Just a friendly unsolicited opinion

[MC4]

One of the first cigar forums I joined, before anywhere else, before FOH or OLH, I joined the cigaraficionado's forum.

At the beginning it was a relatively nice group of knowledgeable people, exchanging information as well as sell/buy section where just like here, people were able to transact.

One of the rules that forum had was the rule of not mentioning any cigar source.  Regardless of if you agreed with that rule or not, lot of people were using that rule and knowledge of CC sources, to make fun of newbies, looking down on them, etc. and gradually but surely, the forum turned into a very hostile environment.  

As an example, I remember the first day Gino, a very respectable BOTL (I am sure a lot of people know him, his handle name was Mr. Japan) join the forum, people made fun of him, harassed him and tried to pick on him based on his information and his forum's name, etc. where I don't think he ever came back to CA. Eventually, more and more experienced, knowledgeable people left. And fast forward, I think we all know what happened to CA.  

Unfortunately, I see a lot of what happened there, here.  

I remember many years ago, here in this forum, someone posted a ISO for a Cohiba Gran Reserva, and I had a couple of sticks I had, purchased from an LCDH in Europe which I wanted to sell, but so many people felt they need to share their unsolicited information and opinion, where the person got so scared of fake, he ended up not buying.

I am not pointing anyone out, I've dealt with a lot of people here, on both side of the "argument", all great BOTL/SOTL.  And hope what I am saying here does not offend anyone cause that's honestly not my intention.  I saw what happened to CA and don't want it to happen here.  Wade has a great forum here and let us all keep it that way.  So what if someone asks for a outrageous price, or keeps topping the same thread over and over again.  As long as no one is braking any rules, I think we are all or most all are experience enough to know what's something is worth.   And if the price is to high, you think it's fake, just don't buy, the market will eventually set price.  And if someone asks for an opinion, if you have proof or fact, the by all means, do share, privately, shoutout box, etc.

Had more to say but I think you get the point I am trying to make here.

[H Upmann]

Joe, I agree and disagree. Continuous bumping on something that's not going to sell without a price reduction just loads up the selling page with needless bullshit that comes up every time you look at new post's since your last visit. May not sound like much but it bugs the piss out of me. That being said, there's a ton of stupid people on here just paying the idiotic price that someone lists something at. I realize someone can pay anything they want if they want to, its their money, but then someone else will follow suit because someone paid that stupid price. I just can't believe what people pay for regular production on here. Just my two cents.

[Lotusguy]

I believe that is the main reason why commenting on sales threads is disabled - only the OP may reply. Now sometimes threads get started in the BZ and I suppose there are comments in the shoutbox which I have never been able to see but you can skip those areas. I do agree with the previous poster that frequent bumps clutter the front page which is annoying.  Also, if you have 10 things for sale, it would be nice to make just one or a couple of threads instead of 10 but I’m not the forum police.

[MC4]

I totally agree with both you Dave and Claus. 

But I think this can be accomplished better by not making fun or in a bullying manner.  I honestly believe if this is done in a different manner, it won't be repeated.   

ps. I didn't know commenting on sales threads are disabled. 

[RamonBocAllone]

The man's right...I know I can be a real prick. I am a rookie, 5 years in, and have never enjoyed a group more.

[Diplomatico]

[quote author=RamonBocAllone link=topic=51189.msg198414#msg198414 date=1602029416]
The man's right...[b]I know I can be a real prick[/b]. I am a rookie, 5 years in, and have never enjoyed a group more.
[/quote]

  Yeah, that's for sure (j/k, RBA.)

  I will respectfully disagree with MC4, regarding his choice of comparison.  I also was on the CA forums many years ago and that place was toxic to the point where the "cool guys" - aka "the HCF" - would send threatening emails to other posters.  (In case you weren't around the CA forums in the mid-90s to early 2000s, there was a group of 50 year old men - led by an ex-convict - who basically bullied/extorted/threatened other posters.)

  I don't see any of that happening here.  Yes, folks call out individuals who are price gouging but that's to be expected in a public forum.  As far as online forums goes, this place is relatively tame.  I do agree it should stay that way - relatively polite, even when disagreements occur.

 

[MC4]

[quote author=Diplomatico link=topic=51189.msg198417#msg198417 date=1602034594]


  I will respectfully disagree with MC4, regarding his choice of comparison.  I also was on the CA forums many years ago and that place was toxic to the point where the "cool guys" - aka "the HCF" - would send threatening emails to other posters.  (In case you weren't around the CA forums in the mid-90s to early 2000s, there was a group of 50 year old men - led by an ex-convict - who basically bullied/extorted/threatened other posters.)

  I don't see any of that happening here.  Yes, folks call out individuals who are price gouging but that's to be expected in a public forum.  As far as online forums goes, this place is relatively tame.  I do agree it should stay that way - relatively polite, even when disagreements occur.

 
[/quote]

Ah yes, I remember, I got one of those emails from him too.  That was crazy.

[Diplomatico]

[quote author=MC4 link=topic=51189.msg198419#msg198419 date=1602035126]
Ah yes, I remember, I got one of those emails from him too.   That was crazy.
[/quote]

  Yeah, what a douche.  IIRC, dude ended up relapsing into his cocaine habit.

  I do agree with you that keeping things civil is the way to go.  Thanks for reinforcing that point to the community.  :bigup:

  (Were you a member at CW too?  I recognize the screen name.)

[MC4]

[quote author=Diplomatico link=topic=51189.msg198420#msg198420 date=1602035461]
  Yeah, what a douche.  IIRC, dude ended up relapsing into his cocaine habit.

  I do agree with you that keeping things civil is the way to go.  Thanks for reinforcing that point to the community.  :bigup:

  (Were you a member at CW too?  I recognize the screen name.)
[/quote]

Now that you mentioned CW, I think I was a member, not a real active or contributor but did follow off and on till I forgot all about it.

[DBNInc]

[quote author=Diplomatico link=topic=51189.msg198417#msg198417 date=1602034594]
  Yeah, that's for sure (j/k, RBA.)

  I will respectfully disagree with MC4, regarding his choice of comparison.  I also was on the CA forums many years ago and that place was toxic to the point where the "cool guys" - aka "the HCF" - would send threatening emails to other posters.  (In case you weren't around the CA forums in the mid-90s to early 2000s, there was a group of 50 year old men - led by an ex-convict - who basically bullied/extorted/threatened other posters.)

  I don't see any of that happening here.  Yes, folks call out individuals who are price gouging but that's to be expected in a public forum.  As far as online forums goes, this place is relatively tame.  I do agree it should stay that way - relatively polite, even when disagreements occur.

 
[/quote]

HCF?