Hi all,
So first let me say that I am not the type of person to cry "Oh woah is me!" but I have just had an experience as a moderator that leaves me incredibly disappointed in some people...
Earlier today, an unnamed "new" (or return) member with absolutely no history or even a single post, came into the general section and created a brand new thread that was a full on attack on a local Airdrie business. The business is not a sponsor here or anything like that, but I felt that it is not something appropriate as the member literally had never made a single post prior and starts out with a potentially slanderous attack on a local business and we have no way of confirming the validity. This is the type of post that can lead down a road to libel and is not something that should be condoned or it likely becomes a free-for-all for people who just want to hurt a business unreasonably. If the member had been someone we have a bit of a relationship with as a forum or a track record it would be one thing, but they do not at all.
As such, I chose to delete it and send a polite PM to said member explaining why I chose to remove the thread. I explained that as a new member and as a lead off introduction thread/post we can't in good conscience let it stay live. I continued to say that we have to be careful as these types of threads can be construed as slanderous and whether true or not the member would need to put in a bit of time becoming a member of the community as it is far too easy for businesses to become the victims of an unwarranted grudge with no way to verify if random people can just sign up to do hurt and disappear. I apologized and encourage him to continue participating in the forums and we would value his membership.
Low and behold, he replied three times consecutively telling me to "go blank myself."
Then the next one he was never going to buy from sponsors who continue to support the AO forums and "will let them all know".
The last and final reply (I had not replied to any of the previous ones) he straight up said he is in the automotive business same as me and will never send any of his clients my way and that he will go onto google and "leave a fitting review about your business and you will not be able to remove that one!"
Seriously... What the hell? This guy is willing to try and do his bit to ruin not only a business that is not mine, and when my reasoning was that it is too easy to slander a reputable business, his answer is to say he is going to do exactly that to my business?
How does this kind of crap even seem remotely reasonable? I mean I may not be everyones cup of tea, but I think it is pretty obvious I am a reasonable, approachable individual and moderator, yet this guy can't be a man and talk to me if he disagrees and try and explain, or just say he understands or even just say he disagrees. He jumps from zero to threatening my business reputation, which also threatens my employees reputations, and the families they support.
What is wrong with people? Man this being a Mod is not all champagne and benjamins!
Normally I just let this stuff slide (not the first time I have had to deal with other donkey's who think we just do this stuff for fun and that we are everyones whipping boy), but this one got under my skin. I just thought this might be a good example of how NOT to work out your grievances with a Mod and expect to stay on good terms...
Rant over... And sorry for the spiel!