Sheriffs vs Crime and advertisment in The Villages
 

Ethics class question: Should the Daily Sun, TOTV or any other entity, once aware of numerous cases at Sheriffs vs Crime vs a business, keep allowing ads to be placed from said business. Do they have a responsibility to protect the elderly public from getting scammed over and over again?

No. Never heard of any public media being responsible for the ads. Personally, I don't think I've used any company because of its ads in at least 30 years. For services, it is personal recommendations only. For unknown products, I check them out with Consumer Reports, Good Housekeeping or a professional in that field whom I know and trust (which leaves out Oprah and Dr. Oz).

So, why would you think the Sun should check out the ratings of an advertiser?

I do my own research. All media including online forums depend on advertising.

The current gubernatorial political ads are full of lies on both sides. That is advertising.

No. The newspaper has no responsibility to refuse advertising, unless the person placing the ad has not paid them, or if the advertising is illegal. Having an F rating from the BBB does not qualify as being illegal.

The responsibility is yours to research a company before hiring them.

I also have to add that I'm a little offended by the implication that elderly people are more susceptible to being scammed. I suppose some are--especially those who are impaired in some way or who are uneducated. But, that can apply to young people as well. I know more young people who were victims of scams than I have found in my peer group.

We also gather info from friend's experiences. Sorry to say that the political ads, lies included seem to leave us to vote for who may be the lesser of two evils. That's our choice. It is said that "all that is needed for evil to exist is that good people do nothing". (or words to that effect).

was looking at some sites "Terms of Service" and read some clauses I think would apply. Sorry, should have done this in first place. As far as elderly comment above, Florida has in place laws specifically for our age class. I think me defining elderly is appropiate.

If you refuse an ad on the above grounds, a media outlet can be sued. That is why, in Louisiana, despite our deep regret, we had to run ads for the local Klu Klux Klan (sp?) in our newspaper. Most newspapers post a disclaimer somewhere that states that the paper makes no guarantees or endorses no companies that advertise.

I am more wary of the A+ rated companies

Better Business Bureau: The Best Ratings Money Can Buy - ABC News

Good point. No, very good point. Sheriffs vs Crime would be more accurate. ill change the topic thread. PS I changed what I could. Wouldnt let me change title.

We too use recommendations from friends for purchases of goods and services. Also, if someone does have a bad experience, at least five of your friends will hear about it...and they pass it onto others.

Actually studies have shown that not only are seniors easier to scam, they also tend to trust a complete stranger more than family members.

Somehow I feel that advertisers on a community forum such as TOTV should be vetted by the owner of the site, similar to Angies List.

I am sure that there is a legal way to do this. This could even justify a higher rate for advertising on TOTV.

A web site like this one should not have to play by the same rules as formal media.

TOTV could even have two classes of advertisers. Vetted and non. That way they could continue the "click through ads" while having a Villagers' Recommended List.

Regardless of how trust-worthy they may seem during the proposal stage, DO NOT give them any deposits. If they can't afford to buy the materials for a job, their business is in trouble and you'll wind up disappointed at best. I experienced making a deposit and then being "taken". Also, make sure the contracts are actually signed by the potential vendor and a reasonable completion date specified, taking into account that some jobs can not be performed in bad weather. Without that, you're strictly at their mercy while they continue to move the money around trying to make ends meet. Not used to these kind of small-time "contractors".

Don't people pay to be on Angie's List and don't people pay to access Angie's List? That seems to indicate that Angie can afford to vet the contractors. TOTV is free to us. Would you like to start paying to find a contractor?

Basically, you get what you pay for. If you get a contractor from an ad in the newspaper or a reference on TOTV or anywhere else, you should check out the company/person before setting up a contract with them.

I have been burnt by several friends because they did not expect the same kind of service level that I did. My fault. I should have checked the contractors out a little better.

Z

It is true consumers have to pay to access Angies list.

These are all very good suggestions and comments. There isn't a one size fits all solution, but we at the TOTV team recently added a section for Home Improvements. This section is for advertisers to be reviewed and rated by our registered users. Nothing is a perfect system, but this is a way for ONLY registered users to leave feedback and rate a specific business and they can only rate that business 1x.

We hope this helps in some way combined with all your other research on a business.

On a side note - if there is an egregious business that has slipped through as an advertiser on this site we would certainly investigate further and give consideration as to whether we want them to continue.