The Game Show Forum
The Game Show Forum => The Big Board => Topic started by: PYLW on August 10, 2007, 01:12:43 AM
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Today, I got an e-mail from someone asking for a copy of an episode of The Dating Game they appeared on. This is the second time someone has e-mailed me with such a request; the other time I got them the episode they needed thanks to a trader with a better copy.
So basically traders and non-traders, what would/do you do with such requests, especially if you have the episode? If you have the episode, do you help them out, or just not bother? I personally like to help them out as much as I can, and if I don't have the episode I try to push them in the right direction.
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My method is pretty much the same as yours. If I have the episode, I give them a copy. I also offer to interview them about their experiences; I've posted both of the interviews I've done on my website. If I don't, I at least look around to see who might have it, along with giving them a link to Mike's Trading Post.
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[quote name=\'Allstar87\' post=\'160148\' date=\'Aug 9 2007, 10:38 PM\']
I also offer to interview them about their experiences;
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"Offer"?
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[quote name=\'PYLW\' post=\'160147\' date=\'Aug 10 2007, 12:12 AM\']
So basically traders and non-traders, what would/do you do with such requests, especially if you have the episode? If you have the episode, do you help them out, or just not bother? I personally like to help them out as much as I can, and if I don't have the episode I try to push them in the right direction.
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I have a form e-mail explaining mass tape erasure that covers the vast majority of these requests. On the rare occasions that I actually have the episode, I happily make them a copy for nothing, and in one case,I got one to give me some recollections about the experience. (http://\"http://www.gameshowutopia.net/Roseanne/rosanne.htm\") It's not always tapes or DVDs. I once got an e-mail from the son of the contestant in this photo, (http://\"http://www.gameshowutopia.net/ntt/ntt35photo.jpg\") looking for a copy of the episode. I didn't have it but happily made him a high-quality copy of the photo & press release, which he ended up giving his father for Christmas that year.
So, if you just want to know what other traders do, I give it to them for nothing if I have it, if not I just explain what MAY have become of the episode and refer them to the usual archival places.
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I used to get so many of these requests for shows I actually did have that I had to start charging a minimal amount to the requester for the cost of tape and postage, usually $5...this was while I was in college and had to stretch a couple hundred dollars over an entire semester. Not one complained about the cost, as most told me they would figure it to be hundreds of dollars to acquire the tape.
I don't mind making the copy for the requester, and it's certainly a lot of fun to hear about the experiences behind the contestants on these episodes. But when they start getting picky about quality, or emailing me to ask if I have a better quality copy, I have little patience for that.
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[quote name=\'mitchgroff\' post=\'160158\' date=\'Aug 10 2007, 05:35 AM\']
But when they start getting picky about quality, or emailing me to ask if I have a better quality copy, I have little patience for that.
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Have you really gotten that? I could see it if it was some snotnosed kid or the leeches we see around here, but have you really gotten that response from someone trying to find their dad's appearance on To Tell The Truth in 1962, for example?
(I wonder if the flaw in your plan wasn't asking for the $5 to cover materials and shipping, instead of asking for them to send you a blank tape and a postage-paid mailer. Yes, your method is cheaper, but people tend to think they have an entitlement if they send you cash, even if it's nominal.)
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[quote name=\'clemon79\' post=\'160165\' date=\'Aug 10 2007, 11:46 AM\']
Have you really gotten that? I could see it if it was some snotnosed kid or the leeches we see around here, but have you really gotten that response from someone trying to find their dad's appearance on To Tell The Truth in 1962, for example?
(I wonder if the flaw in your plan wasn't asking for the $5 to cover materials and shipping, instead of asking for them to send you a blank tape and a postage-paid mailer. Yes, your method is cheaper, but people tend to think they have an entitlement if they send you cash, even if it's nominal.)
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When people end up contacting me, they are expecting to pay $25 or more (usually more) for a tape dub copy. If you request a tape from a local news station, or something like Oprah, they're usually $30-$40 or more. So when I offer them $5, they jump on that. I have never had anyone question that $5 cost; in fact, at least half of the people actually send the money to me through PayPal.
I have had a few people whine and ask me about the quality of the tape, and can I get them a better one because "my grandfather can't see that well anymore." (I do not lie, this was actually an explanation given to me.) You have to remember that most people aren't used to seeing multi-generational copies of tapes. I always send the dubs out in the best quality possible, but I have had a complaint here and there about the quality.
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In December of '04 I got an email from a girl who's mom, aunts & uncle were on syndicated 'Feud' in 81. Lucky for them GSN had aired the show not long ago and I could help them out. When I heard from the lady who was on she was really glad. She planned to surprise her siblings with the episode on Christmas. I didn't charge anything - I was glad to make their Christmas.
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I've helped two people by sending them their episodes, and they've been very thankful. One person sent me a blank tape to record it on, and the other paid for the tape and postage, and even sent me a TVGuide from his area -- back when they actually had different editions for different areas :(
I've gotten lots of other requests though. Surprisingly, several of them have come from schools or colleges looking for episodes of certain shows so that students can work on related projects; one such request was actually for the show Cram.
I usually try to help when I can, especially since they usually offer to send me either the media, or the cost of postage, etc. in return. I wouldn't want to make a habit out of just sending out tapes/discs all the time and getting nothing in return though.
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One time, someone contacted me about a Family Feud ep that their family appeared on and asked me if I could provide a copy, so I did.
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[quote name=\'gameboy2000\' post=\'160273\' date=\'Aug 11 2007, 07:05 PM\']
One time, someone contacted me about a Family Feud ep that their family appeared on and asked me if I could provide a copy, so I did.
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That exact thing happened for me recently. The show was part of the "Best of FF" specials.
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I think we found one or two black and white "What's My Line" episodes for interested parties back in the day; we dubbed off the shows expecting nothing in return.
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[quote name=\'davemackey\' post=\'160306\' date=\'Aug 12 2007, 01:59 AM\']
I think we found one or two black and white "What's My Line" episodes for interested parties back in the day; we dubbed off the shows expecting nothing in return.
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Like a lot of folks, I don't trade much these days. Never did swap very much, really. But anytime someone is looking for their appearance on a show and I can help...that, for me, is what this hobby is all about. Sometimes they'll share a story or some documentation from the show; more often than not, it's a stretch just for them to remember which year they appeared on their program. But I've been able to enjoy a lot of game shows over the years, and that wouldn't have been possible but for the contestants who made that show run. So it's really about giving back to people who have -- whether they know it or not -- already given to me.
Have I ever been hoodwinked over the years? Can't imagine it...maybe. But it's a risk I'll always take...
Marshall
Find Your Show -- To Tell the Truth on the Web (http://\"http://www.nmi.uga.edu/people/marshall/tttt/Search.html\")
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In the time I was regularly trading, you know, it just never came up. I'd imagine if it did I'd be perfectly happy to just make a copy of the episode on a disc or tape and send it to them, assuming I could even find it.
In fact, the only time I've ever been asked for a specific episode of a show was someone with a bit of a foot fetish looking for an episode of The Price is Right that most likely doesn't actually exist.
/I kid you not.
//Reading that email was like listening to the Animal Crack-Ups theme on a continuous loop for 2 days straight.
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[quote name=\'Seth Thrasher\' post=\'160378\' date=\'Aug 12 2007, 04:03 PM\']
In fact, the only time I've ever been asked for a specific episode of a show was someone with a bit of a foot fetish looking for an episode of The Price is Right that most likely doesn't actually exist.
/I kid you not.
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If it's who I think it is, yeah, I know you're not kidding. On more than one occasion he's shown me leather slippers on Ebay and ask me what I thought. You'd think there wouldn't have been a second occasion after I told him it was creepy the first time.
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[quote name=\'mitchgroff\' post=\'160194\' date=\'Aug 10 2007, 04:50 PM\']
I always send the dubs out in the best quality possible, but I have had a complaint here and there about the quality.[/quote]
One of the first things I do when I respond to someone's request is warn them about the quality. I just feel better when I send it out that they know what they're in for, and then the most common reaction I get is "Oh, it wasn't nearly as bad as I was afraid it would be." Always better to be surprised in the positive direction.
And yeah, I do it all the time, and never expect anything in return. Although since I don't post my collection on the web as some of you do, I probably get fewer requests.
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[quote name=\'Matt Ottinger\' post=\'160538\' date=\'Aug 14 2007, 08:51 AM\']
One of the first things I do when I respond to someone's request is warn them about the quality. I just feel better when I send it out that they know what they're in for, and then the most common reaction I get is "Oh, it wasn't nearly as bad as I was afraid it would be." Always better to be surprised in the positive direction.
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In the tech support business we called this "setting expectations." For example, warning a customer in advance that he might have to go through six CableCards before finding two that will work in his Tivo.
/no, I'm not bitter
//Comcast sucks