[Feedback] On Promoted Threads

[lycheehello]

Dear Colleagues,

It has only been less than a week since the Promoted Thread function was launched and we have seen two of such threads deleted.

The rationale given so far is that customers have already been briefed of the Terms of Service and thus should shoulder responsibility and not be given refunds.

However, I note that:

1. Terms of Service can be a subjective matter. HWZ will always have 100% understanding of the Terms of Service while consumers will not (due to ignorance or misunderstanding), creating a knowledge gap that is unfair for the consumer. Nobody in the right mind will spend $20 over dollars to have his thread deleted, and hence the assumption of his ignorance/misunderstanding. Do we really want to penalize a person over this?

2. In the case of a breach of TOS, HWZ absorbs all costs, without rendering a service to the consumer. This also does not sound fair.

Hence, I would like to propose (should a plain refund not be a feasible idea):

a. That the winning bidder's thread be manually screened by moderators before any transaction is made. Should the thread breach TOS, the runner-up bidder's thread be considered and so forth...

b. OR. The offending bidder be notified of his breach and allowed to elect an alternative thread be promoted instead. He may create a new thread for this purpose.

c. OR. Provide alternative service for the cash received. Deluxe membership, HWZ magazines, etc.


Administrators, for your consideration, please.

 

[Meireles]

vijayjay if u are reading this, do consider letting forummers bid using their accumulated likes or their postcounts. (minus off if win the bid)

mai so marney face la vijayjay

 

[Senna Wales]

I'd support A and B. This is something that is quite expensive and having it become nothing is very bad for potential customers who might be interested.

 

[hwzadmin]

Dear Lychee,

Thank you for your frankness and the time you have taken to raise this feedback to us. We appreciate your point of view as a member and wish to remind you that our following clarifications do not, in any way, contain the intent to be dismissive towards you, or constitute an attack against you.

The Forum Thread Shout Service, like that of Deluxe Membership and any other optionally paid service on HardwareZone, can only be utilized as long as the content of the thread does not supersede HardwareZone's Terms of Service. The onus is on every member to ensure that what they post falls in line with this.

Even if ignorance of our Terms of Service is a just reason (and it is not), basic decency will indicate that threads created to cyberbully, stalk or harass serves no constructive purpose and should not be condoned. By registering an account on HardwareZone, members have acknowledged that they are aware of the Terms of Service and grant HardwareZone the right to moderate their content or to take action against troublemakers.

It is also stated in the Terms of Use for the Forum Thread Shout, http://www.hardwarezone.com.sg/pages/auctionfaq/#bidterms that the content of the promoted thread has to fall in line with HardwareZone's Terms of Service. We take the stance that any abuse of this service will warrant censure without refunds, as is HardwareZone's policy for Deluxe Membership.

We will take into consideration the merits of your suggestions in b) and c) on the sole basis of goodwill, but this does should not be interpreted as a commitment to implement these suggestions.

 

[lycheehello]

Hokays