Where`s the "Really impressed with Meguiar`s as of late" thread?

**topnotchtouch** · 03-26-2009, 08:01 AM

Originally Posted by Twista616

And thats why Autopia isn`t very credible anymore. I find more and more people moving to different forums. This forum isnt what it used to be, thats for sure. No offense to DavidB, but there too much bashing going on.

Autopia, like any community has cycles. People come and go and things change. I have been here now for 7 years and I still find something new here every day.

I strongly disagree with the statement that Autopia isn`t very credible anymore. If you truly believe that then why not head on over to those different forums and don`t let the door hit ya on the way out

**imported_billzabub** · 03-26-2009, 08:06 AM

I`ve actually noticed this trend on several other forums as well. I think that most of us have been affected by the economy in some way shape or form, and perhaps that has been the catalyst that has everyone`s emotions running high.

**Twista616** · 03-26-2009, 08:38 AM

Originally Posted by billzabub

I`ve actually noticed this trend on several other forums as well. I think that most of us have been affected by the economy in some way shape or form, and perhaps that has been the catalyst that has everyone`s emotions running high.

Yes, i can see this being an issue! Everyone is more cut-throat to make a buck, so thats when bad-mouthing comes along.

**topnotchtouch** · 03-26-2009, 08:46 AM

Having been active here for 7 years and just as long on several other forums it is also natural for communities to change and evolve over long periods of time. There are highs and lows.

I definitely agree that the current state of the economy may be having an effect on how people relate to each other. There is a lot of stress going around these days and it is bound to have an effect on how short people`s fuses are when dealing with others.

**imported_Detailing Technology** · 03-26-2009, 08:58 AM

Agreed, it`s not DavidB, its just people in general.

"The annual users with under 40 post bashing Zaino" thread

"Everyone is a schill" thread

"Im a purist and only use organic detailing produts from Whole Foods and if you dont you suck" thread

"If you charge less or more than me you suck" thread

"I love ABC" thread

"I hate XYX" thread

The list goes on...

**yamichi** · 03-26-2009, 09:09 AM

I`m new to this specific forum but am active on several automotive forums and a couple MMO forums as well and have seen the same kind of trends. It seems to me that this forum (and my auto forum) have been more caustic since the economy tanked but I still blame it primarily on the internet dickwad theory.

My post count is low so I won`t bother linking, but google images "Internet Dickwad Theory" if you`re not familiar.

**blk45** · 03-26-2009, 09:48 AM

Originally Posted by jdoria

Todds a good detailer, no question.

My 2 big questions about that "I love Meguiars" post were,

Why did we not see the Megs wax as the LSP on any of his click and brags in the past 5 months.

I did a search, wet fire and black diamond were the most common.

Second, will we see Todd on MOL now, posting alongside Mike Phillips and Jason Rose as an employee?

Not a bad career move, could be really fun.

I love how everyone always tries to be a detective and blow stupid little things out of proportion. Todd and I took Mike Phillip`s class at DF last weekend. During the class, we had a conversation about how we hadn`t stopped to think how many good products that Megs has now. That`s it. Obviously, he thought about it more and made a thread about it. Mystery solved.

**imported_weekendwarrior** · 03-26-2009, 10:01 AM

Originally Posted by blk45

I love how everyone always tries to be a detective and blow stupid little things out of proportion. Todd and I took Mike Phillip`s class at DF last weekend. During the class, we had a conversation about how we hadn`t stop to think how many good products that Megs has now. That`s it. Obviously, he thought about it more and made a thread about it. Mystery solved.

Don`t believe a word this man says. I met him at DF, and I believe he is an alien working for Meguiar`s.

**Bobby G** · 03-26-2009, 10:31 AM

Personally, I think everyone needs to lighten up a bit.

In regards to what happened to the original thread, the Moderators discovered a volume of activity from a single IP address originating from Tampa, FL that lead back to multiple member accounts (most of them new). One of the accounts was banned for crude remarks towards a female member (also in Florida). In other words, we`re putting the pieces together about someone or a business that is not acting in an appropriate manner.

Regarding comments about Autopia.org going "down hill", these comments are being generated by the new forums trying to fight for viewers. If anyone thinks we`re loosing credibility, you may want to look at our stats:

autopia.org - Quantcast Audience Profile

A top 15,000 ranking is very difficult to achieve, and puts us in the top 10% of all automotive communities.

The Autopia Moderators will continue to do their job, which includes finding the people who intentionally create drama and act as shills for companies who feel spamming is good business practice.

**Accumulator** · 03-26-2009, 10:32 AM

If somebody really wants to know what`s going on they could just call TH0001 up on the phone and ask him. Dunno how he`d feel about somebody from here contacting him IRL about this stuff but it`s not like his business contact info is secret or anything...

Gee, I hadn`t noticed that Meg`s thread going south, but I guess such stuff can happen quickly.

**XRL** · 03-26-2009, 10:34 AM

...Anyone notice a weird thing where the end of page 3 is the same as page 4? Weird.

Todd works pretty much exclusively on super high end cars. I don`t think they`d be satisfied with knowing that the detail they just spent a few hundred on for their 100k+ car was topped off with a wax they could buy for $20 at advanced auto parts. They want to feel like they`re using a better wax because it`s more expensive. And LSPs are such a subjective thing anyways, there`s no "best" LSP, only ones that some people like over others.

I still don`t quite get why Todd got singled out in the "greatest detailer in the world" thread. Sure he started the thread, but when he started it he was asking for opinions on a matter that was totally secretive. He didn`t really give away any information as to who it was, that all came out from some super sleuthing later on. And then the lynch mob followed that. I guess because he was the OP, but I dunno.

EDIT: reading DB`s post now that all makes perfect sense. And the crazy post cloning thing is gone. I must be losing my mind. Damn you, you damn dirty swirls!

**Accumulator** · 03-26-2009, 10:36 AM

Originally Posted by XRL

...Anyone notice a weird thing where the end of page 3 is the same as page 4? Weird..

I was getting that for a while too, couldn`t see David B`s post #37 :nixweiss

**Bobby G** · 03-26-2009, 10:49 AM

Originally Posted by XRL

...Anyone notice a weird thing where the end of page 3 is the same as page 4? Weird.

We had a database/server hard crash yesterday and I`m still doing maintenance to recover.

**imported_Detailing Technology** · 03-26-2009, 10:57 AM

I hope we see Todd at the next Detail Fest event in a Meguiars polo doing demos. (If it makes financial sense for him of course) That is something positive. Would you know of a better un-affiliated candidate on the internet forums?

My "common sense" business advice to all detailers would have to be to connect yourself to a manufacturer or reseller. But be prepared for some bashing for not following the unspoken "internet forum commandments":

Thou shall not test any products for vendors without notice...

Thou shall not speak with authority about products you like to use...

Thou shall not make a living off of promoting car wax without producing a W2...

Thou shall not be a Chemical Guys Ã¢â‚¬Å“relabelerÃ¢â‚¬ without advertising it 30 days before posting on a forum about it...

But you HAVE to do it with ethics. A few come to mind who do. Sponsoring vendors at Autopia, Kevin Brown, Scottwax (read his signature).

The problem is that very many people who have done this in the past do it like shady little gutless turds. Ã¢â‚¬Å“Greeting, first post here. I looking for steam cleaner for my armpits, I found theses at www.chinajunkproduct.ch, they look great and right price. What you thinks?Ã¢â‚¬.

That activity has soured the forums and conditioned people to be defensive. Like, why is every new product instantly questioned if it is a CG relabel?

If you want to write about products that you like, do it. If you get paid for it, even better. Im jealous if you are. Just be up front about it. If the products you are educating consumers about are what you promote them to be, you will be successful. If they are not, you will be quickly crucified.