Fauna, the BOI, and Favouritism...

[Wilomn]

Ok, one more post for now.

As far as reputation points, while helpful in making a decision about who to deal with, they SHOULD NOT be a goal insofar as people striving just to get them, posting on every thread on every subject just to get their voice heard and post count up. They should be a MINOR factor in deciding if this is the type of person you want to do business with. Just as warning points are NOT always an indicator of the true nature of a person so to are rep points NOT always a good gage or indication of what type of person one is. That comes from reading the posts they make, the knowledge they share, how they treat others here.

Honestly, I chuckle everytime I see either my rep points OR my warning points, as some of both are WELL deserved and some of both are NOT deserved at all. Judge others as you would be judged yourself, by what YOU do, not what others say about what you do.

 

[WebSlave]

As far as people being afraid to post on the BOI, the best advice I can offer is that the TRUTH is your shield. Without it, you will be devoured.

Also, be willing to accept that you may be wrong and don't hold onto something you WANT to be true if it is determined that it is not.

Everyone would like to think they are reasonably smart, not gullible, and able to make all of the right decisions. Sometimes you just run up against someone smarter, someone able to find a chink in your armor and lead you into making the wrong decisions. It is certainly a blow to your ego when that happens, but it DOES happen, even to the best of us.

But that is what makes learning experiences. If you can't be right, at least become better informed afterwards.

 

[brucestephenson]

Join Date: May 2002
Location: Los Angeles
Posts: 2,340
Name : Wes Pollock
Rep Power: 151
Trader Rating: (2)


Warning Level: 94 Quote:
Originally Posted by brucestephenson
"Wes, we all have someone somewhere who doesn't like us, no matter how hard we try. I have only gotten negative rep once, and since I have a policy of never giving out negative rep (you never know when you may want to be friends in the future), I have no respect whatsoever for that person.

Maybe Bud is away at work? I am sure he will respond eventually."



"You are entirely entitled to your policy just as I am to mine. If I disagree strongly enough, I'll say so.

bruce, you have done some very stupid things, at least I consider them stupid. I also think you have said some very stupid things. I have expressed my opinion both here and in the negative rep points you have gotten from me.

We OBVIOUSLY have different definitions for "friend" which is also fine with me. Don't hold your breath on that one.

As far as respect, YOURS in particular, there is a thread I started in the general business forum. Read it and try to comprehend it."




Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Tampa Bay Area, Florida.
Age: 44
Posts: 689
Name : Bruce Stephenson
Rep Power: 50
Trader Rating: (10)


Warning Level: 11 "I'm sorry you feel that way Wes. I was prepared to like you after you got back Kelli Hammack's snakes. I even good-guyed you in the certification forum! Many have told me that I am too nice to people and advise me against it.

However, I will continue to be nice to people because it makes them and me feel happy!"
__________________
Bruce Stephenson, Jedi Master.


I was reminded of the story of the scorpion who stung the turtle that was saving him from drowning. The turtle said, "but we will both die." Then the scorpion said, "I could not help myself; that is my nature."

 

[Wilomn]

Join Date: May 2002
Location: Los Angeles
Posts: 2,340
Name : Wes Pollock
Rep Power: 151
Trader Rating: (2)


Warning Level: 94 Quote:
Originally Posted by brucestephenson
"Wes, we all have someone somewhere who doesn't like us, no matter how hard we try. I have only gotten negative rep once, and since I have a policy of never giving out negative rep (you never know when you may want to be friends in the future), I have no respect whatsoever for that person.

Maybe Bud is away at work? I am sure he will respond eventually."



"You are entirely entitled to your policy just as I am to mine. If I disagree strongly enough, I'll say so.

bruce, you have done some very stupid things, at least I consider them stupid. I also think you have said some very stupid things. I have expressed my opinion both here and in the negative rep points you have gotten from me.

We OBVIOUSLY have different definitions for "friend" which is also fine with me. Don't hold your breath on that one.

As far as respect, YOURS in particular, there is a thread I started in the general business forum. Read it and try to comprehend it."




Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Tampa Bay Area, Florida.
Age: 44
Posts: 689
Name : Bruce Stephenson
Rep Power: 50
Trader Rating: (10)


Warning Level: 11 "I'm sorry you feel that way Wes. I was prepared to like you after you got back Kelli Hammack's snakes. I even good-guyed you in the certification forum! Many have told me that I am too nice to people and advise me against it.

However, I will continue to be nice to people because it makes them and me feel happy!"
__________________
Bruce Stephenson, Jedi Master.

I was reminded of the story of the scorpion who stung the turtle that was saving him from drowning. The turtle said, "but we will both die." Then the scorpion said, "I could not help myself; that is my nature."

I am sure that YOU think there is a point here. It has eluded me so let me try one on you.

There was this guy. He lived in a tiny apartment in a big building. He shared this tiny apartment with a BIG cockroach. The cockroach would scurry out of hiding, crap in the middle of the floor, pee in the guys wheaties, and generally make a nuisence of himself.

The guy, not a bad guy mind you just a guy living in a tiny apartment with a BIG cockroach, told the roach MANY times, "I am sure that you enjoy my company, crapping on my floor and peeing in my wheaties, BUT I don't really like you. It's not that I have anything against insects in general, it's more that I just don't like YOU because you crap on my floor and pee in my wheaties and think it's funny that I haven't YET squashed the hell out of you. Someday though, I will. Squash the hell out of you, that is."

The cockroach laughed and scurried under the refridgerator, his favorite place to be when he was not crapping in the middle of the floor or peeing in the wheaties, chuckling to himself and patting himself on the carapace with four out of his six filthy hands, so to speak.

The cockroach got bolder and bolder, coming out in the middle of the day as well at all hours of the night. He was sighted in the bathroom, drinking toilet water, of course, as well as hanging out with a couple of fleas under the couch. I believe their names were neil and bud, but I may be mistaken there as it has been many longtimes since I have actually spoken to a cockroach. With his new flea pals egging him on the cockroach grew bolder and bolder, going so far as to bait the man, just an average man, living in a tiny apartment that he was basically content to share with the cockroach and his flea friends, the cockroach's not the man's, he really had NO love of vermin, by sitting on the man's, just an average man living in a tiny apartment with a BIG cockroach, shoulder while he slept and whispering in his ear. Cockroach humor is NOT funny to anyone but fleas and cockroaches so it wasn't really funny but it was annoying to the man, just an average man living in a tiny apartment with a BIG cockroach, to find cockroach footprints on his pillow and teeshirt in the morning, foul evidence purposely left by the cockroach to annoy the man, just an average man living in a tiny apartment with a BIG cockroach.

This went on for quite a while as the man, just an average man living in a tiny apartment with a BIG cockroach was actually fairly tolerant of others.

THEN one day, just an average day, nothing special or spectacular, the man had ENOUGH.

You know what the man, just an average man living in a tiny apartment with a BIG cockroach, did?

He STOPMED on that F'ING bug and that was the end of that. No more pissing in the wheaties, no more crapping in the middle of the floor, no more fleas under the sofa and no more foul whispers in the middle of the night.

Guess which part was played by you bug, er cockroach, er bruce....

 

[Dennis1]

LOL that was the funniest story ive heard in a while
Just one thing can you change the fleas to mites

 

[KelliH]

rep points

Positive Rep points really are nothing more than something like a high five, or a slap on the butt like football players give each other. Negative rep points are like a slap on the wrist or something. They really mean nada. It's a users feedback points that we should really oay attention to.

I actually give negative points rarely and here's a deal: if I have EVER delivered negative points to you, if you will IM me and we reach an understanding, I will cancel them out by delivering good points back to you. Now, how reasonable is that?

But why bother, it's not that important!

And Justin, I gave you negative points once after you gave me some, yep. I started reading some of your posts and several of them were particularly rude and nasty. So I gave you negative points, and I belive I typed somthing in like, "Now Justin, this post that you made was just as rude as what I said in my post."

Anyway, I just gave you positive rep points, I don't want you to feel that I was being vindictive; I was not, I was making a point.

Rep points are actually pretty meaningless, but they are fun. That's it.

 

[Lucille]

Positive Rep points really are nothing more than something like a high five, or a slap on the butt like football players give each other. Negative rep points are like a slap on the wrist or something. They really mean nada. It's a users feedback points that we should really oay attention to.



But why bother, it's not that important!

And Justin, I gave you negative points once after you gave me some, yep. I started reading some of your posts and several of them were particularly rude and nasty. So I gave you negative points, and I belive I typed somthing in like, "Now Justin, this post that you made was just as rude as what I said in my post."

Anyway, I just gave you positive rep points, I don't want you to feel that I was being vindictive; I was not, I was making a point.

Rep points are actually pretty meaningless, but they are fun. That's it.

Kelli, I agree with you but was somewhat puzzled, I offered to make good on the few negative points I have given and you said 'why bother' and then you did exactly that with Justin? .....

 

[KelliH]

Kelli, I agree with you but was somewhat puzzled, I offered to make good on the few negative points I have given and you said 'why bother' and then you did exactly that with Justin?

Because, Lucille, Justin was accusing me of "tit for tat", and I wanted to clear up his misconception.

I didn't make the offer to give positive points to every single person that I had ever given a negative to.

Understand what I am saying now?

 

[Wilomn]

LOL that was the funniest story ive heard in a while
Just one thing can you change the fleas to mites

A parasite is a parasite is a parasite.

Feel free to change it and use it as you will.

 

[robin d.]

Life involves give and take. Rep points are not a big deal; if I mention them it is just information in passing.
Besides, karma lives, when one member on here went on a rep rampage, he was gifted with the most appropriate consequence of receiving a few of those points himself.

I actually give negative points rarely and here's a deal: if I have EVER delivered negative points to you, if you will IM me and we reach an understanding, I will cancel them out by delivering good points back to you. Now, how reasonable is that?

And for those interested, no, I did not retaliate for the points I received yesterday. I actually like just about everyone here; I think that (here's a bit of Lucille wisdom) when someone on Fauna says something bad to you, or negative about you, with a dialogue, and a good attitude, you can work out almost any difference.
Sometimes there needs to be an interim cooling off period, but to me, it is difficult to keep any kind of negative feeling inside of me for very long when I read your other posts, the ones about your life, your children, your dog, your reptiles; those posts turn each of you into someone special and worthwhile and I identify with you, and your life. The Fauna family is a good family.

first off, if rep pomts arent a big deal... then why make a deal to even it out?

second of all, you had no reason to retaliate... go figure ... i also would strill love to see my unedited negative rep points i gave you... personally i think ticked because you got points taken away (like its a big red X on your forehead screaming you are bad)

 

[KelliH]

I empathize, Xelda. Last night, Robin hit my rep points and sent a graphicly nasty note criticizing my threads. It seemed unprofessional; others have disagreed with me (as is their right) in a manner that allowed growth and dialogue, but nastiness and vigilantes, IMHO, do not encourage positive change.

Lucille, I have seen Robin get angry and nasty and, trust me, she is holding back. She may have been blunt, to the point and probably rude too but graphically nasty? Vulgar? I rather doubt it. All in all, Robin is most likely quite entertained and amused by all this, and I must admit, so am I (just a little bit

 

[shrap]

So just how long have we been hearing that "clique" tune? (ps, it's NOT CLICK people)

Lol, I am well aware how it is spelled. Just being a smart ass and showing how much I really care about peoples clicks.

 

[Wilomn]

Lol, I am well aware how it is spelled. Just being a smart ass and showing how much I really care about peoples clicks.

I knew this chick once who just loved to be clicked. Or was if flicked? Or maybe nipped...hmmmm so long ago. Ah well, such mammaries, er memories.

Time to nick, er nip, er stop, this one, in the bud.

 

[Rebel Dragons]

Time to nick, er nip, er stop, this one, in the bud.

I couldn't agree more.

 

[cthulhu77]

Of course it is...Wes. You have your gaggle of "yeswes'rs" all lined up...so shall we end it now, since YOU say it should??? (just jabbing at you a bit, my friend...I understand where you are coming from, and respect your position.)


I still feel the same way as I did initially...I actually thought that some of you would maybe take a hard look at what has been done...guess I was totally wrong. This seems to be a headhunting gallery now...unless, of course, you know somebody....


greg-all-alone

 

[WebSlave]

Perhaps if you are not winning an argument or discussion, then your argument is just weak.

 

[cthulhu77]

Wow. That was quite the riposte. I am reeling (no really) from the damage.


what ever made you think that I was somehow attacking you about this site, WS? I simply pointed out an issue as I saw it...and yes, I may certainly be wrong...but weak? Don't think so. Them's fightin words....

greg

 

[Jim O]

Greg,

I have resisted posting in this thread, that is until now, though I have been following it. I know you feel that someone got a "free pass". But he didn't. It's all there in black and white. The accusation, the outraged responses, the acceptance of responsibility (which incidentally I felt was a bit sub-par) and resolution. There isn't much else to say. That thread will always be here for anyone doing a search. And I guarantee that it will cost a sale or two or ten.

That thread got hijacked by someone's post who seemed to many of us (though he claims otherwise) to have minimized the problems. That got many of us pretty upset, but it was directed at that poster, not at the seller. We were all waiting for the seller's response. It came and he offered restitution and took responsibility. There was nothing more that he could have done. That he may have been let off a bit easy may have something to do with the fact that he previously had a good reputation and that he did take care of the problem. As I said in my post, he could have done better after the fact (by arranging the return during his absence) but he could have done so much worse. Had he come on and said "tough luck" or something of the sort, he would no doubt have been crucified. That he was not was not so much a matter of favorites as an acknowledged "good guy" owning up to his mistake and getting the benefit of the doubt. Perhaps also the blood had already been shed in that thread, directed at one of his defenders, and the vultures (like me) were satiated.

 

[Wilomn]

Guys, lighten up. I was referring ONLY to my post alluding to nip, nick and mammories, er memories and THAT line of thought.

This thread is just fine and will wind its way where it wants. I don't see any bad guys here, just, to refer back to my Chop Saki analogy, differing schools.

In Greg's, there are no leaders, no one to whom authority is granted/given/acknowledge, or so it seems, while at Rich's he is the leader and no doubt is allowed to exist.

I like working out at both dojos, kicking ass and taking names as I see fit. I can't help it if some like my Wesway style and I certainly do NOT recommend it over any other, we must all do as we see.

Is THAT part of the problem? Is it that there is a seeming, a perception, a suspiscion if you will, that some, or in this case, I, have a following of yeah-sayers? If such IS your suspiscion, it is on NO account due to anything I have done. In fact I have gone out of my way to insist that I do NOT want to be any type of......... I don't know the word, because leader is SOOOOO not right, and on top of that I have no desire to be in such a position and I am hopeful that you understand what I mean. It really is more of a felt type of thing than one that can be easily stated.

I can see where you may think that there is, but ponder this. Do I, or anyone else for that matter, have a knack for being right? And, if so, are not the yeah sayers not ALSO being right in their affirmations? I think I'm pretty good as a keeper and a ferreterouter of bad guys and as a person in general and if others think so is there really a problem with them going along with what I say if they truly agree with it?

What is the base problem you have? Do you even have a base problem? I am NOT being a smartass here, just trying to figure out what the problem is, if there is one, and fix it if it can be fixed.

If a bunch of people agree and one of them is more outspoken than the others they can be seen as followers and that one as a leader when in fact none of them are either followers or leader, but loud and quiet. Does this come closer to the crux of your problem?

 

[Suncoast Herpetological]

Of course it is...Wes. You have your gaggle of "yeswes'rs" all lined up...so shall we end it now, since YOU say it should??? (just jabbing at you a bit, my friend...I understand where you are coming from, and respect your position.)


I still feel the same way as I did initially...I actually thought that some of you would maybe take a hard look at what has been done...guess I was totally wrong. This seems to be a headhunting gallery now...unless, of course, you know somebody....


greg-all-alone

Greg

I find myself in an unusual position. As was stated earlier by someone else, I generally find myself in agreement with you on most topics so I guess that makes us "cliquemates". (Please forego the obvious jokes guys)

I think the reason that this thread received so much negative feedback initially is that you didn't voice your opinion....you stated it as if it were fact. The text is shown below

I must say from the get go, that I am kind of pissed here...in really believing that the other people who post on this forum were unbiased, I am coming off somewhat disappointed. I see people getting trashed, while others (obviously friends or compatriots) get the nod as being "ok"...

Seems to me that this was supposed to be an impartial jury, so to speak, of somewhat educated animal dealers having to hash out issues, both good and bad, in a PUBLIC forum.
Since the BOI has gone private (pay to post), there seems to be an enormous turn towards a sort of "good ol boy" click...

I don't understand how the rules seem to apply to some, and not to others!!!

greg

In no way is this worded as an opinion. You tossed out a bomb and waited for the explosion.

Please don't take this to mean that I am against that particular tactic. Sometimes it can be extremely effective. However, if that is the tactic you want to use, you then, by necessity, pretty much have to provide proof or examples to back up your hypothesis or what happened here occurs...your hypothesis is dismissed as having no weight. You repeatedly refused to offer any examples to lend credence.

Personally I have been an active member on this site longer than most and I would be hard pressed to find an example to back up your theory that did not fit into the following parameters.

Category One: Cutting Someone Slack

1.) The individual has a long term good reputation

2.) The individual immediately takes responsibility and makes every effort to right the deal

Category Two: Going For the Throat

1.) The individual has no reputation to aid him in initial public opinion

2.) The individual takes a defensive stance and denies any responsibility

3.) The individual immediately becomes a raging ass and tries to make the incident into a joke.

4.) The individual has such a crappy rep already that he is fighting a difficult uphill battle

I would seriously like to see a couple of definitive examples Greg but I am not going to hold my breath. I genuinely don't think you can produce one.

Cliques will always exist in a community of this sort. As someone stated earlier, likeminded people tend to gravitate to one another. Well known individuals with a long positive history will, of course, receive a bit more benefit of the doubt than an unknown. Is it fair? No. Is it inevitable human nature? Of course

However, it is almost always the way someone responds to a bad guy post about them that dictates the way they are received and treated on the BOI.

The measure of a "good guy" is not that he never has a problem, it is in how he deals with and repairs the problem