Any attempt to prevent the vendor posting, either by reasoned argument, or by fighting fire with fire, or by attempting to call them out with a challenge to back up their claims is actually damaging to the site. This sort of behavior frightens off other potential vendors, and the site needs its vendors to continue to maintain the illusion that the site is actually working.
This is plainly incorrect - the premise that the site needs vendors to work is fantasy, the site doesn't need a single vendor to post in it's forum in order to be successful. If we all agreed that vendors have nothing to contribute to the site, we would simply ban anyone with a commercial interest from registering.
I would be very interested in helping to develop a sort of a "due diligence questionnaire" to help protect clients from unscrupulous vendors. I think this would accomplish the goal of this thread if done properly and would be an invaluable resource. What do you think?
jj
It's certainly plausible that we could start a 'seal of approval' program, whereby reputable vendors, that know what they're doing and who don't spam can apply for the seal which basically says, they're at the very least, honourable.
Limiting the number of threads a vendor could start (1?), could be a way to solve this problem.
It's quite easy for us to implement restrictions based on a usergroup - hence all vendors can be restricted to certain forum, or only posting threads after posting x posts, or require a minimum rep score to post - basically we can set up any sort of restrictions, really just up to the imagination.
While I am all for direct communication between those who are responsible for implementing changes and the members, I suggest that the number of people who would attend a "chat session" will likely be disappointing, after which we get a new round of "why don't people participate?"
So the question becomes why a chat session is superior to a thread?
Sharky, I agree with dbphoenix on this. I see no reason to use any other means of communication than those who are already in place. I believe you already proposed that in the advisor group, and there wasn't exactly much anime at that time neither.
It would be nice to have a timetable, but perhaps easier than that is just to create a discussion thread where after a week or so a poll is initiated and some decisions are being made, after everybody who showed interest has had the chance to share their opinion.
Okay, fair point, if you think threads are adequate them im happy to leave it at that. I think that having a weekly thread whereby action points are pulled out and agreed with a timetable for change is an excellent idea.
Actually, now that the blog system is finally in place, this is not difficult at all. Create a separate category for each system, and those who want to post something regarding a particular category can do so, and whoever is maintaining the blog can keep all these discrete discussions going separately. Like a juggler.
This has the added advantage of keeping the vendor out of everybody's hair.
Certainly we can do this, and if not insist then at least encourage vendors to keep live trades to the blogs section, which itself could be rebranded live trades section.
At one time T2W implemented some sort of scheme in which various charities would benefit from trades called by members, and if I recall correctly, the site, and one of the advertisers topped up the account each month to cover trading losses.
I would suggest that the same offer be extended to vendors, T2W fund a small account, the vendors trade the account with an agreement that any profits are paid to a charity of their choice, and that they cover losses each month to top up the account to its initial starting balance.
Worth looking into. We also have the live forex competition don't forget, we could upgrade this or change it completely to act as some sort of why of tracking a vendors claims - they could also add their own mechanical system that automates the trades. This is something I'm very keen on upgrading the forex competition - it has the potential to be a very useful thing, allbeit in the forex arena.
