@Xanax
We choose not to show a list of Suppliers for several reasons - practical reasons (the work involved in reconciling a dozen lists), commercial reasons, political reasons, and the simple fact that it would need updating daily. There are hundreds now - and between 10 and 20 more are reviewed and registered here every week (about one-third are rejected). Because this is a global site the supplier lists are global - and fairly comprehensive.
There are many different Supplier groups as it is now quite complex. For example there are Registered Suppliers (the main group), Forum Suppliers (a group capped at 80 who have a subforum), Accessory Suppliers, and Manufacturers & Wholesalers, who have a private forum that can only be viewed by other Suppliers. There are several more as well. In fact the Supplier system, its management and the issues raised by the interaction of the various supplier groups and the community, is by far the most complex part of the site.
Essentially: trying to publish such a list would create yet more work that we don't need as we are maxed out and we have a duty to keep costs down, there are good reasons not to do so, and there are no benefits that we can see. Anyone who needs something can find exactly what they need in a Supplier Forum, or in the open Suppliers Forum, or by making a request in the forum specifically for that purpose. Or google it - using our integral Google search facility.
Supplier forum rotation and similar issues: there have been may posts about this and there are answers to all these questions in the Stickies. Forums are listed in order of tenure at ECF, longest-serving at the top, new ones come in at the bottom and move up as others are removed for non-compliance such as the Supplier not posting in their forum. The list is also available in alphabetical order and by location for those who want those arrangements.
@PaulS
You can't see ads because you are logged in as a Supplier. Only Guests and Members see ads. Logout and check please. (Logout, clear cookies, close and re-open browser if necessary. It may be necessary to clear browsing history.)
Also we have an extremely low level of advertising on this site compared to almost all other sites that have ads - we only show the bulk of them on pages with actual posts, not all the other pages such as the forum front page, forum lists and post lists. It would be possible to raise the number shown (ie, increase the 'inventory' in trade speak) but this would make ads more visible and we don't choose to do that at this time.
It means the site is very 'clean' as regards advert visibility. It would be easy to increase them and earn more but that detracts from the user experience in our view; and ECF, as we continually have to point out, is not about making heaps of money at the expense of users or the trade.
ECF was the first e-cigarette website to be organised properly and from Day 1 the founder knew what needed to be done in order that ecigarettes become a legitimate consumer product accepted by all: the very highest standards had to be maintained and enforced. Over the years this has resulted in many complaints, and the incredible success of the site has engendered a strong measure of jealousy - but you will have to decide for yourself whether the site has succeeded in its mission. At over 100,000 posts per month on the forum, 15 million pageviews a month, and the site's commonly-heard testimonial of, "The cleanest and best-run forum I have ever seen", it seems to be working.
Entire ecigarette businesses have been built up from exposure on ECF, and Members have access to the best supplies at the widest choice of prices and the best service available. Our news, campaigning, technical reference and medical sections are not just the best available - they are an order of magnitude better than anything else out there. Currently, legislation issues are occupying the interest of many in the community and trade and we have to stay up to date on that situation in several countries.
So the work continues; but unfortunately the supply and maintenance of a global list of Suppliers is not high on our list of priorities just now, there are one or two other things higher on the agenda...
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