Hey Ken. When are product links are allowed?

[Joshua J.]

I got an infraction for posting links to the Kershaw CB and CPM-154 Blurs (yes, I'm posting this a few weeks after the fact. I don't check my user CP very much).
Anyway. I guess that was an example of being a little too direct, however, it does make me wonder if posting any link to any website selling anything could potentially give another infraction, which I greatly wish to avoid.

Before the infraction, I've given links to product pages in two types of threads (that I can remember).
1. In "I'm looking for a knife like this..." threads.
2. When people are looking for information on a knife, I'll often link to a page that sells the knife since they are easy to find and have the information.

Are those cases still appropriate?

Also. Since manufacturers usually have the option to buy product from their online catalog, is it still ok to link to manufacturer product pages?

I think that covers everything.

Thank you to all the moderators who make this place work. It is greatly appreciated that the forum is kept so clean.

 

[Joshua J.]

Ugh, I hate it when things slip through.:foot:

Since it doesn't appear that the title can be fixed, I must request that the thread be deleted. I'll just refrain from posting links to dealers for the time being, if no-one has any better advice.

 

[Esav Benyamin]

I can fix titles.
What would you like it to say?

Deal-spotting is starting a thread with a link to a "look at this!" but not when responding to a request for information in the context of an on-going discussion.

 

[Psychopomp]

I've got a bit of a question along the same lines.

This came up on the Spyderco forum a few days ago. Would it be appropriate to post a link to a current ebay auction if a potential buyer was concerned about the authenticity of the item? Something along the lines of "this price is too good to be true, is it real and should I bid on it?"

In my mind that's not deal spotting, as much as it is buyer protection. But, my name isn't in bold blue, so...

 

[Esav Benyamin]

Technically, linking to a live auction for information can be legitimate, but it's also counterproductive. You're asking the question of experts who may turn around and outbid you. Also, it can look like you're shilling, getting people interested enough to bid.

 

[Psychopomp]

Technically, linking to a live auction for information can be legitimate, but it's also counterproductive. You're asking the question of experts who may turn around and outbid you. Also, it can look like you're shilling, getting people interested enough to bid.

True.

 

[LaBella]

I can fix titles.
What would you like it to say?

Deal-spotting is starting a thread with a link to a "look at this!" but not when responding to a request for information in the context of an on-going discussion.

The day I was made a Mod here, I got an infraction for auction spotting.

Ha ha ha ha ha


Funny stuff


Not so serious in the grand scheme of things.


Ron LaBella

 

[Joshua J.]

I can fix titles.
What would you like it to say?

Deal-spotting is starting a thread with a link to a "look at this!" but not when responding to a request for information in the context of an on-going discussion.

Just "When are product links allowed?" would be good.
Then it doesn't look quite so much like a five year old typed it.

 

[Gollnick]

In general, links to auctions and sales is allowed when the OP is not the seller or shilling for the seller and when the OP's purpose is to discuss the product or the sale of it.

If you are a seller, forum spamming can be very dangerous because you can not control the course of this ensuing discussion. Someone might post, "There is a better price at this other site," or "That product is inferior to this other one or has some specific flaws." And you can not control that. The moderators also will not control it for you as long as it's legitimate, productive discussion. So, trying to "create buzz" on bf.c is a dangerous marketing technique.