What happened to the 93 replacement lights thread???
 

The last thing I saw posted on this Very Long thread was that bananaRE had finally got some of these things in stock, then...bam, the thread is gone. WTF??? Anyone know what is going on?

jds

Damn I just noticed that.


Somehow I knew this would happen.

i want some!!!!

So did about 8000 other people! That's what it seems odd that the entire thread vanished over night. I tried PM-ing BananaRE but couldn't, however I think he's had PMs blocked for a while.

jds

I just found this thread in our Violations section. I believe it was moved there due to the fact the seller is attempting to profit from this, and using the forum as a store front. I will review his thread.

The notion of selling items for an individual profit outside of personal used items (for example the for-sale section) is against forum rules regarding vendors.

If BananaRE would like to help the forum grow and pay the bills by becoming a certified vendor, he can certainly get in contact with one of us. At this point, he would be allowed his own section for the profit of these lights.

With all due respect to the folks running the forum, that's a pretty lousy way to treat the many people who have been waiting on these things. It was pretty damn clear what he was doing at page 1...so you...or whoever...waits for TEN PAGES while it is discussed and people are lining up in droves to get them, and then when they're finally available you close it down without so much as an explanation...I don't get it...you're shafting the many people who have been waiting for them as much as you are the vendor. How is this helpful to the community at large here?

Well,...look at it from this standpoint.

The first few pages were used to help gauge interest in the product. Further, actual pricing for the product was not posted, as the cost of production was not yet determined. Keep in mind that a lot of proposed ideas/products, don't necessary make it to the final stages of production (example, carbon fiber products).

Therefore, it wasn't until pricing was announced when it was determined that the product was a full "Go". At this point, bananaRE may or may not have sent a "Group Buy" request to the admins of this site. Assuming that there was no "request for approval" sent, the admins have every right to remove the thread, as this site is costly to operate.

I have zero input on that thread and have no clue as to how it was handled or discussed. This is SOLELY my opinion on the subject.

The vendor regulations on this site have never been really set in stone. Since day one, things have been continuously hashed out trying to find that "happy-medium".

The vendor guidelines have nothing to due with the individual seller, BananaRE. If anything, the ten pages of threads you have been viewing just fell into the "bad timing" of it being moved.

The moderator of this section did his job and moved an unapproved vendor thread. Again, the reason it wasn't necessarily done prior to today/yesterday was the continuos change in process to find this happy-medium. It was by no means to hurt the seller, or deprive the buyers.

I have mailed BananaRE and gave him some options on how he would like to pursue a potential advertising position within the forum to allow for his own section.

As horrid as it may be that some buyers may have to wait, this ship (the forum) costs quite a bit of money to maintain and keep afloat.

It is unfair and unethical for approved vendors who contribute to this site to allow other vendors to make profit from the OTHER vendors maintenance fees.

The thread was not deleted, but secured in a place that would allow for the rules to be continuously followed. The ball is placed in BananaRE's court, and a few options were given to him.

With regards to an explanation, the typical moderation process is to inform only the thread creator of any issues which interfere with the forum guidelines. Now, I understand that in this case it is a little different, and I will work with the moderation staff to add more process to help in this situation.

I will copy the thread, edit all the posts, and place an explanation for those who were continuously following the thread.

If you have any questions, please let me know.

I was searching and thinking WTF happen to the tread :scratch: , what am I doing wrong, why is not comming up.

Well, I am glad I got his mail address, so that I stand a chance of getting a product that looks good.

Dan

I have BananaRE's E-mail addy in my Hotmail Inbox. With the promise of not getting banned for trying to market things, i will provide it for those who still want the updated lights.

-Zach

It seems like is effort was mostly philanthropic. So if he made 20% on each - maybe $40 per set - what percent cut would you want?

On the flip side, folks such as BananaRE and his capabilities are what keep people coming to this forum. How many often do you think people would come around when all they see "SMIC vs. FMIC"? It's arguable that he actually helps drive your viewership... :)

The agreements between the vendor and the rx7club.com are specific and confidential to the respected parties.

Your chicken vs. egg idea does not apply here. I do not think you realize how much it costs to run an operation like this. If vendors do not support the forum financially, then there will be no forum.

These are the rules, and this is what will be followed.

BananaRE has already contacted me, and we are working something out. If you have a concern or question, please feel free and PM me.

Zach,

If you push the product on the forum, then the negative consequences would apply. There are no restrictions to his EMAIL address. But the forum will not be used to advertise and sell products in this matter.

If anyone needs to contact him via EMAIL, look up his profile. It is available there.

Red-Rx7 thanks for the clarification on the rules. Here is his e-mail for anyone who wants to CONTACT HIM.
bananare2003@yahoo.com

I moved his thread over to Violations, and I asked Mr Banana to contact Ryan regarding advertisement.

As Red-Rx7 stated, the thread still exists. It's just on temporary hold. When the thread was started, it was a simple inquiry. When the thread finally transformed into a group buy/sales thread, I checked to see if he had gone through the admins for advertising permission, and he had not.

If everything goes through ok, I will move the entire thread over to the group buy section, and even leave a sticky link here to it.

Interestingly enough, I've already seen magazine advertisements with the lights in them...

I might stop by and check out the lights tonight! Too bad the clear on black are not available.

Which magazines?

Along those lines should I start a Polyurethane Engine Mounts thread ? To Gauge weather there's interest ? :D Or do I need to talk to one of the Moderator Goons :D (joking joking about the goons part) :D

We Moderator Goons have no sense of humor and voted that you shall be cast into a flaming pit :)

Perfect !
Red, no Blue ..... Ahhhhhhhh..............

Here go some pics, excuse the quality.

damn bananare goes big time. Good luck and much success!

The guys in the ad are sold out and they jacked the price.

I look forward to a deal between bananare and management as i would rather help out a fellow forum member than an unknown company.

It is in the works. We should have something to report this week.