I know I’ll probably be flamed beyond belief for this and probably banished from the forum but, it needs to be said. I am pretty new to the sport and I must admit I was hooked from first mask facial shot.  I went with a couple of friends after buying my a-5 (regular) and had crap loads of fun. But after I left the field that feeling of joy was overcome once I stuck my hand in my pocket and came up with lint.  So when I got home I started to analyze where my money went. Sure enough I came to the conclusion that my money went into buying paint. I know, I know, I’ve heard that old argument before that paintball fields don’t make that much money so they have to sell the paint at double what you can get it for on the net. But I am poor so I decided I’ll look into buying the same exact paint they use to save money (excuse my no0bness). What I found out is that there are actually such things as "field paint". Yes my fellow no0bers, paint that is only purchasable on your local paintball field. In my own opinion, VERY unfair.  I do not make much money, and after I come from a good game of pb I leave with less than $5 in my pocket. I can almost hear some of you now... "Learn to conserve paint", "how are the pb fields 'spose to make money", "leave the house with less money", "play fewer games". but, I ask you my fellow no0bers, vets, and pros: is there no justice for the player? You want the truth? YOU CAN’T HANDLE THE TRUTH!!!!  The truth is NO. After spending tons on your own gear, gun, upgrades, drop ons, drop ins, knick knacks, do dads, gadgets, and what have you... you still have to spend $70-100 bucks on paint. Which, if you have a heavy trigger finger like me wont last you 4 games . probably not the best grade paint and is not recommended for your barrel you spent so much time and effort researching before you purchased it. And lastly, cost so much you most likely split the 2000 box with a friend. And still come out feeling cheated.

Is it only me?

I realize what I’ve said is kind of sacrilegious to the sport of pb. I will now go and bury my a-5 in the backyard and send back my r/t when it comes in the mail. (kidding)

I hate to suggest that you cheat, but then I don't play at a field that requires I use their paint. At my field only the renters are required to use field paint.

It is not likely that the paint the field uses is unique. But, it should also be easy enough to match the field color and fill density.

Personally, and I know you may have no choice, I would not play at a field that would not let me use the paint that I know works best in my marker.

My main field is FPO.  I've gotten used to it.  $60.00 for good quality paint isn't so bad.  I know some of you have fields charging in the $100 range and that is just wrong.  The pro shop for Hell Survivors, Exotic Sportz is selling the field paint for $49.00 and it comes with a free admission... pretty cool.  ever in Michigan, you should play here for sure  HSI is top shelf!

Other ways to save money... see if you field offers a game pass... it is $15.00 to get into our place, but if you buy an 8 admission pass for $80.00, you can save a lot over time... you can share it with friend s as well.  See if your place has this sort of pass! 

Just for the record...   most of the people that liked the post had under like 60 posts.

First off, you SHOULD "read the stickies and crap" - if you had, you might have known to control your language.  Strike for you.

Now, as to the substance of your post:  Paintball is expensive - get over it.

I think pineapple juice is overpriced - does that give me the right to steal the juice?  I am confident that Ferrari makes a bucket of money on every car - does that give me the right to steal one?  I can't afford a lot of stuff I want - should I just steal it?

In case my analogies were lost on you:  When you play on a FPO field using other paint, you are STEALING.  Not "cheating" - you are STEALING.  It is morally reprehensible and indefensible.  Shame on you for even thinking of it, and shame on everybody else in this thread who condones it.

Every paintball field in this country is struggling to stay alive.  It is an extremely tough business, and most of the guys run fields just because they love paintball.  And YOU are a big part of the reason that so many paintball fields go out of business.  Shame on you.  Not only are you stealing from the field owners, but you are hurting the game that we all like to play.

If anybody wants to disagree with me on the morality of stealing, go ahead.  I will debate anything.  BUT - I will NOT tolerate an actual discussion on the mechanics of stealing.  This forum will NOT be a launching pad for a conspiracy to commit fraud.  No criminal activity condoned here.  If there is any more of that, this thread will be locked very fast.

Rambino wrote: First off, you SHOULD "read the stickies and crap" - if you had, you might have known to control your language.  Strike for you.

ya, you cant say **edited** or **edited** or damn or **edited** or ass or anything like that here! *shame shame*...

I noticed that too..

scr00ge wrote: ROFL @ americans in this day and age actually defending "ethics and morals" Our president is GWB. Case closed.

Biggest.Copout.Ever.

If you want to defend your stealing ways, go ahead.  But don't pretend that our President, or American culture generally, somehow obviates common morality (or criminal law, for that matter).

I think we've swayed from the topic, just a bit.

Scr00ge...I feel for ya man.  I know field paint isn't cheap and can be a wrong match for the barrel you spent so much money on.  I go through the same agony, when I'm forced to play FPO.  However, Rambino has got a point!!!  It is stealing when you are trying to sneak in your own paint or cheat the system.  It is very true, that the main source of revenue for field operators is the selling of the paint.  Insurance isn't cheap, neither is the mortgage or rent on the massive amounts of land that they occupy.  Remember, most fields only get activity on the weekends, some more than others.  That's not much of a window to make money.  Is it a pain in the butt, and mainly the rear pocket???  Absolutely!!!  You won't get flamed from me.  BUT...I would suggest trying some of the others suggestions, about talking to the field operator/owner, or just try to find another field.  I realize hindsight is 20/20, but you might have checked that out before spending alot on upgrades.  The knowledge that you'd have to stick with field paint, might have suggested not getting some of those upgrades (if you know what I mean).

Anyways, you're not alone in your despair when it comes to FPO, but please don't cheat the system.  Try to find another way.  Good luck and have fun playing, regardless.

BTW, I couldn't help making this comment, if you want to come home with more than $5 in your pocket, bring an extra $10 and slip it in your pocket on the way home.......Just joking....

sneaky_sniper wrote: k, dont give me a strike just to spite me, but how is it that i swear on this forum on a daily basus, and iv never got a strike one time...

Maybe you just got lucky and the mods missed it...

^^

So you are a failed cheater...?

But like so many people before me have said, Paintball is a very expensive sport. You knew that before you started. the only advice i can give is either play outlaw (with permission) or go to walkons (BYO) Most fields should have one or two of these a month. Refing for paint wasn't a bad idea at all either. If you really want to play so badly then you could get another job, I know this may not be convenient but its the only way to earn the extra money.

Ok - because I am feeling charitable, I will actually respond. 

First, as to the substance of this thread:

You admitted in a public forum that you had attempted to defraud a field.  The only reason you didn't commit a crime was that you were unable to get the paint you needed.  Then, only after you failed at your crime, you come looking for a legitimate way to save money.

That isn't just flameworthy, it is hypocritical and borderline sociopathic.  You got off easy.  Very easy.  You should thank me for being nice to you.

Now, as to your guesting:

You got a strike for your f-bomb insult.  After doing that, you changed your sig to be a profanity-laden stream of insults.  That was why you were guested.  Your sig would have gotten you guested all by itself.  I see, however, that you conveniently don't mention your revised sig in your complainy post.  And, like I said in my first post, you would have known about our policy on "***" if you had bothered to read the stickies that you ridiculed.

Now, as to the strike system:

Again, had you bothered to read the rules, you would have known that the strikes are not rights or entitlements.  They are partial excuses that we give out sometimes.  Had Shorty seen your first post, he would have guested you on the spot.  I am a little more mellow.  You are not entitled to any particular number of strikes like a basketball foul.

Now, as to apparent inconsistent enforcement:

Yes, we are inconsistent.  We are human.  We miss many things, and misinterpret many things.  Mistakes are made, and enforcement varies from moment to moment.  But if there is a particular post that needs attention, notify us and we will take action.

I presume you may be referring to sneaky_sniper's filter-testing post in particular.  If so, I also saw that post, and had my finger poised on the button.  But I decided against action, because that post was obviously intended humorously, and because the editing was so complete that no specifics could be extracted.  Contrast this with your post, where you clearly and specifically used an f-bomb as a direct insult.  You were lucky you only got one strike for that post.

Now, as to favoritism:

Yes and no.  I usually have a de facto probationary period for new members.  Anybody who curses on their first or second post will probably be guested on the spot.  If you have been here a while, you might get a strike instead.  Similarily, if a member that is usually well-behaved makes a questionable post, some leeway may be given because the member is not a trouble-maker.  This counted in sneaky_sniper's favor, for instance.  He can be annoying, but he is mostly harmless, so I let his filter test pass.  If he keeps doing it, I will slap him down.

On the other hand, other rules may be enforced more stringently against veteran forumers - I just gave a strike to a member for stickying without permission, because he had been here long enough to know better, and was being blatant about it.  A new member would not have gotten a strike for that.

But is there general "my buddies don't get strikes" favoritism?  Absolutely not.  I have demoted, guested, and given strikes to many of my forum friends over the years - to the point, even, where one friend left the forum and refuses to talk to me.  Being my buddy won't help you, but general good behavior might.  Might.

Rambino wrote: First off, you SHOULD "read the stickies and crap" - if you had, you might have known to control your language.  Strike for you. Now, as to the substance of your post:  Paintball is expensive - get over it. I think pineapple juice is overpriced - does that give me the right to steal the juice?  I am confident that Ferrari makes a bucket of money on every car - does that give me the right to steal one?  I can't afford a lot of stuff I want - should I just steal it? In case my analogies were lost on you:  When you play on a FPO field using other paint, you are STEALING.  Not "cheating" - you are STEALING.  It is morally reprehensible and indefensible.  Shame on you for even thinking of it, and shame on everybody else in this thread who condones it. Every paintball field in this country is struggling to stay alive.  It is an extremely tough business, and most of the guys run fields just because they love paintball.  And YOU are a big part of the reason that so many paintball fields go out of business.  Shame on you.  Not only are you stealing from the field owners, but you are hurting the game that we all like to play. If anybody wants to disagree with me on the morality of stealing, go ahead.  I will debate anything.  BUT - I will NOT tolerate an actual discussion on the mechanics of stealing.  This forum will NOT be a launching pad for a conspiracy to commit fraud.  No criminal activity condoned here.  If there is any more of that, this thread will be locked very fast.

i couldnt agree more, one thing i do to conserve is use non field paint ONLY AND I MEAN ONLY when i am getting chrono'd and am adjusting my sights (98c)-that usually helps a little