Why have a website feedback forum and then close topics ?
Discussion
king hell! No wonder UK productivity is in the sJack Mansfield said:
Deleting the thread actually protects PistonHeads/Haymarket - as much as we are against any possible scams, it is not our responsibility to police it and puts the brand at risk.
ETA our name and shame policy - https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
The 'no name and shame' policy actually has a detrimental effect for users.ETA our name and shame policy - https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
I approached a well-known PHer after seeing loads of recommendations praising them - the blank form I was sent by them to fill in with all my financial and personal information....wasn't.
Suffice to say a massive breach of that other customer's data security and I declined to deal with the company further on the basis that they were lax with customer data protection (all be it unintentionally). PH's name-and-shame rules mean I couldn't/can't tell others about that fact and I still see posts from well-meaning posters recommending that PHer to others. Every single time I see such posts I want to alert people but can't - I just have to hope they're not subjected to having their personal information accidentally distributed by that company.
I can't trust a PH recommendation now - if you're allowing recommendations/praise then you should really allow people to feed back on any negative experiences too.
MrBarry123 said:
Funk said:
I approached a well-known PHer after seeing loads of recommendations praising them - the blank form I was sent by them to fill in with all my financial and personal information....wasn't.
Oh dear.
Gargamel said:
Look we all know what happened, a perfectly decent thread that had run for many months, recently came to the attention of someone who personally knew two of the "affiliate marketeers" concerned.
After a few exchanges with them, the thread is suddenly closed.
Which is dissapointing, I don't expect Haymarket to take a moral stand on the topic. However closing down the feedback thread too was very high handed in my opinion.
I would hope that in future PH might consider opening a new thread, with the same title, reminds everyone of the posting rules and lets the debate continue.
100% agree. I'm disappointed that it was closed by PH After a few exchanges with them, the thread is suddenly closed.
Which is dissapointing, I don't expect Haymarket to take a moral stand on the topic. However closing down the feedback thread too was very high handed in my opinion.
I would hope that in future PH might consider opening a new thread, with the same title, reminds everyone of the posting rules and lets the debate continue.
Gutted the thread got closed, it provided lots of entertainment and genuinely illuminated a scam I didn't know existed but have almost fell for in my younger days.
It could well have saved a few impressionable souls from falling victim. As well as showing, with evidence, that is was a scam. If a video is shown of a car theft, are we to reserve judgement as to whether they stole the car? - as it would fall foul of the same rules?
Moderators using the excuse that they can't be expected to monitor every thread just doesn't cut it. It was at the top of General Gassing/The lounge on a daily basis.
The rules are obviously applied incredibly whimsically, which I am grateful for - as if they where enforced I would be gone. The soul is bleeding out of the forum, its not about personalities, fun, information any more. Its just another medium to advertise on.
I understand its a business. But cover the forum in disclaimers and let it run its course. Spend the money we earn you on things we actually want to see.
Hell, the car content doesn't even express much passion any more - I can't remember the last time I read a piece that wasn't spawned from the latest press release or manufacturer paid for jolly.
It could well have saved a few impressionable souls from falling victim. As well as showing, with evidence, that is was a scam. If a video is shown of a car theft, are we to reserve judgement as to whether they stole the car? - as it would fall foul of the same rules?
Moderators using the excuse that they can't be expected to monitor every thread just doesn't cut it. It was at the top of General Gassing/The lounge on a daily basis.
The rules are obviously applied incredibly whimsically, which I am grateful for - as if they where enforced I would be gone. The soul is bleeding out of the forum, its not about personalities, fun, information any more. Its just another medium to advertise on.
I understand its a business. But cover the forum in disclaimers and let it run its course. Spend the money we earn you on things we actually want to see.
Hell, the car content doesn't even express much passion any more - I can't remember the last time I read a piece that wasn't spawned from the latest press release or manufacturer paid for jolly.
havoc said:
crosseyedlion said:
Gutted the thread got closed, it provided lots of entertainment and genuinely illuminated a scam I didn't know existed but have almost fell for in my younger days.
I'm either being very thick of the whole thing passed me by - could you put a link up, please?It stands out vs. other scams/crimes that are talked about though - lots do not get closed/deleted.
Either
-One of the users (it was obvious which) was very close to or was one of the culprits masquerading. And complained to PH/Haymarket
-One of the ( wealthy) companies linked to the problem, which advertise on PH requested it was taken down (theses companies adverts used to pop up in the thread, to much amusement)
-PH/Haymarket decided the risk from the scammers was too great/sympathised with their cause so closed it in anticipation.
Very poor show from Pistonheads/Haymarket - whichever it was.
crosseyedlion said:
havoc said:
crosseyedlion said:
Gutted the thread got closed, it provided lots of entertainment and genuinely illuminated a scam I didn't know existed but have almost fell for in my younger days.
I'm either being very thick of the whole thing passed me by - could you put a link up, please?https://webcache.googleusercontent.com/search?q=ca...
(You're on your own getting the rest of the cached pages, I'm already breaking posting rule #1, 'Do not post material that the PistonHeads Team would find annoying ')
bigandclever said:
Fortunately Haymarket don't yet control Google caching, so here's the first page to give you an idea of the thread's content. Note it was 2 years old, but apparently it's only this week it became a problem.
https://webcache.googleusercontent.com/search?q=ca...
(You're on your own getting the rest of the cached pages, I'm already breaking posting rule #1, 'Do not post material that the PistonHeads Team would find annoying ')
Yea, this thread will get closed in 3, 2....1...https://webcache.googleusercontent.com/search?q=ca...
(You're on your own getting the rest of the cached pages, I'm already breaking posting rule #1, 'Do not post material that the PistonHeads Team would find annoying ')
bigandclever said:
(You're on your own getting the rest of the cached pages, I'm already breaking posting rule #1, 'Do not post material that the PistonHeads Team would find annoying ')
No need...I'm on it. Big thanks!This post will be deleted in 3...2...1...
(and yes...saw the thread title several times, but didn't ever bother to read the thread...)
Edit: Just read enough (first couple and last 10 or so pages, plus a couple of links to scam pages...definite alarm bells there!)
...so looks like typical PH sleuthing of scam artists alright. And I fully agree that it appears to be PH mods hitting the 'nuclear' button (is theirs bigger than Kim Jong Il's?) to solve what was likely a pruning problem on the thread.
Edited by havoc on Thursday 18th January 14:52
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