Recently a thread about Lionel products was deleted. For the most part it was about a particular product that folks had a problem with concerning decoration and paint color. As usual, it didn't take long for the thread to be interspersed with some really "strong" opinions and feelings.
I was not in my office when the thread and some of its posts got personal with implications of fraud and defamation. Those posts were removed as soon as possible but almost immediately a handful of folks would re-post similar "accusations". When I got into the office I had about a dozen alerts from members pointing out certain posts and so between my moderators, our legal staff, and myself, we felt that the thread needed to be deleted due to its nature. Granted, there was some good info in the thread but there was also too many "alternative facts", etc.
After the deletion, I received a couple of emails one of which was sent by a forum member hiding their identity and a couple that could be considered threatening. ONE of those folks was suspended due to repeated posts on the forum because of his comments about us deleting the thread which is against our TOS moderation policies.
It was pointed out to me yesterday that on another forum which is composed of several ex-OGR members that a thread was started in which it is being said I banned 100...yep, ONE HUNDRED forum members because of the thread on our forum about Lionel. The rumor over there was started by a disgruntled person that frankly seems to find and invent fault with a lot of things. I can assure you that this rumor is not the truth and in fact we haven't reached that number in the total people banned from this forum during its entire existence ... not even close!
I want to make clear that OGR has no problem with threads that point out problems with product and I think most manufacturers welcome critical reviews of their product. What we don't allow is when posts are made that question the integrity of individuals of a company or even the company itself. More and more courts are dealing with key board warriors and defamation is considered serious. OGR has no interest in providing a format of discontent and outright untruths. There are plenty of threads that have been posted on this forum about manufacturer's products and the problems with them and those threads still exist and don't engage in what I have discussed above. Please don't post what can be considered character assasisnation on this forum and don't question openly on the forum our moderation policy ... period. Review our TOS at the top of the forum for more info.
I appreciate your understanding and support. Now, lets get back to the trains!
