The Collector Forums were developed and have evolved as a site for Harbour Lights collectors.
That was and is our primary reason for being.
This is a place to discuss our shared interest in lighthouses and especially in Harbour Lights. That's not to say all our views are 'positive'. We can be critical and congratulatory. All views are welcome, so long as they are civilly stated.
The owners of Harbour Lights (past and present) have recognized that the Collector Forums serve a purpose and provides feedback. At one time, the CF was linked from the HarbourLights.com website. The CF has always remained independent.
Participation in the Collector Forums by Harbour Lights dealers who are also collectors has always been welcomed. I expect that there are some dealers who are among our 'silent supporters' of unregistered visitors who review, but do not post.
A few dealers have chosen to join us and participate off and on over the years.
Special informal rules have evolved for Harbour Lights dealers over the 10+ years of the CF. Dealers have generally adhered to the spirit of these guidelines, but we felt it important to everyone -- dealers and collectors -- to formalize them.
We'd like to make those expectations of dealer-members more standardized with the following special rules for Harbour Lights dealers who join the Collector Forums:
1. Harbour Lights dealers should clearly identify themselves as such.
2. Dealers are welcome to post information about Harbour Lights so long as the information was provided without restrictions by the company. An example would be that dealers receive information about the latest releases before those releases are published on the company's website. It would be inappropriate to post such information before Harbour Lights has released it on their website. Proprietary information such as operations, procedures, incentives, etc. between Harbour Lights and its dealer(s) would not be appropriate to post.
3. Dealers must refrain from promoting their own store on the Collector Forums. The CF has always restricted sales efforts by collectors to the "Trading Post" Forum and in no other Forum.
4. The Trading Post is intended only for sale of Harbour Lights and Harbour Lights related items (such as brochures etc.) Dealers cannot sell through the Trading Post.
5. Dealers should not include links to their own website in their posts or in their 'signature'. This is a form of sales outside the Trading Post.
6. If a dealer wishes to announce when the latest introductions have arrived in a particular part of the country, that is appropriate and welcome information for collectors. It would be inappropriate to post that they have arrived and are 'available for sale'. (A fine line, we know).
7. If the dealer is having an official Harbour Lights in-store event, posting information about that event would be appropriate, walking a fine line between 'selling' the event piece and mentioning that 'signed relicas of XXX' will of course be available."
The cooperation of our members who are also Harbour Lights dealers is very much appreciated.
