Poster on another forum may be compensated, not just a fan

[Crowman]

If he is compensated, then he's a fraud for having people think he is just a fan.

Any comments/opinions?

Since you are speaking of an internet forum I don't see any need for real concern. The fact that he defends a certain manufacturer in itself means nothing. As with most posting on forums one either believes what someone says of not.

Many people believe certain companies are the only company, such as with cars, beer, weapons, ammunition, etc.

Again this is the internet go with the flow.

[DefensiveCarry.com]

[pgrass101]

Hmmmm, if I start shilling for a beer company here, I wonder if they would give me free beer?



Heavy Seas is some of the best beer I have ever had..........

No beer yet.........

[bigmacque]

What would the difference be?

Besides maybe $30k or more a year I fail to see any difference between paying a spokesperson vs offering perks to loyal customers. Either way it does not mean there is any loyalty to the product beyond some bank or a discount but they both still get something for a few good words in the end.

Pretty good sized difference actually. If it's a collusion or collaboration to make readers think the review is coming from a different perspective that where it's really coming from, it's essentially lying.

[PTAaron]

This is definitely a standard way of doing business these days, and most sites have admin/mod staff that keep an eye out for it.

I run a bodybuilding/fitness forum that used to be very busy and popular - and you would not believe how often people show up, act like regular average person, then suddenly "discover a magical product that they want to tell everyone about!". I have no problem with it as long as 1) they are honest about their motivations and background, and 2) they aren't competing with the site's sponsor.

That being said - I have 2 supplement companies that compensate me... One of them gives me a discount code to give to people, and I get stuff from them if I being in new business BUT when I recommend them I tell the people about the arrangement. I have also posted reviews of their products on sites - but I am very fair in my assessment and don't try to sway people... to me a small amount of free product isn't worth lying to people that could spend their money on something better somewhere else. The other gives me $100 if free stuff every month because I am friends with the owner - and when I recommend them it is usually because they truly are the cheapest, but I tell people I am friends with the owner.

[wdbailey]

I don't wish to cast aspersions but I suspect that the problem may be that the OP did make the same accusations on that forum and did not get a positive response.

[bigmacque]

Hmmmm, if I start shilling for a beer company here, I wonder if they would give me free beer?



Heavy Seas is some of the best beer I have ever had..........

No beer yet.........

You might be onto something ..... I've sent you a private message.

[Glhadiator]

These kind of posts can't all be bad...think about it. What if I am asked to write a negative fake post about a book that is about fake reviews? That has to be positive, right? Unless I am being paid for this post, in which case it would be viewed in a negative way but still be postive about something negative.

I don't buy guns based on what people post in a forum. I also don't read other forums based on what other forums say about other forums.

I think we should just take the warning labels off of everything and let this problem work itself out.

[czfellow]

Op, I'm not sure why this is bothering you so much. You've identified this person and reported him to that forums moderators. What more do you want?

I've found more complaints on specific forums (like auto forums) than praise for that product.

It just irritates me this person may have people fooled. What I would like to see is this person declare to the moderators/administrators whether or not he is compensated. Good point that I already contacted the moderator. It's time to let go and forget.

Hmmmm, if I start shilling for a beer company here, I wonder if they would give me free beer?



Heavy Seas is some of the best beer I have ever had..........

No beer yet.........

Incorrect. I don't accept free beer and cannot be bought. It's time to let go as I noted above.

[czfellow]

These kind of posts can't all be bad...think about it. What if I am asked to write a negative fake post about a book that is about fake reviews? That has to be positive, right? Unless I am being paid for this post, in which case it would be viewed in a negative way but still be postive about something negative.

I don't buy guns based on what people post in a forum. I also don't read other forums based on what other forums say about other forums.

I think we should just take the warning labels off of everything and let this problem work itself out.

My posts came from me only. No one asked me to write them and I have absolutely no connections to any manufacturers.


My posts refer to something on a different forum. Maybe I should have kept it to the original forum. My motivation was to get another opinion.

[pgrass101]

I accept free beer, but you really don't buy beer you just rent it for a little while.


Still no free beer.....maybe if I was better looking.....

[PEF]

<snip>

There should be a law that requires an employee or compensated person identify themselves as such. Otherwise, deceit is involved.

Ugh. That's all we need. More gubbermint. I can just image the dime store novel scenario:

The burly guards led Para1911 to his new home for the next five-to-ten. Three squares a day, Para1911 told himself, three squares a day. Sitting on the bottom bunk was Para1911's new friend or nightmare, he couldn't tell which. The man sat elbows on knees on the bottom bunk, thick prison denim wrapped around huge legs. Each of man's thighs was a big as Para1911's waist. The man was tapping the floor with the heels of thick boots that looked like they were stolen from Frankenstein's monster. He was shirtless and bald. His upper body rippled with muscles and prison tattoos of indecipherable runes and was covered in sweat even though there was a chill in the cell.

"Whaddaya in fer?" the man asked, staring at the floor.

Para1911 swallowed so hard that the empty gulp sounded through his closed mouth and almost echoed in the cell. "Forum payola," he said.



Remember - bad laws lead to bad writing. Or something like that.

[czfellow]

Ugh. That's all we need. More gubbermint.

Meant to convey the law should hold the manufacturer/company responsible. Sort of like what conditions need to be met in order for a good to proclaim "Made in USA".

Good point about more gubbermint. <cringe>

[CaveJohnson]

There is one on the duck hunting forum I frequent. She is not a hunter has never posted anything to do with duck hunting. Its all about defending liberals and trying to spread the liberal agenda. On a Texas duck hunting forum, its pretty funny, and it doesnt go over very good.

I was on a shooting forum for my area, and after trying to explain to some nice gentlemen the difference between communism and socialism, I was promptly called a commie and banned forever.

Funny huh?

[Crowman]

Hey the politicians commit this type of "fraud" and continue to get reelected..... Just saying....

[Badbullgator]

Perhaps he just truely believes in the product. I'm that way with S&W revolvers.

I am compensated in a small way on several other non gun forums. It all started because of my brand loyalty and belief in the products. I posted pretty much the same stuff before I had any real association with the company. I am not paid as such, but do receive a fair amount of equment and get to test all the new products before they ad them to the line. I do not sell for them and do not go on threads about competitors products and bash or say this is better. I offer a true user point of view and always make it clear that I have an association as a field rep. I also respond to anyone having a problem with the product as most problems are more a case of someone using it wrong rather than a manufacture problem.