"Commercials" in the threads.

[Timbeaux38]

I know that it is against the rules to put a classified add in a thread, but I have seen a choule threads that are more or less a "commercial" for a product. I dont mind members talking about a product, but when you have Inventors/researchers/vendors constantly pimpimg, talking to themselves, and bumping threads up the board it gets kinda old. I just think it is funny that a vendor can get far more clicks on his product if he starts a thread and does not discuss price than he will if he pays to get a banner ad...

 

[Murle]

Yea, like the 2000. 00 off invoice price on new dodge trucks..... What a joke... .

 

[gitchesum]

If you see a thread that you believe is against the site guidelines, report it to that forum moderator and he/she will look into it.

 

[Timbeaux38]

I can think of one or two

 

[DjFire07]

I like reading anything I can about a product I'm considering. Feedback from all parties helps me decide between products. Customer satisfaction is very evident in these discussions. I'll give any possibly interesting thread a read, even the "complaint" ones.

 

[Timbeaux38]

I am with you DJ. i have seen a couple threads in the last year or so turn into cheerleading parties though.

 

[GFritsch]

I guess were not talking about the site sponsored ads that are on the top of every page, that cause the page to load slower etc...

 

[TDRadmin]

Commercial Solicitation - Plea For Help!!

This (users "informally" soliciting for their company/product) within a thread/post is becoming a problem for us. At least I think so.



But it is tough for us to catch everything.



So please, if you see a post or signature that you think pushes the limits, please, please, please email a moderator or me (better yet, email a moderator AND me) so that we can try to do a more consistent job of minimizing commercial solicitation from the boards. My email is: rpatton@ix.netcom.com.



Thanks, in advance.



Robin

TDR Admin

 

[ToolManTimTaylor]

My mushy 2 cents

There are MANY threads that are dealt with day in and out regarding this very thing. The majority of the threads are caught when they are first started ... sometimes before the first reply. There are threads that are started and turn in that direction several pages deep and may not be caught right away either.



Robin nailed it we need input from everyone as things can go arai in just mere moments with Eric Estrada selling you a better hoosenflagel bearing on the sandy beaches on the Florida coast in just a few posts down. It's tough when you log on and root around each thread that has been posted for the day THEN root around and do some good ol' relaxin TDR readin' for your own time. That is where everyone as members (Mods , Admin , Masters , Members , Sponsers) makes this site one of the most desired sites out there for Members to proudly call home.



So please don't ever feel that you are inconvieniencing any TDR staff with a report of a guideline violation. It just helps out in keeping things tidy when outside eyes are looking in. It's a good reflection upon everyone's behalf.





Be good! - Peace



TMTT

 

[bmoeller]

Personally, the product/vendor/dealer links, or whatnot, in the sigs, don't really bother me at all. Helps me, if I'm looking for a particular product, or if I may have specific question I may want to ask in a PM.



Although, having it posted in the classifieds, under the "product promotions" section may be more appropriate.



FWIW.

 

[ToolManTimTaylor]

I copied the excerpt from the TDR Guidelines Section. The following really just pertains to Vendors. As you can see it's really cut and clear what can and cannot happen within the website's boundaries. It's allways good to have open discussions like this as it does point out things that may very well be improved upon. Check 'em out below and feel free to check up on the full copy of the guidelines in the link above. I think I grabbed the appropriate section.



5. Vendor Participation: Vendor input and commentary is welcomed in our Discussion Forums, however, direct solicitation is not. Vendors have proven to provide insightful conversation and commentary. Demonstrate professionalism in all post to the TDR Discussion Forums. The following will be strictly enforced:



5. 1. The TDR Discussion Forums are not an appropriate forum for emotionally charged discussion between manufacturers, distributors, dealers, shops and/or users. These forums are intended to be technical resources for members interested in learning more about the proper care and maintenance of their trucks. All Vendors will refrain from making direct, emotionally charged, posts to and/or about competitors. All Vendor posts must be civil and technically oriented. If Vendors wish to compare products with competitors, use generic references (i. e. oiled element air filter; as opposed to Amsoil, AFE, etc. ).



5. 2. No direct solicitation pricing discussions are allowed on the TDR Discussion Forums. The discussion of prices is best left off-line in a private e-mail to those with interest as noted in the appropriate area of the Classified Advertisements. Why? Because many people who visit our Website do not want to pay to read solicitations and sales pitches in our technical Discussion Forums.



5. 3. Vendor participants must have their business name incorporated into their signature block. Vendors may include their business telephone number within their Profile so that it is available to other TDR website users.



6. Vendor Promotions and Group Purchases. Commercial solicitation is not allowed in any Discussion Forum. They should be posted within the Classified Advertisements only.



Vendor Promotions: Any advertiser of record wishing to post press releases or general TDR promotions may do so within the Vendor Promotion/Group Purchase area of the Classified Advertisements in accordance with the following guidelines:



6. 1. Vendor promotions should clearly state a start date and an end date. Its terms must be specific.



6. 2. No group purchase or vendor promotion will imply that it has the TDR’s endorsement nor will it imply any affiliation with the TDR.



6. 3. Vendor promotions will be scheduled to run for 30 days. Advertisers of record can renew their promotion in subsequent 30-day intervals, if warranted.



6. 4. To give vendors an opportunity to offer the TDR Membership a promotional discount before deciding whether to become an advertiser, the TDR offers Vendors (who are not advertisers of record) a one-time 30-day Vendor Promotion opportunity. These promotions can be renewed for one additional 30-day interval. These promotions must comply with the guidelines provided above.





The use of this site, and the terms and conditions for our providing information, is governed by our TDR Website Posting Guidelines. By using this site, you acknowledge that you have read the TDR Website Posting Guidelines and that you accept and will be bound by the terms thereof.



We have worked hard to keep this list of guidelines meaningful. Please take them seriously; we do.



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 

[R-N-R]

Just out of curiosity, a vendor can post a promotion, group buy, etc... in the classifieds (as per #6), but other members can point it out in a thread? The vendor themselves should not post in the thread? No wisecrack'n here, simply interested in our TDR member small enterprises succeeding.



I have not had a problem with any promotional threads as I can choose what to read or skip, proper thread titles are a real benefit. However I most certainly respect and support how the TDR is governed. Thank you for posting the rules, that should help us all out.



Bill

 

[TDRadmin]

Great Question

Great question, and I did not think you were being a wisecrack. Here is how we would like for it to work operationally.



1. A vendor has a special, new product, etc. they want to offer to the TDR Membership.



2. That vendor contacts our offices (770-886-8877) to give us a head's up. That vendor asks for Robin or Brandon. No forms. No muss. No fuss. Just a head's up.



3. That vendor posts their promotion within either the Vendor Promotion area (for paying advertisers) or TDR Member Basement Enterprises (for start-up folks).



4. That vendor makes one (ONLY ONE) post within the TDR Discussion Forums directing TDR members to check it out, if they like. But after one post, the vendor (large or small) should do NOTHING to further the cause of their promotion. What do I mean by furthering the cause? Posting a "TTT" thread, or offering an answer to a question that wasn't asked, or posting an "update" on the offer without being specifically asked. Those posts should be removed (if we catch them). And to be 100% honest, contrary to what some think, I have a soft heart, and I let some of those posts go unless they get out of hand. The problem is now I've been accused (understandably so) of favoritism. So, I want us to strive to be more consistent in allowing one (ONLY ONE) post. If you see a post that crosses the line, email or PM the moderator and me. We'll try to handle it as quickly as possible. If it isn't handled reasonably promptly, email or PM another moderator. Astonishingly, we don't log in every day, so we do miss stuff.



If you feel the moderator is being inconsistent or heavy-handed, get me involved. If you feel I am being inconsistent or heavy-handed, get a couple of moderators involved to review the situation. I do believe that more opinions are generally better than one opinion.



5. Another favorite of SOME (certainly not all) vendors is to have their friends post fake questions to push their product. I trust that most TDR members are very bright and can quickly see through such unprofessional business strategies.



Does this help?



Robin

TDR Admin

 

[R-N-R]

Thank you Robin, if anybody does not understand this, they probably should not be driving a +7k# truck on public roads :-laf :-laf