AGs censorship policy is too much.

[hydro556]

I respect the fact that this site belongs to AG and they are free to as they wish, but this policy bothers me. I feel it hurts an otherwise excellent site and should be amended. I know I will be bashed for this, but that doesnt change my feelings. YMMV.


I think AG is going over the top on restricting discussion of ANYTHING they dont sell. I am a member of many other sites that sell various product but they allow discussion of products they dont sell. By being so restrictive it makes it appear that you arent confident in your products quality. It is silly and makes me want to order elsewhere. I am a capitalist for sure, and respect AGs right to do what they want on their own site, but I dont want to spend my $ there. Look on the first page of their detailing forum and there are 2 posts today that they immediately locked simply because they are discussing products AG cant make money on. If there are other products on the market better than your product, either improve your product or start carrying the better product, dont try and censor it as if it doesnt exist. Sheesh.

 

[Tonya]

Well you are allowed your opinion that is the great country we live in. However, they are allowed to have their site and their rules. If you don't like the rules it's your right, to take your ball and go home. I am sorry, I am not trying to be nasty but that's just my honest opinion. I love this forum! And yes, I could shop around and get other products, but who would help me when I have a question, call a 1-800 # NO thanks! You get great products and service from AG, if you think there are better products out there, good for you. AG is not saying you can't use them. They just ask that you show respect to them and their business while they allow you the privilege of being a guest on their forum. I think killr has made this quite clear before.
I love AG and think this is a great site! That my two cents!
Sorry you feel differently,
Tonya

 

[bambo2888]

tah...

this site was constructed for those who have questions on the products that AG sells, ie. tips, tricks, confusions, etc etc. This is not a place for a member employed by another company to come in and brag of how awesome a TW product works.

i can vouch for nearly every product this company sells and manufactures, they are DEFINITELY NOT conceiling any capabilities of PBMA products. we, the consumers, discuss not only the amazing results with these products, but also dislikes.

this forum is funded and brought to you by AG. This forum would not be here without the awesome customer support, products, and funding from their sales.

there are other forums that you may be more "at home" with. consider googling the topic...

btw, why would you waste your time posting baout how youre not going to buy from AG? wouldnt you rather just forget about the site? or is it that you have an alternative agenda?? exactly...

 

[hydro556]

tah...

this site was constructed for those who have questions on the products that AG sells, ie. tips, tricks, confusions, etc etc. This is not a place for a member employed by another company to come in and brag of how awesome a TW product works.

i can vouch for nearly every product this company sells and manufactures, they are DEFINITELY NOT conceiling any capabilities of PBMA products. we, the consumers, discuss not only the amazing results with these products, but also dislikes.

this forum is funded and brought to you by AG. This forum would not be here without the awesome customer support, products, and funding from their sales.

there are other forums that you may be more "at home" with. consider googling the topic...

btw, why would you waste your time posting baout how youre not going to buy from AG? wouldnt you rather just forget about the site? or is it that you have an alternative agenda?? exactly...

I have only placed one order from AG. It got here promptly, well packaged and was as described. I am 100% pleased with the product. I dont see how any other company could do any better. Thats why I am baffled by AGs restrictive policies as to discussion of non AG products. I use internet forums for research on the best products to buy. If all non AG products are censored out, we arent getting objective opinions on detailing products, thats my point. With AGs excellent service and good products I think they can compete with anybody, but by censoring out opposing viewpoints, or questions it makes me feel that I am missing something and AG doesnt want to be compared to non AG product. I think AG should allow all viewpoints and then sell the best product instead of preventing discussion of the non AG stuff. I realize it is just my opinion, I stated this in the original post for that reason.

As to an alternative agenda, I suppose you are implying that I am possibly being a shill for another product. A quick search of my post history(which you should have done before tossing out that accusation) will put those concerns to bed, but I cant blame your being suspicious, as there is more of that on this site than any other I have visited in 10 years on the web.

 

[Jimmie]

I want to see my friends succeed so I give them my respect and make sure that they get the profit. When around them I don't talk about how much I like Joe Blows stuff. Why? Simply because it's rude.

 

[bambo2888]

As to an alternative agenda, I suppose you are implying that I am possibly being a shill for another product. A quick search of my post history(which you should have done before tossing out that accusation) will put those concerns to bed, but I cant blame your being suspicious, as there is more of that on this site than any other I have visited in 10 years on the web.

exactly, which is why i can legitimatly suggest that. this forum is not like others, there is a much greater feeling of "family" and honest, educated opinions.

there are other forums that discuss every detailing product out there, and those same forums are filled with know-it-alls who actually know nothing of which they are talking about. a forumt hat doesnt specialize in something in particular yields no help.

take it this way, on a sprint forum, are you talking about the features of verizon phones? on an acura forum, are you troubleshooting toyotas? you get the point...

 

[Tonya]

I want to see my friends succeed so I give them my respect and make sure that they get the profit. When around them I don't talk about how much I like Joe Blows stuff. Why? Simply because it's rude.

:applause: :iagree:
It's just showing respect for thier business. It's a privilege to be allowed in this forum.

 

[A1monky]

I totally understand why AG is restrictive about talking about other products. To me this is costumer service at its best. When you buy something from AG you dont have to call someone to get answers to your Q's. Anyone can simply search this site, and find alot of info about any product. I think that other manufactures should do the same thing that AG does. Then if I buy Zaino, CG, or FK etc... I could get the most out of their products too. Everyone uses products that AG does not supply, but I wouldnt expect to get the best info on that stuff here. Granted, most of the stuff I use is AG supplied, but I am willing to try anything.

For instance, this weekend I detailed my GF's car for her b-day. With mostly AG products, poorboys wash, DP clay, menz FP, WG lp pads. But, I sealed with Zaino because thats the only long term sealant I have. If I posted a review about menz I wouldnt expect AG to lock the post because I used Z-5.
I would expect them to lock it if I reviewed the Z-5, and not menz FP.

It seems that talking about non-AG products is ok, just dont make it the central focus of your thread.

 

[A1monky]

there are other forums that discuss every detailing product out there, and those same forums are filled with know-it-alls who actually know nothing of which they are talking about. a forumt hat doesnt specialize in something in particular yields no help.

take it this way, on a sprint forum, are you talking about the features of verizon phones? on an acura forum, are you troubleshooting toyotas? you get the point...

:iagree: good point.

 

[Meghan]

exactly, which is why i can legitimatly suggest that. this forum is not like others, there is a much greater feeling of "family" and honest, educated opinions.

there are other forums that discuss every detailing product out there, and those same forums are filled with know-it-alls who actually know nothing of which they are talking about. a forumt hat doesnt specialize in something in particular yields no help.

take it this way, on a sprint forum, are you talking about the features of verizon phones? on an acura forum, are you troubleshooting toyotas? you get the point...

I could not have said it better , thank you bambo!
This is a new format for forums, we are a site run forum. Unlike others out there, this is the way this one runs here. I wouldn't go on Optimum forum and talk about Pinnacle, its just not the way the forum is run. Sorry you do not agree with us, but this is a forum for our customers to get the help they need. And I think with all of the members we have, this forum is very successful in what we are trying to accomplish.

 

[Meghan]

It seems that talking about non-AG products is ok, just dont make it the central focus of your thread.

This is true, you can talk about other products, we just do not want shills on here like we had a couple of weeks ago talking non stop about their brand X. If you are looking for advertisement, sponsor a forum and talk about your product all day. We understand everyone has other products they use... good example is Dust2Glory, he does wonderful reviews and uses RL line in all of them. He is a pro and that line is needed for what he does, we do not jump on him, I actually send him samples to test out for me. He is not here to push or sell that product, he is here to share knowledge with others and get knowledge for himself.

 

[FMINUS]

What I do is I use this forum as much as I can, and if I must I go to "that other forum", I return as soon as my need is fulfilled. Even with all the rules here, AG family is hard to beat.

 

[CalgaryDetail]

I agree that sometimes they can be strict.. good bad or ugly thats the way it is.
However they do often allow discusion of other products. For example I have often discussed Zymol products.. I have done reviews and they have always been alowed to continue.
So if you want to discuss other poducts just tread lightly

 

[D]

I agree that sometimes they can be strict.. good bad or ugly thats the way it is.
However they do often allow discusion of other products. For example I have often discussed Zymol products.. I have done reviews and they have always been alowed to continue.
So if you want to discuss other poducts just tread lightly

I think the rules have changed since you posted your review on Zymbol. I think you did it on a red jag? Well that isnt allowed anymore FYI.

A non AG product cannot be the focus of a thread. Perfect example. I posted a thread with just pictures of my new CR Spotless system. It didnt include any AG products, so it was closed. Nica posted a thread of pictures showing his new CR Spotless system, along with some other AG products, his thread wasnt closed. Not complaining, just using it as an example.

But theres no point in posting and complaining about it. Nothing is going to change. And if the admin is involved, then good luck getting any kind of reply from him/ her on the issue.

 

[hydro556]

Overall, I enjoy this forum and previously complimented the service and product. What got my attention was 2 posts on the detailing forum that were instantly shut down upon the mention of non AG products. At least one of these posts were started by established members who clearly are not shills. I just like to be able to discuss all products when trying to formulate an opinion. You feel as if you make the most informed purchase decision that way. I will leave it at that, I have voiced my opinion and so have you all.

I will do my best to do good research and make educated decisions as I go about learning more about detaling. After researching the products I am looking for on sites that allow discussion of all products, whether they sell them or not, I wont hesitate to buy from AG if their offering is what I end up deciding to buy. I would just prefer to be able to get objective opinions from this site, since I like everything about it, except the censorship part.

 

[RTexasF]

With the vast array of products offered at AG in mind, I support their policy. They are footing the bill for this site and have something to offer just about anyone even remotely interested in auto detailing. In truth they are less restictive than I would be if I were writing the checks.

Those that come here and ask about a competitive product are thoughtless and just plain rude. I frequent other detailing forums, as many of us do, and each has it's own particular policy. I respect all for their choices as far as what is and what is not allowed.

 

[hydro556]

I dont find it rude in the least when somebody discusses other products. That, historically, is what internet forums are for. If AG is "trying a new thing" so be it. As I have repeatedly said, it is their forum. I just have a problem with the overt censorship. But it is just that, my problem. I simply wanted to voice my opinion that, ultimately, I think it detracts from an otherwise excellent site.

To claim to be offended when someone comes on this site and tries to discuss a non AG product(unless you are the owner of the site) is blatant bootie smooching in my humble opinion. Either an attempt to buddy up to the moderators or an example of the hyper sensitivity that is crippling our society in this absurd PC age.

 

[GearHead_1]

I dont find it rude in the least when somebody discusses other products.

You may feel different if you were footing the bill and the provider of the forum.

If AG is "trying a new thing" so be it.

Nothing new here that is the way this site was set up form the beginning.

As I have repeatedly said, it is their forum. I just have a problem with the overt censorship.

Many of us have developed similar expectations somewhere along the line because we experience so many freedoms in the U.S. This however isn't a public forum but rather a private forum. Freedoms don't automatically exist. I can't walk into IBM and put up an Apple kiosk and expect them to like it.

To claim to be offended when someone comes on this site and tries to discuss a non AG product(unless you are the owner of the site) is blatant bootie smooching in my humble opinion.

There may be a shread of truth to this statement but it isn't unrealistic to believe that some may be offended simply because they follow the rules and others don't. We all checked the same "I agree box" when we signed on. If I were invited to your home to see your new $20,000 brand Y home theater system and I told you that you would be much happier with brand X and that you really should look into it it you wouldn't appreciate it. AG has spent the money on their "home theater stystem" they should be allowed to enjoy it as they see fit without visitors talking about whatever else may be available in the market place.

 

[r_wain]

I could not have said it better , thank you bambo!
This is a new format for forums, we are a site run forum. Unlike others out there, this is the way this one runs here. I wouldn't go on Optimum forum and talk about Pinnacle, its just not the way the forum is run. Sorry you do not agree with us, but this is a forum for our customers to get the help they need. And I think with all of the members we have, this forum is very successful in what we are trying to accomplish.

Not to say anyone is right or wrong but I had to point it out. On the Optimum forum you are free to talk about anything...you can talk, trade, and sell anything. I feel it will help the forum later on...that way people don't feel restricted about what they can discuss because we all know not one company makes or offers all the "best" products. Only mentioned it because Meghan did...no affiliation.

However I know and respect AG rules and will continue to follow them because I really like the people on this forum. A forum can have no rules at all but if they don't have good people to post what good is it.

I want to see my friends succeed so I give them my respect and make sure that they get the profit. When around them I don't talk about how much I like Joe Blows stuff. Why? Simply because it's rude.

:iagree:

 

[efex4]

I have to agree with hydro --- I haven't been here long but, I have done tons of searching and got to know some of the regs. and look forward reading thier post (budman, Surfer, Al, D&D) I recently bought a new truck a wanted step up my detaing game. after googleing I came across this site and a few others. Not knowing any of the products (execpt for the off the shelf stuff) I wanted to compare AG products with others to find what would best fit my needs. One of the fisrt things I noticed was the censorship with Killer smashing someones acorns. Second was the bootie smooching as hydro put it, I think some members just post to get thier post count up!

That said, I just recieved a good size order from AG and have a shopping cart full at the moment. It is what it is !!!