Ethics of trying to poach guild members using bribery - discuss

Faeth · 10-31-2007, 06:00 AM

Title says it all really.

What does the panel think of guilds who send tells to members of other guilds trying to get them to leave where they are and join them by means of bribery - such as offering to buy all their masters etc?

I ask because a few of our members have received such tells, and maybe I'm overly sensitive about this sort of thing - but I find that rather distasteful.

I'm not the biggest fan of poaching in general - but hey, it happens - I accept that - and if a member of a guild happens to be looking to move on anyway, then there's bound to be forms of pursuasion - but for me at least, there is a difference between "Hey, come join us - we really need a *insert class here* for our MT group, we're a great bunch of people and we raid uber stuff" and "Hey join us and we'll buy you everything you need".

Am I an over-sensitive fwuffy bunny who should accept it's a dog-eat-dog world? Or do others think that bribing people to join a guild is a bit distateful?

Bitmap · 10-31-2007, 07:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Faeth

Am I an over-sensitive fwuffy bunny who should accept it's a dog-eat-dog world? Or do others think that bribing people to join a guild is a bit distateful?

I think raid guilds are kinda like sports teams, some teams will try and lure star players to join their team.

Sharpteath · 10-31-2007, 09:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Faeth

Title says it all really.

What does the panel think of guilds who send tells to members of other guilds trying to get them to leave where they are and join them by means of bribery - such as offering to buy all their masters etc?

I ask because a few of our members have received such tells, and maybe I'm overly sensitive about this sort of thing - but I find that rather distasteful.

I'm not the biggest fan of poaching in general - but hey, it happens - I accept that - and if a member of a guild happens to be looking to move on anyway, then there's bound to be forms of pursuasion - but for me at least, there is a difference between "Hey, come join us - we really need a *insert class here* for our MT group, we're a great bunch of people and we raid uber stuff" and "Hey join us and we'll buy you everything you need".

Am I an over-sensitive fwuffy bunny who should accept it's a dog-eat-dog world? Or do others think that bribing people to join a guild is a bit distateful?

Weather we like it or not, poaching happens every day. Guilds do it for a number of reasons. You have a class they need to progress. They want a member of a more successful guild to help further their own progression (strats). The member isn’t happy and has put the feelers out for another guild behind your back and is trying to set you up for an easy let down. The list goes on and on.

Generally I would say that this is slightly distasteful. I have found that most of the time those said members did more then just receive a tell from someone. Sometimes they have made some inquiry and are just getting the recruiter response. If your members are actually happy with your guild and leadership then it won’t matter who contacts them. If they aren’t then they will probably end up leaving anyways. SO get them out of the ranks and start fresh.

I think feeling a little betrayed is normal at first, but remember it’s a game and ultimately if they are happy playing more power to them.

Slamdar · 10-31-2007, 09:15 AM

This is the first time you have ran into this tactic since you've played this game? Its lame that guilds do that to one another, and it's even more lame for the people that uproot and leave just so they can get their masters for free.

I can however understand leaving for reasons as your current guild not progressing enough for you to enjoy the game. After all, you are paying a subscritption monthly to enjoy something, not have it be a drag and unfun for you, and some people find not progressing through content at a certain rate unfun, and will look elsewhere.

Sylow · 10-31-2007, 10:17 AM

What does it take to fully master someone these days anyway? 5 plat?

The only hook I could see for raider poaching is moving up to a guild than can kill what your current guild is not.

Sylow · 10-31-2007, 10:18 AM

BTW this is a flames board...the drooling masses want names of the players and guilds involved!

Slamdar · 10-31-2007, 10:20 AM

Agreed, I almost threw Sylow's name in there just to start something.

Sylow · 10-31-2007, 10:34 AM

We lured Slamdar away by offering him a complete set of tradeskill volumes!

Otis · 10-31-2007, 10:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bitmap

I think raid guilds are kinda like sports teams, some teams will try and lure star players to join their team.

That's actually called tampering and is not allowed in any major pro sport.

Slamdar · 10-31-2007, 11:13 AM

The Dark Father would be livid if he knew the truth.