To be clear, I was once a Super-Mod for an IB site... I was before IB bought the site, stayed on for about a year before I had seen enough...

They are a nightmare to mod for...

Say HI to Robb for me... LOL

 

If you refer to Stewart's response above, he is saying only links to something that would directly benefit you financially (your own product or site) are not allowed (unless you are a sponsor), but providing information or a link to a product somewhere that is being asked about, or may be beneficial to the group is ok.

At least that is how I read it?

This was in reply to Akcooper btw....

 

That would kind of make sense. BUT, that ain't what happened. I (not GaugePro) posted a link (a single itty-bitty little link), as a helpful service to follow enthusiasts (some of whom may not be able or willing to use facebook, or may have difficulty at finding things on the internet). It was deleted. That is total bull poop ( and really, its ridiculous that I have to worry about using the word that should have been there, we are all adults here).
I was providing a helpful link, beneficial to the group. But, apparently since it may upset the evil overlords, our needs don't matter. I have no link or affiliation with the vendor at all. I don't recall ever even having any prior interaction with him. I just saw that people were trying to find something, and I helped them out by googling it and posting a link. So glad I wasted my time trying to help.....

 

Not trying to start an argument here at all (really I am not, just trying to pass along my take on it).

But one could also see that as a member here, who provides a product that would benefit them to sell, and who is not a sponsor, using this as a way to skirt the forum rules also.

Again, I am in no way trying to say this is what happened, and by your assertion it is not, but someone could try to do this. I don't want to put words in Stewart's or another mods mouths here, and I am sure if this is wrong it will be corrected.

At the end of the day, rules are rules, and the mods have to constantly walk that fine line in deciding which things are acceptable and which ones are a "violation" of those rules.....

 

Regardless of how it has been communicated, this, I believe, is the ultimate point of the issue which has developed. I can't count the number of times I've witnessed members posting links to non-Sponsor sites where products are being sold, and in at least a few cases, some of those sites are operated by members of FTE who would obviously benefit from any sales generated from the link having been posted. I've even posted similar links myself for the exact same reasons mentioned by carguy3j... just trying to be helpful to other FTE members who are looking for something and can't find it. Until today, I've never seen any of those links deleted (and I guess I have to admit that I may have not seen the actual link to begin with as the reason for having not seen it "get deleted").

Still... there is sound merit at the root of carguy3j's contention on this issue.



This is an equally valid point. In all honesty, though, I believe we have a generally good sense of the integrity of our brothers in here and know that it would be a rare situation where the posting such a link would be driven by a deliberate attempt to "skirt the forum rules". It can happen, sure. It might have even happened before. I'm just saying that I believe it's a rare enough issue to not truly justify having deleted carguy3j's link, especially given how extremely diligent and careful Joe has been to avoid compromise on the issue.

 

What is the list of approved vendors we can link to?

 

The way I understand it... you can link to any site unless the site owner is a FTE member who is NOT also a FTE Sponsor.

 

sorry, my bad - didn't realize this was going to be a problem. I'd like to look into getting one in anyone has a link. Time is short lately, but I'll try searching.....

 

I am on my phone, but will get you the link later after I have extinguished my supply of craft beer and can get my laptop turned on.

 

I just sent you an email with the link, Rich.

 

I am not trying to say that there wasn't a valid point made, I was just stating my understanding of the guidelines that are followed.

And I agree, on this forum (and this forum is one of the rarest gems on the internet!) I seriously doubt that would happen. I was merely trying to illustrate the point I made to try and avoid confusion....

 

Thanks guys, got it

 

To be clear... I'm likely not going to quit my day job due to sales of the flush mount... LOL

Thats about the only issue I have with it... Its a tiny product, with little if any profit margin... Not worth getting up in arms over.

 

Thanks Joe, I spewed my sip of Pepsi.

 

my take on the whole "situation" is rule wise if it seems "sketchy" it either will be or is, so I will (when in question) always take it to PM that way there is no question about if I'm trying to skirt the rules or what ever, seems to be working for me for the past two years or so I have been here...