In Support of the Producers
Yes, I admit I'm more of a lurker, and I also have no experience in producing tickling videos or anything like that. That being said, since everyone else is throwing their two cents in, I think it's only fair I get to. Besides, I have to say that I think a lot of us consumers get unfairly stereotyped based on the complaints of several very vocal objectors.
I'm very much on the side of TIB, Jeff, T2D Productions, Silver Cherry, et al. Personally, I'm a college student in the good ole USA, which unfortunately means I have very little money to spend on buying videos or paying for pay sites. Yes, I download free clips, but I limit myself to downloading only the previews that these sites release, figuring (misguided or not) that those are clips I have the legal right to view. I'm not going to sit here and pretend that I don't enjoy seeing new free clips. I respect the idea that it can be a good feeling to work hard to earn money, buy a video, and know that the video is the reward for my hard work, but I think that most people wouldn't turn down something free, provided that it was legal.
That being said, where I differ from some of the other people who I've seen post on the TMF is that I would never dream of suggesting that the producers need to cater to me any more than they do right now with their releasing of preview clips and showing of images from their videos. And even if a site chose to remove all of those things, it may prevent me from buying it (more so because of the lack of images than the clips), but I wouldn't have any right to complain about it. As of yet, I've been unable (I emphasize the word unable; I would love to, but I simply can't afford it) to buy anything, so why should I, or anyone else in my position, have any right to demand things of them? Sure, everyone should have the right to express your concerns, but it's only fair to be polite about it. Besides, they have every right to completely disregard them. Maybe you'll call it bad business, or maybe you won't, but the fact remains that it's their decision. Clearly, they all know that, because I have yet to see any of the producers post on here complaining about how their sales are down and they just don't know why.
I, for one, hope that these companies stay in business for a long time, at least long enough for me to be in a better financial position to buy their videos. Just remember: those of us who applaud what you're doing may not be as vocal as your opposition, but we're still large in number. I just hope more of us are better able to buy your products than I am. 🙂