you can't say it with a sponsor's name included, maybe it shouldn't be posted.... I've noticed some threads are really just people affiliated with products that pass themselves off as the "general public". That's not fair.

Anyway, food for thought. I wish everyone a prosperous and walleye bountiful new year.

Todd Consbruck/Nebraska
(Just so the potential bashers know my name, email is here too)

[bob oh]

I agree Todd. I would like that information when I am considering an opinion. I would not discount your opinion about Fisher boats, but I would like to know that you have a deal with them when I consider your opinion. If you're the only one who likes their boats I might not put much weight on your opinion, but then again, I might appreciate the fact that your have details about their product at hand. Cuts both ways. I run a charter on Erie and think people take that into account when I talk about fishing Erie.

Bob

[Todd_NE]

Bob,

You make an excellent point about the positives of mentioning your affiliation with a company, or maybe like yourself as a Charter Captain. I too like to know someone's opinion and facts and generally lend MORE credence to their comments when they are working with a company or know the water so to speak.

I was just thinking we need to get OSU and NU hooked up for a football game. We can bet a walleye charter vs. pheasant hunting... lol.

Todd

[Mike Michalak]

I feel pretty good about this subject and agree with you, since I always ID my position when questions come up or I offer an opinion.

Sometimes, a "title" or affiliatation with a certain company can add credibility to a reply. In my mind, someone representing a product and/or service should know more about it than the regular guy...and that goes for knowing the competition too.

We do business with a ton of companies like Pure Fishing, Airguide, Minn Kota, Ranger, Mercury, St. Croix, Mepps, Navionics, Garmin, Lowrance, Raytheon and others. We keep up on products for a couple reasons. First, we use the stuff and secondly, we're in the fishing information business. If we can share some of that info based on experience and the reader knows it, it can help.

So, yeah. Tell people you've got a link to company. Honesty really is the best policy.

Mike Michalak
President
Fishing Hot Spots, Inc.

[bob oh]

Since the Outback Bowl I'll pass on the bet!!!!! But we did get rid of Cooper.
Bob