Autopia Opens The Debate

[wannafbody]

Don`t you think this is the case with just about every detailing forum that is supported in some way??? I mean why else are the sponsors there unless to sell product. I think it is up to the members to decide what is hype, what is BS, and use what products work for them.

There is a difference between commercial content and late night TV infomercial techniques. David Bynon was the Billy Mays of car care products-both the good and the bad. One can only use the same schtick sales technique with so many lines, so many times before the pattern becomes obvious and old. Hopefully the new owners try different sales techniques.

[Anthony O.]

Yes I was banned.....for apparently having too close of a relationship with a manufacturer of a competing product line.



In fact I had the dubious honor of having been re-banned about 2 weeks after having been allowed back in!!



Upon my second ban (after speaking about the Opti-Coat in the "professional" forum, ya`ll remember that infamous thread?) the letter I received indicated I had pissed off numerous forum sponsors. Which really confused me because no other sponsor had a coating product at that time like Optimums (even now I type this in fear of being banned again).



So I now rarely post up any details or give my input into subjects not only here on Autopia but other forums also. I used to be a post whore back in the day but things change. I had the great fortune of being contacted by Doctor G. some years ago and was able to introduce his line of products to many here but the downside to that is I come across like a paid troll or salesman when I speak of them.....eh, it`s a trade off I reckon.



I`m sure that the new Autopia will do well because so far it seems like a smooth transition....heck it was done way back in May right?



I have though heard rumors of some threads being deleted that paint the 3D line of products in a negative light and if that be so then it should raise some eyebrows.



Anthony

[Setec Astronomy]

I would like to see Todd back because he`s not only an excellant detailer but he has the best write-ups and the most interesting cars. I doubt he would come back since he`s busy with his own forum and that is doing very well.

I guess I don`t understand this (besides the fact that according to DF I have a deeply rooted anger against Todd :p)...since his writeups appear elsewhere, what is that big deal about having him back here? He`s certainly not going to do any exclusive write-ups here when he`s "employed" by another forum.

[David Fermani]

Like I said Setec, it`s not about 1 person, but for some reason you`re compelled to keep coming back to Todd? Why? Did he do something you didn`t like or are you just that cut & dry with anyone that`s been banned from here?

[Setec Astronomy]

Like I said Setec, it`s not about 1 person, but for some reason you`re compelled to keep coming back to Todd? Why? Did he do something you didn`t like or are you just that cut & dry with anyone that`s been banned from here?

I don`t keep coming back to him, people keep bringing him up by name. I just don`t get the idol worship, of him or anyone else. Is idolizing him a requirement for being a member here? Do I have to like the flavor of ice cream you like? Do I have to like your friends? Do you have to like mine?



This rehash of banned members is a little bit like recriminating over gf`s you`ve broken up with or wives you`ve divorced, it doesn`t seem like a productive or going-forward activity. In the end it doesn`t make any difference what I think about current or former members, so I don`t see why you are so insistent that I make a "statement" concerning my feelings for Todd.



IMO most people who have been banned in the last few years were banned because they couldn`t behave like adults. The rest got banned for commercialism, which was a pretty gray area and up to the management of the forum, and as I think I`ve said before, the only away around that gray area is to have a pay-membership forum, which is going to result in a pretty small community.

[wannafbody]

I have though heard rumors of some threads being deleted that paint the 3D line of products in a negative light and if that be so then it should raise some eyebrows.>>



When a forum owner or moderators delete posts that leads to suspicion on the part of members and an erosion of trust on the part of the members. David Bynon not only deleted posts but he deleted whole histories of members posts after he banned them. Some feared to post honest reviews of products for fear of being banned. I remember Todd doing an Ultima test where it fell short of the hype(it did fair decently though). Not too long afterward he was out the door. Coincidence?



I hope 3D doesn`t continue the same questionable business practices.

[Setec Astronomy]

I remember Todd doing an Ultima test...

See DF, not me!

[David Fermani]

And you`re point is.....???I don`t see this as anything negative. Maybe you can give it one or two magic puffs of hatred dust?

[Setec Astronomy]

And you`re point is.....???I don`t see this as anything negative. Maybe you can give it one or two magic puffs of hatred dust?

Ok, I get the idea that you don`t like me. I don`t see how this is helping the community.

[David Fermani]

Ok, I get the idea that you don`t like me..

I think you answered your own question=

Is idolizing a requirement for being a member here? Do I have to like the flavor of ice cream you like? Do I have to like your friends? Do you have to like mine?



In the end it doesn`t make any difference what I think about current or former members

[Lone Ranger]

I suggest we put to rest the names and the unjustified ban that Many of us got for no reason and we focus on how we can make this a better community.

[Thomas Dekany]

I didn`t know Todd had his own forum?

DF - You are sure "in love" with that guy. I see you do this (trying to get people to his site/forum) on other forums as well in a sneaky way. You would make a very good politition. LOL LOL LOL.:getdown:getdown:getdown:getdown:getdown:getdo wn

[Pats300zx]

I have though heard rumors of some threads being deleted that paint the 3D line of products in a negative light and if that be so then it should raise some eyebrows.>>



When a forum owner or moderators delete posts that leads to suspicion on the part of members and an erosion of trust on the part of the members. David Bynon not only deleted posts but he deleted whole histories of members posts after he banned them. Some feared to post honest reviews of products for fear of being banned. I remember Todd doing an Ultima test where it fell short of the hype(it did fair decently though). Not too long afterward he was out the door. Coincidence?



I hope 3D doesn`t continue the same questionable business practices.

First off I can tell you that no moderator deleted or was instructed to delete any threads that posted a negative review or statements relating to a 3D product. If I was asked to show favoritism to products line or if the above were the case I would have stepped down as a mod and never came back to Autopia.



Everyone knows why Todd was banned. It had to do with his relationship with Proper Auto Care and not being honest regarding that fact. I feel Todd was a true asset to this forum but I don`t make the rules. It was David B`s forum and he made his decision. Perhaps the folks at 3D will look upon of this differently. Only time will tell.

[Bunky]

With the new rules, it appears that Bob (at Danase) can respond to a post that declares that DWG has cleaners and identical to another product.



I think that is good. It sounds like unless they made negative other comments to other products they can respond to threads.



Is that the new policy?

[BigAl3]

some banned members have moved on to bigger and better things and may not want to come back...