Ebay links getting added to posts.

[Yellow Jacket]

It seems that an "arrangement" has been made between Ebay and this forum, whereby links to Ebay get automatically added into our posts.

I understand the need for making money and having advertisements, but, this is way over the top as far as I'm concerned.

I don't like it one bit. I feel like this is an unauthorized hijacking of our posts.

[cactusjack]

Originally Posted by Yellow Jacket

It seems that an "arrangement" has been made between Ebay and this forum, whereby links to Ebay get automatically added into our posts.

I understand the need for making money and having advertisements, but, this is way over the top as far as I'm concerned.

I don't like it one bit. I feel like this is an unauthorized hijacking of our posts.

I agree with you, Bob. I've seen it on other forums as well.

[glwilson]

So... what exactly is that going to do? Don't think I have seen that anywhere, so I don't know.

Help me out so I can understand...

[Monkeyman]

I don't like it but the bills have to get paid somehow. Maybe the links wouldn't be needed if more members donated?

[ringadingh]

I seen it the other day, It doesn't matter to me one way or the other. Don't click on it if you don't like it, and it won't make a difference.

[Top Cat]

Where do they show up? I haven't seen any of them.

Edit; OK I see what you mean. They show up as yellow words.
In a post if someone mentions tires, the word tires will be yellow and a link to tires on Ebay.
If it helps pay the bills I see no problem with it.
As Trip said, donations are down.
As Monkeyman said, there are a lot of members who do not upgrade to Premium Membership, sooooooooooo the money has to come from somewhere.

[Yellow Jacket]

Originally Posted by glwilson

So... what exactly is that going to do? Don't think I have seen that anywhere, so I don't know.

Help me out so I can understand...

Look at the first post in this thread. You will see words that are highlighted and underscored. Those are links to another site. If you click on one of those words you will be taken to that site. If there is an item that is being sold on that site, and you use that word in your post, that word will be converted into a link that will take you directly to that item on that site. So, if your post mentions several different items that happen to be listed on the website selling those items, your post will be full of direct links to those items being sold. It give the impression that you are promoting that website.

[Yellow Jacket]

Originally Posted by Top Cat

Where do they show up? I haven't seen any of them.

As Trip said, donations are down.
As Monkeyman said, there are a lot of members who do not upgrade to Premium Membership, sooooooooooo the money has to come from somewhere.

We're already being bombarded with ads on every page. I can guarantee you those ads aren't free. Now if they want to do away with the ads in place of this scheme, then go for it.

As far as upgrading to the Premium Membership, I would like to see a financial statement from vBulletins first. Who's making the money and how much?

I'm sure that VBulletins would not be providing the service of hosting the VBA forum, and all the others, if they were not making money.

[Top Cat]

I think I found a solution. Just post in yellow and underline all the words.
Now no one knows which words are links to other sites.

[Monkeyman]

vBulletin is a software program. Whomever owns the rights to vB is probably making money hand over fist. That isn't Mike. Mike (and maybe Trip) is paying for all the costs associated with the forum. Hosting services (servers) aren't cheap and Mike should get paid a little something for his time. The forum doesn't run itself. There's alot that goes on behind the scenes that nobody sees. There's coding to do, things to change and new features to work on. How many hours do you (in general) think it took Mike to get the hosting company to man up and fix the site issues we had a couple weeks ago? I'll bet he spent every bit of 30 hours just on that one problem.

Like I said, I don't like the intrusive type ads, but someone's got to pay the bills. If you have a better solution, I'll bet someone would be interested in hearing it.

PS, I doubt Mike is making ANY money off id this. He's probably losing money. He's willing to do it as his contribution to VBA.

[Timay]

Well, I paid for my upgraded membership and I still get to look at all the ads...I feel cheated. What did I pay for? I could have just set back and done the freebie thing and have the exact same thing I have now. Yeah, I think we need to support the site, so now we have a fund-raiser, we have an upgraded membership of two types and we still have to suffer through the ads. I'm getting close...maybe find another forum to hang in...

This is what happened to another forum that I was involved with...it eventually went under from the slow times the ads added and the BS and a new guy started another and everybody switched. guess what happened to the original forum...

Tim A

[Pa. Vulcan]

I have not seen these links in any posts.
Using Firefox on Linux and Win XP

Originally Posted by Yellow Jacket

Look at the first post in this thread. You will see words that are highlighted and underscored.

Screen shot attached, no links here. Moused over all the words, no links

[cactusjack]

Originally Posted by Pa. Vulcan

I have not seen these links in any posts.
Using Firefox on Linux and Win XP



Screen shot attached, no links here. Moused over all the words, no links

I see them with Firefox or IE and I'm running Windows 7 at home, XP at work.

[Admin]

Whoa whoa..

I tried a program this week that would automatically link certain companies...I figured it would be a good thing so people didn't have to always post hyperlinks themselves. This was a way that it would be done automatically. I really dont give one crap about it to be honest. It's not helping me out at all. If you want it removed, I'll remove it. In fact, I will remove it once I'm done with this post. It's not a big deal. I thought it would be a help to all you.

As far as ads go, the forum has the SAME EXACT amount of "CPC" ads as it's always had...2 per page. Why's it a problem now?

And I'm getting tired of repeating this, but the Premium Membership program is a way for members to donate to the forum and receive perks and benefits for doing so. That's it. Nothing more, nothing less. No one HAS to purchase it. No one is forced to purchase it. No one is mislead in any way, shape, or form. It's clearly stated what it's all about. If you don't want it, don't purchase it. Timay...that is LOW of you to say you feel cheated. Who the hell cheated you?! Who the hell told you that if you purchase a Premium Membership, that you get ZERO ads? Please show me where this is stated...

[Timay]

Originally Posted by Admin

Timay...that is LOW of you to say you feel cheated. Who the hell cheated you?! Who the hell told you that if you purchase a Premium Membership, that you get ZERO ads? Please show me where this is stated...

I was out of line with that comment - I apologize. The links did get me riled, however...I spoke when I should have been listening. I knew going in what I was buying...

Tim A