[Sidney Lanier]

I did not see the 'missing topic' and hence I'm not sure what it was about, though it sounds like something to do with selling homes. I am in full agreement with villages8house and redwitch; if TOTV keeps itself afloat with lots of volunteer hours from the administrators (many thanks, guys, great job!) and relies on advertising to cover costs, then TOTV isn't there to provide free advertising, which, IMHO, is very different from someone recommending a particular restaurant because of good food and/or service and/or its prices are reasonable--or possibly slamming a car dealership for their absolutely cavalier attitude on the part of its salespersons (a post I recall a month or two ago).

[Hyacinth Bucket]

First, thank you for starting this topic. When I received the email from the Administrators stating that a topic was pulled, I could not recall what it was. At least, now I know.

I have written to the Administrators in reference to a new plan they have to reach potential advertisers. It sounded good, cost was fair and I am hoping it gets off the ground. It would provide additional funds.

I am puzzled, why Real Estate Agents/Companies do not advertise on TOTV. The only thing I can think of, is they do not realize how many members of TOTV are looking for a home and that many residents of TV upgrade or go to a smaller home.

If I can figure it out, I think I will do a poll, as I am curious to know.

Hyacinth Bucket

[tony]

I’ve been away from the forum for a while today and returned to find this discussion on the “missing post.” I inadvertently left my partners here to take the heat.

You’re looking at the guy who removed that thread.

I try to read every post on the forum and think I keep up with them fairly well. Apparently, though, when I first read this one, it got by me. I don’t know why. I would have, and should have, pulled it the first time I read it. I slipped up.

However, a forum member complained and called it to my attention. I looked at it again, and agreed that it appeared commercial. Very commercial. I was miffed that I let it get by earlier and I removed the thread. Then I thanked the member who reported it to me.

This isn’t the first post I have pulled. I have seen blatantly commercial, self-serving posts. We sell space here for blatant commercialism. We like it, as a matter of fact. It is paid advertising. If the forum were to contain a lot of those messages trying to pass as unbiased posts, members would tire of them, and it would ruin the boards.

When members see an ad here they know it is an ad and they interpret it as an ad. When they see a post, they expect it to be from a fellow Villager recommending a business. (At times, too, that seems to go a little far, perhaps borderline, but we let them go by as a service to forum members.)

Other kinds of posts I have pulled are ones I viewed as unwarranted, belligerent personal attacks. I have communicated directly to the posters why I removed them.

I am remiss in this instance for not informing the poster. I regret that. I should have sent a note as a courtesy. It was a lapse that I hope I will not commit again and I apologize.

Let me return to the point, though. Most of the original post follows. If I were to see one similar, I would probably pull it, too. It appears blatantly commercial.

The post:
“SAVE anywhere from $ 12,000 to $90,000 on a select group of homes & villas.

* Patio Villas available with savings from $12,000 - $15,000
* Keys and Savannah Courtyard villas with savings from $20,000 - $40,000
* Designer homes with savings from $30,000 - $90,000
To qualify, simply reserve your new home or villa by December 31st.”

The next line was a link to a commercial home sales web site.

How you would have handled it if you were moderating a for-profit forum?

[bfhowa01]

I think there needs to be a distinction between news and advertising. The thread on the price reductions I considered to be news which generated a great deal of comment. People's experiences with vendors and restaurants is also news as it makes our lives as villages residents easier and more pleasant. The difference between advertising and news can be confusing, and I leave it up to the good judgement of the moderator to make the distinction. Reading your posts I believe that you truly want to be upfront, transparent and fair and make this website work.

[Sidney Lanier]

Thank you, Tony, for pulling this thread! This is a far cry from the recent post where someone was looking for a 1 BR 1 BA patio villa and another person responded with information about her own that she was selling. Without doubt this post that was pulled was commercial which has no business being on a thread but rather should be in a box on the right-hand side of the screen--and PAID FOR!

[GERALDINE]

Tony:

I think the original post was an abuse of this forum...as do a lot of others...but I question why, after making the decision to remove the original post and threads, YOU REPEAT THE ORIGINAL POST ALMOST VERBATIM???? DUH...Why did you remove it and then QUOTE it? You just RE-Posted it!!

You asked for a vote on whether or not to allow commercialism on this site. My vote is absolutely NOT. IF Properties of The Villages wish to advertise their homes for sale or their latest incentives then they need to PAY YOU for advertising space, just like someone using them as their Realtor must PAY THEM for THEIR services. This is only fair.

I would, however, like to suggest that there be a special forum for members to list items for sale in or to offer services to barter. There is a lot of talent here in TV and I would be willing to sew for someone who offered a service that I was in need of. Do you know what I mean? If someone has golf clubs for sale or a set of pots and pans...I personally think this would be a good way to do it. Perhaps you could charge a nominal fee for this service like say a $10.00 one time insertion fee. It would sure take away a lot of income to the Daily Sun Classifieds...who charge an arm and a leg for advertising and then won't let YOU put one in for TOTV. I would also like to see a Forum specifically for FSBO homes. This too could be a nominal one time insertion fee.

[tony]

First of all, look at the forum main page at

https://www.talkofthevillages.com/sm...p?action=forum

And you find topics covering what you have suggested.

Secondly I quoted the post verbatim in case there would be those here who would doubt my paraphrasing it.

[Russ_Boston]

Originally Posted by tony

How you would have handled it if you were moderating a for-profit forum?

Tony - I'm all of a sudden a little confused. Is this a 'for profit' forum? If so, to whom do the profits accrue? I thought you guys were volunteer admins?

I really don't care either way but maybe a little explanation would be in order?

[bestmickey]

Posted by: Talk Host
Insert Quote
Quote from: Peggy D on Today at 07:26:59 PM
"What I don't understand is, if this incentive program isn't allowed, then why wasn't the furniture giveaway topic pulled too??"


"Well, that's a good question. I guess becuase it is a topic that affects so many people and is of general interest. Plus it's unusual. I don't believe that the discussion in and of itself was an advertisement to purchase. It was an interesting adjunct to a special offer being made. I guess in the truest sense of the rule, it should have been pulled too, but we are going to have to judge each one and make a decision. I can see now that there will be times that we are not popular."

In regards to the above posts by Peggy D (question re: furniture giveaway) and TalkHosts' response, I think the reason it was decided to pull the posting regarding the discounted home prices is because it was payback for TV Daily Sun not accepting TOTV's request for an ad. An incentive to purchase a home is an incentive to purchase a home, be it in the form of a "furniture giveaway" or "discounted home prices".

That being said, this (and my earlier response) is my opinion. We were asked to give our opinion, and I have. HOWEVER, please note that I can agree to disagree and trust that TalkHost can as well. I contribute no administrative time to this site, and recognize that those that do are in charge of this site. I will live with their decision(s) no matter what, just as we have to live with the decision of TV Daily Sun not to accept TOTV's ad.

I still love you guys and appreciate all the time and effort you devote to this enjoyable site! :bigthumbsup:

[Peggy D]

When I first saw the post, I actually did think it had been posted BY TV sales department.
I thought that odd, but what better place to get the word out but on TOTV.

I agree that there sould be no commercial ads except by paid sponsors. I do like the fact , however,that people post companies they have done business with in the past. That is one of the best things about this site.

This site is fantastic. Keep up the good work.

[Talk Host]

Originally Posted by JKP

I would, however, like to suggest that there be a special forum for members to list items for sale in or to offer services to barter. There is a lot of talent here in TV and I would be willing to sew for someone who offered a service that I was in need of. I would also like to see a Forum specifically for FSBO homes. This too could be a nominal one time insertion fee.

I think if you check the forum index, you will find that both of the forums that you suggest, already exist.

Trade or barter services
Private individuals only. Tons of experience and talent here. Would you like to trade services with ohter Villages residents?

For Sale by Owner
Advertise your home for free in The Villages

[Barefoot]

Originally Posted by Peggy D

I agree that there sould be no commercial ads except by paid sponsors. I do like the fact , however,that people post companies they have done business with in the past. That is one of the best things about this site. This site is fantastic. Keep up the good work.

with Peggy D. I hope you admin people pull a profit soon, you sure deserve it!

[villages8house]

We should all understand that maintaining this website costs money, either out of the pockets of the Administrators/Owners of the site or from selling commercial advertising. This makes this site absolutely FREE to the members (like me and you) to just log-on and enjoy the exchange of information and use the FREE ads available to us when we need to sell our own home or golf cart or other personal items or find some service or product we're looking for. I think it's great that we members have this available to us FREE. If this site cannot sustain itself by selling commercial advertising, it may be that we members might be asked to pay a membership fee to participate. So - thank you "Talk of the Villages" for this FREE service to us - your members. I hope you continue to sell lots of advertising.

[tony]

Best Mickey,

I laid out in front of everybody my reason for the pulling the post, and yet you say I did it as payback.

How dare you call me a liar! I am truly insulted.

You may conduct your life life that way. I don't.

[tony]

Russ,

Yes this is a for-profit forum. Jan, Darrel and I are the partners. Profits would accrue to us.

We started out because Jan identified a need for Villagers to communicate with each other. He said, "They will love to talk on a forum."

He was right. We thought we could pay the bills with advertising, and even take out a few bob for our own bills.