B&H codes

[Mike G]

it wasn't just this thread though .. he has posted quite a few recently linking to stuff at B&H and as a representative of his company thats advertising which only sponsors are allowed to do. He was warned quite a bit before he was banned.

[brad]

Figured that might be the case, Mike.. there is a lot of stuff that Abel sees that we never do. :)

[Dobick]

I've seen the warnings for him from in the past, and was a little surprised at the recent posts that I had seen from him, and figured something like this was coming. It would be nice to have B&H as a sponsor, but if they don't want to play by the rules, then this action seems inevitable

[Abel]

This was the fourth instance in the past 6 months that we've had Henry here touting B&H and their products. I have explained to him each and every time that our forum sponsors are the only ones allowed to promote their businesses here on TPF and that he was not allowed to do the same. All I asked was for him to follow the rules just as every other member here on TPF does but that has not seemed to stop him. This last run of posts (this post included) over the past day or so speaking out as a representative of B&H was the final offense.

For the record, I did not ban him because B&H will not sponsor TPF. In fact months ago B&H offered me to be apart of their affiliates program which would kick back a small percentage of every purchase made from our members back to me and they were astounded that I turned it down since it could be a pretty substantial profit for me. When they asked why I did not want to be a part of their program I explained that we are a Texas based photography forum and we will remain in full support of our Texas based camera stores. End of story.

Henry's only intent here on TPF was to help promote B&H in any way he can. That is his job... that is what he is paid to do.

Even our paid monthly sponsors are not allowed to troll the forum and jump into every thread promoting and linking to products in their store as Henry has done recently. Our sponsors have their own dedicated sections to which they are asked to keep their promotional announcement posts there...

Plus as mentioned... there is always so much more that has gone on that others have not seen...

[Ahh!]

I wish there were a mechanism for getting better information from vendors without them having to use advertizing dollars to participate, but I see brad's point.

Back on point, it would be more appropriate to code share only if the vendor consents to it.

[reyna24]

i love to ban people out of my forums too...

[AndrewCCM]

Abel,

Sounds like you passed up a significant financial opportunity with B&H. I admire your support of Texas Camera stores. However, I thought I'd ask.. Is that just for Camera stores? I notice that there are other sponsors here that are not Texas based. Just curious on the thought process.

I am a huge admirer of anyone that will turn down money to help the little guy.

[Abel]

Thanks Andrew...

The rule holds true when dealing with Camera Stores and Online Retailers. We do allow other sponsors on board that are not within Texas like Copperhill, Albums Unlimited, Simply Canvas etc. They are more product and/or service based and not specifically in retail.

Our local camera stores have been a great asset to us in regards to recruiting new members as well as helping promote various contests and such here on TPF. I respect our relationship with our local camera stores and will continue to support them in anyway I can. It was them that first showed their support in way of sponsorships early on when we were only a little over 1,000 members.

Thanks...

[AndrewCCM]

Admirable.

Thanks for the response.