What happened to the Erie ****** MF thread?

AndyH_STi · 10-27-05, 02:43

There was a multi-page thread here yesterday on microfiber towels sold by Erie ****** (E.C). I can no longer find the thread here in this forum (and yes, I tried searching too). Has this thread been removed? If so, why?

p.s., what's up with the forum filtering out the word "c o t t o n"?

(Edit) In digging a little deeper, it appears that this new word-filter was recently put into place, as I see old threads that I recall reading that now have that word filtered out.

I'm guessing that that E.C. message thread was deemed "spam" by the powers-that-be and removed/quarantined? Maybe I missed something yesterday afternoon/evening and that thread took a turn for the worse, but couldn't the offending messages in that thread be removed leaving the rest of the thread intact?

What happened to Autopia being "an open, unbiased platform for information exchange and discussion of all products within the car detailing product industry"? (to quote from the Sponsorship page).

rfinkle2 · 10-27-05, 03:41

I don't know where it went...

I can see both points of view (the moderator and the other party) as far as the edit. maybe the party in question will become a sponsor, considering they were working on a discount code.

i see you are in the philly suburbs andyhsti - me too (southern NJ)

Bill D · 10-27-05, 03:44

When it comes to blatant spamming, and repeated misuses of the forum after being asked to stop, then reprimanded , and still continual problems, that is typically the course of action taken and I would assume other forums would react in a similar way.

AndyH_STi · 10-27-05, 03:50

Did E.C. "spam" the forum? I didn't see it happening (but I didn't monitor the thread all day yesterday). I certainly hope my participation in that thread wasn't considered spam, as I was just excited about what seemed to me to be a very good price and good customer service on microfiber products.

*Shrug*, I hope E.C. signs on as a sponsor, as I'd like to discuss their products without fear of being censored.

Bill D · 10-27-05, 03:52

If your specifc participation was deemed spam you would've been notified. I highly doubt the sponsorship will take place. It sure seems there's plenty more opportunists out there than those willing to fairly support.

AndyH_STi · 10-27-05, 03:56

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bill D

If your specifc participation was deemed spam you would've been notified.

Gotcha, good point.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bill D

I highly doubt the sponsorship will take place. It sure seems there's plenty more opportunists out there than those willing to fairly support.

I hope you're wrong, but I guess we'll see what happens.

DavidB · 10-27-05, 06:17

Andy,

We have a number of towel vendors, PakShak as an example, who participate without self promotion. They are part of the community. They have earned the right to business and respect of the community.

Loren is not part of the community. He wanted to get his marketing message out and take advantage of the goodwill of this community.

Our "no commercialism" rules were put into effect to prevent vendors like Loren from swooping in and taking over the community. If Autopia becomes a selling environment, it will no longer be useful to anyone but people like Loren (and frankly, I'd shut it down!).

db

CutNAction · 10-27-05, 06:21

Point well made David. I emailed Loren and told him it would be a great deal to the community of Autopia for him to comply by the rules you set. I believe we can all understand your position and respect it. I just wish Loren could abide by the rules, because the transaction I had with him went extremely smooth and he has many great towels to offer and competitive prices. No doubt other vendors have respectfully earned their right here and I love dealing with them all and hope every single one of them prosper.

John Styrnol · 10-27-05, 06:21

So if we buy MFs from Erie and then post our reviews and links to his website it's ok, right?

AndyH_STi · 10-27-05, 08:26

David, thank you for the explanation. It sounds like there was some stuff going on in that thread that I didn't see/read as I was offline yesterday afternoon and evening.

I'd also like to echo John Styrnol's question...is it OK to discuss Erie's MF towels here? Or would that be adding more fuel to the fire?

DavidB · 10-27-05, 08:49

Quote:

Originally Posted by John Styrnol

So if we buy MFs from Erie and then post our reviews and links to his website it's ok, right?

John,

Autopia has never (well, okay, one other incident that was resolved) prevented the discussion of any product... In fact, we want it. The health of the car detailing hobby and profession is good for us.

The ban on Loren was specifically in regards to his blatant breaking of the rules, including self promotion, commercial links in signature and multiple accounts. All of these issues are discussed in our rules. We don't want Autopia to turn into a SPAM zone.

Loren pushed the boundaries of my patience and goodwill. I banned his accounts, his IP addresses, his email addresses and his business name. If and when he stops thumbing his nose at me in defiance of the community rules, I will allow his business name and links to his web site to be posted.

db