The crying and complaining has got to end!

[3arod13]

Re: The crying and complaining has got to end!

Frik why are you always trying to get into something on here?

This site is for the discussion of Game Used Memorabilia

Nothing More, Nothing Less

I like Adam and have communicated with him via email dozens of times over the past few months but I don't feel anyone on here, including you, has the right to question any decision made by a moderator when it comes to there rules and the running of there site.

I would think a newer member such as yourself would want to stay behind the scenes for a while as opposed to confronting the adminstration team like you have.

And please don't try twist this post into something it isn't like you have done with other posts in this thread.

What is written is what is meant.
Nothing More, Nothing Less

Thank You and Im Out

"This site is for the discussion of Game Used Memorabilia - Nothing More, Nothing Less:

Not true. There are many discussions outside Game Used Memorabilia in this forum.

"but I don't feel anyone on here, including you, has the right to question any decision made by a moderator when it comes to there rules and the running of there site."

Are you serious? Many rules, regulations, and laws have been changed because people have voiced their thoughts and opinions.

There are always exceptions to the rules. I believe everyone is coming to Adams defense, including myself, because this was an individual who made a mistake, but had good intentions. I believe a warning, for a first time offense, would have been enough.

I will say, state your case in arguing the rule, but do it without getting personal and attacking others.

As a Legal Officer, if I looked at every violation and/or offense, without taking many things into consideration, everyone would be found guilty and punished.

[metsbats]

Re: The crying and complaining has got to end!

This is my last post on this subject and then I'm going back to to reading only posts about game used topics and start learning and adding value again.

While I appreciated Adam reaching out and telling me about the other site rules are rules and he had to pay for the infraction. That should have been the end of it and while some folks view this as the owners of GUU being communist, etc you need to look at the other side and view your reactions. Attacking the folks who provide to you free of charge a vehicle in which you can learn, not be ripped off, and in the end save YOUR hard earn dollars is wrong. If GUU wanted to take your money they would have charge you a membership fee just for posting a long time ago.

Remember also we have a much broader audience here than the regular posters and it not looking pretty. Think about others who have just found this site and truly just want to educate themselves and are their first introduction to the site is all this bickering.

If you don't agree with the rules go to the other site and stop complaining as Jim and others have suggested.

David

[3arod13]

Re: The crying and complaining has got to end!

This is my last post on this subject also:

What a society we live it. Take it for what it's worth.

[3arod13]

Re: The crying and complaining has got to end!

This is my last post on this subject also:

What a society we live it. Take it for what it's worth.

"Live in"

[ChrisCavalier]

Re: The crying and complaining has got to end!

Hello Everyone,

I just got back from the National and am nearly exhausted. I posted yesterday morning that I wouldn't be able to post until after I got back and there appear to have been numerous posts that have piled on prior to my chance to reply. I honestly read some of them from my Blackberry at the airport but haven't read all of them. I will make a view observations from what I have read and will post again after I have had the chance to sleep some more. I just thought it would be important to provide some thoughts right away given what has been posted.

1) Regarding the ban/suspension. While a number of people here seem to think what the sender of the email did was nothing more than information sharing, I beg to differ. What the person did was take names off this website and try to solicit business. Those names belong to GUU and those people registered on this site of their own volition. We have privacy policies which assures people those names will not be shared to others for marketing purposes, etc. If someone posted their contact information for a specific offering that is their choosing. However, that does not mean people can take those names and try to use them for undesired purposes.

While I am guessing most people on this board don’t own businesses, I will ask you a question. What do you think would happen if you took the names of the customers of a business for which you worked and tried to sell those people other similar products without the company’s consent? Do you think the company would do nothing about it and do you think there is nothing wrong with doing so? In addition to it being wrong, those type of emails may also prevent people from posting there information on this site and impede on the benefits they can gain on GUU.

I also noticed the analogy of Eric’s initial email about his site. With all due respect, I think that misses the point. I am sure Eric’s email went to people who had given him their email address already. I don’t think Eric pulled names belonging to another company to try to generate people for his own site without the company’s consent. While his email was unsolicited, it didn’t violate the privacy rights of another entity.

Bottom line, we think what was done was ethically wrong and it is not something will allow on our site. In fact, if any member here receives any unsolicited emails from anyone whose name was taken from this site (and it can be proven), please contact us and the sending party will be either suspended or more likely banned. We believe it is wrong and not something we will tolerate or subject our members to. That is our right as the site owners.

2) Regarding the length of the ban/suspension. I posted yesterday morning that I didn't know how the action was executed but that the member could be reinstated if deemed appropriate. I also mentioned that the sender's email apologizing for what he did was certainly meaningful and that we would look into it further. Just wanted to make sure that is clear because there seem to be more posts about that subject.

3) The ‘For Sale’ section. I mentioned the following in a separate thread, “While we have been working on getting the platform ready, we have been discussing the issue of allowing any and all items to be posted on the site without our review and the potential implications of doing so. For example, we have recently been accused of allowing someone to be "ripped off" by a GUU forum member when the ‘For Sale’ section was available. The person said the items he purchased were not good and asked us to get his money back. While we mentioned that we never even saw the merchandise and that the transaction was between him and the buyer, he decided to make public posts accusing us of allowing bad items to be sold on the site.

The GUU name in the hobby is gaining enormous credibility and it is not something we are willing to risk by allowing potentially suspect items to be posted on the site over which we would have no control. To be very honest, we are still trying to figure out if there is a way to make things work in way that doesn't jeopardize the GUU brand or its name. I know some will say if someone sells an item to someone else through the site that will be between the buyer and the seller. However, we know empirically that is not true since we have already been publicly accused of allowing someone to be "ripped off" in a transaction for which we had no part.”

Again, I think there is a difference in opinion given the fact that the concern we have for the GUU name we have created in the hobby regarding the type of items we sell is not really a consideration for the people wanting to buy and sell on the site. We heard over and over again at the National that people know the items offered on GUU are legitimate and that is something they value. We have a concern in opening up the site to allow all kinds of merchandise to be offered over which we have no control. On the other hand, we have heard the requests of the members and are looking for a way to accommodate both. Again, I understand those wanting to buy and sell aren’t concerned about the GUU brand but we must consider those implications because it affects our livelihood. I will provide an update on this shortly.

4) Feedback. I will personally go through the posts made over the last few days and we will try to come up with a solution regarding the ‘For Sale’ section that meets everyone’s needs. I 100% agree with the person’s posts that stated you need to listen to your members and meet there needs as best as you possibly can. This we will absolutely do and we will be seeking more feedback as we move things forward.

I will share some other thoughts after I get some sleep. I just wanted to share these initial thoughts to help clarify a few things to this point.

[camarokids]

Re: The crying and complaining has got to end!

For the record!

I was not complaining at all!

What I do have an issue with is the lack of communication.....

For this is a forum which relies on what?

COMMUNICATION!

If the owners of the site cannot be courteous enough to communicate openly and effectively to its members?

What do you call that?

Hypocritical? or what???

For had the owners been forthright, open and honest with its members about whats going on, I doubt you would've had to start this thread (right Jim?)????

Then again, keeping people in the dark is just par for the course when it comes to Corporate America!

Isn't it?

Also, I received Adam's email and it did not bother me. Re-Instate the man!

I already knew about the other forums and have joined both.

I have received many a emails from members. Whether it was a question about Devil Rays stuff or an offer to buy or sell something.

The rule for that needs to go.

If you don't want to receive emails , don't put you email address up on the site....

[mvandor]

Re: The crying and complaining has got to end!

Chris is a bright guy, what the extreme reaction to Adam's banning (temporary or otherwise) shows is a gathering undercurrent of uneasiness with GUU's transition from (at least the appearance of) a non-profit for collectors by collectors site, to another for-profit business, albeit with a more collector friendly business model than presently exists elsewhere.

I think it's apparent there is concern and a wait and see attitude as to how this affects these forums. If the modding gets too business interest driven, I guarantee you members will start jumping ship as if this was the Titanic and other for collector by collector forums will pick up steam to fill the void.

It is indeed a tight rope Chris and the boys are walking here these days, it'll be a very difficult balancing act to maintain as the interests of a business are all too often at odds with the interests of the consumers.

[the3lads]

Re: The crying and complaining has got to end!

Thought I would just add my input to the "For Sale" section topic. I understand that there is some concern regarding potential "fake" items being sold on the forum, and the resulting problems that would ensue between buyer and seller. A solution would be to post a set or rules/criteria for selling items, such as inspection periods and return policies, and suspend or ban any member who does not adhere to the policies.

I have been a member of the Wehrmacht Awards forum for some time, and they have a full set of rules as to buying/selling. They do charge a small membership fee, however, the benfits of the forum far outweigh the small (and I stress small) fee that one must pay.

To conclude, by all means please charge a membership fee if one wishes to sell, with clear rules as to how business should be conducted. Is it just me or has the level of trust amoung forum members dropped somewhat since the "for sale" crisis began.

Just my thoughts.

[ChrisCavalier]

Re: The crying and complaining has got to end!

First of all, thanks to everyone for the feedback.

Based on the feedback from members I will be making a post shortly to explain some next steps. I just wanted to let everyone know I will be posting on this shortly (it will take me a little time to put the post together) and appreciate your patience while the post is being put together.