Ok Billy, I'm going to take you at your word and hope we can clear something up for me. There's a particular provider who used to advertise here. I saw her several times and reviewed her each time. Then I didn't see her for about a year. In that time, I noticed that she stopped advertising here. I also saw her make some comments in a thread somewhere (I don't remember where) which led me to believe she stopped advertising because she had some kind of dispute with Slinky over her phone number.
Anyway, I went to see her, and was debating whether I should post a review. What I didn't realize is that her entire review thread and old advertising thread had apparently been removed. So, admittedly, I knew that posting a review might be unwelcome, but as I didn't think it would be a violation of any rule because I was posting a legit review, and because I like to review my positive experiences soon after as a way of reliving it and I get enjoyment in sharing it with the board, I decided to start a new thread to review this person.
The thread was up for a day or so, and there were even a few comments made, and then the thread was taken down, and I seem to have been placed in moderation as a result. I was accepting my fate, and haven't complained, but your post here certainly puts me in mind of my situation.
I've been a good member of the board for about 7 or 8 years and haven't been in moderation since my early days. I didn't think my review was violating a rule. It seem to me Slinky is not happy with the person I reviewed, and I know it's his board and he can do what he wants, but I don't know why I've been punished for starting a thread on a previous advertiser who no longer advertises.
What if others want to review this person? How will they know that they shouldn't do it, especially if they don't know that she used to advertise and no longer does? Also, is there any path for me to get out of moderation?
Thank you for your time.
First off, you are a good poster and I enjoy reading your reviews.
Since you are being a gentleman about this I will be honest with you and let you know how you got caught up in this.
It's ironic because I was not thinking about this particular situation at all when I made this post but when she saw it she immediately thought only about herself
So here is what really happened. She wanted her ad to appear a certain way. But it did not jive with what was best for Slinky and the board so he didn't want to go along.
She stopped advertising but her review thread remained at the time, but with the way Slinky wanted it formatted.
Some time later she tried again to get Slinky to it it her way and the two were going back and forth and offers and counter offers were made.
Before anything was settled low and behold your review popped up giving her a review thread in the format she wanted. So given that this occurred during the negotiations it certainly looked like she had circumvented the negotiating and had you post a review.
Were you a willing participant? I don't know.
But given the timing, it looked at least like something was off.
Remember Slinky has been doing this a long time. He has seen providers use shills and other methods to get free advertising.
If you are totally innocent in this and it was all a coincidence then reach out to Slinky at
slinkybender@utopiaguide.com and pleadmypur case to be removed from moderation.
To your credit you have continued to be a solid contributing member so that is certainly in your favor.
The model for this board is that the providers pay the freight. Most boards make the guys pay to see other reviews.
There is no rule against reviewing girls who don't advertise here and obviously the LI section is full of them.
But sometimes providers try to take advantage and often use guys as shills to get free advertising. It's a balancing act Slinky and the mods walk every day, trying to be fair to everyone.
