Guest guest Posted November 8, 2011 Report Share Posted November 8, 2011 I love this groups- when I'm actually connecting with people. But the constant ad's for new app's, books, programs, vitamins, etc, make me feel targeted. I hate having to figure out which posts are real, and which ones are people trying to make money off from all of us. I'm all for REVIEWS of things that have specifically worked for a family. But why does the group allow specific targeting with the purpose of making money off of us? Not everyone understands how to research things themselves, so if someone logs in and posts that this is THE program to cure your child's autism, you're going to find people willing to spend whatever it takes, even if the program has never been proven to work. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 8, 2011 Report Share Posted November 8, 2011 And for those advertisers that think it will work- you are pretty much putting yourself right up there with telemarketers. If you have to troll to find me, I'm not buying what you're selling. > > I love this groups- when I'm actually connecting with people. But the constant ad's for new app's, books, programs, vitamins, etc, make me feel targeted. > > I hate having to figure out which posts are real, and which ones are people trying to make money off from all of us. > > I'm all for REVIEWS of things that have specifically worked for a family. But why does the group allow specific targeting with the purpose of making money off of us? Not everyone understands how to research things themselves, so if someone logs in and posts that this is THE program to cure your child's autism, you're going to find people willing to spend whatever it takes, even if the program has never been proven to work. > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 8, 2011 Report Share Posted November 8, 2011 The original idea of allowing professionals to 'advertise' was so they could let us know of services they offer. The group owner never set any limits for the process. I basically leave any non-individual 'members' on moderation, so I can monitor and control how often advertisements get through. If a professional also takes part in conversations - which some do - and only advertise their services as part of replying to a post, then I take them off moderation. Most advertisements go only to the list owner and are cc'd to the moderator [me]. Most have no connection to autism and get deleted. Allowing someone to advertise their services here acknowledges they are offering a service relevant to some parents with autistic kids. It is not in any way an endorsement of the product. Whether it is an advertisement here, or a professional service offered in 'real life', it always pays to do some research first. The best research is always to find someone who has used their services and ask how it worked out. Of course, as anyone who has followed the conversations here for any length of time knows, what works well for one person may not work at all for another. I haven't been able to contact the owner for a while now, so can't discuss this with her. There is a fine line between sharing information and spamming when it comes to the services someone offers. Most people who ask for permission to share what they offer are careful not to cross the line, but sometimes it will happen. But I will try to reduce the amount of email coming through that promote services. One thing I have done that may prove useful is created a folder called "Professional Services" in the files section of our group on Yahoo, where anyone who offers professional services can post a short description of the services they offer. That would make it easier for any member to search there when looking for help. When people ask permission to share the services they offer, I can direct them there. [moderator]  I love this groups- when I'm actually connecting with people. But the constant ad's for new app's, books, programs, vitamins, etc, make me feel targeted. I hate having to figure out which posts are real, and which ones are people trying to make money off from all of us. I'm all for REVIEWS of things that have specifically worked for a family. But why does the group allow specific targeting with the purpose of making money off of us? Not everyone understands how to research things themselves, so if someone logs in and posts that this is THE program to cure your child's autism, you're going to find people willing to spend whatever it takes, even if the program has never been proven to work. No virus found in this message. Checked by AVG - www.avg.com Version: 2012.0.1869 / Virus Database: 2092/4603 - Release Date: 11/07/11 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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