In response to some misinformation...

Todd@RUPES

Todd@RUPES

Just a regular guy
I would like to address some of the comments I have seen made by representatives of another companies discussion forum, in particular this quote:

Wow, ridicule someone for their review, delete it, follow them to other forums and try to do the same thing and have him banned? Just because they didn’t mention that he received the product as part of a promotion which everyone was already quite aware of. Sounds like a witch hunt to me. Sure is a lot of hatred for 3D on that board. Not surprising seeing that it’s owned/operated by AutoGeek. And they claim that it’s an unbiased forum.

It’s always been clear that this promotion was to get the word out about 3D/HD. They wanted only 100% honest reviews. If the product is terrible....post it. If it's great....post it. If you can't handle it, don't be a part of it. I think everyone has done a great job of this so far and pretty much everyone has had very favorable things to say. That in itself speaks volumes about the quality of their products. I guess this just makes people on the other side of the fence mad.
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We (any representative or employee of Autopia-CarCare.com or myself) did NOT follow the posts of any forum member to another forum nor would we consider interfering with another forums business. I am responsible for the integrity of this forum and the integrity of the information I post. When I address any topic, I research it thoroughly, so that if I am questioned I can defend them in a constructive manner.

We (PBMG) do not condone the bashing of any company or product. It is against corporate policy and we do ask the same of our forum members. That is why, between AutogeekOnline.net and Autopiaforums.com, you will not see any bashing of any company, product or person allowed. We appreciate that not every forum or company follows these ideals.

In order to protect the integrity of this forum, we ask that any review of any product that has been received should be noted at the beginning of the thread. This includes reviews of products that we have sent out for reviews on our forum. By maintaining a level playing field and holding ourselves to the same standard, I feel very comfortable stating that we are unbiased.

The term “unbiased” does not mean that we do not have rules. We do have rules, and they are in place to keep AutopiaForums as unbiased as possible. If everybody is required to follow the same rules then, by definition, it is unbiased. The rules are the same for everybody, regardless what side of the fence you are on.

Which leads me to my last point. We ask you to disclose whether or not you receive your products from free (from anybody, including us) so that others cannot question your integrity. If you choose to post your review on other forums, we still encourage it. It protects us as much as it protects you. We would never encourage anybody to sacrifice their integrity so that we could market our products.
 
Rumors spread like wildfire :(

I kept debating on trying to explain on one site but thought it might not help any.

I frequent about 11 detail related forums on a daily basis and see many of same people also.
 
Sorry Todd, just gotta say it...

MY OWN OPINION

Personally I think their business ethics ####. Essentially by giving the product away for reviews it the same as being an employee. (just getting product instead of money) As you said, (paraphrased) "if you're getting the product free to do the review, say so, right up front".

So I used an example before, that I will make easier to understand here, so when they come over here to read it, they might hopefully understand. But then again, I bet they really don't care..... (the only reason they are complaining is cuz their ads got removed)

This is the same as going to McDonalds, getting free food as long as you bring it to Five guys and eat it there.... Use a front window seat, their napkins, their electricity, their ac/heat and their employees to clean up after you.....

Essentially there marching orders were to go spam other boards..... And they expect that the boards will keep the crap up and not delete it like a replica rolex ad from Nigeria.

Their hubris and lack of common decency will prevent me from EVER buying any of their products again.

Even if this was their stupid attempt at having PBMG to pick up their product cuz they can't get their marketing right.... And have a brick wall trying to sell their garbage

Climbing off soap box and hoping you haven't locked the thread yet and that this stays up for a while
 
Todd: I was surprised to see the post you quoted as I recall you and he being close friends... As I said, very suprised to see him call you out and I assume there must have been a falling out of some sort due to the fact that you two always had each others "back"...

Sorry to see that


Ronkh said:
Sorry Todd, just gotta say it...

MY OWN OPINION

Personally I think their business ethics SUCK. Essentially by giving the product away for reviews
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Before casting judgment, the practice of giving products away for a review is not isolated to 3D. I have been on the receiving end of such generosity from every major auto detailing supply vendor....
 
Todd Helme said:
I would like to address some of the comments I have seen made by representatives of another companies discussion forum, in particular this quote:



We (any representative or employee of Autopia-CarCare.com or myself) did NOT follow the posts of any forum member to another forum nor would we consider interfering with another forums business. I am responsible for the integrity of this forum and the integrity of the information I post. When I address any topic, I research it thoroughly, so that if I am questioned I can defend them in a constructive manner.

We (PBMG) do not condone the bashing of any company or product. It is against corporate policy and we do ask the same of our forum members. That is why, between AutogeekOnline.net and Autopiaforums.com, you will not see any bashing of any company, product or person allowed. We appreciate that not every forum or company follows these ideals.

In order to protect the integrity of this forum, we ask that any review of any product that has been received should be noted at the beginning of the thread. This includes reviews of products that we have sent out for reviews on our forum. By maintaining a level playing field and holding ourselves to the same standard, I feel very comfortable stating that we are unbiased.

The term “unbiased” does not mean that we do not have rules. We do have rules, and they are in place to keep AutopiaForums as unbiased as possible. If everybody is required to follow the same rules then, by definition, it is unbiased. The rules are the same for everybody, regardless what side of the fence you are on.

Which leads me to my last point. We ask you to disclose whether or not you receive your products from free (from anybody, including us) so that others cannot question your integrity. If you choose to post your review on other forums, we still encourage it. It protects us as much as it protects you. We would never encourage anybody to sacrifice their integrity so that we could market our products.
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:rockon
 
Deep Gloss said:
Before casting judgment, the practice of giving products away for a review is not isolated to 3D. I have been on the receiving end of such generosity from every major auto detailing supply vendor....
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With the stipulation of going to OTHER sites to do a review?

Giving freebies is common. Employing others to crap up the internet is another.
 
And just to say, it wasn't me going to any other site.

I said my piece here, I reported the kid HERE only. And in the end, he actually seemed like a decent kid.

But it seems like the "people hate 3d" is becoming a catch phrase

I really don't understand why they are complaining...... Half of the car forums I go on (non detail related) were crapped up with this too and most deleted it
 
Essentially the freebie was predicated to go spam other boards..... And they expect that the boards will keep the crap up and not delete it like a replica rolex ad from Nigeria
 
I'm pretty sure it goes without saying that when a mfg sends you a sample for a review it is expected that you are going to post it on all of the forums you frequent and NOT just the forum belonging to the mfg.

The free products I have been sent in exchange for a review I have accepted with the preface that the review will be honest. With that said, the review is completely on the merits of the product.

Let me pose this a different way:

If the same EXACT situation transpired except for the fact that the reviewer didnt like the product and posted that in his review, would you still say "SPAM"?

I don't have a dog in this fight... I am amigos with Todd and the other dude that Todd quoted. I'm just playing devils advocate as I sometimes do when I see what I view as an unbalanced perspective.
 
Deep Gloss said:
I'm pretty sure it goes without saying that when a mfg sends you a sample for a review it is expected that you are going to post it on all of the forums you frequent and NOT just the forum belonging to the mfg.

The free products I have been sent in exchange for a review I have accepted with the preface that the review will be honest. With that said, the review is completely on the merits of the product.

Let me pose this a different way:

If the same EXACT situation transpired except for the fact that the reviewer didnt like the product and posted that in his review, would you still say "SPAM"?

I don't have a dog in this fight... I am amigos with Todd and the other dude that Todd quoted. I'm just playing devils advocate as I sometimes do when I see what I view as an unbalanced perspective.
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Can't really answer that honestly. I post here frequently and 2 other (ag and another) infrequently
 
I think things are a little different in receiving products for "Free" and the 3D promotion. As I understand it, the 3D promotion allowed a person to purchase a 3D product. The person selected a product and in exchange for not having his credit card charged for the amount of the product purchased had to do a review of the product on 4 different forums.

Once the person emailed the forums he posted on to David Fermani the person's credit card was not charged and he was free to try another 3D product and review it.

I don't think there is anything wrong with this promotion. It sounds like a good idea. All I think Todd is asking is that the reviewer post a "disclaimer" letting other forums members know that the product was received for free. This allows the other members to make their own judgments as to the validity of the review.
 
Pats300zx said:
I don't think there is anything wrong with this promotion. It sounds like a good idea. All I think Todd is asking is that the reviewer post a "disclaimer" letting other forums members know that the product was received for free. This allows the other members to make their own judgments as to the validity of the review.
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I agree 100% Pat and I also think Todd's request is not asking for too much of people... Actually the transparency that is afforded when Todd's request is adhered to only adds more credibility to the review, in my opinion of course
 
Pats300zx said:
All I think Todd is asking is that the reviewer post a "disclaimer" letting other forums members know that the product was received for free. This allows the other members to make their own judgments as to the validity of the review.
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Todd was absolutely justified in deleting this review as he had made it clear reviewers must note if they recieved the product as part of a promotion. Ignorance of the rules is no excuse. IME what got the hair up on the back of some people's neck was that someone (not Todd) pursued this reviewer on other non detailing websites in order to have his review removed.

It should also be noted that the reviewers where not required to give a positive review of any 3D/HD product, just an unbiased honest review, positive or negative.
 
We (PBMG) do not condone the bashing of any company or product. It is against corporate policy and we do ask the same of our forum members. That is why, between AutogeekOnline.net and Autopiaforums.com, you will not see any bashing of any company, product or person allowed. We appreciate that not every forum or company follows these ideals.


Ronkh said:
Sorry Todd, just gotta say it...

MY OWN OPINION

Personally I think their business ethics #####. Essentially by giving the product away for reviews it the same as being an employee. (just getting product instead of money) As you said, (paraphrased) "if you're getting the product free to do the review, say so, right up front".

So I used an example before, that I will make easier to understand here, so when they come over here to read it, they might hopefully understand. But then again, I bet they really don't care..... (the only reason they are complaining is cuz their ads got removed)

This is the same as going to McDonalds, getting free food as long as you bring it to Five guys and eat it there.... Use a front window seat, their napkins, their electricity, their ac/heat and their employees to clean up after you.....

Essentially there marching orders were to go spam other boards..... And they expect that the boards will keep the crap up and not delete it like a replica rolex ad from Nigeria.

Their hubris and lack of common decency will prevent me from EVER buying any of their products again.

Even if this was their stupid attempt at having PBMG to pick up their product cuz they can't get their marketing right.... And have a brick wall trying to sell their garbage

Climbing off soap box and hoping you haven't locked the thread yet and that this stays up for a while
Click to expand...
 
I hope you saw I stuck up for you brother..........we gotta stick together RIGHT. I got your back. If you want to follow my posts, I would be honored. BTW_ you know I like to try new stuff, and love to review it, but that whole contest rubs me the wrong way. Mostly becasue I have to see the same review all over all the boards and know if was done for free product. If they kept it to their forum, like we do, no issues what so ever. I just done read them top to bittm and move on.
 
Pats300zx said:
I think things are a little different in receiving products for "Free" and the 3D promotion. As I understand it, the 3D promotion allowed a person to purchase a 3D product. The person selected a product and in exchange for not having his credit card charged for the amount of the product purchased had to do a review of the product on 4 different forums.

Once the person emailed the forums he posted on to David Fermani the person's credit card was not charged and he was free to try another 3D product and review it.

I don't think there is anything wrong with this promotion. It sounds like a good idea. All I think Todd is asking is that the reviewer post a "disclaimer" letting other forums members know that the product was received for free. This allows the other members to make their own judgments as to the validity of the review.
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+1!

The two keys for me is receiving a product for free and being a conduit for some marketing scheme. Frankly, it matters less to me that a person received a product for free, but when combined with this type of marketing, then the review is read with a very jaundiced eye. JMHO.
 
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