Forum apology to all.

[DCMille290]

Dear fellow members,

I was informed today that the thread I started was pulled due to my violation of TDR forum posting rules regarding solicitation of members. This was in regard to the thread about Magic Cloths.



I hereby offer my apology to all of those forced to read my postings considered to be solicitation or an advertisement, instead of more pertinent subect matter.



To all of those who PM'd or emailed me, Thank you for your feedback and requests.



I hope all of the members can find it in the hearts to forgive my inconsiderate thread.



Thank you,

DC Miller

Marbleman

 

[Jeff H]

Theres always a winer somewhere. Thanks for sharing a the product with us.

 

[JConley]

Now I am even more interested in the post!! Dont let it bother ya. Personally, I just ignore the posts I dont like. Seems too difficult for some.....

 

[LBTRS]

It seems to me that the members that pay to be part of this forum should be allowed to make posts about products they may offer if it's clearly stated that they are the one offering the product and the product has something to do with our trucks. Since you have to pay to post here it's not like we're going to get a bunch of spam advertisements. Maybe put "advertisement" in the subject. It's easy to not read a post if it's something you're not interested in.



Just my thoughts,

 

[JohnE]

don't take it personal

There is no consistency in the rules enforcement.



Many vendors have started topics hawking their products and the moderators and/or administrators have never posted a public rules violation warning much less pull the entire thread. In fact, one of the moderators vends his product both with his handle and by posting links to pages within his website.



JMHO

-John

 

['956Wheel]

JohnE is right... you, and I for that matter, just are not on the favorites list. I do resent it when a vendor spews tall tales of there wares but to simply make mention of a (your) product is not reason to pull a post. IMO.



Seems the owners just must play it safe..... sometime for some members. Oh well! Heck, if you got something good go for a "banner".



Mike

 

[Texas Diesel]

Re: don't take it personal

Originally posted by JohnE

There is no consistency in the rules enforcement.



In fact, one of the moderators vends his product both with his handle and by posting links to pages within his website.



JMHO

-John

AMEN! That one kinda leaves me feeling all "oily"

 

[DBazley]

DC Miller Feedback & Idea

Originally posted by Ray Trautman

It seems to me that the members that pay to be part of this forum should be allowed to make posts about products they may offer if it's clearly stated that they are the one offering the product and the product has something to do with our trucks. Since you have to pay to post here it's not like we're going to get a bunch of spam advertisements. Maybe put "advertisement" in the subject. It's easy to not read a post if it's something you're not interested in.

Good point by Ray above, I second it!



Or why not a forum where Members can offer specials on items they manufacture to other members & discuss the merits of said items?



DC, you might consider posting a Classified Ad for your cleaning cloths in the "Vendor Promotions/ Group Specials" area so folks can hear about your item & offer.



You're not the only one, I had a thread pulled because I was a little too ready to mention the product my company offers that is very relevant to Dodge Ram owners. ( FYI, It's listed under "Finish Guard for your Dodge" in above mentioned category in Classified Ads. )



What Ray said makes sense, if folks post and act "objective", **they are deceptive as they don't disclose their interest. But, if it's made clear they have an interest, and yet are willing to be associated with the product and have a compelling offer, let it be known freely & judged on it's merits.



If one does this, and they're dishonest, it's a sure bet it will look fishy upfront, or their reputation will be destroyed and disregarded by all others once word gets round. And it always does... ... ... ... Caveat emptor ("let the buyer beware")



Some folks think we're too stupid to figure these things out, so they try to invent ways to protect us from hearing and judging for ourselves..... call 'em thought police or paranoid, or just overly cautious. I think that it's error alone that needs bureaucratic support, truth can stand on it's own !



Just a few thoughts!



David



** Is it possible that the enforcement of the current rules may even encourage folks to do "phony posts" i. e. deceptively acting like legitimate satisfied customer of a certain item to promote it? Especially since a self-identified vendor /member is prohibited from talking or promoting an item they legitimately offer ?

 

[TDRadmin]

Commercial Solicitation

I am the one who pulled this thread due to its direct commercial solicitation. I did not pull it because someone complained. I was just trying to enforce site guidelines.



I am happy to place a Vendor Promotion regarding this product in the Classified Advertisements. All that has to happen is for DCMille290 to submit one. Then those of you who have been pleased with the product are invited to post about it, and even include a link within the post to the classified ad. Absolutely no problem.



I am sure that we do not catch every commercial solicitation, and I am sure that looks like favoritism. I apologize for that. If you see any incident that looks like favoritism, please e-mail me at rpatton@ix.netcom.com. I will look into it and take appropriate action. We do try to be as lenient with the guidelines as we can, but we also want to keep the site within the general guidelines we've established. Balance is always a problem.



For those of you who read the thread that I pulled last week, you know that we did not pull this post immediately. We tried to allow some latitude and leave it posted, even though it was on the line (a simple note from the lead moderator was posted reminding of the solicitation guidelines) days before I pulled it. This was done to allow DCMille290's information to remain on the board (essentially trying to help his cause). Understandably, DCMille290 is excited about his new product, and understandably he continued to post infommercial-type posts to the thread. That made it impossible for me to not enforce the site guidelines. No one complained. I try to pull direct solicitations when I see them and when they've moved beyond a clearly innocent violation of site guidelines.



Again, favoritism is not a charge we take lightly. If you see any action on this site that is indicative of favoritism, please e-mail me privately at rpatton@ix.netcom.com. I will take appropriate action.



Thanks! And I hope this information helps to clarify my decision. DCMille290, I'll watch the classifieds all weekend for a Vendor Promotion for your product and will approve it promptly.



Robin

TDR Admin

 

[lschultz]

Appropriate Action

I just want to get some more. DCMille290 email me home -- email address removed -- or work -- email address removed --