2011 Official Chevrolet SSR Calendar competition!

[membercalendars]

Thanks guys. We are hoping that we can sell much more of these before calendar season is over.

[BlueSSR]

And we are looking forward to receiving them.

Would have loved to participate in submitting photos of our 2 SSRs, but just wasn't meant to be this time around. Smokey was in the painter's shop for 10 months of this year -- just to be "touched up" so it made our lives difficult.

We thank you for taking the time to create the calendar and can't wait to get ours hung on the walls!

Thanks again for all your time & effort.

BlueSSR & Smokey

[SSRJIM]

Originally Posted by membercalendars

SSRJim,

Wow, do I have a problem with this comment. I guess you see things completely opposite from how I do.

I thought it was very generous for us to give away 2 FREE calendars. Free means you don't have to pay for the calendar, you didn't, we did. So we asked you to pay for shipping, you really have a problem with that? Out of all the winners, 13 per contest, 28 contests, 364 total people, we maybe had 5 people complain about this, you being one of them. And FYI, we charged you $4.99 for shipping, that didn't even cover the entire cost of shipping! Because these calendars are so big (also showing we didn't go the cheap route to make these) the $4.99 didn't even cover all the shipping costs in most cases. Just check the top right of the stay flat envelope they came in and you can see for yourself how much postage was. These are officially licensed, UV Coated, saddle stitched, 9.5" x 13.5" (which is very big) calendars. Not cheap to make and that you got for free. And your complaining?

We are a new start up company (only 3 of us here), that decided to take a chance on a new business to let car enthusiasts, like the members of SSRfanatic.com, have a chance for their Super Sport Roadster to be in a calendar. This was a TON of work to do, until you have tried for yourself you have no idea, and we are fighting to stay alive as a company. We aren't some large publisher, and giving away 2 free calendars was the best we could do, and really more than we could do (but we felt like the winners should get something).

We DID give credit to this forum, as promised. Having to give personal credits to each person would have been even more work to do, and again until you've tried this, you probably under estimate how much work goes into this. Also, just so you know, we have access all of GM's photo archives. We could have used photos from them, which are all professional taken. But we chose to instead, build a website, so REAL enthusiasts could have a chance to see their car in a officially licensed calendar, instead of boring stock images. We thought it was a cool idea having done this for members of g8board.com in 2010, and took a chance to start a company that would allow us to do this on a larger scale for other clubs.

I apologize to everyone about this message being kind of harsh. Most of you know, I'm not like this. But I just have a real problem with someone complaining about having to pay for a portion of shipping, when we paid for the 2 free calendars. Times are tough right now for us, so I have a big problem with someone slapping me in the face about my generosity.

I hate writing messages like this, but I had to speak. Thanks to everyone for your continued support.


-Gene

Not a comment just a statement of fact.

[Doug Allen]

My opinion.....

You have provided a great product for the members of this Forum, based on the participation of members.

You have profited (hopefully) from your endeavor.

Your offer to provide free calendars to those participants that were chosen is reasonable compensation for those that were chosen for the calendar, and should have included free shipping, a nominal cost to you, somewhere in the amount of $ 75.00, total shipping cost.

I understand that you are operating a new business, and every dollar counts, but you did not convey this information to those that participated. It is reasonable to assume that when a vendor states their product will be provided to the chosen participants free of charge, that the product will be provided free of charge.

As in most Calendars, I would expect at least a one line text crediting the chosen participant. Can't be that cost prohibitive, and would give participants recognition for their efforts in providing the best photos that they can for your calendar.

My $.02.

[turnheadz]

I haven't rec'd mine yet but assume that the shipping to the Great White North will be well over $4.99. Was I surprised to get the bill for the shipping? Yes, after all I thought the 2 free calendars were just that (shipping costs hadn't even occurred to me). But did it ruffle my feathers to have to pay the shipping? No.
I had fun voting on all the calendars and I look forward to next year. And thanks for responding to all my questions

[SSRJIM]

At no point did I publicly complain, I simply pointed out two absolute facts. I had to pay 4.99 to get my “free” calendars and I did not get Attribution for my work.

But you wanted my thoughts so here they fly:

First I think the quality of the calendar is first rate. Why wouldn't be, it was my photo. I think I'm a darn good photographer (as are my fellow winners). I take pride in my photography and it has a value. Artists, photographers have a right to get paid for the work that they do and I very much consider myself a photographer and artist. We had an agreement that I would get two free calendars for my photo if it was chosen. It was.

I would be willing to bet that I spent more time in Photoshop tweaking the photo than you spent laying out the page my photo is on. To imply that your time is more valuable than mine in an insult. I also know that you spent more time with your attack on me than it would have required to give the photographers credit.

Lets not neglect my personal expense to take the photograph. I had to get to the location, pay an entrance fee to get into the park and don't forget to add the expense of the quality camera equipment, computer, and Photoshop.

You complain that times are hard? You have no idea, after 29 years on the job I was laid off. Don't give the tight times excuse it just doesn't fly. I've been out of work since May.

I don't mind doing Pro bono work as long I get a copy and Attribution. I have a history of helping struggling authors. Philip Morgan is a struggling author who really wanted to use one of my photographs but could not afford to pay me. Walk Again With Me: by Philip Morgan (Paperback) (ISBN: 9780557063635) | Word Power Books
That is my photo on the cover of his book. On the bottom of page 2 is “Cover Photo by Jim Lewis” as it should be. He not only sent the book (no shipping) but sent me the whole series, autographed. He didn't have to do that but he has class. He didn't not get on forums bad mouthing me for not wanting to pay shipping but quite the opposite, publicly thanked me for giving him permission to use my photo. That is an example of generosity.

My name attached to my photographic work has value to me. It will help me market my own work. You have robbed me of this opportunity because it is too much work.

Maybe you should consider hiring your own photographers, rent the cars and pay for your own content, I'm sure that would save you lots of money. You always have stock photos but I'll bet there are fees to that as well. Those photographers want to be paid too. It is probably not a good idea to attack and skimp on the people providing you with first rate free content. All of the photos are outstanding and that is all to the photographers credit and you cash the profits.

That is my thoughts on this subject.

[838stingray]

Price of Camera to take a cool picture of my SSR............$200
Price of Location to take a cool picture of my SSR............$FREE
Time spent Photoshopping the cool picture of my SSR............NONE
Time spent driving to the location to take the cool picture of my SSR............45 minutes
Experience in photography to take the cool picture of my SSR............NONE
Looking to profit off of my cool picture of my SSR............NOT
Having my peers select my cool picture to be in a calendar and only having to pay $4.99 to get it 2 copies............PRICELESS

Gene,
Not telling you how to run your business, but a great wise old man once gave me this advise and now I'm sharing it with you......."SOME MONEY IS JUST NOT WORTH HAVING!!! AND SOME PEOPLE HAVE ALOT OF IT!!!!"

Give the $4.99 back and be done with it. I on the other hand, the $4.99 was worth it. I can see why the few complaints about the money, since that was the only thing you are technically guilty of which was not letting everyone know upfront about the shipping costs. But that is the lessons learned in starting a new business. We who have business's have all made a mistake at some point in time and made the necessary corrections so it never happens again.

This is the second time one of my trucks has been selected for a calendar from a forum. I had to take the pictures and had to pay $25/calendar to get one. They were made at Wal-Mart by one of the members, were not even close to the quailty of product that you have and I did not recieve any credit for the picture. Not only that but only forum members could purchase one. This time anyone that found your site, including the general public has access to these

[CQQL_SSR]

Well said Jody (838stingray).

[RUN ROD RUN]

Can’t believe some of you are bitching about a $4.99 shipping fee.
Sound like a kid who didn’t get a toy with their McD Happy Meal.

[Flassh]

I was pretty happy to have my photo selected for the calendar. I did not expect two free calendars. In fact, I have emailed Gene and hold him to charge me for the second calendar and shipping.

When my photo was chosen for the cover of the 2009 calendar, I was thrilled with having that opportunity.

The calendars were great, but I had to purchase them (no freebies) and pay shipping.

Gene has gone far beyond the previous calendar by giving out free product to the winners.

It would have been nice to know which Fanatics' SSRs were featured in the calendar. Forum names would have been great, owner's real names as an additional line even better.

Something to consider the next go-round, if the producers are willing to go through getting raked over the coals a second time.

There are very few producers of items related to SSRs. To beat up on them for perceived weaknesses in their efforts can only result in people walking away from us.

Do any of you really think the calendar producers would put themselves through this kind of crap again next year for a group to ingrates?

[Flassh]

Originally Posted by RUN ROD RUN

Can’t believe some of you are bitching about a $4.99 shipping fee.
Sound like a kid who didn’t get a toy with their McD Happy Meal.

Make that a FREE McD Happy Meal

[membercalendars]

First off, I want to apologize to SSRJim. I probably should not have went on a rant like that, but that being said I stand behind everything I said.

This contest was not mandatory. So any time spent, money spent, etc was up to you. That was your choice to make your photo look a nice a possible, so that it had a better chance to be chosen as a winner. This wasn't a photographer contest, it was a SSR enthusiast contest. I guess it's this simple, if you had a problem with our contest or the way it was run, then don't participate in it. We realize it's not for everyone. Please also remember we have 28 calendars. Everything we do is multiplied by 28 from shipping costs, to free calendars, to the time spent to produce these.

I WILL APOLOGIZE TO ALL WINNERS. WE SHOULD HAVE SAID YOU WIN 2 FREE CALENDARS.....BUT WILL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR SHIPPING. I still think MOST people here will agree, that's a pretty damn good deal.

Gene

[838stingray]

[turnheadz]

SSRJim, I can respect your view. As for me, I am an amateur at the photo thing and don't have photoshop or the ability to use it.
My driving and shooting is for pure enjoyment so I don't keep track of costs.
Gene, I for one would have been quite happy with one free calendar. Just something for you to consider for next year.
RRR, there's a toy?

[RUN ROD RUN]

I just notice the package at the front door ... AWESOME CALENDAR!!!

Thank you Gene

[DOOPHUS]

Originally Posted by RUN ROD RUN

I just notice the package at the front door ... AWESOME CALENDAR!!!

Thank you Gene

I agree, Jeff . . . especially MISS MARCH.

! ! ! ! ! !

[RUN ROD RUN]

Originally Posted by DOOPHUS

I agree, Jeff . . . especially MISS MARCH.

! ! ! ! ! !

Thank you ... not such a bad photo since it was taken with a less then $200 Canon Powershot camera and edit with MS Picture It Photo program that came with this PC years ago.

[turnheadz]

I got my calendars!!!! Fabulous, love them. Thank You Gene. I look forward to next year and the next competition

[membercalendars]

We would love to wish everyone from SSRFanatic Happy Holidays! We had really fun hosting this contest and we hope that everyone has a safe and wonderful time this week.

- MemberCalendars -