An open letter to TCC

In the past, Trading Card Central was an amazing place. Members posted away to their heart’s desire, shattering posting records day in and day out. Members would help each other in any way they could, offering advice and conversing about the hot topics that our hobby provides. Chat nights on Thursday were the event of the week, with twenty members filling the chat room and participating in contests. Team members were active in any and every way; answering questions, responding to concerns, and joining in on the general fun that TCC and its members provided.

Today, TCC is still an amazing place. We have one of the best groups of members that can be found in ANY online community. However, it seems that some things from the TCC of yesterday are lacking. Chat nights are no longer the spectacle they once were; it is rare to have over ten members in the chat room at one time. Many members, including those on various Teams, are not as active as they once were. I feel that all Team Members (those from the Collector Zone Team, Membership Team, Content and Graphics Team, and the Programming Team) must work to be more active and oriented towards the success of this site.

With our economy in a mess and an election coming up, a reduced level of activity is understandable. But, let’s do our best to revive the kind of participation that TCC used to enjoy. Let’s all do our best – member, Team member, everyone – to contribute to Trading Card Central. Check out the Hobby Talk forum, bust some boxes, or show off your collection. If you see a suggestion in the Suggestion Box forum, let everyone know how you feel about it! Join the chat on Thursdays at 9 PM EST – you never know what might happen!

Let’s all continue to make Trading Card Central a better place!

- ffman – Membership Team member and dedicated Trading Card Central fanatic

Nice post, Cody! I'll try to be a more active and better member!

Great post, Cody.

Great post! Unfortunately, I will not be able to attend.

Attend when you can! You've been there though.

This is not just about chat nights - this is about improving TCC as a whole.

I'll sign on to this post with my support, empathy and never-ending loyalty to Cody (ffman).
He has been a shining star on this site and I really shouldn't have to write that.
Let's start making this a better place.
It's about the site, not about you and I as individuals.
We will grow bigger, better and more prolonged by keeping this in mind.
This is the greatest Trading Card Forum on the net and each and every member has contributed to the success of TCC.
That stated, we need to do more.
There are Forums and subjects that are neglected and overlooked.
Cody is right, Let's make it better.

Collect Hard!,
RGBII

oh Cody Well you came and you gave without taking but I sent you away

Wow, excellent post Cody. I know I'm semi-new to the site, but I'm actually excited to see this post, probably as much as anyone else. I really feel like this kind of attitude is what's need more than anything here on TCC, and it absolutely starts with the top. I'm more than willing to help where I can, when I can to get TCC back on the right track towards growth and success. This site already has some of the best members (MODs especially) that I've ever encountered on any forum I've been a part of. The potential is there. I think we all just need to come together, motivate, energize, and really just push this site to greater success.

Nice post, Cody!

I was on last thursday..i think there were like 5 members..i didnt see cody come in..shame shame cody!

Great post..However I can't imagine this site being much better then it all ready is..im a Rookie and i enjoy it alot..I will show up on thursdays as well..

Great suggestions Cody. I have never participated in chat night, I will try and be there thursday for sure. I hope we all can continue to TCC grow with leaps and bounds.

ill try to be there i just keep forgetting about the time ect

also can someone refresh me on how to enter the chat area

great psot cody from a stand up guy

I am, for various reasons, guilty of lagging attendance here of late.

Working on it...

I wish I could attend Thursdays and hope to soon.

As far as TCC overall.

I think that not too much has changed since we reached a certain level , It still, by a wide margin, blows away whats left of the other trading forums!

great post cody

Thursdays = The Office! I prefer Wednesday or Sunay nights for chat.

when I first found this sight,I also found a few others,I joined 3 or 4 sights,but this is the one that I really enjoy I hardly ever get on the others any more,this is one of the most helpful and friendliest sights I have found.I really enjoy trading and talking with everyone here,I rate this sight a 10 out of 10,I love this sight,I have got a few others to join also,I tell them about the sight and the people and as far as I know they really like it to,keep up the good work,I will try to get in the chat night when I can.Thanks for the great sight,Dave

I agree that TCC is probably the best site, but I still think it could be better if the right people put forth the right effort. I have seen several really good suggestions, but haven't seen any changes in my short time here.

This is the best trading site anywhere...it doesn't matter if you don't agree on favorite teams (I'll admit, some of the Steeler fans on here are pretty cool..LOL) or politics...but we all do agree on something....our love of the hobby. And each and every one of us on here fuels the passion for it...I will, as well, do more as a TCC member for each other.

Different states, different teams, different backgrounds, one passion..TCC

I have a topic both in the Membership and hobby talk forum about it. I think Sunday night would be a good day, but I would rather a Collector Zone Team member make the "official" move.

This wasn't mean to focus on chat night specifically - it is only a small piece of the "puzzle".

Oh I know it was, it's a great thread and I know I for one could certainly put forth more effort here. Life gets hectic. Hopefully things can straighten out and I can put even more time forward on here soon.

The only thing wrong with TCC is there isnt that much trading.

Nice post Cody. I think TCC is still an awesome place like it was when I first joined. I know my schedule has been crazy lately (and actually getting worse next week as might end up working 13 days in a row starting next Monday), other folks may be having the same issues, and Bob hasn't been on near as much as he used to due to things going on with him. I think we can improve yes some, but we still are an awesome group. One needs to be patient when wanting change as it usually takes awhile especially if only one person can implement said change.
I work nights so chat night is a rare thing for me to be off that night. I try to contribute to the site in any way I can, be it posts or contests or just a random giving away of some cards. Right now though I'm seeing the folks at work more than my wife or kid, but I like to unwind here when I get home, and it gets me going with my morning coffee before work (so excuse any typo's as I just woke up and coffee hasn't "kick start my heart" yet.

Keep on being yourself everyone (well ok most of you ) and we will continue to be the greatest site out there

Dwight

I'll step up my game and quit being so silent. This is a great place and tons of fun, i'm in on getting this started.

i too have noticed that just in the past few months things have slowed down here.

since i collect mainly football i figured that this time of the year would be crazy and it seems a lot slower than last football season.

i agree and im mostly they're every thursday

Hello this is a great topic I really feel this site is getting rather not fun any more. With this said I think it can be fixed and made in to a great site again I mean nothing against tcc because im a die hard faithful tccer but Scf seam a lot more dedicated to their site and trying new things making more fun things for members. but it dosent feel like home there just the people can make a person feel unwelcome that's were tcc is great at and makes u feel like this is your sports cards encyclopedia dictionary bible of anything u need to no about sports pretty much with a lot of great people sharing memories and story's about were they got this and that so lets as a whole web site make this place better. and more enjoyable to trade cardboard and share great stories .

How can I find the said Chat Room on Thursdays?

good question I need to find it to,

Look at the top of the screen for a "Chat" link.

Click it and a Java chat box will open.

At the top of this page you will notice a blue box with links that say "Forum Home", "Forum Search", "Blogs", and "Chat". Simply click the "Chat" link.

Haha! You beat me to it Cody. Could a MOD please remove this post.

thanks guys,my son-in-law is in a case break tonight and I gotta spend some quite time with the wifey so I`m not sure if I can make it tonight,but I`ll get in there sometime

amazing post cody!!! TCC is better in some ways, but like everything it needs improve. the sad reality is that we aren't a small tight-knit community anymore, we are larger and therefore some things will go away but some will never change.

Well put, and change can be labled good or ill, but everything changes
regardless.

Collect Hard!,
RGBII

i would like to add that this site is the best and has the best TCC care-takers and traders around,good people run this site,big BOB your the best
thanks rob

Where Are Ya Cody?!

I probably won't be in the chat for another hour or so; I'm working on a project for class right now.

I have to agree....I have noticed that since the change at Beckett, we have increased in membership, but not always the best kind. There are many things that have developed here, that persisted elsewhere...that is the reason TCC is my home....

Why to you have to create a thread everytime you want to...."WTTF...X player"....I just reveiwed a newer members topics and 11 out of 103 were the same thing. Please continue to use the original thread, unless there has been an major issue with it, not 11. As a responsible member...you get chastized when trying to help point these things out.

If a member PMs or post in your thread, because of your requested wants or needs...please be courteous and reply. I have made an effort in the last couple of weeks to look for members collecting or set needs to complete trades. Basically, I am not getting much in return (generally something I am going to send to someone else as a freebie), I am more focused on helping your needs....please at least respond one way or another.

Recently we have had a few members that are staples of this site, experience some life "ISSUES" that have kept them from the boards. Although, I don't always have the time, I have tried to pick up the slack as some of our other members have. That is the type of community I would like to see more of..."Those helping others"....

Sorry for the rant, but as a member, I too want to see us continue to grow and prosper, but with courtesy and respect.

Thank you for your input! A rant isn't bad as long as its goal is improvement.

Thank you for your help over the last few weeks. You are definitely doing a great job of "picking up the slack"!

Bob,

That was some rant! but it does hit alot of good points!

This site has just grown faster than we are used too.

Many areas are not as active as before like chat, the galleries and the blogs.

We haven't seen a trade a thon or an email blast in a long time. Some things/information are so outdated, but the site continues to grow so we're OK in a sense.

Sure improvements can be made, but there aren't enough hours to do them

I think there should be an effort to discuss which improvements (at least a few?) are the most worthwhile and would help TCC the greatest. It isn't right to assume that every suggestion can feasibly be implemented, but some should be considered.

possible have more than one chat night. maybe one on here and one on aim like 7:00 EST one night

The chat room is available any time. We have considered moving the chat to Sunday night though.

Another point:

This place has too much of a negative attitude lately. I thought the political forum was home to most of the bad attitudes, but I guess not. Nothing wrong with expressing an opinion but why does everyone have to be so rude lately? You can get your point across much easier if you try to act civilized without insults, name-calling, etc.

Here, here...I agree with Cody. We all are allowed to have your opinions and it will not always be the same as others. Respectfully agree to dis-agree, not reason to be rude or nasty.

That might be folks from other sites that aren't as family friendly and think it's cool to do so on this site. If something is blatant, by all means report it

No - it is usually from members who have been here a long time.

It's nothing "reportable", just overall negative/rude attitude.

im promoting chat all the time

I too have noticed that it's not as good as it used to be. I go to the sale sight and all I see is Box Breaks. There should be a different Spot for them. And people are just rude and short with you. Maybe It's me but people seem like they do not want to trade. And some people just have no idea what they are doing. The other thing I have noticed is people not getting back to you on things even the Mods. I hope things get better but I have went to another site alot lately. I still look at TCC alot but I trade and buy more there now.

Thanks.
Brian