[villagegolfer]

Originally Posted by Barefoot

I think we sometimes forget that this is a free site for users ... Because businesses are advertising here. I appreciate the fact that the Admin offers TOTV to members with no charge, and I respect any decisions he makes.

[chacam]

Rules should be the same for everyone. How many times have you seen posts recommending and complimenting the house sitting services of a forum member? How is that different from me recommending ********?

[villagegolfer]

Originally Posted by chacam

Rules should be the same for everyone. How many times have you seen posts recommending and complimenting the house sitting services of a forum member? How is that different from me recommending ********

That is true and I was told that the forum member refused to take an advertisement here on the forum. Does not seem fair.

[GeorgeT]

Originally Posted by graciegirl

I don't feel we need to know why a business is banned. That could open the owners to a defamation suit.

I am annoyed at people who post about how they like so and so's housekeeping service or dog sitting service or downspout service and THAT is all they post about and they have eight or nine posts about it.

It appears to me that they are trying to get free advertising and that doesn't seem fair.

I agree that we don't need to know why a business in banned and totally disagree with everything else that you said. One of the nice things about this board is that you get opinions about business. Maybe the posters have 8 or nine posts. SO WHAT? Not everyone has a billion posts.

[graciegirl]

I think that kind of posting is different than saying our RedWitch is an awesome house taker care ofer.

[eweissenbach]

Originally Posted by Barefoot

I think we sometimes forget that this is a free site for users ... Because businesses are advertising here. I appreciate the fact that the Admin offers TOTV to members with no charge, and I respect any decisions he makes.

Originally Posted by Pturner

ditto that.

Originally Posted by villagegolfer

Me too! Me too! Me too!

[kb8tpw]

I fear this "goings on" can negate the usefullness of TOTV. It should be easy enough to detect the "Ice scraping Charlies" of the world? Are we nearing a buffalo revival where a few ruin a good thing for the masses? Having said that I can certainly understand management wanting to maximize it's income, and it appears to be a slim margin between the two. Tough dcisions for them, but I trust them........

[ricthemic]

Originally Posted by kb8tpw

I fear this "goings on" can negate the usefullness of TOTV. It should be easy enough to detect the "Ice scraping Charlies" of the world? Are we nearing a buffalo revival where a few ruin a good thing for the masses? Having said that I can certainly understand management wanting to maximize it's income, and it appears to be a slim margin between the two. Tough dcisions for them, but I trust them........

This is a good and valuable site to new and existing villages. Why? Cause (i am guessing) 50,000 people interested in TV check it out. So here is what I think. This is media, internet, radio,tv, newspapers etc. The advertisers on this site ARE only here because of All of us who tune in, period. IMO you want to ruin this site, then keep the cheerleaders and "admin" (this word may be too strong) attacking posters. Anyone of the 50,000 readers of this website who reads what a great "icescraper" is OR THINK ABOUT IT??? There is no difference if a neighbor or friend verbally recmmended the same person..... It is ultimately to you to decide, like everything else in life. So I can't stress Enough to cheerleaders and ADMIN your advertisers are paying cause of us not vice versa.

[captain1202]

While the Admin certainly has the right to edit offensive posts, I frankly don't see the problem with a business being mentioned inside posts. After all this is supposed to be a helpful site for newcomers primarily. The small incremental boost that a business will get from a good mention here or there certainly pales in comparison to the HUGE boost they must get from the 28,000 views a day they get with a paid ad.

I wonder if posts about bad service from an advertiser are allowed to get through.

Hmmm... guess we'll never know.

[GeorgeT]

Originally Posted by graciegirl

I think that kind of posting is different than saying our RedWitch is an awesome house taker care ofer.

I was going to let this go but now would like to say WHY? Is it because Redwitch is your friend? Why should she get free advertisement?

[eweissenbach]

[QUOTE=captain1202;388285]While the Admin certainly has the right to edit offensive posts, I frankly don't see the problem with a business being mentioned inside posts. After all this is supposed to be a helpful site for newcomers primarily. QUOTE]

The Admin stated earlier that businesses being mentioned by a third party was allowed. I would presume that if the business was touted repeatedly by the same person it might be stopped, and probably should be. The original problem that precipitated this thread was the owner of a business giving advice and promoting his business while presumably not being willing to pay for advertising, causing him to be banned. I agree with that policy for what it's worth.

[mrfixit]

Originally Posted by captain1202

I frankly don't see the problem with a business being mentioned inside posts. After all this is supposed to be a helpful site for newcomers primarily. QUOTE]
.

.............a LOT of the business INSIDE INFO has migrated to Facebook....... discussions regarding who are the recommended businesses are STILL taking place by TOTV users.....Just on a different Venue.

[CaliforniaGirl]

Originally Posted by GeorgeT

I was going to let this go but now would like to say WHY? Is it because Redwitch is your friend? Why should she get free advertisement?

GeorgeT, Redwitch does not promote HERSELF on this site, and she doesn't register a dozen fake names to promote herself - which has been an issue in other threads. If others promote her, more power to her for doing a great job!

That's the difference. If I use XYZ Co. and they do a wonderful job, I can promote them all I want. On the other hand, if I own XYZ Co., I can't promote it unless I become an advertiser. I also can't pretend to be other people through multiple registrations, simply to promote my business without paying for advertising.

[Doodlegirl]

If Talk of the Villages means only good talk, supportive of advertisers talk,
then it ought to be looking at the zillions of free websites that are out there and available. All of what is on this site could easily be placed on any number of those...that's when my opinion would count as I see it. I have always been fearful of Big Brother

When we begin to squelch free speech and the right to have an opinion,
we loose the historic integrity upon which this country was formed,
Democracy. Rather, we slide toward socialism. The worry is, unless all sides can be heard, we slip toward a meaningless forum for those who live here and those who would like to.

[GeorgeT]

Originally Posted by CaliforniaGirl

GeorgeT, Redwitch does not promote HERSELF on this site, and she doesn't register a dozen fake names to promote herself - which has been an issue in other threads. If others promote her, more power to her for doing a great job!

That's the difference. If I use XYZ Co. and they do a wonderful job, I can promote them all I want. On the other hand, if I own XYZ Co., I can't promote it unless I become an advertiser. I also can't pretend to be other people through multiple registrations, simply to promote my business without paying for advertising.

Not true, I promoted XYZ company and was told they were banned. I have no interest in XYZ company at all except that I'm their customer and they do a good job. There's a double standard here. This site does not belong to us, the owners are here to make money and there is nothing wrong with that at all but lets call a spade a spade.