Need Help Reaching FTE'ers About The Show & Swap Meet

[Gary Lewis]

FTE has determined that my posts there about the show & swap meet are in violation of their rules and they are in the process of deleting the posts. I wasn't aware of that rule and know others that weren't, but apparently that's their ruling. So, I apologized.

They did officially suggest that I call it an FTE Oklahoma chapter get-together and then the posts could stay. But, since it is not associated with FTE and is an international event, not an Oklahoma one, calling it a chapter get-together would be dishonest - so I declined.

Fortunately the other forums, like FSB, Fordification, Broncozone and others where I've posted apparently don't have the same rule so their members will know about the show. But, it appears that our friends at FTE are going to be in the dark.

Given that, if you know of other ways to get the word out to them please let me know.

[85lebaront2]

Well, in my opinion FTE went to be run by some gal named Helen, Helen A. Handbasket after Internet Brands bought them. I tried editing my signature and it kept telling me I had too many lines, so I just left it alone. I hardly ever go on there now, all the important people are on here.

[Gary Lewis]

Well, in my opinion FTE went to be run by some gal named Helen, Helen A. Handbasket after Internet Brands bought them. I tried editing my signature and it kept telling me I had too many lines, so I just left it alone. I hardly ever go on there now, all the important people are on here.

Bill - My intent isn't to publicly bash IB/FTE staff. But, I can agree that the people on here are the best. However, there are still lots of good people on FTE, and I'd like to let them know about the show because I think they'd enjoy it.

When I checked this morning before they started removing them, my posts had been viewed right at 1000 times in the two days or so they've been up. In other words, many FTE'ers are interested. However, unless their memories are far better than mine is, the date will be forgotten in the intervening 6 months between now and the show. It would be nice to figure out a way to remind them periodically.

[Ford F834]

This is a tough one Gary... since the way to reach FTE’ers is through FTE and they are rejecting your posts. I can’t help but think this is personal, since they have also taken steps to remove links to your website and this forum. I am thinking if someone other than you posted about it, the result would probably be the same. I don’t think the rules could prevent myself or others from discussing it, say, in our build threads but it would not get nearly the exposure as it would as it’s own topic. Dad’s truck build thread probably has the largest subscription base, and maybe the occasional update on progress you are making to get it ready for the show would be one way to at least make people aware that it is happening and mention the date... but it does not do much to reach the non 80-86 sections.

[grumpin]

Bill - My intent isn't to publicly bash IB/FTE staff. But, I can agree that the people on here are the best. However, there are still lots of good people on FTE, and I'd like to let them know about the show because I think they'd enjoy it.

When I checked this morning before they started removing them, my posts had been viewed right at 1000 times in the two days or so they've been up. In other words, many FTE'ers are interested. However, unless their memories are far better than mine is, the date will be forgotten in the intervening 6 months between now and the show. It would be nice to figure out a way to remind them periodically.

Could you put the info. in your signature on FTE?

Or would you rather not risk them seeing it?

That is tough. You're trying to do the right thing though by being honest with FTE, good job!

[Gary Lewis]

Could you put the info. in your signature on FTE?

Or would you rather not risk them seeing it?

That is tough. You're trying to do the right thing though by being honest with FTE, good job!

Jonathan - I hadn't thought about posting in one of the many Dad's threads. That would get some coverage, but as you say that would only be a subset of the whole Ford truck community on FTE. In fact, it would be a subset of that subset.

I do believe that the person deleting my posts wants to ban me from FTE, so I suspect that even if I do a Peter/Paul/Mary and "lay it between the lines" I'll get banned. He's already told me I can't promote my personal interests. And, I'd bet he's watching for anyone else to mention the show, which would get their posts edited or them banned. While banning me is no biggee as I'm planning to not go back, I don't want that to happen to anyone else. And, if it is against their rules then it would be wrong to do.

Grumpin - I'm pretty sure they'd take any reference to the show out of my signature. They've already edited my signature and posts to take out links to this site, so that would be consistent with their mode of operation. And, since they've done that they'd probably ban me if I put something in there about the show.

Oh well, I guess the FTE'ers out there will be unaware of the show. That's a shame as there are a lot of good people on there, and I'm pretty sure they'd enjoy the show.

[85lebaront2]

Jonathan - I hadn't thought about posting in one of the many Dad's threads. That would get some coverage, but as you say that would only be a subset of the whole Ford truck community on FTE. In fact, it would be a subset of that subset.

I do believe that the person deleting my posts wants to ban me from FTE, so I suspect that even if I do a Peter/Paul/Mary and "lay it between the lines" I'll get banned. He's already told me I can't promote my personal interests. And, I'd bet he's watching for anyone else to mention the show, which would get their posts edited or them banned. While banning me is no biggee as I'm planning to not go back, I don't want that to happen to anyone else. And, if it is against their rules then it would be wrong to do.

Grumpin - I'm pretty sure they'd take any reference to the show out of my signature. They've already edited my signature and posts to take out links to this site, so that would be consistent with their mode of operation. And, since they've done that they'd probably ban me if I put something in there about the show.

Oh well, I guess the FTE'ers out there will be unaware of the show. That's a shame as there are a lot of good people on there, and I'm pretty sure they'd enjoy the show.

This is what happens to a good site when it becomes a commercial product and advertising revenue becomes the most important concern. They bought a number of automotive sites and have turned them all into revenue sources. This is why we are seeing more and more rival sites trying to get started. I am admin for two Ford groups on FB, one is Ford Dually Trucks and the other you know about. There is also a Bullnose group, if you are not a member, I can ask one of the admins if it would be acceptable to advertise your meet.

[Gary Lewis]

This is what happens to a good site when it becomes a commercial product and advertising revenue becomes the most important concern. They bought a number of automotive sites and have turned them all into revenue sources. This is why we are seeing more and more rival sites trying to get started. I am admin for two Ford groups on FB, one is Ford Dually Trucks and the other you know about. There is also a Bullnose group, if you are not a member, I can ask one of the admins if it would be acceptable to advertise your meet.

That's one of the reasons that I have vowed not to allow advertising on this forum/website. I do get hit up by various parties periodically to put advertising on, and it would probably make me some money. But I'm not going to do that.

Do you think that's what worries those at FTE about this site? People come here and enjoy the clean, simple layout and then go to FTE and are barraged with advertising unless they buy a membership? I could see that if your livelihood is threatened you might do things you wouldn't otherwise.

Anyway, I would be interested in advertising on the Bullnose facebook page, and see that you've sent me an invitation. Thanks.

What about the 460 site? If I get last year's flier revised could we post it there?

[85lebaront2]

That's one of the reasons that I have vowed not to allow advertising on this forum/website. I do get hit up by various parties periodically to put advertising on, and it would probably make me some money. But I'm not going to do that.

Do you think that's what worries those at FTE about this site? People come here and enjoy the clean, simple layout and then go to FTE and are barraged with advertising unless they buy a membership? I could see that if your livelihood is threatened you might do things you wouldn't otherwise.

Anyway, I would be interested in advertising on the Bullnose facebook page, and see that you've sent me an invitation. Thanks.

What about the 460 site? If I get last year's flier revised could we post it there?

Probably since I am an admin on that site, I will ask the fellow who started it, but I do not think it will be an issue. We had a long back and forth the other night on FB regarding some of the issues and method of approving applicants. I have sent friend requests to the 3 admins on the Bullnose group and when one or more responds I will ask and relay it to you. Maybe even get a link to your site in the group.

[Ford F834]

This is what happens to a good site when it becomes a commercial product and advertising revenue becomes the most important concern. They bought a number of automotive sites and have turned them all into revenue sources. This is why we are seeing more and more rival sites trying to get started. I am admin for two Ford groups on FB, one is Ford Dually Trucks and the other you know about. There is also a Bullnose group, if you are not a member, I can ask one of the admins if it would be acceptable to advertise your meet.

It is a sad state, but very true. I saw a lot of dirt bag behavior on the diesel board that went unnoticed, but the split second that a whif of business mis-use was mentioned it was like chumming shark infested waters. It still pains me because a lot of good people were members and some still are.

Gary, I did not realize that the sentiment was that bad. It’s actually hard for me to believe that you could be violating the rules since this not a business or a for-profit event, but clearly they don’t see it that way. It would be nice if they would participate in the event instead of banning it, but that is the very thing that made it all go sideways last year (refusing to supply even simple swag or the least bit of FTE support). The fact that they are turning around and asking you to call this a chapter event is insulting.