Disappointed - My opinion

I agree - it can be frustrating when someone is selected for a design challenge or a road test and doesn't deliver on what they promised. Everyone understands there can be unforseen challenges or difficult circumstances. I'm sure that Randall Scasny makes more than adequate allowances for that. I know there are plenty of community members who would also be more than happy to assist too.

There's definitely a few people whom Jan Cumps has described perfectly as "treasure grabbers". It's a fact of life that some people are just like that. I'm sure everyone can think of a particular instance where this has happened - perhaps a challenge or road test you really feel you could have done well, that you missed out because someone made an empty promise and ran.

In my opinion it would be good to see a few more steps taken to reduce "treasure hunting". I can't help but think that the words "free" that tends to be splashed over these attracts the wrong sort of applicant. Sure, you'll get more applicants but are these the applicants that will do well?

It also seems that if there is a condition that the "prize" must be returned of the assignment isn't completed that this doesn't get enforced. I feel very lucky to have been selected for a recent high value road test. I put a lot of effort into it and feel that what I did matched up with what I promised. (I hope you guys agree.) What would have happened if I didn't though? Probably nothing. I would have been happy to have paid a deposit until the road test was completed to a certain standard. I'd have been happy if the equipment was on loan and legally the property of the supplier until I'd finished. I'm sure these sort of things have been considered and there's definitely a chance of putting of potentially good applicants, but they may be more of a benefit in putting off bad applicants.

Maybe it's a legal thing? Does it start to drift too much towards an employment situation if you get goods in payment for an assignment? Anyway, whatever the situation it's great that E14 do these challenges and road tests. The good output does indeed outweigh the bad. Let's hope they continue - imperfect or not.

I agree - it can be frustrating when someone is selected for a design challenge or a road test and doesn't deliver on what they promised. Everyone understands there can be unforseen challenges or difficult circumstances. I'm sure that Randall Scasny makes more than adequate allowances for that. I know there are plenty of community members who would also be more than happy to assist too.

There's definitely a few people whom Jan Cumps has described perfectly as "treasure grabbers". It's a fact of life that some people are just like that. I'm sure everyone can think of a particular instance where this has happened - perhaps a challenge or road test you really feel you could have done well, that you missed out because someone made an empty promise and ran.

In my opinion it would be good to see a few more steps taken to reduce "treasure hunting". I can't help but think that the words "free" that tends to be splashed over these attracts the wrong sort of applicant. Sure, you'll get more applicants but are these the applicants that will do well?

It also seems that if there is a condition that the "prize" must be returned of the assignment isn't completed that this doesn't get enforced. I feel very lucky to have been selected for a recent high value road test. I put a lot of effort into it and feel that what I did matched up with what I promised. (I hope you guys agree.) What would have happened if I didn't though? Probably nothing. I would have been happy to have paid a deposit until the road test was completed to a certain standard. I'd have been happy if the equipment was on loan and legally the property of the supplier until I'd finished. I'm sure these sort of things have been considered and there's definitely a chance of putting of potentially good applicants, but they may be more of a benefit in putting off bad applicants.

Maybe it's a legal thing? Does it start to drift too much towards an employment situation if you get goods in payment for an assignment? Anyway, whatever the situation it's great that E14 do these challenges and road tests. The good output does indeed outweigh the bad. Let's hope they continue - imperfect or not.