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undoubtedly, many of those on this forum are long term internet types. to that point, they have been members of many different forums, and seen many different approaches to this very issue...
how does a site balance the needs of members, to those of keeping the site running, ie paying the bills?
i am all for those running the site not only meeting the costs of the site, but making whatever amount of money is fair market value. believe me, i don't expect anyone to run a charity opperation.
ultimately what attracts sponsors/supporting vendors, as i understand it, is potential consumers. having the largest, active membership in a given niche, in this case titan trucks, almost guarantees this.... => this site is the biggest, best site for this niche, period. maintaining that would seem the key to keeping sponsors long term, and not just the current ones, but adding more.
i just hope in an attempt to please vendors, bent out of shape over group buys, the site doesn't alienate active users. the type who organize group buys, are active in the forum, turned off by overhanded controlling of goings on, and ultimately make forum based websites what they are. same goes with liberal "banning"... this site isn't anywhere near that point, it is just that some of the absolutest overtones in this thread are a bit concerning...
i hope a little open discussion on the issue, almost a certainty considering the lack of a "feedback" section, isn't too threatening to the admins/mods/owners here. the site site is too good, to well run, and too successful to be against patiently helping some of us understand the policy... after all, a moderator was actively involved in the AFE group buy, so i'm sure there aren't just a few of us confused on the issue. and please don't think i am saying anything negative about him, based on what i have read and observed he is a standout moderator.
the rules on group buys seem reasonable at face value to me, not that it matters, but i hope that the afe group buy could have been allowed, and not deleted, had the proper procedures been followed...
that is my peace, and i have no intentions to argue with anyone on the matter or post further in this thread. just a little concern/confusion from an active user.
ryan
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