Don't get around these parts all that often, but perused this little thread. Saw the mention of "UPC Bandits" and chuckled a bit. (I think I coined that term). Jstic, you really had me thinking initially. I'm not a fan of the "Bandits" but I can understand several situations where it's perfectly "legit" to sell an item after you've submitted the rebate. Given the tone of urgency in your posts, I really can't bring myself to believe that you won't come back, if only to check for responses.
The short version:
Your best option (whether you care or not) is just take a deep breath, step away from the crack pipe (and the keyboard) and go do something else for a while. It's a pain in the ass to be "wronged" on the internet, but seriously, if you want a win outta this one, take the subtle route. It does you zero good to puff up and try to butt heads with the mods. The power is in their corner. As much as it might sting the pride, just take the lumbs (warranted or no) and do what you need to do to get on with things.
The longer version: (This is the first time I've seen this thread and felt compelled to respond to 2 of your posts. I'll combine them below.)
Originally posted by: Jstic
What needs to happen here, and IMMEDIATELY, is that all threads containing items for sale with UPC codes removed be locked. This is just plain simple fairness.
Like it or not, it's not up to us to decide what is fair, nor when something must be done IMMEDIATELY. You had a thread locked. Build a bridge and get over it.
If this is not done, then it more clearly than ever becomes a matter of discrimination.
No, it's not clearly a matter of discrimination. The mod had some reason to believe something and acted on it. Mods are human and can make mistakes, just like you and me.
Believe me, AT does NOT want to go down that road, especially with me. This is not a threat of any kind, I am only seeking fairness here.
Please re-read this. Yes, it could
easily be taken as a threat. AT does not want to down that road because? You'll spit on their collective windows?
It has now been more than 12 hours and no response from AT or any mods, to me privately or here in this public forum.
It's just not that big of deal. Give it a few days. You'll find the general feeling is that it's OK. I myself am not a fan of the UPC Bandits. *cough* I coined the term I think
but it was more for the folks that just seem to jump on the Hot Deals, send in the rebates and then post a thread of things for sale. Just left a bad taste in my mouth. Are they terrible? Nah. It's likely motivated at least in part by the times when I didn't get in on the deal or something.
And to any of you who believe that this is a private matter between myself and mods, or AT, you are most definitely very wrong. This is very much a public matter, as this is a public forum open to all. This is also a matter of basic human fairness and decency. AT nor its mods are above the rules of the internet or the rules and laws of the USA.
It's called de-caf.
. . .This was all done openly for the community to see. Yet you feel that I should have PM'd them or emailed them privately to resolve this matter. I am treating them the same way I was treated. Golden Rule applies here. .
Once again, you had a thread locked. Zap an email/PM to a mod to try and get an explanation. Running out to the town square and calling somebody out doesn't exactly make them sympathetic to your cause.
Well gentlemen, I have now had TWO attornies tell me quite differently. Internet web sites are VERY MUCH sanctioned and under law, unlike what you post. And if you are not aware of it, this forum falls under the same laws that govern any public forum, internet or not. The fact that it is a privately held company means nothing in a court case involving discrimination, trust me.
Oh boy... you
really went downhill with this comment.
Anyway, I've had about enough of AT anyway, I was really hoping to keep some overzealous trigger happy moderator from pissing off other good honest traders in the future.
The mods aren't perfect, nor do they claim to be. There
will be misunderstandings. If you care enough to work
with the system instead of bucking against it I believe you'll be able to achieve your stated goal.
24 hours is more than enough time for these little boys to come to such a BIG decision. What a joke. Exactly the reason I left these forums and this website 3 years ago. It was an unruly crowd of 12 year olds then, and now it is an unruly crowd of 12 year old moderators.
It's unreasonable to take the road of "deservitude" and harp on the mods for not getting back to you immediately, even 24 hours later. In the "I want it now" environment of the internet, a day seems an enternity. The instant gratification that you're looking for fails to understand a few things, such as:
a) There is more than one mod
b) If a mod wants to talk to other mods about a situation, it's not a real-time chat. We're talking emails and posts being exchanged to arrive at a decision.
c) If having a thread locked ruins your chances of selling a hard drive, you might want to look for stronger options.
d) It's a priviledge and not a right to post here.
e) etc.
I'm disappointed that you chose the "ranty" road.
And for the rest of you who took my side, or should I say the right and fair side, I thank you for your comments. This is really not as big a deal as I have made it out to be, but it initially just really pissed me off to the point of going the extra mile to prove my point. Forums like AT are a dime a dozen, and most good ones are run and moderated by fair and decent people, not power hungry, egotistical little boys.
The thing is, you
didn't prove your point. I was with you initially and could understand your frustrations. As you continued posting, however, your statements just made me cringe. The 12-year-old boy comments, the discrimination claims. They combined to make me want to cover my eyes. I really don't think you understand how you came across.
So you "watchful" and mighty mods here at AT, go ahead and lock this thread, bann me from your site. I will be better off, but be careful, because people like me are watching.
Watch all ya want, we'll make more (Ok, didn't make any sense, but it was funny in my head
)
P.S. Unless I missed something, there appears to be no way to delete one's profile from this forum. If that is in fact the case, I am going to delete all my information from my profile and attempt to update it after this post. I will check back in a week to be sure that ALL my personal information has been deleted from this server, as well as any backup servers used by AT. And trust me, if you don't think I can do that, you are wrong.
This comes across as a threat as well. Not only do I not think about what you can or can't do with your personal information, but I really don't care. With the thousands of users out there, I really can't see losing one as some great blow. Besides, the last thing I want is another hot-headed trader to go ballistic if a bump comes up in the road and something doesn't go his way. I want folks that will work "with" me and the other traders.
Oh dear lord... this was way longer than I'd intended. My apologies.
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