Perfectly acceptable or a little rude?

[Billy]

As the owner of a small roadrace related business I am approached on a regular basis by people requiring sponsorship.Most of them know that I am already involved with other riders but ask anyway.I dont see it as being rude,However if they were to start telling me they were gonna deliver more than the riders I already sponsor I would end the discussion immediately and I am pleased too see your sponsors did likewise Jimmy.There are a couple of things that need to be thought through before even approaching a prospective sponsor and 1 of them is what does he/she want out of our sport?Its not always about finishing first,second or third,Its about whether the rider is approachable,will people listen to what he/she has too say about your product or service and more importantly will they be the sort of person who will say what you want them to while your around but whistle a different tune when youre not.I have seen some of the best riders this country has produced fail because they thought they were bigger than the sport itself or just plain didnt know how to communicate.Therefore I would say,Not rude to ask but very rude to try and bullshit your way into somebody elses sponsorship,Remember your only as good as your last race NOT your next one Cheers Billy

[Deano]

When it happened to Flame, you told me all was fair in racing bro ?

Have you changed your tune now

I reckon there are several factors -

- do you know the other rider if at all ? A 'mate' certainly shouldn't go behind 'your' back
- personally I would inform the current rider that I would like to approach their sponsor - sus them out first to see how they felt about it
- is the new rider trying to take current rider's place, or team up alongside ?
- the 'new' rider shouldn't purposely denigrate the current rider's ability in order to upstage the current rider

As Shaun says though - it is a cut throat sport/industry.......not that anyone wants to go making any enemies around here

[skelstar]

Tricky huh. I'm not a racer, but reckon alls fair in racing and sponsorship... is rude depending on your relationship with the rider really.If a mate did it I'd be super pissed.

You have a right to be stoked your sponsors value your relationship.

[White trash]

not that anyone wants to go making any enemies around here

Fuck no! Especially in the yellow tent.

(Wasn't them by the way)

[skelstar]

... oh yeah 'name and shame'. If they were successful in their attempt everyone was going to know anyway

[White trash]

... oh yeah 'name and shame'. If they were successful in their attempt everyone was going to know anyway

Nah mate, no naming and shaming going on here. I've decided (with everyones help) that there's nothing actually "wrong" with what was done. Just a little greedy in my eyes.

All's well and all that shit......

[Sparky Bills]

I dont think its too cool, but its a bussiness world.
Just think... Do to others as you expect to be done to you.
Karma has a way to kick you in the ass everytime!

Can I grab your sponsors contact details please... hehe

[NC]

it's not cool. At all.

[FROSTY:Me]

In my opinion its not what you say but how you say it.Peoples situations are constantly changing. Sponsors budgets wax and wane in time. Riders committment to the racing changes.
I don't see the harm in tossing your name in the hat for sponsership I would be less than impressed as a sponsor to have someone say they can outperform a person I've invested my time and effort into.

[MVnut]

No problemo..........

[gav]

I guess maybe a rider has looked at your setup and has asked if your sponsors want to take the next step and do the nationals. Must admit, I'm kinda surprised you aren't doing these South Island rounds!

[Drew]

I guess maybe a rider has looked at your setup and has asked if your sponsors want to take the next step and do the nationals. Must admit, I'm kinda surprised you aren't doing these South Island rounds!

I'm a little suspicious of a someone now man, hope it aint who I think it is.

Jimmy, give the fucker what for!!! I can only assume it's someone you know, and that makes it a cunty thing to do. Tell ya what, tell me who it is, since I have a great history of diplomicy in these kinda situations.

Please disregard this, new information has led me to remove myself from the thread.

[ArcherWC]

Shit man. A suprisingly tough question. Is it alright to approach someone elses sponsor to try and "steal the deal"? It's a ballsy move that is likely to lose friends but if s/he wants it bad enough and s/he is willing to accept the fall-out, then it's up to them. I'd be pretty fucked off if it happened to me but I'd also be asking myself if I have done enough to ask for loyalty from my sponsor. To use the girlfriend analogy, if someone else manages to seduce my girlfriend from under me: she's either an untrustworthy bitch, I'm a slack bastard for not appreciating her enough or the relationship didn't have the legs and wasn't going to last anyway.
Being sponsorless myself I am taking the piss by even posting, but wtf. With sizeable sponorship is it normal practice to have some type of contract outlining obligations and commitments on both sides? Without a contract I suspect that consenting adults will do whatever the fuck they want if it suits them.

I think the analagy above sums it up pretty well

While I ticked "perfectly acceptable" I dont think that is strictly true, it depends on the approach taken. ie, slagging off the encumbant rider would definatly be a NO NO

NZ is a tiny little place where burning any bridges is eventually going to come back and burn you on the ass

Also I think it makes a difference if it is a primary sponsor or not as well

Maybe this could be seen as a good thing, both you and your sponsor have obviously evaluated the relationship and they have chosen to stay with you, and it has probably made you think about what you offer and if there is anything you could be doing better for them. win win at the mo

[Bren_chch]

Nah mate, no naming and shaming going on here. I've decided (with everyones help) that there's nothing actually "wrong" with what was done. Just a little greedy in my eyes.

All's well and all that shit......

Hey WT, Was looking forward to seeing you at Teretonga, but no sign of you. WHERE ARE YOU?

[White trash]

I guess maybe a rider has looked at your setup and has asked if your sponsors want to take the next step and do the nationals. Must admit, I'm kinda surprised you aren't doing these South Island rounds!

Why dat Gav? Know a bit about our situation do ya?

Didn't think so.