What is going on here?

[MontanaRocknReefer]

And that is why I see no reason to single out that vendor for what they are doing.

1. Getting Involved with the forum.

2. Providing excellent products.

3. Letting them know how we feel about what they are providing, etc etc.

If other vendors see this maybe they will become more involved in this forum and it is something we like to see!

So if what I did was supposedly wrong well so be it!

As you stated gregt:

I reserve the right to change my mind at any time.

[kram138]

Just a question Greg. The thread linked here contains references and direct links to vendors selling things other than what our sponsors sell. Are these people out of line? Should this thread have been deleted? Just a question.

[dark horge]

Uhmmm.

If I recall, several other threads were deleted:
I had posted an algal article to the ThinkTank which the server ate without remorse, then upchucked locked, then ate again, and never returned. I can assure you it had no commercial promotional content


I hate typing things out on Word, and then having the apostrophes, quotation marks and stuff messed up when I cut and paste, so I type things out on TRT.

If Johnny's thread was deleted by mistake, there's no need for onlookers to suspect it was anything but. Now, if someone starts calling people names or doubting their honesty and integrity... that's another issue, and the sort of accusatory paranoia I would associate with other boards, not this one.

This is not one of those other reefing boards.
This is TRT, folks.

It is how we avoid mistakes ---and how we handle the ones that visit themselves upon us--- that determines how TRT remains a friendly environment.

Until you know better, give the benefit of the doubt to your fellow TRT'er. If you're dead sure you see a clear offense/violation, PM the staff so they can take the necessary steps to protect and to correct.

[gregt]

Originally posted by kram138
Just a question Greg. The thread linked here contains references and direct links to vendors selling things other than what our sponsors sell. Are these people out of line? Should this thread have been deleted? Just a question.

http://www.thereeftank.com/forums/sh...5&pagenumber=1

The commercial rules apply only to vendors and their employees. Linking to any vendor (sponsor or not) when appropriate and helpful is always encouraged unless your are a vendor or employee in a related field. Common sense is really all that is needed. If I sell shoes, then it's ok for me to link to someone that sells skimmers. If I work for an online fish store, it's not ok to link to my employer's website.

[kram138]

Thank you Greg for answering my questions. That is exactly what I was getting at. It is now obvious to me that I do not know the whole story behind this thread and will be bowing out of any future posts regarding this thread.

I have only been here a few months but have gained a world of knowledge. You guys are doing a great job as far as I am concerned. Keep it up. Thanks.

[StellaMN]

Since I'm an opinionated person, I feel the need to share my opinion.

Personally, my trust in TRT has declined since around the time of the change in ownership. I see a huge conflict of interest since the new owner of TRT owns a company that is a sponsor and that company is in direct competition with several other sponsors. I find it strange that nothing was said about positive posts regarding the aforementioned sponsor until the new owner took over.

GregT, I'm not saying that this was intentional. Just to my overly suspicious and untrusting mind it was.

I won't post positive things about a dealer that I haven't used before, but love to give positive feedback when I do have good experiences. Just like I don't recommend restaurants based on someone else's word. I don't tip poor wait staff at a restaurant, but over tip the good ones.

I guess what I'm saying is that with all of the upheaval that has been going on....most of it privately....I find it difficult to trust some things that are being said and done here. When a single sponsor is being singled out just because it provides excellent service and is willing to go the extra mile to help people out---and those people crow about the excellent service...I have a huge problem with that sponsor and the happy customers getting their hands slapped for it.

I've tried to keep my mouth shut publically about this, but the more I read and hear about the dissatisfaction of TRT members the more I felt I needed to speak my piece.

I do feel that in the past the mods/Admins have done a really great job. I loved TRT....felt that I made some awesome friends here. BUT, I think that things have really been slipping in the past few weeks. I understand how many members feel, as I have been the target of some personal attacks, etc. and have seen nothing done about it....but then watch a sponsor and those that like the sponsor's business get slapped around.

Anyway...I'm rambling...so I'll go back to my corner and keep my mouth shut again.

J.

[gregt]

Stella, good points.

If you notice, the saltyzoo banner has been removed from the rotation out of respect for the other sponsors. It is still on the sponsors list, because it is still a sponsor of the site.

There is no conflict of interest, I'm just a hobbyist that buys in bulk and shares the deals with other hobbyists. Running saltyzoo costs me far more than I make in income, it is not profitable. It gives me a justification to the wife to have a thousand gallons of saltwater in and around my house and that's about it. For me to compromise another sponsor for that would be foolish.

I guess what I'm saying is that with all of the upheaval that has been going on....most of it privately....I find it difficult to trust some things that are being said and done here. When a single sponsor is being singled out just because it provides excellent service and is willing to go the extra mile to help people out---and those people crow about the excellent service...I have a huge problem with that sponsor and the happy customers getting their hands slapped for it.

You are mistaken if you think this is what happened. I will not try to explain everything that has ever transpired, and I don't think I'm obligated to do so, but I assure you that is not the whole story.

All I ask for is a chance to prove my intentions. I can't possibly fight behind the scenes rumour telling.

Please don't use rumours to make your decisions, give it time and see that my only goal is to provide a flame-free environment to discuss reefkeeping.

I want this site to return to being the happy family it once was.

[uryy4me]

For what it's worth, I'm on board with ya and appreciate your openness to suggestion....and here is one for you :-)

consider opening a forum for vendor solicitation. this might help address some vendor solicitation concerns and also better serve your members... heck I for one would find a lot of usefulness in something like this...for example, rather than having to surf all over for a nice BTA, posting a request for one that vendors could respond to would sure help me out...think of it kinda like a reverse auction

[gregt]

Originally posted by uryy4me
For what it's worth, I'm on board with ya and appreciate your openness to suggestion....and here is one for you :-)

consider opening a forum for vendor solicitation. this might help address some vendor solicitation concerns and also better serve your members... heck I for one would find a lot of usefulness in something like this...for example, rather than having to surf all over for a nice BTA, posting a request for one that vendors could respond to would sure help me out...think of it kinda like a reverse auction

It's already in the works.

[uryy4me]

Cool, change can be good!

[Jimmer]

I think we all can agree that rampant posting in the general forum crowing about ANY sponsor is "against the rule". In this case I do not believe it was any sort of purposefull attempt to flood the board with free advertising.
What has made matters worse were things that were communicated to a member or members by an admin. I was shocked to see those things and equally shocked by what those members were accused of. For those people that send accusatorial PMs.. Well shame on you!
I can only hope we DO NOT lose any members over this and we can all get back to being a very big and happy family.

[gregt]

I would again ask that private messages that are shared without permission not be used to make descisions on who is to blame for what. It is not fair to the people involved to take their statements out of context in a situation where they cannot explain their intent.

Nobody expects to have their private messages passed on to others, and IMHO, it's extremely disrespectful to do so to someone else.

[MyReef]

I am sure this won't be a popular post, but as a sponsor I am against any postings of any commercial nature by "people" in the business, whether it be in their own forum or anywhere. I don't feel the boards are the place to toot your own horn and offer deals. I feel the sponsors forum are for questions and answers to products that have already been purchased or someone is thinking of purchasing...nothing more nothing less. For me to post in my own forum that we are having a "special" sale is advertising...period! 99% of the boards out there that have sponsor forums do not allow that. They can answer questions, but still not advertise specials.

I have talked to Jon about commercial posts on this board for several months. So this is not something that is new. I can assure you that we do not allow commercial posts in the ARC forum from LFS...not even sponsors of ARC...not even sponsors of this board and ARC combined....it is forbidden.

In my mind, commercial posts by sponsors or people in the business can mislead people. Just imagine a newbie asking a question on an item...a commercial company comes in and posts...well XYZ product is best and we sell it for $xx...you won't find a better product for a better price...yada yada yada...even if others come in and say that isn't a great product....there is a sense that the commercial poster is in the business so they "know" what they are doing....and wouldn't steer me wrong for the almighty $. OK off my box....back to your regularly scheduled forum.

[rogerthmyers]

oh my GOSH......this has went on and on for 12....yes 12 pages...
can we please close this out and get back to being peaceful. I'm now satisfied with the answers, lets talk saltwater.

[Mkelly]

Originally posted by rogerthmyers
oh my GOSH......this has went on and on for 12....yes 12 pages...
can we please close this out and get back to being peaceful. I'm now satisfied with the answers, lets talk saltwater.

This horse aint totally dead yet it needs to be whipped a lil more