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Dec 15th, '08, 10:01
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vibrantdragon or scheming spammer

by Chip » Dec 15th, '08, 10:01

Last night or the night before, newbie vibrantdragon posted links to vibrantdragon.com, obviously his site. I removed the links and instead of simply deleting his azz, I PMed him and informed him regarding self promoting links. He did write back stating he had much to offer, asking for permission to post his links to articles on his site.

I wrote back and asked him to copy and paste instead. I did notice he did this, but publicly mentioned the restriction imposed. I viewed this as a little on the manipulative side, "I will give you more info, if I can post my links," in so many words.

Anyway, anyone know this guy? I feel he could have information worth sharing, but we cannot simply say yes, go ahead and post your links, carte blanche. If we do this for him, who will be next. I personally do not like the prospect of looking at this on a case by case basis. The current position is fair to all vendors, nobody gets preferential treament in their own behalf.

One other thing, links may expire at any point in the future. A copied and pasted post lasts til TeaChat ceases to exist, and I personally feel this is best.

Thoughts???

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Dec 15th, '08, 10:32
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by scruffmcgruff » Dec 15th, '08, 10:32

Well vibrantdragon.com is a store, so I say he's a spammer. I'd let him keep his account, but would strongly suggest that he not promote his site. None of the other vendors who have accounts here do that, so why should he be allowed to?
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Dec 15th, '08, 11:27
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by chamekke » Dec 15th, '08, 11:27

This restriction exists for a good reason. It basically asserts that vendors have to be productive "civilian" members of the forum for a time before they are allowed to begin posting links to their shop.

If someone isn't willing to participate under those rules, and especially if he isn't willing to wait the (quite reasonable) amount of time required prior to posting links, then it strongly implies that his only reason for "participating" is to flog his stuff.

I say, stick to your guns :)
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Dec 15th, '08, 11:28
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by chamekke » Dec 15th, '08, 11:28

P.S. I agree with your point about copying and pasting. Good insight.
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Dec 15th, '08, 11:51
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by TIM » Dec 15th, '08, 11:51

scruffmcgruff wrote:Well vibrantdragon.com is a store, so I say he's a spammer. I'd let him keep his account, but would strongly suggest that he not promote his site. None of the other vendors who have accounts here do that, so why should he be allowed to?
I am not too sure what people can learn from this site, rather then hard selling? If he is a farmer or from Yunnan/tea master, we might benefit... but for a new tea merchant from Singapore which wanna hit the US market? I am always very negative on these promote stuff.... Just IMO.

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Dec 15th, '08, 12:23
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by bearsbearsbears » Dec 15th, '08, 12:23

he's american. his wife is from Xishuangbanna. They live in Torrance, just south of Los Angeles. he contacted me by email some time ago.

i invited him and his wife to a small tea gathering held yesterday, so some of us LA tea folks could check him out, but never received a response.

the rules are the same for everyone, no? if you break the rules too many times, the ref throws you out of the game.

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by Salsero » Dec 15th, '08, 13:23

I find his (her) self promotion irritating. So far, I would say he (she) is not bringing any real contributions to the forum.

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Dec 15th, '08, 19:52
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by Chip » Dec 15th, '08, 19:52

When spamming was rampant on TC, I would have thrown him out faster than Mary could have said "ban hammer." In this new age of greatly reduced spammage, I am getting soft. :roll:

Thanks for your input!
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Dec 16th, '08, 11:21
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by TIM » Dec 16th, '08, 11:21

bearsbearsbears wrote:he's american. his wife is from Xishuangbanna. They live in Torrance, just south of Los Angeles. he contacted me by email some time ago.

i invited him and his wife to a small tea gathering held yesterday, so some of us LA tea folks could check him out, but never received a response.

the rules are the same for everyone, no? if you break the rules too many times, the ref throws you out of the game.
Just read the LJ post from them. This guy has No Idea!!!!

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Dec 16th, '08, 12:38
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by bearsbearsbears » Dec 16th, '08, 12:38

TIM wrote:Just read the LJ post from them. This guy has No Idea!!!!
Agreed.
I was going to delete his LJ post but I thought it was educational...though not for its content's value :wink:

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by Chip » Dec 16th, '08, 13:21

bearsbearsbears wrote:
TIM wrote:Just read the LJ post from them. This guy has No Idea!!!!
Agreed.
I was going to delete his LJ post but I thought it was educational...though not for its content's value :wink:
:twisted:

So, scheming spammer it is then.

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