"The Standard to Which Advertisers Are Held" Topic

I think a few words on this subject are in order, without naming specific individuals or companies.

When a company becomes an advertiser on TMP, a commercial partnership of sorts is formed. We are engaged in business together. Companies that are working together in such an arrangement are expected to show some levels of mutual respect.

A number of years ago, the proprietor of a major gaming company surprised me by making some critical comments about TMP on our public forums. I had a private conversation with him. I said something like this: "I see that you've criticized our business practices publicly. Does this work both ways? Would you be comfortable if I went online, on TMP or on your own forum, and publicly criticized your products or practices?" He was grumpy about it, but he saw my point.

I'm a person with strong opinions. I am sometimes critical, in my own mind, about how certain companies conduct their business. However, if they are an advertiser here, I bite my tongue. We have a business relationship together. It is not my place to publicly criticize them.

Now, it may sometimes occur that an advertiser says or does something which makes it obvious that there is no longer that level of mutual respect which makes business possible between us. In that situation, TMP may choose to discontinue the advertising relationship with that company. If that happens, we do not normally make an announcement. It is private between our companies. There is no need for further comment.

It should also not be assumed, that because a company is no longer a TMP advertiser, that TMP has closed their account. There are hundreds of game companies, and companies are often starting and stopping and restarting their advertising for reasons specific to their situation. And, for instance, we have a company right now that we can't establish communications with, so we might have to shut down their advertising. So if a company is not advertising on TMP at any particular moment, it doesn't mean that they're gone permanently, they may simply be changing up their banners.

That seems reasonable Bill.
Many companies on TMP don't even follow the law by giving a phone number and actual address (not PO box). Some have illegal postal conditions too (i.e it is your fault if the goods do not get to you).

They do not care about the law or manners until they get caught out. Probably the way of modern society?

Keep up the good work Bill and editors.

I agree entirely with your post Bill. Respect must go both ways, and one should never bite the hand that feeds you!

Respect must go both ways!

I agree 100%!
+1 Herkybird!!!

Absolutely ! I can't say how many times over the years
we had the antique shop that we started, ceased, then
resumed advertising, all with the same entities.

Still in the business now, but we no longer have the
hassle of a lease, building maintenance, security,
etc.

Found an excellent consignment shop and selling from
their location.

Makes sense to me. Thanks.

Seems fair and equitable for both sides. As a manager for many years, my philosophy was praise in public, chastise in private. Any problem an advertiser has should be a private matter.
Respect goes both ways.

Agreed!

Glad to read this, Bill. If I have issues, or concerns with the way you run TMP, I will address it with you privately (complaint button, or direct messaging). No matter what, TMP is your business, and I have no right to come onto your virtual property, and dump garbage all over it. If I address you, or your staff, privately, the same point applies there, too. Courtesy is no longer common.

If I have a real problem with you, or your staff, I have the ultimate option: I can walk away, and not log into your public forum. That is just basic respect, and decency. I wish everyone understood that. TMP is one of my favorite haunts on the wild Internet, namely because it is held to a level of respect, and decency. This is something I enjoy, very much.

Cheers, to Bill, and to All of his Staff.

I do laugh on occasion when I see "Deadbeat" flash on the banner ad… ;-)

I could tell you stories…