Deception

T Welsh · December 18, 2013, 05:02:20 PM

I do not like deception and or people that practice it. You know what to do Jeff. Tim

SLawyer Dave · December 18, 2013, 05:04:37 PM

I would be willing to bet that the company does not have a specific marketing practice suggesting such deceptive behavior. Frankly, if the company does have such a "policy" then it likely would be considered "deceptive marketing", "false advertisement", and several other terms used in different jurisdictions and both the state and feds would be most interested, (large fines). Most larg(ish) companies actually have within their "policy handbooks" or "sales training manuals", that company employees are barred from taking such deceptive actions and will face termination if caught doing so.

Frankly, many companies just use this language as a shield to protect them from potential liability, while turning a blind eye to deceptive practices of their sales force. Others, really do try to keep their sales force from doing such deceptive practices.

Likely, you are dealing with an unscrupulous salesperson/sales manager who is trying to either meet his sales target, or to increase his paycheck. I worked for a Fortune 500 company while going to law school as an Inspector/salesman. I sold a large commercial job at one point, only to have the branch manager decide to cut back on the materials used, so that he could make his "materials" records meet company guidelines. When this deception was discovered, the manager was fired and the company went back out to the customer and did extensive retroactive applications to try and correct the potential problem.

At least in that case, it really was just one unscrupulous person that was trying to make his "numbers" look better.

If I were in your position Jeff, I would certainly run this issue up the corporate ladder. I would also ask to be kept apprised of any investigation they conduct, and the results thereof. You can mention to them that their reputation has been damaged by these deceptive practices, and you want to make sure they have the opportunity to correct such issues.

POSTON WIDEHEAD · December 18, 2013, 05:36:25 PM

The more I think about it.......this company should have came forward right off the bat and ask Jeff if they could be a sponsor on the Forum.
This could have been a win, win for both sides.

Al_Smith · December 18, 2013, 06:43:33 PM

I have no idea who this praticular "average Joe " is but the name rings a bell .

Several years ago on two sites I visit a similar thing happened with a persona touting the virtues of a Husqvarna clone .At first as an interested party and finally as a distributer from Australia .

When he showed up at the second forum being a rather forward fellow I quized him about it at which he took great offensive .He wasn't welcomed with open arms so to speak .Left, went away only to return spewing the same nonsense 6 months later.

Al_Smith · December 18, 2013, 06:47:28 PM

More on this .It's not uncommon on some forums for posters to use several identities and often under full knowledge of the site administrators maybe even the admins themselves .Why they do this I haven't a clue .I guess it's a game or something .

Jeff · December 18, 2013, 06:49:16 PM

it is stated right in our rules and in our registration agreement that this is not allowed.

Al_Smith · December 18, 2013, 06:53:00 PM

It pretty much says it on all forums Jeff which doesn't stop certain admins from allowing it .The worst offender is one whom is having difficulites with the forum as I type in case you didn't know it .

You run a clean game I've always said that but some few don't .

Holmes · December 18, 2013, 06:57:23 PM

I believe I read those posts, but I do not remember what the product was. I at first thought it was an advertisement but when I read the first reply, it was like a thank you you're right that is a great thing. Made me think it was ok. Quite deceptive .
Jeff can you show the first few post without putting the product in the post?

Jeff · December 18, 2013, 07:30:42 PM

I'll eventually, one way or another. I want to give the company a chance to get back with me first. The post today had the smell of spam to it. When shown to me, that led me back to October where the real deception occurred and got past all of us.

wood monger · December 18, 2013, 07:36:27 PM

To the woodshed with them. aaarrrggghhh.

Dave Shepard · December 18, 2013, 07:37:21 PM

Is there a pirate in the woodshed? :D Maybe they need to walk a plank.

DDDfarmer · December 18, 2013, 07:37:33 PM

If it was a company testing the waters with their product prior to becoming a sponsor sure, they would have to see it it's worth their time and money. But be upfront with it.

They tried the act of deception, lock them out.

When I was looking for a new saw, or when family mentions a used saw they are looking at. Where do I search first? Right here, for the honest real world facts :P

saxon0364 · December 18, 2013, 07:41:06 PM

Seems like lie's and deception are a way of life for some these days. Wonder where they get their example from? ;) Nice to know that this deception was caught and somethings being done about it.

POSTON WIDEHEAD · December 18, 2013, 07:48:54 PM

Oh the tangled webs we weave, when first we practice to deceive. (Old Saying.)

Magicman · December 18, 2013, 07:50:53 PM

Very recently over 80 FF members entrusted me with thousands of their hard earned $$$. That is a responsibility taken very seriously. They did it because the FF and it's members are regarded as being honest and their integrity is beyond reproach. Any individual or company that seeks to undermine this solid integrity base has no right here and their presence is a dis-service to the FF and it's members.

JJ · December 18, 2013, 07:57:36 PM

It is the old snake oil sales trick.
This company's opinion of the FF forum is u are bunch of rubes.

Banning them, doesn't mean they will not come through more circuitous route.
I would divulge the company, so we know their true opinion of the customers they seek to sell to.

JJ

WmFritz · December 18, 2013, 07:58:39 PM

Quote from: Magicman on December 18, 2013, 07:50:53 PM
Very recently over 80 FF members entrusted me with thousands of their hard earned $$$. That is a responsibility taken very seriously. They did it because the FF and it's members are regarded as being honest and their integrity is beyond reproach. Any individual or company that seeks to undermine this solid integrity base has no right here and their presence is a dis-service to the FF and it's members.

Well said! smiley_clapping

coxy · December 18, 2013, 08:05:36 PM

Quote from: Magicman on December 18, 2013, 07:50:53 PM
Very recently over 80 FF members entrusted me with thousands of their hard earned $$$. That is a responsibility taken very seriously. They did it because the FF and it's members are regarded as being honest and their integrity is beyond reproach. Any individual or company that seeks to undermine this solid integrity base has no right here and their presence is a dis-service to the FF and it's members.

well said MM and cant wait to here the name thanks jeff

LAZERDAN · December 18, 2013, 08:19:17 PM

I am only gonna say it once GET A ROPE

Wellmud · December 18, 2013, 08:38:54 PM

After lurking and reading the FF for some time now, it seemed like a lot of good people with a lot of knowledge they were willing to share, so I decided to jump in, and while registering I thought what is up with the 20 questions ??? Now I have a better understanding!

Peter Drouin · December 18, 2013, 08:44:51 PM

I hate liars.

justallan1 · December 18, 2013, 08:52:48 PM

I don't get on here to talk with a salesman. I read and ask here to hear it from the folks who have used a product and say yay or nay. Then I go talk with a salesman.
I think what gets me is this person is basically trying to steal from you, Jeff. I feel it would be the exact same as me going on your for sale section and sneaking around your back and not giving you your percentage.

Allan

Onthesauk · December 18, 2013, 08:54:11 PM

I follow half a dozen boards almost every day, fishing, news, travel. I don't think I've bumped into a more honest group of folks on the Forestry Forum. They don't necessarily agree on everything, (Ford vs Chevy,) but they are completely civil and never trying to hard sell anything. What you described certainly sounds like deception. You don't expect that from your friends.

isawlogs · December 18, 2013, 08:58:54 PM

My trust in a person or comp. rep is not hard to get, but so easy to lose, once you lose my trust I will never do business willingly with that person ever again if I can. that being said, deception is high on the list of getting yourself on the wrong side of my good side. I don't know what comp we are talking about, but can they still makes things right if it was one of the reps that was out of line ??? Should we take the compagnie down over that, guess we need to know the reason behind the action before banning all for life. I was always willing to give the runner a chance, but he best not step on my toes while going around the bases....

SawyerBrown · December 18, 2013, 08:59:26 PM

Such practices, if tolerated, says loads about the culture at that company. If deceptive practices here, then how can they be trusted with anything else they tell you? I'm willing to listen to a salesman (or woman), as well as to real users here on the forum, as long as they identify who they are and who they are representing. Even whether or not they are a sponsor.

The forum should be zero-tolerant. One bad apple brings into question the integrity of the whole. And that's not the high standards set by the ordinary good people that make up this forum.

I'm all for forgiveness, but to date none has been requested. The company either needs to issue an apology to Jeff and the forum, with their name attached, or my vote is to get out the plank, rope, tar and feathers, thumbscrews, ... (whatever that looks like electronically).