I agree, I managed to get unlimited text, talk and data from them for $30/mo. about 7 years ago. Never have received a spam call. Landline at home is a different story with about 10 robo calls per day. So, to solve that problem I just turned the ringer off and send everything to voice mail. If it's important they will leave a message. Works great. ?????ÿ
With respect to the OP I agree with @dougie, go with you instinct/gut you have been at this for a long time and can instinctually spot imposters.
Wendell,
You seem to have pretty good instincts and do a spectacular job with all of this.?ÿ If you're really concerned or questioning your objectivity, there are numerous members here with over 1,000 (5,000; etc) posts, it seems fair to bounce the few questionable things off of a few of them and assume it is representative of the community (but only if you want the opinions).?ÿ
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Having run and moderated a variety of lists over the years, I have been impressed with people's ability to miss the VERY OBVIOUS AND CLEAR requirements to joining/participating.?ÿ Legitimate people will try again and figure it out (eventually). ?ÿ ?ÿ
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As a commentary, you seem to run this site primarily for the benefit for surveyors exchanging useful information with each other.?ÿ Running it for monetary gain appears to be a secondary function.?ÿ In the pursuit of the primary purpose, users routinely share links to items for sale that they have personally found helpful.?ÿ True it is usually for sale by a third party and not for sale by themselves (other than used equipment).?ÿ My suspicion is that if there is a thread in which someone ponders a prototype of something, and "Fred" contacts you that they already make and sell such a thing (this email would have the form, "Hi, I saw post X asking about inventing product Y and we sell exactly that at website Z!" - "Fred" ) that you yourself would probably post it on the thread!?ÿ That would further what appears to be the primary purpose of how you run this site.?ÿ All this hypothetical is to say that you already tend towards the "good of the order" side.?ÿ A sketchy message that doesn't include a link to product Y at website Z seems to lack enough content to worry about.?ÿ
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Keep up the great work, Eli
You've hit all the nails on the head. Would I like this to be a money-making venture? Sure. But the primary purpose is EXACTLY what you said -- surveyors supporting one another. It's a labor of love, advertisers or not. After 10 years, I've managed to find what I consider to be the sweet spot as far as who gets in and how the rules are enforced. As for the monetization side, it's better than it's ever been, but my time is about 90% volunteer. Advertisers cover all the hard expenses and a small number of my working hours. The best part is that I love this website and the people that use it. Everytime I see someone helping another solve a problem, it confirms our purpose.
Thank you for your feedback and insight. ????
Wendell, yes you are over reacting. Just pull the plug on Fred, trust me, he calls me all the time about my car warranty expiring. ?ÿ
It's a useful web site. To be sure. Keeping "Fred" off the site, is part of "Your job". That aught to count for money.
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