Clarification on rules please

[Ichthys]

I have a question or two that I would like answered by a member of RF Staff. I have wondered about this for some time but finally decided to ask in light of the recent group buy discussion. I understand the enforcement of the group buy only from Sponsor issue and am not talking about that subject, but something somewhat similar. This may be long winded so please bare with me.

First my motivation in asking is not to start a debate or cause trouble, I want to make sure that I do not create posts in the future that violate RF rules.

Second, I have read the stickies and TOS and User Agreements and did not find the answer to my question. That is not to say the answer is not there somewhere, just that I in my ADOS state was unable to find it.

So to best frame my question I shall illustrate a possible scenario:….

OP posts a question about water quality of source water. Respondent 1 posts that he can find RODI water at LFS or local supermarkets. Respondent 2 posts that OP should invest in a RODI unit because they are cost effective and less hassle than running to the LFS every week. Respondent 3 posts that a LFS (who is a sponsor of RF) has a nice RODI unit for x price. Respondent 4 posts that a similar RODI unit can be purchased from an online supplier (that is NOT a RF Sponsor) for less than X price.

1) Is Respondent 4’s post a violation? Directing business away from a sponsor and to an outside vendor that has a similar product for a better price?

2) Would it be a violation if they included a hyperlink to the online store where product can be sold?

Next question:….

OP asks for opinions on skimmers for his new 30 gallon reef tank. Respondent 1 posts saying what has worked well for them. Respondent 2 posts that Porsche Skimmer model X9000 is awesome and is also the product of one of RF sponsors and a great buy. Respondent 3 posts that Porsche skimmers are substandard and ABC Pyramid skimmers are much better and includes a link to ABC Skimmers website, although ABC is not an RF Sponsor.

Is Respondent 3’s post a violation?


Rather than continue with more questions and slight variations, I shall eagerly await an answer from RF Staff before continuing.

 

[Ichthys]

scenarios

Before anyone gets offended, i made the two scenarios up and am NOT referring to any one particular post or reply in any particular forum. They are similar to actual forum posts, but that is simply coincidental, my intent was not to bring attention to what any one poster may be doing or not doing in violation of forum guidelines. My intent is to seek clarification to avoid future possible conflict.
Ichthys

 

[returnofsid]

I really see nothing wrong with the scenarios you've given, not any of the possible responses, as long as members aren't bashing vendor, sponsor or not. There may be instances where it becomes a judgement call, but in general, I don't see this becoming an issue.

When we have members soliciting to purchase or sell, in these types of threads, then it would become an issue. Buying/selling would need to be done in the proper forums.

 

[Scooterman]

In these cases your not selling, your suggesting, to put is in the simplest form. Usually your suggesting these through your own personal experience. Unless your doing this to promote your buddies site purposely, or your affiliated in any way, then it is an issue, big difference there and yes we can deem it unacceptable. In cases like that we would contact you privately and questions your intent, maybe move the thread out of site for a while until we get clarifications and if no issues of intended commerce then it would go back.
We do our best to trust established users because they are around long enough to know how the site is handled, we give them the benefit of doubt first. The problem we sometimes get is confusion with spammers and new members, we can be offensive not on purpose in some cases. Every day we're trying to get better at this, new owner but not new member so the adjustment will take time for both users and staff alike.

Questions like this can easily be sent directly to me, a mod or even you can click the report post button for help If you feel that you never got a reply or answer.
I closed the thread because I want to answer your question. This isn't a discussion, it is an answer! Plain and simple!