Vendor emails via delica.ca - whats the policy?

[RichD]

Updated:

- I posted a beef about a vendor a few days ago. It was about getting fabrication work done. In no way did I solicit feedback from any vendors in this post. In fact in another post I posted in non-commercial about the fabrication work I needed done.
- a different well-known vendor on the Island emailed me offering to sell me parts. I'm Vancouver based.
- I posted here concerned about unsolicited marketing emails from vendors.
- Some people are confused and think that I am in an uproar about getting a spam mail.
- I actually called said vendor and expressed my displeasure about the fact that they don't have an appropriate way to market on the forum (like most forums offer) and that I didn't feel that emailing people directly like this (when they don't ask for it) is a good solution.

We've already established that this email was not part of a broader campaign. Just a one-off. Really harmless in itself and I would rather not take aim at the vendor but rather at the the point I am trying to make (as the subject states) which is:

- What is the delica.ca policy regarding this kind of activity by vendors?

Downthread Jesse points out that the policy is the positive contribution rule and that solicitous messages are forbidden in thread. So an email like this is in effect a circumvention of the rule. Should the policy be amended? That is the subject here, not whether a spam is cause for upset.

Please try to actually contribute something constructive to the discussion. I suggest reading the thread instead of jumping to reply.

[RMI]

I saw that you had problems getting parts from Enviro and thought I would let you know that we were around. THAT IS ALL!! I have not sent anyone else emails at all. There was no other intention in that email other than to help you out.

[RichD]

Good to hear that it was an isolated case but...

If I opted in to receiving advertising emails and you paid the site owner for that privilege, it would be okay. If I solicited vendors to contact me, it would be okay. In any other case, it is spam and should be forbidden.

I would appreciate if the site administration would take action in this matter to clarify to the offending user that such activity is inappropriate abuse of the email feature.

[LeeHammy]

IMO: its just an email dude not an attack on your privacy. If you don't want e-mails maybe change your options so you don't receive emails from people or don't check your emails. Relax...its nice out, theire are probably better ways to expell that sort of energy on a day like today.

[RichD]

You are missing the point. Some of us actually care about the way that vendors are allowed to operate on the forum and making a public point of order is how you get things sorted out around here.

If he didn't know that it was out of bounds he would have posted in thread, which he stated flat out in his email to me.

[LeeHammy]

Ok

[DelicaMark]

Definitely a good gauge of how good we have things in our part of the world if this thread is getting any reads/comments. Put this in the North American major problem/issue category.

[nxski]

Definitely a good gauge of how good we have things in our part of the world if this thread is getting any reads/comments. Put this in the North American major problem/issue category.

http://myroughlife.com/

[Firesong]

Wow

FS

[RichD]

You should have figured out by now that when I take the time to post I have something intelligent to say, even if it escapes you at first glance.

Vendors should not have to resort to sneaking in PMs to users. So I want to see some kind of response from Mark on this topic.

If there is no rule that states that this is forbidden, there should be. I called RMI and told them what I was really on about. I want to shine a light on the fact that there is no actual plan for how to make this site friendly to commerce and community alike.

[Mr. Flibble]

I have not received unsolicited PMs. Worst spam I have seen on the forum has always been by link farmers. Never had an issue here.

Ironically, I am one of the people that would actually be ok with being contacted by a vendor if I needed something. I don't view it as "spam" because it is not being mass sent. There are a few times I have needed parts and been screaming for them. Would have been nice if vendors had reached out to me and told me that they could get it to me. Just depends on your point of view I guess.

[CREGAN]

Ironically, I am one of the people that would actually be ok with being contacted by a vendor if I needed something. I don't view it as "spam" because it is not being mass sent. There are a few times I have needed parts and been screaming for them. Would have been nice if vendors had reached out to me and told me that they could get it to me. Just depends on your point of view I guess.

I think I am on side with this as well. If they PM me and send me info on something I am requesting or offer their services when I am asking for them than I am OK with it. The ones I kind get annoyed with are thread high-jacks (they have died down alot recently) where you are asking for information and you get parts and prices. In a requested PM I think it is alright. My nickel...

Craig

[RichD]

Obviously if I asked for a vendor to contact me I'd be okay with it. However, the email sent to me was in response to my beef post for dealing with Enviroimports regarding fabrication. Nothing to do at all with parts sales.

Look I'm not trying to chastise RMI here. Honestly his message which I quoted was really short and sweet. No harm done.

I'm trying to say there should be a policy around this, a code of conduct. Moreover there should be a place for vendors to do business so that all marketing on here is pull not push.

[psilosin]

Obviously if I asked for a vendor to contact me I'd be okay with it. However, the email sent to me was in response to my beef post for dealing with Enviroimports regarding fabrication. Nothing to do at all with parts sales.

Look I'm not trying to chastise RMI here. Honestly his message which I quoted was really short and sweet. No harm done.

I'm trying to say there should be a policy around this, a code of conduct. Moreover there should be a place for vendors to do business so that all marketing on here is pull not push.

At the last Delica.ca Quarterly Review Board meeting before bolting more things to nxski's roofrack, but after creating the vanwagon sub-forum there was a lot of discussion on vendor issues. It was obvious quite quickly that the issue that annoys everyone the most isn't unsolicited emails or PMs....but was with vendors who change their beverage sizings from small medium large to bullshit names like tall grande venti or who just drop the small and make medium the new small and extra-large the new large. This behavior will not be tolerated on delica.ca.

[RichD]

At the last Delica.ca Quarterly Review Board meeting before bolting more things to nxski's roofrack, but after creating the vanwagon sub-forum there was a lot of discussion on vendor issues. It was obvious quite quickly that the issue that annoys everyone the most isn't unsolicited emails or PMs....but was with vendors who change their beverage sizings from small medium large to bullshit names like tall grande venti or who just drop the small and make medium the new small and extra-large the new large. This behavior will not be tolerated on delica.ca.

And that ladies and gents is how you troll. /hattip

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