What happens to the threads and data a WBF sponsors has put up after they cancel their advertising contract?

[admin1959]

What happens to the threads and data a WBF sponsor has put up after they cancel their advertising contract?​

WBF views threads originated by the sponsor as containing advertising content. And like buying space in an online magazine, or a monthly advert in a printed magazine, that advert stops being active after the payments are used up.

However, WBF recognises the hard work from members posting in those threads, also some content by the sponsor can be genuine advice as a hobbyist, not sales driven.

How do we resolve this?​

After a sponsor leaves the forum, they technically become a normal member with those privileges, i.e. cannot advertise their services or products. So threads started by the sponsor will be locked, moved to a dedicated forum in 'other manufacturers' section. Posting in them will not be allowed by anyone, they will be read only format. But searchable in Google, and readable well beyond the sponsor leaving. This is our method to avoid free advertising and dealers spamming / filling up the forum with 'free advice' that is thinly veiled sales speak.

We aim to ensure content on WBF is genuine and helpful, advice and real owner experiences, not sales led and commission led.

This is fair to both our members who have posted in those threads, and the sponsor, who continues to get benefits from those threads effectively for free. We are ok about that, and recognise the value in our relationships.

What happens if the previous sponsor continues sales content /advertising?​

After a sponsor stops being a sponsor, they become a normal registered member. And we encourage them to stay on in that basis. There is no victimisation here. The hope is the advertising member stays as a regular member and will cease and desist from further advertising. But if said member continues to advertise and promote "warnings" will be issued by the administrative team (not the moderating team). The standard ladder system will be followed and bans will be issued for repeated offences.

 

[admin1959]

Thanks guys. At the centre to everything we do at WBF its to protect the high quality content on WBF by members, industry experts and sponsors both active and inactive. We can see how it goes looking at our forum competitors, a race to the bottom without clear rules and fair moderation.

We are proud of what we have all achieved at WBF, and thank all our members for the continued efforts and sharing their knowledge and experiences with other.