Craney

When you get banned you can still see everything you just can’t post anything,is that correct?

Rookie

He had to have been banned for selling new product. I saw that he Trump'd an advertiser the other day. (I thought Holy S#it that's some balls) He had been warned many times before.
He seemed like a good guy, always helping others, but the blatant disregard over and over about selling new product and promoting his business without even a basic membership. The writing was on the wall.

flat rate

Did oso just jump the shark?

flat rate

I have to disagree. He might have promoted his business but it was always at the expense of giving out free info. He was/is a value to this forum.

Rookie

It wasn't up for debate, he didn't buy a membership. I'm not questioning his value to the forum. If you got value from his information like a lot of others, then he had value. But, that is not monetary and other members pay to sell product. A cheap basic membership would have helped to "look away" for a while.
Also, I'm not for or against the banning.

Mentalpause

Agree. Not for or against. He added value, but he also did a ton of advertising for his own benefit. I have no idea if he was talked to by OSO or not, but my guess is he was. Why wouldn't he be willing to pay for some of that benefit. I was always surprised he wasn't an advertiser or at least a paying member. Do we think OSO gets to run this site for free?

Mentalpause

I disagree with your point. Yes he added value. Many others add value, are not advertising and getting income as he did, and are paying for a membership. He clearly promoted his business on this site. I'm baffled why he wouldn't be willing to pay a small fee for that.

bajaholic

Here is another spin. My wife who runs Marine Vessel Documentation Service, started out answering questions and happily offering advise. When she went out on her own and started her business, she contacted OSO for membership advise in advertising etc. They have been very helpful and seriously willing to work with her to pay a business membership and not have to pay expensive advertising costs with an actual add. Hopefully down the road that will happen, but expansion is needed to support those costs.

This has been important to her since her business is still young and growing. Keeping costs low help her and the exposure has helped.

NOW.... In those rules, she cannot just advertise it must be in a format this is helping and informative. This makes it a win win for everyone involved.

So, I guess what I am saying.... If you are going to promote your business, there are ways to fit with in the rules and still help by making a reasonable payment to the site. Truly it is a win win for everyone involved. If you don't follow the rules, the repercussions are to be expected. I am imagining, there would be plenty of conversations prior to one being banned.

ICDEDPPL

Thats messed up , he was always helpful and i have no idea what he was selling or what really his business is so it couln`t have been so bad .

Griff

I did not ban BUP, and not sure which mod or admin did, but I support the decision.
He was given a long leash and kept pushing the envelop. We have had more complaints about him constantly violating the advertising policies than all other members/businesses combined. I have reached out to him several times and thanked him for his contributions and valuable information that he posts on OSO and asked him if he would purchase a Commercial Membership ($500) to help further promote his business. He refused to purchase a Commercial Membership, or for that matter, any type of membership. He has made thousands of dollars for his marine business by using OSO to sell his parts and services. It is not fair to the advertisers who actually support OSO to allow him to continue to do so.