Forum Burgees Available

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prv

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Update:

So, from worrying that I might not get enough takers to make the minimum order, I have now gone to struggling to keep up with incoming messages. I've just spoken to the manufacturers and tripled the size of the order, and I already have a big waiting list beyond that. There's no point me continuing to increase the size of the initial batch, or adding to an endless reserve list, when they will soon be available on a self-service basis.

Therefore, please stop sending me new requests. I will post a new thread (hopefully end of this week or beginning of next) when the makers are ready to handle individual orders. I've let them know that there are likely to be plenty!

If you've already put in a request and been sent my bank details (or we've discussed some other arrangement), please pay up ASAP as otherwise you risk being removed in favour of someone from the reserve list. If you've changed your mind that's perfectly fine, but please let me know so I can swap in a reserve without unnecessary delay.

Thanks for your support.

Pete

Original message:

As most people know, for over a decade Haydn (user hlb) has been supplying the forum burgee. He's ready to retire now, and having got a bit carried away in a recent thread, I seem to have taken over.

For those who weren't aware, the burgee is a mark of forum membership which you can fly from your boat when out and about. It covers all the YBW forums, power and sail, but is not officially "owned" by IPC itself - it belongs to us the users. It's been around since 2002, which seems like forever in Internet time, and has been flown all over the world (and right around the world, I believe). But you can also use it just to say "hi" in Yarmouth, Cherbourg, Burnham-on-Crouch, or wherever you may be. It looks like this:

burgee.jpg


The old ones were made as a favour to Haydn by one of his mates, so we're also transitioning to a new supplier (Ensign Flags, who make the burgees for a lot of clubs). Don't worry, the "tipsy mouse" design will remain the same, but the construction of the flags will change a little, to be more like conventional polyester flag material rather than the heavyweight fabric and cotton string of the older type. The design will still be properly embroidered, not printed like cheap promotional flags that fade in the sun.

The deal is that we have to buy an initial batch of ten to cover the cost of programming the design into the embroidery machine. After that, they will be available direct from Ensign with no minimum order size. I've agreed to put up the funding for the initial batch, and will post them out once they arrive. But I need at least ten people to buy them.

For this initial batch, the preferred arrangement is to PM me with your postal address; I will respond with my bank details for you to do an online transfer. If this is a problem for any reason then we can work something else out, but that's the basic procedure. If people could also post in this thread when they order, it will help it stay visible - ta.

The cost for the initial ten is £20.70 each. I then need to post them on to you (60p for first-class post, I think it'll fit in a "Letter" sized envelope) so the total is £21.30 each. The price is likely to go up a few quid when bought singly, so getcha order in now :)

I'm aware that this comes as a bit of a fait-accompli, but I also know that Haydn has been trying to pass on the role for years with no takers, and that it's often more effective to step in and say "this is how it's going to be", provided it's done in good faith, than to discuss things endlessly with no-one taking the lead. I hope nobody minds.

Cheers,

Pete
 
Last edited:
OK, I'm already over my initial ten - thanks everyone, I was expecting to struggle to find enough!

I'm sure Ensign will be able to increase the order; I will contact them tomorrow to discuss it, but in the meantime feel free to put in further requests.

I am very aware that extending the order will require forking over more of my own money, and Haydn has always warned that unfortunately a percentage of people put in requests but fail to pay. Therefore please make sure that your transfer follows promptly (let me know if you use some minor bank that doesn't participate in the Faster Payments service). In the event that I somehow end up with more paid-up requests than available flags, I will of course refund the money in full, so there is no risk to you.

Cheers,

Pete
 
Yep, PM inbox overwhelmed by demand :)

I've just emptied it, hope it can cope for a bit longer...

Please try again if you sent a message and got a bounce saying it was full.

Pete
 
Pub??? Surely Burgee entrepreneurs don't have time for such niceties...? :rolleyes:

Top marks for taking up the baton for the forum. I have one from HLB that we proudly fly, but will probably want a new one for the current project by the time I finally get it done, so will be in touch at some stage :cool:
 
Right.

Wow.

That's quite an amazing show of demand, in one short evening.

The number of requests is nudging 30, and although it's somewhat exhilarating to see the orders flooding in (shame I'm not making a profit on them!) I think over £600 is quite a scary enough figure for me to be throwing around (and is only feasible because it was payday at work yesterday!). Therefore, I am going to cap the initial order at 30.

There are still a couple of slots available, plus I am resigned to the fact that some orders may not be paid for. So you may continue to submit requests, but those over 30 will be put in a reserve queue. After a suitable pause for those in the initial 30 to cough up, any who have not done so will be removed and the corresponding number from the waiting list will be promoted.

I trust that seems fair to all concerned, and to my personal bank balance.

Cheers,

Pete
 
I'll have one please if there is still one if the original 30 available. Been on the forum for a long time but never got round to getting one from Haydn. Well done for taking it on.
 
One more for the Belgian contingent please :) Was looking at my current forum flag during the hols and was hoping I could get a replacement as it was fading.
Currently flying in Port Zelande marina on the grevelingmeer.
 
I'd like to have one too, please. Will make my boat easier to spot just in case any of you ever make their way up here.

PM on it's way.
 
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