One advertiser litigating against another?? - Diesel Forum

roofeditor · 03-18-2004, 08:31 AM

I received a PM from one of the Diesel aftermarket advertisers claiming he had been served with a Federal Lawsuit by another advertiser. He claims that his activity on THIS site has been mentioned as one of the items in the complaint. He also suspects that the site might actually be helping the plaintive. The site is supposed to be fun and informative not a stepping stone for litigation. So what the heck is going on here? I suspect that there are people here that know exactly what I'm referring to. Something doesn't smell right here? [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/shrug.gif[/img] If this post is instantly locked up, it would only prove the claim of the defendant.

Swany · 03-18-2004, 09:16 AM

Advertisers have strict guidelines which they are supposed to adhere to, obviously this hasn't been happening.

It would be safe to assume, that the belt might be tightened on posting procedures.

mcn6 · 03-18-2004, 10:29 AM

A similar suit (I assume) involving Usenet/rec.sport.jetski was recently dismissed in Tenn. I was not a party and do not know most of the facts of the case. Should be public record however? I personally see no good coming from these.
Chris

Bigshow · 03-18-2004, 11:03 AM

[ QUOTE ]
The site is supposed to be fun and informative not a stepping stone for litigation. So what the heck is going on here?

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Roofeditor, I think I kind of know what this is about from previous posts about different performance modules and varying levels of product support from the module manufacturers/distributors. I agree exactly with what you said about this site and its intended usage. It is an opportunity to interact with some guys/gals who have the common bond of being automotive enthusiasts (in this case Ford diesel trucks!). From what I have seen in my short time here, there is a very intense level of knowledge among the truck owners here and a willingness to share information among the members. There are always going to be disagreements every once in a while and for the most part (but not always!) the moderators keep it in check. I've learned alot here and had some laughs and I hope we can keep this site going as such. [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]

Tom S · 03-18-2004, 11:58 AM

Does anyone know what type of Federal lawsuit we are talking about? I would not be very impressed with a vendor on here sueing another vendor in particular if they were both ones that found their start here. There are lots of products being sold that were really the ideas of members on here that somebody picked up on. It would be nice to have some more specifics.

Tom

GPorter · 03-18-2004, 04:36 PM

Thanks Jason for jumping in and setting the record straight. There seems to be a few issues on the forum running on speculation. Maybe you could jump in and clear those up. Thanks again Cota

JLester · 03-18-2004, 05:12 PM

What speculation are you referring to? People always seem to think we have some kind of hidden agenda with certain users and advertisers. I've talked to some who thought that and tried to clear it up, but it didn't do any good.

What would be the advantage to me of treating users or vendors differently?

The users don't pay anything to use the site and I don't really care what trucks they own, who they know, etc. I don't even read the technical forums much anymore. I check this one and may stop by the other ones ever so often to see what is going on. As long as the users follow our rules, they'll never even hear from me or the moderators. I would estimate in excess of 98% of our users have never been moderated or contacted by us. Some disregard the rules and then cry foul when we call them on it. Instead of owning up to the fact that us moderating them was the result of their actions, they decide we have some sort of problem with them personally. If you don't believe me, ask the moderators. We conduct all moderations in a private mailing list and private forum. We all notify each other when we perform some kind of moderation. Our e-mails to users usually courteously explain what the problem was with the post. Most users understand, some rant and rave back at us and use some very nasty words to defend themselves and/or decide we have a vendetta against them. I also log all actions for review later if need be. If you don't believe me or the moderators, there is probably no convincing you.

For the advertisers, they all pay us generally the same amounts. We have two plans with about 2/3s on one and 1/3 on the other. What would be the advantage to me or to the site for preferring one over the other? That would be really stupid from a business standpoint. There may be some products that I prefer, but I never mention that on the forums. That also doesn't enter into any of our moderations. You can choose not to believe that either, but it is true to the best of my knowledge. Also, my wife now handles the majority of the communications with our advertisers. She doesn't even read the forums. She quit a couple of years ago after reading some allegations about me and hasn't visited since.

Jason

caveman · 03-18-2004, 05:22 PM

[ QUOTE ]
I would estimate in excess of 98% of our users have never been moderated or contacted by us. Some disregard the rules and then cry foul when we call them on it. Instead of owning up to the fact that us moderating them was the result of their actions, they decide we have some sort of problem with them personally. If you don't believe me, ask the moderators. We conduct all moderations in a private mailing list and private forum.
Jason

[/ QUOTE ]

Guess I'm of the 2%. Posted a couple things that I shouldn't have without thinking about it prior. Stupidity on my part. The moderators and yourself have never treated me anything but professionally. Do miss Kev moderating though.

jerry

GPorter · 03-18-2004, 06:03 PM

Jason, I hope you didn't take me wrong and I apologize if my post came across incorrectly. I do sincerly appreciate you stepping in to clarify how some things work on the forum. This is the first forum I have ever participated on so I have a lot to learn. I wouldn't know anything about hidden agenda's. The speculation I meant was why Matt was kicked off so quickly. Theres two sides to every story and sometimes we need to hear the moderators side of why an action was taken. It might help people like me understand how the system works better. This is an awsome site and I appreciate the work you and the moderators do. Cota

JLester · 03-18-2004, 06:12 PM

Matt was reinstated last night. We don't publicly discuss things like that because I frankly don't think it is anyone's business but the user and the moderators.

Jason

Larry M · 03-18-2004, 07:03 PM

[ QUOTE ]
If you don't believe me, ask the moderators. We conduct all moderations in a private mailing list and private forum. We all notify each other when we perform some kind of moderation. Our e-mails to users usually courteously explain what the problem was with the post. Most users understand, some rant and rave back at us and use some very nasty words to defend themselves and/or decide we have a vendetta against them. I also log all actions for review later if need be. If you don't believe me or the moderators, there is probably no convincing you.

[/ QUOTE ]

I will only add and confirm that what Jason says is absolutely true. Privately, there are more checks and balances in moderating on this site so that abuse is as near as impossible as it can be and there are about 10 of us actively here to watch over each other, help, discuss, etc. anything and everything. In fact we often discuss issues at some length even before a moderation is done and get others input first and guess what sometimes even we all don't agree 100%. Members just don't see the amount of thought, effort and "keeping a steady hand on the tiller" that this great site is kept on course with that goes on "behind the scenes" and in private.

Larry
keeper of the <font color="blue"> "little secrets" </font> [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]

KRMNAL1 · 03-18-2004, 07:46 PM

you never have to "moderate" me [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/tongue.gif[/img] I think I am just about as close to perfect as perfect can be, right [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img]

I can see where Jason would have a conflict of interest if he regularly posted in technical forums, as much as his replies in the news/help forum gets ripped up and taken out of context imagine what it would be like in the techinical threads [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/shrug.gif[/img] Ok "Lord Jason" I guess I kinda see your side of things and maybe you really are a good guy even though you do think Alice in Chains is better than Nirvana [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smokin.gif[/img]

roofeditor · 03-18-2004, 08:16 PM

I agree with you. Too bad it degraded to this.

lawdog · 03-18-2004, 08:19 PM

I would hate to see advertisers start suing each other over what goes on here. Don't know who you're talking about or what the issue was, and don't really care. I see it like this. THis is a truck enthusiast site. Sell your products, and be prepared to reap rewards or the wrath of the buyers. All depends on your product and custmomer service. And there are some vocal customers here with what is essentially a big party line. Wait, where am I.....this isn't the other forum. How'd I get up here??? [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused.gif[/img]

gandy · 03-19-2004, 12:13 AM

Since I'm not into "mods," I don't have a clue who might be mad at whom. I will say however that this site (as well as the whole internet) is in essence the modern version of sitting on the porch of the general store BS'ing with your friends/neighbors. [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/shrug.gif[/img]

Maybe some of the advertisers should go back to "Business 101?" Treat a customer right and he will probably only tell a few people. Treat him wrong and he'll shout it from the rooftop (or is that roofeditor? [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif[/img]). [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smokin.gif[/img]