Questions and Answers from JSA

Scott "JSA" McLaughlin · 08-03-2004, 02:21 PM

I know with the changes at TR, the creation of this site and with the all the rumors being spread around the internet that many people have questions about what exactly went down. I will attempt to answer questions and give my thoughts on what transpired, why i left and created a new site, and what the future will hold on Hoopscollector.com.

1. Why did you leave TR?
I left TR, not due to one particular recent issue, but due to a combination of it "all" in my 4 years as leader of TR. Running a site that big for that long is very taxing on your life. The behind the scene politics, the constant problem solving, the time, work, and money invested, it all can be overwhelming. I didn't see a end coming to any of this, so in early July I told my staff that I would be leaving.

2. How could you sell TR?
Well at first the plan was never to sell TR or change it in anyway. I was going to leave and work on a hoops site (a project i had been wanting to do for over a year). When Pat (our webmaster) told me it was time for him to leave as well, thats when everything changed. Pat had been hosting TR for free for years. So with his departure we had to find someone who could take TR over and host it.

3. Why not make a public sale so a TR member could buy it?
Business is business. I didnt want TR's selling price, income, profit to loss numbers or any other private TR matters to become public. That's just how business is handled. The less mature TR members (certainly not all TR members) would have made this public sale a circus, and Pat and I both felt dealing with a outside source was appropriate.

4. So how do you feel about everything now?
In all honesty, I dont feel good about any of it. The presentation of the whole thing was never done properly. We had a inside leak in staff that got many rumors started, leaving the new owners no choice but to move forward and announce the merger, long before anyone was ready. The plan was for it to be a big celebration with lots of giveaways and positive promotions. But because of a disgruntled person, none of that was made possible. Right now I have to move forward and distance myself from the fiasco. I love TR and its members dearly, but some of the personal attacks I took cut deep and I simply can't keep putting myself in that atmosphere. It's time for me to move forward and make my new site as successful as possible.

5. If you had problems at TR, won't you have the same with Hoopscollector?
No. My belief is that I made a few errors, and some bad judgement calls over the years that led to my departure of TR. It got so big so quick it was very hard to manage. This time around, i plan to take things slow and enjoy it more. Truth be known, i did so much work at TR, that I very seldom got to trade or enjoy the site. That wont happen this time. This time its all about the sport I love and I'm surrounding myself with people i have been in contact with for many years and feel good about. I'm not looking to create another TR, no where near it. I simply want to have a solid site, with positive people who love the game of hoops!

6.There have been some collectors who are still angered by the TR sale and who may not join your new site because of it. Does this bother you?
Yes, I won't lie it bothers me a bit. But i can understand their feelings as this was hard on everyone. All i can say is that Hoopscollector.com will be around for many years whether thats with 10 members or 1000 members. Im dedicated to this new site and its members. With it being strickly hoops, its much easier to control and enjoy. Im forming a good group of guys around myself to help run the site, and I feel very good about the future. If you are a hoops collector, I think this will be the place to be in a few months. We are going to have everything from free products, contests, interviews, chatrooms, auctions and so much more that I think people will want to be a part of it! To those who wish to try other sites, I wish them the very best as being happy with the hobby is more important than which site you are a member of.

7. Any last comments?
Well, i just want to wish everyone the best at TR. It's a great site and I think it will do well with the new owners. On a personal level I'm very proud and honored to have been a part of TR and worked with so many great people , especially the members. I hope everyone understands its time for me to move forward and for me to have some fun again. Im very excited about whats instore for everyone that joins hoopscollector.com and hope that all hoops collectors will give it a chance. I will check this post from time to time, so if anyone else has any questions feel free to ask and I will do my best to answer them.

Thanks and Best regards,

Scott Mclaughlin

Billy Kingsley · 08-05-2004, 06:32 AM

Wow, I've missed alot lately...I didn't know TR was sold even...I was gone the whole month of July, and have been out of the picture at TR for quite some time. I just am not too happy right now with the hobby, and some things were going down when I was still around I just didn't care for. I guess one word for my view on the hobby could be considered an eleteist, in that I have no patience for people who only want the top dollar card, for people who are in it to make a buck, and people who have a card you want, you have a card they want, of equal or greter BV in their favor but won't trade due to some stupid reason I don't understand.

But I'm rambling.

My question, JSA, is that, are you going to mind if I basically just "shoot the breeze" I don't plan to be very active, or active at all, in the trading section. However, I do want to talk to the people here, some of whom I do consider freinds, about my 2nd favorite sport. (but biggest collection, go figure) If I see a set that needs filling that I can help with I will, but I don't plan to make posts of my tradelists.

I am also volunteering to provide my own box breaks. I bust everything, from Victory to Exquisite Collection, and would be more then willing to give my opinion; however, I won't be willing to give my pulls to anyone, unless I get two.

Billy

Scott "JSA" McLaughlin · 08-05-2004, 05:07 PM

Billy

Feel free to "breeze" all you want. I dont want this site to be just about sportscards or even trading, selling or buying them. I want it to be a place for guys to get together and talk about sports. You are more than welcomed here, and i thank you for coming! Please invite any friends you have to join as well!

JSA

mutombo_fan · 08-05-2004, 05:42 PM

I was gone for 1 year, taking a long card break.
I didn't not know any of this happened.
I wish the best for Hoops Collector. and I feel coming back and collecting again, I really miss it.
But I'm gonna have to start saving some $ to buy boxes again.
I won't be doing any trading on this site for a while. I'm just waiting... In other words i want to have a good tradelist... lol

Peace

Phil

Scott "JSA" McLaughlin · 08-05-2004, 10:49 PM

Phil

Well dont let cards stop you. Again this can be just a good place to chat and talk with some buddies. Cards are secondary here. Welcome to the family, IM glad you are back in collecting. Give me a list of what you collect in hoops and i will try to fix you a free package compliments of the Hoops team.

JSA

Billy Kingsley · 08-06-2004, 01:37 AM

Thanks JSA.

Can I get a free package? I'll say pretty please? I'll take the commons you don't want...?
LOL

Scott "JSA" McLaughlin · 08-06-2004, 04:06 AM

Billy,

Anything for you buddy. Let me know what you collect, im always glad to help
other collectors.

JSA

White Ice · 08-06-2004, 04:33 AM

Here is my Question

Are there going to be mods and staff on here like tr had?Beause i had alot problems with MODS on tr that would talk crap and make fun of ppl there when its suppose to be a trading site.I had badd experiences with cardballer when i tried to get my named fixed becuz it was deleted and he just blocked me on aim and didnt help me at all.So lmk if things wil be different here?

Cardballer88 · 08-06-2004, 05:34 AM

Actually whiteice, I was the one who fixed your name. Keep in mind I didn't have to. I could have done what a lot of people would have done and let it be as it was. Also, if you continue calling me out in various posts and taking shots at me....

Scott "JSA" McLaughlin · 08-06-2004, 05:59 AM

WhiteIce
The answer is "yes" we are going to have mods and a strong staff. Im surrounding myself with friends who i respect and feel confident will be fair in all their judgements on Hoopscollector. But as Ive always done, if you feel you arent being treated correctly, my door is always open.

My advice to you WhiteIce is to leave whatever transpired between you and Ross (cardballer) outside this site. It didnt happen here, so lets not bring it here. Lets put it behind us and lets all have a new start here at Hoopscollector.

Thanks for the listen

JSA