(This falls under the "suggestion" category...)
Actually, Cegus and his quest for a nice-fitting textile jacket got me thinking about this subject.
Is it, would it, be possible for our sponsors to be a bit more interactive with the members? I sense a "tell us what you want, but we will otherwise be doing real business with real customers" approach, which (honestly) overlooks a huge opportunity to be the vendors of choice for this forum. I'm NOT advocating seizure-inducing pop-up ads across the screen, OK? I'm suggesting that sponsor-vendors offer monthly forum specials, make yourselves available to answer questions (i.e. Cegus), and (all due respect) pay attention to the threads which might give you ideas for the monthly specials. Tires, jackets, helmets, gloves, boots, tools, gadgets, t-shirt giveaway, lubes, wax; SOMETHING. As a sponsor, you are in a unique position to (yes) offer group buys and one-time offerings to a captive audience. You have the membership list!! You have demographic information about us like Kroger has with their Kroger card!! I realize there is a (weak) "Tell us what you want" thread toward the bottom of the list, which few ever read; much less contribute to. Gadz, seize the opportunity to be a resource to us for new product information, tech, parts, and stuff we will probably buy from someone else because we don't know who YOU are! I always try to refer members to you sponsors FIRST, but I frankly don't know any of you. (Plenty of other retailers I literally know by name and phone number.)
I'm not upset. I'm just wondering how the listing of your name on our vendor directory link, really advances your business beyond "looking good" on your Facebook page (if you have one. I don't.) Step-up, sponsors.

 

absolutely....make the customer support meet the sponsorship/ads A win/win situation.