Blatant advertising in the forums

[RC-Tester]

Hi,

I've noticed that some companies are using the forum as purely a free advertising route (for example this thread (http://www.wattflyer.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1110) and this thread (http://www.wattflyer.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1228)) where the ONLY posts they make are advertising, and do not want to engage with later questions. Now I know the foum rules allow this, but this IMHO this is a slow death for the sub-groups as more companies will do the same.

Does it make more sense that overt advertising should be restricted to the new product announcements; especially considering that some of the companies show little interest in engaging in the threads they create?

My suggestion is that the 'marketing threads' be limited to the new product announcement sub-group. What do others think?

Rod

[Rugar]

I agree. Although the advertising spam has not been to bad as of yet, as more venders find out about this site it will get out of hand. Having a forum full of threads started by venders just for the sake of advertising, would be much worse then having banners all over the site. I think its cool that they can have a link to their site in their sigs, be able to post in a new product section, and be able to post a reply to someone asking about a certain item, but should not be able to start a new post in any section they feel like just for the sake of spamming of their web site or product.

Gerald

[hoppy]

I agree Rod, I don't want to see a forum filled with ads...the local newspapers and magazines are bad enough......more ads than meat.

[qban_flyer]

Hi,

I've noticed that some companies are using the forum as purely a free advertising route (for example this thread (http://www.wattflyer.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1110) and this thread (http://www.wattflyer.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1228)) where the ONLY posts they make are advertising, and do not want to engage with later questions. Now I know the foum rules allow this, but this IMHO this is a slow death for the sub-groups as more companies will do the same.

Does it make more sense that overt advertising should be restricted to the new product announcements; especially considering that some of the companies show little interest in engaging in the threads they create?

My suggestion is that the 'marketing threads' be limited to the new product announcement sub-group. What do others think?

Rod

Rod, I agree with you 100%

Why not bring it to the attention of the Moderators directly? This here forum is for the benefit of e-flyers "without any form of advertising".

The two case quoted are by the same outfit and I think the Moderators should be made aware of it. I think it would be rather difficult for them to read all the posts in order to prevent this thing from happening. I think it is incumbent on all of us to help them keep this site "clean".

Lets report the phony members using the forum to strictly advertise their wares. Lets turn them in!

[RC-Tester]

Rod, I agree with you 100%
<SNIP>
Lets report the phony members using the forum to strictly advertise their wares. Lets turn them in!
... however the current forum rules permit this!

I have no beef with manufacturers / suppliers who engage with the users on the forum, but there do seem to be cases where the threads are created for marketing purposes that they then do not respond to. We can all think of others who actually contribute to the forums, but conversely we can also see those who don't!

Rod

[qban_flyer]

... however the current forum rules permit this!

I have no beef with manufacturers / suppliers who engage with the users on the forum, but there do seem to be cases where the threads are created for marketing purposes that they then do not respond to. We can all think of others who actually contribute to the forums, but conversely we can also see those who don't!

Rod

Well, those two posts are old and for the response they got to one of them, it would appear they are failing miserably in their attempt to drum up some business from Watt Flyer's membership.

[RC-Tester]

Well, those two posts are old and for the response they got to one of them, it would appear they are failing miserably in their attempt to drum up some business from Watt Flyer's membership.
True .... but should we shut the door before, or after, the horse has bolted. If one company sees the opportunity it won't be long before others join in - I can imagine the mess that wading through spam would make of the forum:eek:

Rod

[qban_flyer]

True .... but should we shut the door before, or after, the horse has bolted. If one company sees the opportunity it won't be long before others join in - I can imagine the mess that wading through spam would make of the forum:eek:

Rod

I have a notion to PM the moderators regarding this particular issue. The barn door should remain shut to Watt Flyer's "wannabe members" who only join for their own financial gains.

While we remain in they should stay out.

[Mike Parsons]

It has my attention and I will discuss with the admin's at the first opportunity.

By all accounts Flight power is not breaking any rules by posting has he/she has with the 11 posts that exist today. The advertisement posting rule was created to allow vendors to post about new products so that Wattflyer members could gain knowledge of said products. However, if ongoing discussion or contribution is not going to be the goal of the vendor, my feeling is that the non-contributing posts should be placed into product announcements and not the general populace.

-Mike

[qban_flyer]

It has my attention and I will discuss with the admin's at the first opportunity.

By all accounts Flight power is not breaking any rules by posting has he/she has with the 11 posts that exist today. The advertisement posting rule was created to allow vendors to post about new products so that Wattflyer members could gain knowledge of said products. However, if ongoing discussion or contribution is not going to be the goal of the vendor, my feeling is that the non-contributing posts should be placed into product announcements and not the general populace.

-Mike

Thanks Mike.

[admin]

We'll keep an eye on this and make sure it doesn't get out of hand and adjust as necessary

[qban_flyer]

We'll keep an eye on this and make sure it doesn't get out of hand and adjust as necessary

Thanks Marc.

[TopFoam]

I like the vednors coming in and posting ads.I'm fairly new to this, so I don't mind reading about new stuff. If the product is bad, the post will slowly go away.

[Twmaster]

I for one do not mind hearing about new products. However I do take exception to those vendors who do nothing more than pop into a forum, trumpet their wares and then disapear like a ghost until it's time once again to trumpet more product(s). Genuine participation in the forums is welcome in my book, it shows me a kit maker, battery seller (whatever) cares about the hobby and their customers. The others who just blow their horns are nothing more than noise to me and should be limited IMHO. Where to draw the line between useful posts and abuse is thankfully up to the owners of this web site. :D

[TopFoam]

We have a post minimum on our local forum. No selling until you reach 50 posts. That should work here.

[admin]

We have a post minimum on our local forum. No selling until you reach 50 posts. That should work here.

that is an interesting idea I had not thought of. Make a vendor contribute a bit and give back before they can start taking in the form of posting announcements. The only drawback is if something is really newsworthy but a vendor doesn't have the count yet and then you guys won't find out about something that may really interest you.

[Twmaster]

I've seen that sort of mechanism used in other forums but it was mostly to control the sales from private parties. Something along those line would likely be a bad idea when it comes to legitimate resellers, kit makers, etc. As Marc pointed out it may be -too- limiting to genuine hobby vendors. Although I'd still like to see the vendors participate more.

[qban_flyer]

I've seen that sort of mechanism used in other forums but it was mostly to control the sales from private parties. Something along those line would likely be a bad idea when it comes to legitimate resellers, kit makers, etc. As Marc pointed out it may be -too- limiting to genuine hobby vendors. Although I'd still like to see the vendors participate more.

I agree. There must be some other recourse so that legit ones can gain access to us all to spread the word, so to speak, of new items he/she is manufacturing.

We can all benefit from this type of information, what I object to is the abuse that can result from a "free" wide open forum, one without restrictions to some out there.

[admin]

We can all benefit from this type of information, what I object to is the abuse that can result from a "free" wide open forum, one without restrictions to some out there.

Make no mistake there are restrictions on what can be posted and how often. see the rules.

[qban_flyer]

Make no mistake there are restrictions on what can be posted and how often. see the rules.

HE, HE, HE. Since I am not a dealer, I bypassed that section altogether. Been having too much fun on Watt Flyer forums, though I'll go back and read the whole thing again.

Thanks for the clarifying tip. :o :o :o

[zappedalaskan]

I think as long as the product in question pertains to our hobby, why not. I like to hear about new products and sometimes new vendors will offer us forum readers good deals for making a purchase via wattflyer.com. As far as making them post so many times before allowing them to post a product (I think) will run vendors off.
As far as anything not rc related, just click report and a mod. will square it away asap. I don't think we should slam anyones foot in the door until we know for sure that they have nothing worthwhile to contribute. If not,
let the door hit them where the dog should have bit them.
Just my opinion....
Jay

[Rugar]

If not, let the door hit them where the dog should have bit them.
Jay

:D :D :D