Censorship?
Well, let me hit a couple high points....
I don't own the web site. But look at it like this - I have a 5 year old, and anyone that visits my house just is not going to stick an adult movie in my dvd player.
The web site isn't just a hangout - it's also a business. It costs money to make this happen. Someone has to pay for it - most of us can figure out who that is.
We get to use this site for free. In order for the owner to keep us coming back he has to maintain a "pleasant" environment. If it isn't fun or useful, people won't do it.
The sponsors get their ad money back because many of us (I haven't yet, but I've got a list) spend LOTS of money with those same sponsors - and it helps the sponsors even more when they are also posters here.
Now the censorship part - it's a generic filter. There are several words that I don't hear on my tv because of censorship. And certain anatomical features that aren't shown on my tv because of censorship. And that is fine. (I have a 5 year old, remember?)
Ok - here's my point (finally): If I post a link to (insert sponsor - MTI, HPE, whatever) in a thread, it's all cozy. However, if I post a link to shops that aren't sponsors, they are censored - a certain exhaust shop comes to mind, among others. At the same time, I don't see AutoZone or BF Goodrich or discount Tire in the sponsor list, but they don't get censored.
My question - why censor a shop link?
Well, let me hit a couple high points....
I don't own the web site. But look at it like this - I have a 5 year old, and anyone that visits my house just is not going to stick an adult movie in my dvd player.
The web site isn't just a hangout - it's also a business. It costs money to make this happen. Someone has to pay for it - most of us can figure out who that is.
We get to use this site for free. In order for the owner to keep us coming back he has to maintain a "pleasant" environment. If it isn't fun or useful, people won't do it.
The sponsors get their ad money back because many of us (I haven't yet, but I've got a list) spend LOTS of money with those same sponsors - and it helps the sponsors even more when they are also posters here.
Now the censorship part - it's a generic filter. There are several words that I don't hear on my tv because of censorship. And certain anatomical features that aren't shown on my tv because of censorship. And that is fine. (I have a 5 year old, remember?)
Ok - here's my point (finally): If I post a link to (insert sponsor - MTI, HPE, whatever) in a thread, it's all cozy. However, if I post a link to shops that aren't sponsors, they are censored - a certain exhaust shop comes to mind, among others. At the same time, I don't see AutoZone or BF Goodrich or discount Tire in the sponsor list, but they don't get censored.
My question - why censor a shop link?
What qualifies a link to be removed is really when there is a credible sponsor in good standing that already provides the product or service in question. Hence why Autozone links don't get deleted....until O'Reily's or NAPA sponsor's the board
Think about this, what if this site disappeared tommorrow ? Where would you go? Would you get what you get here? 'Nuff said.
In some cases, some non-sponsor shops are posting links to themselves or having customers and buddies post links to them. It's a light form of spamming. In a number of cases, we have probably talked to that shop.
For example, if you are talking about Lane's Automotive, I have talked to him in email and on the phone about five times since 2001. Our pricing is so fair and the results so impressive that it's really a no brainer for someone like that to advertise on here.
Another point... We do what we can to help steer folks away from problem shops and bad traders. We can do that by developing relationships with sponsors and on a rare occasion, warning them about complaints we have received. In a few cases we have dropped companies for being too problematic.
I think I am known as the admin who will pick up the phone and call a shop if there is a problem. I don't do that for non-sponsors.
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Lane is Lane....lol. I don't really know what to say about him except that he does great work. I've spoken to him about advertising on here as well. I wish he would, then I could comment more about his work! Until then, I'll leave it at that
A lot of the points you guys brought up are excellent ones, too. I've seen posts about sponsors getting removed, and all the feedback on sponsors, and I've seen all the sponsors that are also regular posters here.
At the same time I've seen lots of "non sponsors" that are also regular contributors.
My "high points" pretty much covers it - you gotta pay to play, to be blunt.
Personally, I think this site rocks. As far as I know there isn't a better source of info for us people (I almost said "guys" but there are girls here that know more about cars that a lot of guys!!)
Thanks for the responses!

Oh, BTW, this is one of my favorites:
Oil leak?What oil leak? That's just sweat from all that horsepower!
This is another:
"Going to war without France is like going deer hunting without your accordion." --- Norman Schwartzkopf



