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Yes, I'd love to attend

Too far

Not interested in these sort of meets

Unable to attend due to time/cost/work/etc

A different location is needed

[feeutfo]

So do we charge for work? Unless returning favours of course.

Above sounds like I'm angling for profit perhaps, but the idea is to keep the work level sensible.

[Taxi_Driver]

Wasnt there a 'rule' at Newent last year, work only being done on omegas on the Sat morning? Leaving the afternoon free to go off or do whatever else you wanted to do?

That worked ok, didnt it? If so, couldnt the same be applied to the Lakes/other venue?

I went to the first Lakes meet, but havent been since as its like a 'busman's holiday' for me.....having said that I usually clear off to the south coast for a week early summer and the goto Newent later on in the year.....which im perfectly happy with.....so could not guarantee turning up if the venue was moved further south anyway.

But the first part of my post might be worth considering??

[b4ndit]

So do we charge for work? Unless returning favours of course.

Above sounds like I'm angling for profit perhaps, but the idea is to keep the work level sensible.

I would say yes you should charge for work I am all for helping people out but I think some form of payment/charge is acceptable

[feeutfo]

Wasnt there a 'rule' at Newent last year, work only being done on omegas on the Sat morning? Leaving the afternoon free to go off or do whatever else you wanted to do?

That worked ok, didnt it? If so, couldnt the same be applied to the Lakes/other venue?

I went to the first Lakes meet, but havent been since as its like a 'busman's holiday' for me.....having said that I usually clear off to the south coast for a week early summer and the goto Newent later on in the year.....which im perfectly happy with.....so could not guarantee turning up if the venue was moved further south anyway.

But the first part of my post might be worth considering??

Personally, not much of a one for rules, tbh. I tend to treat them as a challenge.

[05omegav6]

So do we charge for work? Unless returning favours of course.

Can't see why it shouldn't be reciprocal

Some examples:
You help me fit my wishbones, I help you fit your subframe bushes
I change my cambelt under supervision in exchange for a few beer(token)s
You service my handbrake for hard cash
Collective pondering/tinkering earns a round
Changing a lock motor earns food cooked.

Down to the individuals concerned, but certainly, if it is a job that a person is either unable or unwilling to do, then whoever does the job should be paid one way or tother

I know various tasks, such as Tech2 work, already have set prices, and the working mechanics charge as they would anyone else as it is their living, but could there be a pricelist created that is an agreed amount for various jobs depending on what the skill level is? For instance, any work that I do on the vehicles at work, is charged at £20/hour, with limited guarantees, yet the same jobs done by local independent garages might start at £60/hour

[05omegav6]

So do we charge for work? Unless returning favours of course.

Above sounds like I'm angling for profit perhaps, but the idea is to keep the work level sensible.

If those willing to get their hands dirty commit to set jobs on set cars, based on their experience/ability, and are careful not to overstretch themselves, then the work could be allocated, subject to the weather, beforehand

[feeutfo]

Ok, my fault, Charging is the wrong word, and opens up a can of worms.

I prefer a , "contribution to the tool fund" approach. If you see what I mean. Or even just a contribution generally to the weekend.

 Somebody needs help with their car. I enjoy helping people with their cars, on jobs that I am confident I can do correctly without causing further issues and braking stuff etc. that means jobs I've done on my own car first at the very least.

Helping someone out though, doesn't mean doing so at my expense. Be that in financial cost, wearing out tools or my self, etc.

It's not a business oppertunity IMO. But a chance to contribute to OOF, the community, and others.


What kills the thing stone dead, is when people take the piss. Or are perceived as doing so. Ie, turn up, with a what can i get attitude, get stuff fixed on their cars and contribute nothing to the whole weekend and clear off.

This can be difficult for some though to be fair. Shy retiring types that are not practical might find this difficult. I struggle with groups or crowds and tend to withdraw, for example, esp when tired. Absolutely no idea why. It can be oddly intimidating to turn up at a do, and fit in.

Yes alright I'm babbling now, but I think if people do what they can to contribute, things will work themselves out. Be that fixing cars, cooking on the BBQ, some catering options, etc etc. if all else fails, offer to pay, or something 



I feel sorry for Daz sometimes. These things take a lot of time to sort out. Then when the day comes people don't pay for the pitch, or forget ( ) the mozys are a mare then the site owner cuts his power cable with the lawn mower...theres nothing I can help him with to fix his car he can't do himself. Members like him, Mark dtm, Kevin wood, TheBoy are extremely capable, there's very little I can help them with they can't do themselves

Perhaps we should've had a whip round for Daz's cable and phone bill...? It's not really fair he should be out of pocket. However amusing the cable incident might have been.



Anyway, as said, I don't think rules and charging fees is the way as such. Of everyone does what they can, helps out where they can and contributes something, all should be fine, I would have thought. No?

[05omegav6]

  took me four goes to write summat that I could actually read

This can be difficult for some though to be fair. Shy retiring types that are not practical might find this difficult. Istruggle with groups or crowds and tend to withdraw, for example, esp when tired. Absolutely no idea why. It can be oddly intimidating to turn up at a do, and fit in.

Yes alright I'm babbling now, but I think if people do what they can to contribute, things will work themselves out. Be that fixing cars, cooking on the BBQ, some catering options, etc etc. if all else fails, offer to pay, or something

That's about the gist of it

[hotel21]

Helping someone out though, doesn't mean doing so at my expense. Be that in financial cost, wearing out tools or my self, etc.

It's not a business oppertunity IMO. But a chance to contribute to OOF, the community, and others.

What kills the thing stone dead, is when people take the piss. Or are perceived as doing so. Ie, turn up, with a what can i get attitude, get stuff fixed on their cars and contribute nothing to the whole weekend and clear off.

As highlit, thats kinda my point.

Again charging per se was not what I intended to say or hint at either.  A simple box of beer approach, bottle, you do this for me and I'll do that for you kinda thing was more what I meant.

I recall Chris doing his back in  and feeling quite (rightly) sorry for himself at Newent one year after doing a marathon rear bush change on several cars.

I also recall at least two members who have done a 'panda' act at meets and thereafter on the forum - Eats, Shoots and Leaves/work done for nowt and never seen again - and nagged the erse out of the unfortunate who offerred to do the work on the weekend until they stopped what they were doing for other members and got the work done for the nagger.  Who in one instance, completely ignored the rest of the forum members and did completely their own thing, contributing the square root of fleck all for the whole weekend!!  That is taking the pee to the extreme and does happen, sadly.

Its the striking of a balance thats the difficult one to call....

[hotel21]

For those who have voted 'too far' what alternates do you suggest, bearing in mind that the Lakes meet is intended as a 'northern' venue and Newent the 'southern' one.  Are we needing a South East/Londinium stylee venue?  Are there the numbers interested in this area?

[Webby the Bear]

As for the cost thing....

if you're someone who needs work doing why wouldn't you get your wallet out just cos it's a meet? i'd personally hate to see someone who spent 2 hours working on a car get a ''cheers mate, i'm off'' with no monetary thanks. that, in my eyes, is just plain wrong.

[cam2502]

Haven't been to a meet, but if someone was to work on my car at one I would have no problem in paying. Undoubtably it would be cheaper than any garage with experts rather than apprentices doing the work. Can't see why anyone would think it unfair to pay an agreed amount.

[Lazydocker]

For those who have voted 'too far' what alternates do you suggest, bearing in mind that the Lakes meet is intended as a 'northern' venue and Newent the 'southern' one.  Are we needing a South East/Londinium stylee venue?  Are there the numbers interested in this area?

I voted different location instead of too far because distance isn't really the issue for me. It could be up in your neck of the woods and, if convenient (WRT work and other commitments), we would be there

That said, the statics at that site are convenient for us and the Gixers... I don't mind camping but the little bit of extra comfort the static offers makes a big difference to me

Although, as another thought from a personal point of view, it might not make any difference to me where the meets are as there's a fair chance I'll be in hospital around the time the Lakes meet normally is

As far as the work side goes... If I'm fit to do it I'm more than happy to do my share but can equally see the merit in a non work weekend I'm also cynical though

[Jimbob]

When the meets started, iirc there was noone on here charged for work.
Now we have several mobile mechanics.

Point I'm trying to make badly is that in the early days, the forum was much more about teaching you how to do it yourself.  It was great, its how I learned a lot.
Now, there is the ability to hire a 'trusted' member to do your work.  A great asset imho, that just didn't exist in years gone by.  As an obvious side effect to this, those who charge for things in the week, rightly don't want to do it for free at the weekend.

Given that, there is much less need for 'working meets'.

I think (apart from the odd favour here and there) 'gentle tinkering' works quite well at a meet as opposed to the bigger jobs.

I think last Newent worked well on this score, however there was much less incentive for the 'day trippers' as many were out in 'sociable groups'.

Thats said by someone who has had a fair amount of work done for him at meets, often combined with teaching for which I am very grateful.  In the early days, as im sure you remember I couldnt even do an oil change, I'll now do most things for myself, and happy to get my hands dirty helping others when I can.

[Lazydocker]

When the meets started, iirc there was noone on here charged for work.
Now we have several mobile mechanics.

Point I'm trying to make badly is that in the early days, the forum was much more about teaching you how to do it yourself.  It was great, its how I learned a lot.
Now, there is the ability to hire a 'trusted' member to do your work.  A great asset imho, that just didn't exist in years gone by.  As an obvious side effect to this, those who charge for things in the week, rightly don't want to do it for free at the weekend.

Given that, there is much less need for 'working meets'.

I think (apart from the odd favour here and there) 'gentle tinkering' works quite well at a meet as opposed to the bigger jobs.

I think last Newent worked well on this score, however there was much less incentive for the 'day trippers' as many were out in 'sociable groups'.

Thats said by someone who has had a fair amount of work done for him at meets, often combined with teaching for which I am very grateful.  In the early days, as im sure you remember I couldnt even do an oil change, I'll now do most things for myself, and happy to get my hands dirty helping others when I can.

The difference is though, you are happy to do things yourself with guidance and supervision I should add, as are many others