Entry fee (Poll)

[Xen]

We're just about finished with the Newbie Contest, with the top 3 to be announced on Saturday. In June we'll be launching "Make It So!", for specialist builds.

However, before we launch another contest, I wanted to get your input, on what is for me, quite a worrying trend of participants failing to complete their builds. In the two contests we've run since last year, around half have either dropped out at the last minute or left their WIP in limbo, until it's marked as incomplete. I appreciate that RL comes first and can get in the way. That said, the number of incomplete builds shouldn't be that high.

As much as I want the contests to be free, I need to find a way to increase the number of completed builds. It takes time to organize and run each contest. Time spent getting a sponsor, discussing prizes, setting up rules, fielding questions, dealing with problems, sending out reminders to make sure the wheels are turning. I can't help but feel somewhat of an anti-climax when the finish line is in sight, only for people to start dropping out.

A entry fee was one idea considered, with the fee either refunded once the build is complete or put towards a prize.

Please vote now and share your thoughts.

[Julien]

An entry fee could motivate people to finish their build... or not...

But it would certainly limit the number of entries. A lot of people enter those contests just for fun with no desire or ambition to win. Those people may not enter the contest if they have to pay for it, specially that most of us have a limited budget to spend on our hobby.

So, you might get a higher rate of finished build, but you won't have as much entry, so in the end, I'm not sure you would have more finished models...

If there is an entry fee, it should be used for the prizes.

Refunding the fee doesn't seem fair to me, you often don't the choose the speed at which you build, and it could force some modelers to take shortcut and finish their build in a way they didn't want to. Which would create frustration and/or resentment, and it would take the fun out of the contest...

I always treat a contest more like a group build, and I'm doing it just for fun, not to win. So, I would accept a small entry fee, but if it is too high, I would not enter.

So, in my opinion, no fee whatsoever. But if you do, it should be a small amount (like 5 USD), and used for prizes.

[asmcelhinney]

As someone who runs a hobby related forum I know exactly how you feel. Competitions are a nightmare. People want them, people like to work towards winning stuff and seeing other entries develop, but the simple fact is that you simply cannot put a timetable on people's liesure/hobby activities - despite the fact that we'll use whatever spare moment we have to work on more than we can hope to realistically finish.

I'm happy to pay an entry fee. If it goes towards prize support, great, to the upkeep of the forum, just as good.

For every person that says they'll take part, only half enter, and possibly only half of those will finish.

One alternative that kind of worked, but required a bit of effort, was to have a 'best in show', where forum members would nominate their favourite finished piece that had been posted within a certain time frame.

Personally, I'm looking forward to the competition, and the only real problem I'm having is keeping a kit back for it! Must make all things!

[curt]

To me an online contest is just that, an online contest. I dont and probably won't participate if a fee is put in place. Is an eentry fee good if put towards prizes? Yes. Would it increase the number of builds? No. Would it decrease the number of entriants? Yes. Simple fact is I do this for fun and to try to push my self. I decided at the last min, to join the newbie contest with all intent to finish, but budget and real life got in the way. As well as reseting a work space all in the alotted time. I droped out cause I knew I wouldent do the paint job justice.

That said if there is a future contest with an entry fee, it would deter me from joining due to my limited budget. Ill post some other thoughts later as I have to get ready for work now.

Curt

[Moongrim]

I was dithering myself something fierce and not in the Newbies area. Ultimately I'd not have been able to complete my entry (priorities etc.)

yes an entry fee would be a bit of a stumbling block. But only for those who are luke-warm anyways. If said entry fee went towards paying for prizes then to me it'd be a motivator to keep at it.

After all, once I've invested into something, I usually FIND time to work on an item. Even with my shift change, and my new sleeping hours, and chores at home, I still find at least a few minutes a day to work on my latest kit.

And money is a great motivator.
Even if it's a token fee of $1. I'd have no problem paying more to help offset someone else, as a sort of sponsor in the spirit of gamesmanship.

Not to mention that prize monies would help defray the cost towards the kit manufacturers.

[RogueWolf]

I say $5 is a fair amount, funds could go to prizes or to funding the site...

[Xen]

Food for thought. Thanks for the feedback.

[MEATLOAFr]

I say $5 is a fair amount, funds could go to prizes or to funding the site...

I agree, $5 is a perfect amount

Hell, I'm even tempted to toss my hat in the ring for the next contest

[el gato]

I say $5 is a fair amount, funds could go to prizes or to funding the site...

I third this

[Moongrim]

Is the motion carried?