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Originally posted by Ov3rmind
shartley, don't forget some of the negative effects of the "worst possible outcome". Thousands of people with electronic markers not backed by companies able to support them, many paintball businesses flop, and many people lose jobs. It would be better if SP did not pursue this, even if you dislike electros. As many problems as you said it would solve, I'm also sure it could create just as much or more new problems.
First of all, I never said I didn’t like (or had a dislike for) electros. I know you didn’t say I did, but I want to make that point VERY clear.
Second…. Yes, there are some very bad downsides to this as well… but THOSE have already been mentioned (for the most part) so why list them again? I am doing what I often do… show the other side of the coin. And THAT is what is often lost in discussions like this. Folks only look to the immediate things they feel will “hurt” them or the “industry” they love (but that love is a funny thing and not to be counted on). So… if you are going to look to what you (generality) think is a bad thing… follow it through. What happens AFTER the initial waves? What happens to the sport in general?
Those are the things I was trying to briefly touch on.
And honestly, I don’t see this going as far as it is feared by some here. That is MY opinion. And others are more than free to have and post theirs. I am not sitting here debating them for their opinions…. Heck, I am not debating anything. I am simply stating my opinions with NO debate. I will not get into a tit for tat debate on this issue since it will NOT be decided here on AO, but in a court of law. Yes, letter writing campaigns may help, and anything to get SP to drop the whole mess would be a good thing. But if they don’t, it will be the courts that ultimately make the decision, not AO or ANY consumer or paintball business.
Anyone also consider the possibility that this may be a publicity stunt? I am NOT saying it is, just tossing that out there. We have seen similar things in other industries….. heck look at “Spike TV” for one. You want to know the last time I even thought about Spike Lee before that? Honestly, I can’t recall. ;)
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Originally posted by Yamz
I dont like what I hear but untill TK or someone else asks for help with a boycot or something I recomend we wait and see. I do have faith that our justice system though flawed will preveil(sp?) and with the money BE, Kingman, WGP, WDP, and anyone else I missed this will get tied up in the courts untill a proper solution comes around.
To who ever said that these forums are mostly 14 year olds who dont know "jack about crap" 1- you are underestimating are nations 14 year olds and 2- most people I listen to and respect on this forum are far older that 14 for example TK, Doc, WAS, sharlty(even though he always seems to have a diffrent opinion than those around him), and Im pretty sure all the mods are atleast of voting age.
Yes, a boycott is a great tool to be used by consumers… and heck, I advocate them.
Now.. as for me always seeming to have a different opinion than those around me… that is not quite accurate. ;) I often (as stated above) toss out other sides of issues. That does not mean I back them… and often times I don’t. And many times what people think they are disagreeing with me on, is found out to not be the case either…. after things progress. Many times my views and the views of others are not that far apart, but separated by a misunderstanding or a fine point or two. It is all about discussion…. And people thinking. Ever look at a bottle of good salad dressing after it has been sitting for a while? Would you want to simply open it up and put it on your salad, or would you give it a shake or two first? ;)
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Originally posted by 1stdeadeye
This is very bad!
To those that say wait for someone else do do something, remember the parable about the good man and the Nazis.
He did nothing when they came for his neighbor. They were Jewish. He did nothing when they came for his other neighbor. He was a gypsie. No one did anything when they came for him!
Greed starts on a small scale. SP will shake down little guys like AGD, WGP, and WDP. Yes, in the larger scheme of things those 3 are little companies. Then he will go after the Kingmans, NPS, and BEs.
Has anyone noticed the new Smart Parts campaign in your latest PB mags? They are not aimed at you and me, but at dealers and vendors. They are trying to convince resalers to buy directly from them rather then through a distributer like NPS. Laying the ground work for when Gino cuts him off maybe?
Fortunately Gino is just as greedy as SP. Don't be suprised if he goes after them to protect his own interests down the road, not as a benevolant interloper in the first round of lawsuits.
No you didn’t! You didn’t bring Gino into this! ;) :D ;)
I want to make it clear that I am not advocating doing “nothing”. I am just stating that I don’t see this going as far as others do. I may very well be wrong. But one thing I do know I am right about, is that the ultimate power will be in the courts, and if it reaches THAT point, there is nothing any of us can do about it. It is like sitting around worrying about the end of the world…. You can do it, but will that stop anything from happening?
SP will never come after the paintball player (however, the PLAYER can go after them with a boycott)…. Which is what AO is comprised of (for the most part). So your “Good man and the Nazis” analogy would not work in this situation… it DOES work however for the “industry”.
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Originally posted by phatpat47
shartley they will find a way to adapt, but I highly doubt. and I mean highly that there will ever be a paintball scene with no electronic guns.
However it turns out I just dont see people switching back to automags and cockers. This is pretty much a fantasy of your that you made up because you dont like electros for some reason. they are the future and will be no matter what SP does.
Again, please note that I NEVER said I didn’t like electro markers. LOL I would be MOST happy if folks don’t assign feelings and opinions to me that I don’t have. Thank you.
And I never said folks will turn back to anything…. Since when didn’t folks already use Cockers and Mags? How about Spyders? Tippmanns? Heck, seems to me that there really isn’t any shortage of manual markers out there…. the last time I looked. And many of them are made by the same companies that ALSO make electronic markers. ;)
And as for there will never be a paintball scene with no electronic guns…. What was it like in the early 90’s? And can the same be said about turbos in the auto industry, or how about superchargers? Every industry will continue as long as there is a need/want for it… no matter what “technology” is used or not used. I am not arguing whether the sport will be better, or worse. I was just saying that it will continue. You can’t get rid of one part and think it will just disappear.
The industry, and the sport is NOT electronic paintball markers, they are just equipment used IN the sport. You can even get rid of all motorized hoppers, and the sport will continue. Paintball players will continue to play paintball, even if they have to use pump markers. Will they be happy with the change? Some maybe, but a lot probably not. But I don’t personally see the sport drying up because any one element is taken away from it.
Again, is this a bad thing that SP is doing? I personally think so. I just don’t see it as the end of paintball as a sport…. no matter WHAT happens.