Home » Didjshop Forum » General Didj Issues » Is website linking to competitors needed?
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| Re: Is website linking to competitors needed? [message #2206 is a reply to message #2205] |
Sat, 10 December 2005 09:00   |
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JKon380
Messages: 322
Registered: November 2005
Location: USA
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Senior Member |
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I can understand the site's concern for cannibalizing their sales/profits, but there is a wealth of information that others can certainly benefit from learning and appreciating, not to mention those offering complimentary services.
Of course respect for the sponsor should always be paramount.
Best,
Jason
Jason
[Updated on: Tue, 13 December 2005 14:15] by Moderator Report message to a moderator |
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| But this is the apparent policy..... [message #2210 is a reply to message #2206] |
Sat, 10 December 2005 11:38 |
kellymon
Messages: 12
Registered: December 2005
Location: USA
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Junior Member |
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.....or at least that is what appears to be the policy based on posts I have read. (no mention or link to other didj souces)
I don't want to stir up a big controversy here, just a little food for thought.
Actually, I just searched around for the actual policy for clarification, and couldn't find it.
Does anyone know if is posted, or is it just generally accepted?
It's still great to have a new place to get together again and share our passion for the didj! 
peace,
kellymon
[Updated on: Sat, 10 December 2005 11:39] Report message to a moderator |
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| Re: Is website linking to competitors needed? [message #2225 is a reply to message #2205] |
Mon, 12 December 2005 08:39 |
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JKon380
Messages: 322
Registered: November 2005
Location: USA
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Senior Member |
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Svargo:
Thanks for your input in this matter, because I think it brings us closer to some kind of resolution. However, I do raise objection to one particular point:
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And we do not want to spend our time to sort the good from the bad apples (specially since most are bad or very bad ones) so it is much simpler to have no links to any competitors.
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While I do agree it would take resources to monitor the links, I believe your comment about 'most being bad' a bit misguided. My own recommendations for links are for reputable and well-respected importers and crafters here in the US who have a great respect for the Aboriginal people and WOULD NOT DARE pass off their own didjs as being Aboriginal. Rather, they have made their own statement in crafting didjs in non-traditional ways while being ever mindful of the cultural basis and history of this instrument and people i.e Tyler S./agave, Ben H./aspen and American hardwoods, Geoff F./yucca agave snake gourd, etc.
These individuals are amazing musicians and craftsmen whose presence only benefits the didj community, but I digress. Again, I don't mean to continue stoking the fire, only to provide some food for thought. You've enabled us a great resource to share our love for this instrument, and for that I am very grateful.
Best
Jason
[Updated on: Mon, 12 December 2005 16:39] by Moderator Report message to a moderator |
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 Re: Is website linking to competitors needed? [message #2236 is a reply to message #2226] |
Mon, 12 December 2005 17:56 |
Svargo
Messages: 16
Registered: April 2004
Location: Australia
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Junior Member |
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Well folks, I hope this will answer all outstanding questions
1) Alan says: "Do you truly mean we can not mention them, or we simply can not post a link to their site?"
Yes, whether you have an active link or talk about "worst-didgeridoos.com" or even just "worst-didgeridoos" is no difference, anyone can immediately find the website, so the rule is that you need to word whatever you say so commercial didj websites are not easily recognisable (which does not mean you cannot mention them - see below)
2) Warnerr, we could be subject to defamation litigation if we would let you mention ripp-off websites here. But if you have any proof, please email me personally, we are collecting such evidence to hand to relevant authorities.
3) Jason says: "I believe your comment about 'most being bad' a bit misguided."
If you sincerely believe that most didj sellers on the net are "good", I dare to suggest you might be the one misguided - you'll be surprised how many crooks you can find in this industry and how little Aborigines get out of the millions made in it.
In our view (which we share with many Aborigines) anyone who makes any money out of didjes and does not return at least some of the profits to Aborigines is not really on the "good" side, no matter how much he respects or talks about Aborignes in his words.
Anyway the no-promotion rules apply even for Ben, Tyler and Geoff. The question is not whether they are respectable people with high ethics and respect for Aborignes or even return some profits (I don't know), but whether they sell didjes.
As you can see I have edited your post, Jason, to abbreviate their family names. This makes it much harder for them to be found in a search, but still identifies them for people in the know.
When posting to this forum, please do spend the extra minute to check for such details in respect for our Aborignal didj makers. Thanks
Last not least, please consider this: ten years ago we had 3-4 times as many Aboriginal didj suppliers. Most went out of business due to more and more non-indigenous people making didjes (and it is not one or three individuals, but the sheer number of them). The Aboriginal didj makers that are left sell less didjes now than they did then and are struggling to survive. We will not do anything to help accelerate this terrible trend and ask for your support on this. Thanks
Keep on didjing with respect...
Svargo
[Updated on: Mon, 12 December 2005 17:57] Report message to a moderator |
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| Re: Is website linking to competitors needed? [message #2237 is a reply to message #2205] |
Mon, 12 December 2005 19:12 |
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JKon380
Messages: 322
Registered: November 2005
Location: USA
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Senior Member |
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Svargo:
Many thanks for your patience with us as we debate this question. I believe we have indeed come to a satisfactory conclusion:
1) Caveat emptor- buyer beware. One way that each of us can ensure that Aboriginal artists are paid their dues as artists and custodians of their culture is to support merchants who share our philosophies. For me, that means trusting one of several importers that I know- who purchase directly from the artists to bring them stateside and introduce their art/craftsmanship to people who genuinely appreciate it. In my quest for Yolngu yidaki, I have contacted art centres in NEAL directly. These are Yolngu artisans and yidakimirr who feel compelled to share their culture through their music and their crafts. That I will always support as a collector and as a player.
2) An understanding that non-traditional craftsmen do exist, not to coopt Aboriginal cultural assets, but to do something to contribute to the worldwide didj community. As a player, I have great respect for the culture that brought the didjeridu to me, and my way of respecting that is by buying Aboriginal crafts directly if I can, or through a respected dealer. These crafters/players that I have mentioned earlier have made their mark on the international didj community through their pieces, and that can only be good, because it shows an ethical growth in the market. Their instruments draw inspiration from the Aboriginal instrument makers, but are unique in their choice of material and sonic character. These importers DO return a profit to the Aboriginal artists through their good business relationships with their suppliers, and I that I can say confidently and without hesitation.
3) An understanding that less scrupulous dealers/merchants exist, and it is our responsibility to educate and not support their efforts if it means a breakdown in traditional Aboriginal culture. It is my understanding that cheap souvenier grade didjs run particularly rampant in Australia, as the market struggles to keep up with demand. This abuse will lose steam, but only through education. If we are to change the market, we have to understand what brought about its downward slide in the first place-- greed and capitalism.
4) To continue thoughtful and sensitive discussion on these matters.
I will close with one final thought provoking question-- would you consider any of the art centres across the NT as being antagonistic competitors to your endeavor, or as partners in your mission to support Aboriginal artists? I hope that you will treat them as the latter.
Best,
Jason
Jason
[Updated on: Tue, 13 December 2005 14:21] by Moderator Report message to a moderator |
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