Shenanigans at the SWPP

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boyfalldown said:
they don't cost anything as far as I know. I don't think the snapshot of the SWPP balance sheets adds anything to the thread, but they are freely available for any company so don't really see why its despicable or desperate? (or a witch hunt)
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You're right, they don't add anything. But it does show that someone has gone to a lot of trouble to try to undermine the SWWP.
Freely available? No, they need to be paid for, now that's desperate, the perpetrator and sharks that devoured it should be ashamed.

AliB's starter to this thread was perfectly valid and many others, if they are all to be believed, made an admirable contribution as to the poor SWWPs performance in the photography world.

The original aim of this post was achieved many months ago, but what was once a P***P***Performance posting now looks to many to be a witchunt.

I realise my interjections won't endear me to many, but I don't frequent forums in order to accumulate online buddys or be chums with those who agree with all my points of view. Like most, I come on the forums because of my passion for photography.

If you agree with my sentiments, fine. It's also fine if you don't. It's always a debate, but this particular one has now become a despicable and very unprofessional one.

p.s The real shame of the google index is that TP will also be shown.
I made clear many pages ago, I have no connection at all with the SWWP. Never, ever been a member. Maybe I'm just smart :)
 
mercedes said:
I realise my interjections won't endear me to many, but I don't frequent forums in order to accumulate online buddys or be chums with those who agree with all my points of view. Like most, I come on the forums because of my passion for photography.
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And long may that continue, your views are just as welcome and just as valid as anyone elses. :thumbs:
 
mercedes said:
You're right, they don't add anything. But it does show that someone has gone to a lot of trouble to try to undermine the SWWP.
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There are also those that have joined the thread to try to support it. As long as people are honest as to why they have their concerns it is a free debate. I have stated what my connection was so maybe you would like to do the same - for the record and the sake of honesty.

Mike
 
Mike, you don't have to have any connection at all to voice an opinion and if that opinion is on this thread rather than on SWPP itself that is an equally valid opinion to hold.

It's fine if mercedes chooses to criticise, it's his right to do so just as much as it was mine to write the blasted thing in the first place ;)
 
just for my 2p's worth - this has generally been one of the better, more thoughtful and civil long debates I've seen on internet forums for a while.
 
BouncyMelons said:
Mike, you don't have to have any connection at all to voice an opinion and if that opinion is on this thread rather than on SWPP itself that is an equally valid opinion to hold.

It's fine if mercedes chooses to criticise, it's his right to do so just as much as it was mine to write the blasted thing in the first place ;)
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This is entirely correct but there are essentially 3 ways you could be connected to this,

1. A current member
2. An Ex-member
3. An outside observer

When you open a debate it is normal to state from what position you are coming. I have stated that I am an ex-member that was told that I was no longer wanted as a member because they could do nothing for me.

We had Dave come on and try to sign the praises and it was well known that he is a current member (who is posting the most 'amazing' quotes on the SWPP at present that is confusing the hell out of anybody). Others such as MarkP and Wildsnaps have honestly stated their position. This enables others to understand where they are coming from i.e. it may be seen as vengence, blind faith etc. so when somebody like Mercedes wades in at their defence, leaves the thread saying they are not coming back and then enters the thread to defend the SWPP again it is only human nature to try to understand where they are coming from.

Having spent 26 years in the military where the major thing is defending the rights of others I would certainly not want to stop anybody from stating their opinion.

Mike
 
Fair do's Mike, all opinions are welcome and I've tried to remain as balanced as possible and stated often that there have been benefits to my membership, it's not all bad.

I'm kind of thinking though that I cannot hold a critical position on the censorship of another forum without welcoming all opinions on this one :)
 
BouncyMelons said:
I'm kind of thinking though that I cannot hold a critical position on the censorship of another forum without welcoming all opinions on this one :)
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And it is great to see that all opinions are being welcomed here but I liken opinions in a debate to being like a salesman - they are all going to say their product is great, or push the product that is best for them - hence my liking of knowing which firm they come from.

Mike
 
mercedes said:
You're right, they don't add anything. But it does show that someone has gone to a lot of trouble to try to undermine the SWWP.
Freely available? No, they need to be paid for, now that's desperate, the perpetrator and sharks that devoured it should be ashamed.

AliB's starter to this thread was perfectly valid and many others, if they are all to be believed, made an admirable contribution as to the poor SWWPs performance in the photography world.

The original aim of this post was achieved many months ago, but what was once a P***P***Performance posting now looks to many to be a witchunt.

I realise my interjections won't endear me to many, but I don't frequent forums in order to accumulate online buddys or be chums with those who agree with all my points of view. Like most, I come on the forums because of my passion for photography.

If you agree with my sentiments, fine. It's also fine if you don't. It's always a debate, but this particular one has now become a despicable and very unprofessional one.

p.s The real shame of the google index is that TP will also be shown.
I made clear many pages ago, I have no connection at all with the SWWP. Never, ever been a member. Maybe I'm just smart :)
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It may seem like months Mercedes,after 23 pages you would think so, but the original post went down just under one month ago. This perhaps is an indication of the popularity of the content.
 
Well just to add a little something into the pot:

I have this morning been advised that "certain people", will be asked to leave the premises should they attend convention. This is in addition to what has already happened to Martin Grahame-Dunn.

Now, whilst the source is reputable, I am a bit sceptical that the SWPP would be stupid enough to ask people who have legally purchased valid tickets for seminars and classes to leave without attending the courses they have paid for.

The SWPP, their bouncers, or the Hotel itself must have a very legitimate case for asking someone to leave i.e the behaviour of the individual IN THE HOTEL is such that removal is the only option, but from what I can gather it would appear that the actions of individuals PRIOR to convention are the reason that admission will be refused.

I myself am travelling down to convention tomorrow (Thursday) and if access to any of the classes I have paid for is refused then all hell will break lose. Not only will I be looking for a refund on the costs of the tickets, but also I will be wanting compensation for the costs of travel and the hotel.

I have had a chat with our Company Solicitor over this earlier this morning and he has given me some advice on what to do should this occur.

Now as stated above, I have every faith that the Management of the SWPP would not pull such a stunt, but I will of course let you know what happens when I arrive.
 
I would appreciate it if the financial area of teh SWPP be left out of this thread, its sod all to do with anyone here. A legitimate concern about customer service is one thing, but lets not go away from that point.
 
That is a fair and reasonable point , I did think it was a bit off the mark.
 
MarkyP said:
Well just to add a little something into the pot:

I have this morning been advised that "certain people", will be asked to leave the premises should they attend convention. This is in addition to what has already happened to Martin Grahame-Dunn.

Now, whilst the source is reputable, I am a bit sceptical that the SWPP would be stupid enough to ask people who have legally purchased valid tickets for seminars and classes to leave without attending the courses they have paid for.

The SWPP, their bouncers, or the Hotel itself must have a very legitimate case for asking someone to leave i.e the behaviour of the individual IN THE HOTEL is such that removal is the only option, but from what I can gather it would appear that the actions of individuals PRIOR to convention are the reason that admission will be refused.



I myself am travelling down to convention tomorrow (Thursday) and if access to any of the classes I have paid for is refused then all hell will break lose. Not only will I be looking for a refund on the costs of the tickets, but also I will be wanting compensation for the costs of travel and the hotel.

I have had a chat with our Company Solicitor over this earlier this morning and he has given me some advice on what to do should this occur.

Now as stated above, I have every faith that the Management of the SWPP would not pull such a stunt, but I will of course let you know what happens when I arrive.
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If ,and I say IF, there is any truth in this, then I think they would be advised to have the decency to call people in advnce of them coming along, especailly if they have travelled a distance and paid for accomodation.
 
There's a name for Limerick if ever I heard one
 
MGD appears on here a few pages back 'martycgd'
 
MARK AMIES said:
If ,and I say IF, there is any truth in this, then I think they would be advised to have the decency to call people in advnce of them coming along, especailly if they have travelled a distance and paid for accomodation.
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I would imagine no one being so stupid as to think they could get away with such actions held against legitimate ticket holders they simply don't like.

Then again, ive been surprised several times so far so will keep an eye and ear alert

now time for a beer I think, :beer:
 
Just read a thread on another forum where the SWPP member resigned and was shortly thereafter contacted by a few potential clients (saying they had his details from the SWPP) that later proved to be ficticous and he was wondering if this was a tactic to try to encourage him to re-join. Personally I have not heard of this else where but if it is happening it is a bit of a sign of desperation on the part of the SWPP but there again it may just be coincidence.

There are however stories of Fellows of other Societies being sent free membership a few years back which was felt to be a marketing trick to try to raise the standing of the SWPP.

Mike
 
Regardless of the day to day running of the SWPP I'm really un-impressed by their decision to delibreately arrange an evening event at the last minute to clash with the Help for Heroes event. That is nothing short of disgraceful and to me seems like another example of the SWPP management thinking of nobody but themselves. I hope they rot.
 
BarryDawsib said:
Bringing up the SWPP finances are a bit of a far cry from poor customer service?
Still, interesting little fact to bring up :)
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matty said:
I would appreciate it if the financial area of teh SWPP be left out of this thread, its sod all to do with anyone here. A legitimate concern about customer service is one thing, but lets not go away from that point.
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MARK AMIES said:
That is a fair and reasonable point , I did think it was a bit off the mark.
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Sorry if I contributed to that.
 
coldpenguin said:
Sorry if I contributed to that.
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Well there must have been something on your mind that made you feel you should investigate the financial standing of the SWPP, :thinking:

Just we all felt that the thread was focused around the poor service it supplies.

Still, at least you were not told to shut your pie hole and stand in the corner by the moderators :bonk:
 
mercedes said:
For someone to stoop to searching out/paying for these 'public' documents in order to place them on a photo forum is not only despicable but desperate.
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As I was person who made the 'despicable' posting regarding the SWPP's accounts, I feel that I should point out that I didn't stoop, search or pay for any of the information: it is all a matter of knowing the right sources.

However, I fully appreciate the mods comments on my posting and will not raise the topic of their business accounts again.

Simon
 
swanseamale47 said:
So what happened at the show, any updates??
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As far as I could see no one was turned away at the show based on facebook statuses of the most likely people.

just have to wait and see if anybody I was not tracking was, though I doubt it.
 
It seemed you could wander in at will on Friday ....

TBH as a trade show it was poor - too many lab / album people and not a patch on Focus
 
spxxxx said:
TBH as a trade show it was poor - too many lab / album people and not a patch on Focus
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They set up all those other Mickey Mouse Organisations;

SISLP
SINWP
SITTP
SIMPP
SICIP
SISEP
SIFGP

and yet the trade show is 95% foccuesed on SWPP. P*** ups and breweries spring to mind and having spoken to a couple of trade stand people they were not impressed either, and will probably not be back next year. You can not tell the world that you are an expert in everything and then not provide the evidence to support it and it is obvious that the SWPP are definitely not experts outside of weddings and I will reserve judgement on the weddings as well.

As to people being refused entry, as far as I know that did not happen but I have been led to believe there were some strange precaustions taken.

Mike
 
spxxxx said:
It seemed you could wander in at will on Friday ....

TBH as a trade show it was poor - too many lab / album people and not a patch on Focus
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they wouln't let me wander in at will - I had to pay :gag:

Couldn't agree more about it being poor though
 
Didn't like the split configuration at all, made if feel very crammed in.

Was glad I went as it meant I got to have a looksie at some of the suppliers I am hoping to use, certainly didn't walk away feeling wowed and am glad I didn't forget to register like some people and then have to pay ;) Best bit was the pint afterward.
 
spxxxx said:
TBH as a trade show it was poor - too many lab / album people and not a patch on Focus
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My visit to Focus last year struck me as being full of exactly the same!

The trade show had most of the key mainstream suppliers in attendance so who was missing that made it so poor??

Of course the SWPP should have exhibitors to interest members of all their various 'Societies' but with the majority (by a LONG way) only doing weddings & portraits (in their spare time ;)), I imagine it would be difficult to persuade most specialist companies that paying for a stand would be commercially viable.

Admittedly, I wasn't inspired by much I saw at the show but that is more down to what was on show rather than who was there, and it has probably saved me a trip to Birmingham in March.

Chris.
 
chip said:
My visit to Focus last year struck me as being full of exactly the same!
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Funny that - we must have gone to different shows ... Focus has about 3x the amount of exhibitors and tends not to have as many of the poorer quality stands.

There were printers / album companies that were so poor in their offerings that it begs the question of who uses them. Many stands just looked like market bargain stalls.

Yes there were some big players - but again not in the numbers of Focus.

And why are the majority only doing it in their spare time ... seems a sweeping statement - as if spare time people don't want the best
 
spxxxx said:
There were printers / album companies that were so poor in their offerings that it begs the question of who uses them. Many stands just looked like market bargain stalls.
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I noticed quite a few album stands whose products, to me, seemed shocking! They weren't cheap either!
 
I will tell you what was a shocker - the price of the food at the bar-

Packet of crisps - £1.75

Packet of Sandwiches - £4.50 (BLT)

Can of Coke - £2.25
 
£2.25 for a shaggin coke???

I only pay $0.50 and I'm on the dark side of the moon...
 
MARK AMIES said:
I will tell you what was a shocker - the price of the food at the bar-

Packet of crisps - £1.75

Packet of Sandwiches - £4.50 (BLT)

Can of Coke - £2.25
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You need to get out on the exhibitions circuit, then its not *quite* so much of a shock when you pay £16 for a couple of coffees and a few sarnies.:gag:
 
The best bit here is that they had a list of these over priced sandwiches , but every filling I wanted they didn't have , so I paid OTT and didn't get the choice.

I realise that moaning about the food is the pits , but there again when it is that expensive it just has to be said - especially if you had paid travel to get there , and £5 to get in. Plus , I was with an exhibitor.
 
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