What ZedShed means around here...

[GazHyde]

It's unusual for me to have to make a post like this, but I thought it in the communities interest to do so. I have just removed the trader rights to the guy who does Z4 hood motor repairs amongst other things. On the face of it, it could seen as a petty reason. But those of you who know me, know how passionate about what this community is and what it stands for.

For around 3 years the term ZedShed / Zed Shed has become common usage on here, initially used when a small group of us started hanging around @Lee's garage on a Saturday morning. We started taking our Zeds apart - fixing and restoring, and in some cases improving them. We then started taking in waifs and strays, members who struggled to find a local garage who had the knowledge to work on Z3s. It grew from 3 old old geezers and Lee to a group of about 10 who generally manage most Saturdays of the year. We've filled up the boots of our Zeds with tools and even made house visits. Look in the ZedShed section of the forum - that's our mission statement!

The only recompense we've sought is replacements for any tools which get broken (which is more common than you'd think); or where people have wanted to give money and instead we ask them to donate to the forum - which in turn benefits the community. Occasionally we get given cake. We like cake.

A while later the ZedShed Midlands became a thing, with @t-tony opening his garage doors (and tea bags) to other owners who need some assistance. I know Tony's garage has seen plenty of action in the great cause of keeping Zeds on the road.

Recently it came to my attention that one of the traders has now started a business using the name which has become such a big part of what makes this community so darned awesome. As such I've taken the decision to remove their trader rights on here so there is no confusion between community camaraderie and services for cash.

I won't stand in the way of personal recommendations being posted, but that's about.

Carry on! Gaz

 

[pgunter]

Could not agree more Gaz..

It’s what makes this place fun and stand out. Plus I like Cake, and Coffee... or was that coffee and cake.. ohhh and bacon rolls.

 

[mrscalex]

If I start a ZedShed Swindon will you remove my trader tag?! It’s actually not a tag I enjoy having! Actually we opened our doors for the first time recently and James did a knowledge sharing session with @Dalek on window slider repair

Actually there’s a serious point here. Your real issue is that of confusion. Is the issue resolved by removing trader status? You haven’t elaborated and may wish to keep it private but for me the intended result would be an agreement not to use the name. Changing tags alone doesn’t necessarily fix anything. But I’m sure there’s more to the story.

While we’re at it. I’m bagsying the name ‘Second Life Zeds’/‘SLZ’ in case I need to make any money out of Z3s when I’m an old, washed up Telecoms Project Manager

That goes back to my initial point about being someone who rather be seen as someone who puts Z3s back together than takes them apart.

How about a ‘Used Spares Provider’ tag instead? And when people ask for a part members can just say try the ‘Used Spares Provider’ group instead of listing individual tags. Can you post a single PM to a group like that when people enquire. A bit like having an Outlook mail group?

Just a thought, I don’t feel strongly about it other than trying to direct members to trusted spares sources. And don’t ask me how you decide who is in or out of that group...

 

[GazHyde]

If you are trading parts or your services for money, then you are a trader.

This is entirely about people trying to make money off the good name created by members hard work helping out each other without any thought of money being involved.

Pretty simple decision I made really.

 

[mrscalex]

If you are trading parts or your services for money, then you are a trader.

This is entirely about people trying to make money off the good name created by members hard work helping out each other without any thought of money being involved.

Pretty simple decision I made really.

It was a legitimate suggestion for the benefit of all. I don’t really think it deserved to be shot down in flames.

I sell about £50 a month on this forum and spend considerably more than that if I was to value my time giving advice to people on what parts they need and for that matter trying to give advice in general. Any notion of ‘trading’ represents about 5% of what I do on this forum.

Anything I sell is a drop in the ocean compared to the money I pour into this hobby, which in turn allows me to try and share experience with other members.

As I said I don’t feel strongly about it. But in my view it doesn’t best reflect things.

And the feedback was independent of your decision to carry out a sanction. I’m not sure why you related back to that as it suggests I was trying to defend the member. I wasn’t

In fact I don’t have a view about your decision. You haven’t shared the full discussion so I don’t know what the other guy’s side of the story is. My experience of him is that he provides well-priced services to this community and has previously seemed genuine. But I agree, if it’s as clear cut as you say it’s not nice pinching a name others have worked hard to build up for no financial gain.

 

[GazHyde]

Didn’t aim to shoot you down, sorry if you feel that was what happened. I’m being very simplistic and straight forward with what I’m posting as there is less interpretation of the rules then.

 

[Dalek]

If I start a ZedShed Swindon will you remove my trader tag?! It’s actually not a tag I enjoy having! Actually we opened our doors for the first time recently and James did a knowledge sharing session with @Dalek on window slider repair

Actually there’s a serious point here. Your real issue is that of confusion. Is the issue resolved by removing trader status? You haven’t elaborated and may wish to keep it private but for me the intended result would be an agreement not to use the name. Changing tags alone doesn’t necessarily fix anything. But I’m sure there’s more to the story.

While we’re at it. I’m bagsying the name ‘Second Life Zeds’/‘SLZ’ in case I need to make any money out of Z3s when I’m an old, washed up Telecoms Project Manager

That goes back to my initial point about being someone who rather be seen as someone who puts Z3s back together than takes them apart.

How about a ‘Used Spares Provider’ tag instead? And when people ask for a part members can just say try the ‘Used Spares Provider’ group instead of listing individual tags. Can you post a single PM to a group like that when people enquire. A bit like having an Outlook mail group?

Just a thought, I don’t feel strongly about it other than trying to direct members to trusted spares sources. And don’t ask me how you decide who is in or out of that group...

If I start a ZedShed Swindon will you remove my trader tag?! It’s actually not a tag I enjoy having! Actually we opened our doors for the first time recently and James did a knowledge sharing session with @Dalek on window slider repair

Actually there’s a serious point here. Your real issue is that of confusion. Is the issue resolved by removing trader status? You haven’t elaborated and may wish to keep it private but for me the intended result would be an agreement not to use the name. Changing tags alone doesn’t necessarily fix anything. But I’m sure there’s more to the story.

While we’re at it. I’m bagsying the name ‘Second Life Zeds’/‘SLZ’ in case I need to make any money out of Z3s when I’m an old, washed up Telecoms Project Manager

That goes back to my initial point about being someone who rather be seen as someone who puts Z3s back together than takes them apart.

How about a ‘Used Spares Provider’ tag instead? And when people ask for a part members can just say try the ‘Used Spares Provider’ group instead of listing individual tags. Can you post a single PM to a group like that when people enquire. A bit like having an Outlook mail group?

Just a thought, I don’t feel strongly about it other than trying to direct members to trusted spares sources. And don’t ask me how you decide who is in or out of that group...

And I was very grateful for the help too! I feel much more confident about tackling the job now. Thank you James.

 

[FRANKIE]

I have often wondered just exactly what was meant when the term "Zedshed" was being used. And more so when a second "Zedshed" seemed to pop up. I seemed to gather that it was just a bunch of the guys (and girls) getting together to help one another with existing problems relating to repairs to their own Zeds. Not being in the 'neighborhood', I can only gleen from these posts that this is what's going on. I often thought that I would love to be part of this but distance prevented it. I did get confused when some Zedshed activity seemed to come at a cost and I wondered if I had gotten the idea of it wrong to begin with. I had thought that each of the members were freely helping each other with their time and effort freely and willingly given. This would seem to give increadible strenght to our organization.
So what I think is happening is that Gary is trying to draw the distinction between the members who charge for their services and those who give help freely to other members. It seems that the term "Zedshed" is associated with those who donate their help freely and he doesn't want that term used by those members who charge for thier services as it would change what the term "Zedshed" has come to represent in the generosity and camaraderie of the forum. If I have misunderstood this, please correct me....................Frankie

 

[Nodzed]

I would like to stick my nose on on this one please (as a recipient and part time member of the Zedshed (HQ)

I get the point being made here by Gary and fully support his actions.
The "Zedshed" name reflects the amazing help and assistance that everyone gives at @Lee and at @t-tony . The Zedshed is not just a place but mainly stands the people that give their time, experience, and knowledge to assist those that need it within our community free of charge. The experience of going to either one (and I have been to both) is not the same as going to a garage, its about the fun that's had while your getting your car fixed by people who care about what they are doing, I am sure anyone who has visited would agree.

So I fully support the name Zedshed being protected on this forum.

 

[mrscalex]

I think that’s an extremely fair take on things @FRANKIE

And I suspect all would agree on that including the member who has had the sanction made against him.

Personally I still don’t understand how removing the 3rd Party Trader tag has helped. If anything the member now looks more like one of everyone else rather than being tagged as someone who takes money for his product/service.

There’s a Zedshed tag against Lee’s profile which the member concerned has never had. That’s clear enough for me. As was the 3rd Party Trader tag which perhaps counter-intuitively is now gone from the member concerned.

I firmly support Lee’s position in protecting the extremely good will of the Zedshed. I just don’t get the whole tag thing.

 

[t-tony]

I would like to stick my nose on on this one please (as a recipient and part time member of the Zedshed (HQ)

I get the point being made here by Gary and fully support his actions.
The "Zedshed" name reflects the amazing help and assistance that everyone gives at @Lee and at @t-tony . The Zedshed is not just a place but mainly stands the people that give their time, experience, and knowledge to assist those that need it within our community free of charge. The experience of going to either one (and I have been to both) is not the same as going to a garage, its about the fun that's had while your getting your car fixed by people who care about what they are doing, I am sure anyone who has visited would agree.

So I fully support the name Zedshed being protected on this forum.

Thank you Niall, I would like to say I appreciate your kind words. That is what makes giving of my time, experience(s) and tools all worthwhile.

Tony.

 

[mrscalex]

Thank you Niall, I would like to say I appreciate your kind words. That is what makes giving of my time, experience(s) and tools all worthwhile.

Tony.

All the more praiseworthy in my view as you do this for a living during the day!

 

[smiffy]

it came to my attention that one of the traders has now started a business using the name which has become such a big part of what makes this community so darned awesome.

Based on this bit of the original post, I can fully understand why Gaz isn't happy. Zedshed is almost a trademark. I would have probably asked him to change it if it was me, and possibly closed his zorg account if he didn't. What the individual has potentially done though, is alienate a chunk of his potential customer base. Hopefully he may read this and rethink.

 

[t-tony]

It can be a bit like a busman's holiday Rob but there is tons more satisfaction in helping people with their pride and joy than what I have to do to earn a living. I appreciate your comment all the same mate.

Tony.

 

[BMBabe]

Shocking!!! Whoever stole the name Zedshed to make money should be banished
If they make a mistake it makes our genuine guys looks bad
What the guys do is amazing!!! They work so hard to keep us Zedding and without them some of us including me may of sold our Zeds due to not being able to afford the Labour costs of garages
Keep up the good work guys

 

[PHILIP BAXTER]

Well done @GazHyde for taking a stand on this. The lads and lasses of the Zed shed do an awesome service for Z.org members. They absolutely transformed Bluebird for me and I am so grateful. They are a godsend for people like me, with no experience, time or talent to do the work ourselves. They do a first class job in return for nothing more than a small donation to replace tools. While I have never been to @t-tony Zedshed, I have benefited from his wealth of experience and knowledge which he shares freely on the forum, on a daily basis.
Thank you all.

 

[Mint]

Totally support you Gaz, on this one. I haven't been to, but always read with interest the jobs you guys complete down at the original ZedShed. However I can vouch for ZedShed Midlands. I have been over a few times to @t-tony's sometimes for my repairs and other times for the fun and enjoyment of seeing/helping with others. It is a great feeling fixing cars and having fun and banter whilst doing it.

 

[Dino D]

Without the the help from the Zedshed it’s doubtful I’d still have mine and it set me on path to make it a keeper and tackle loads of things myself (although I’ve banned myself from engine work!) cannot say thanks enough and would love to give back by getting my hands dirty sometime with the crew.

I can understand it’s a great name so not a suprise someone using it but for someone to knowingly use the name of a what is essentially charitable enterprise is very cheeky indeed.

If you want to get it trademarked to protect it’s not too big a job, can help you with that.

 

[mrscalex]

If you want to get it trademarked to protect it’s not too big a job, can help you with that.

Im afraid there at least 2 problems with that.

Zedshed is already used by various organisations. Including a Datsun Z set-up which coincidentally does exactly the same thing as ours. Also a rally car prep operation And a community hall in Cornwall I think it is. So might be difficult to lay claim.

Secondly the member concerned has already bought or registered the name in various places including Facebook. Which I feel is the main thrust of the issue rather than anything happening directly on the forum.

I’m afraid this is one of those positions where a treasured thing was building up, heads were engaged in the important work of repairing Zs and ‘naming assets’ were maybe not in thoughts and a reliance placed on trust that no one else would use it. Next thing someone else has moved in. Legally I would imagine but clearly for the vast majority of the members on here not morally.

For what my view is worth, I don’t think there will be much scope for confusion amongst client bases. We all know which is which on this forum. And that’s all that really matters when our Zedshed is here for the benefit of this community.

 

[t-tony]

And that’s all that really matters when our Zedsheds are here for the benefit of this community.

Only a slight ammendment Rob, but one I felt was needed. There is life outside of London and the south east.

Tony.