merchant ads in posts?

[sisterbygrace]

I am not pleased with the fact that merchant ads are being attached to some of my posts now.

Is there any way of either turning them off or at least making a way to approve or dissapprove certain merchants?

It makes it seem that I (as the poster) am advertising such and such store or merchant. There are some stores that I do not shop at and would not recommend, but because DOD is an affiliate it may or may not show up on my post.

Please advise.
Donna

[jeskibuff]

Donna,
The links at the bottom of your post are a direct result of whatever message you have posted. DOD's webmaster (DarkWolf) has engineered the software to look for DOD affiliates you may have mentioned in your post. If I mention SharperImage, you will see the software has done its job and added the link to the bottom of this post. If you wanted to prevent this from happening, you could slightly misspell the word. For instance, you won't see a link for that well known auction site eBai, because I made it unrecognizable to the software. Remember though, that DOD is here for us free because of the revenues generated from these affiliates. As time goes on, people will understand how this works and will know that you are not personally endorsing one of these merchants when their link appears beneath your post.


__________________

Check out these [Only registered and activated users can see links. Either login above or Register Now], or go directly to [Only registered and activated users can see links. Either login above or Register Now]
[Only registered and activated users can see links. Either login above or Register Now] EXP: 08.31.2002
Get a FREE leather bag ($79.95 value) with your purchase of $100 or more at SharperImage.com.

[mayor]

Righto... there is no charge for using DealofDay.com, but we must find ways to generate revenue to support the ongoing needs of the site and staff. This is a relatively non-intrusive way of doing so. We try to shy away from pop-up windows. But when a merchant is mentioned, having an instant link to their site can prove very beneficial for the consumer. And when someone purchases using one of these links, Dealofday.com is supported financially.

Thanks for your support!

Mayor

[sisterbygrace]

I have also used DOD for a ling time and use merchant links frequently to arrive to DOD affiliate sites.

I posted an item in "stuff for sale or trade" and ended up with an ad from ICE.com. No reference to that site was made and I didn't mention anything that would be seen on that site, so apparently there are some bugs that must be worked out.

I refuse to incorrectly spell a word to aviod seeing an ad at the bottom of my post.

What if some site did something that was not good and I posted about it. Then an ad appeared at the bottom of my post to "go visit and get great deals at such and such a site"...it would seem contridictory.


I don't disagree with having this feature. I just disagree with not giving the posters the option to allow or disallow certain sites or have the option to turn it off in our preferences.

I enjoy posting, sharing about sites and trading, but I DO find that attaching advertisments to my posts intrusive and if I don't have control over what sites may end up on my posts I may feel more comfortable posting somewhere else.

Please remember that although you offer DOD free, it would not be anything but another site taking up cyberspace without us.

Donna


__________________

Check out these [Only registered and activated users can see links. Either login above or Register Now], or go directly to [Only registered and activated users can see links. Either login above or Register Now]
[Only registered and activated users can see links. Either login above or Register Now] EXP: 08.31.2002
Use coupon code BCD20-552317 to save 20% off of your purchase at ICE.com. (excludes watches)

[jsalba]

And WITHOUT the ads, perhaps it would be just another site in cyberspace.

As a fellow board member.. I don't see any problem with the ads. You can't always get something for nothing.. and by my not having to pay a red cent to use this board.. I'm all for them doing whatever is necessary to keep it up and running.

I have to disagree with you, Donna, on this one. Sorry.. but you and I are getting a free service here.. and I don't think it is hurting you or I in the least to allow an ad in our posts.


__________________

Check out these [Only registered and activated users can see links. Either login above or Register Now], or go directly to [Only registered and activated users can see links. Either login above or Register Now]
[Only registered and activated users can see links. Either login above or Register Now] EXP: 08.31.2002
Use coupon code BCD20-552317 to save 20% off of your purchase at ICE.com. (excludes watches)

[luvmetender]

Donna, I can see your point about not wanting a link to pop up to encourage people to go to a site when you are complaining about that same site. I also can see the reason for the owner of THIS site to try to create revenue from the people who visit this site FOR FREE. I've been a member here for almost 3 years now, (a very long time for an internet deal site to be in existence!) and I hope we can all contribute to be sure DoD is able to continue!!

[tlspiegel -Closed]

Believe it or not... some Message Boards ask you to donate a DOLLAR or more to be a member. This is a fact of life... it costs money to own a site. Period. I'm my own domain and it costs me money/per year to maintain that site. It's relatively cheap compared to opening up a brick and mortar store. lol But this is how it is in cyberspace.

Mayor owns this site. He can do what he wants. Whether the members like or or not isn't the issue. If you wanna' participate here, then it's up to you to play by the rules.

He doesn't ask for anything extreme... he's quite fair, and it costs him plenty to keep DOD up and running.

Just my .39c

[eldo]

I'm getting used to these ads and don't pay much attention to them much anymore, but it cracks me up that, for example, every time a post has the letters "n-i-c-e" in it, there's an ad for ice.com; I posted the city "Venice" in the Games forum and there was the ad!

So the reasoning that the ads are a direct result of posters actually making reference to these sites is often not the case at all. Still, I understand the reason for this decision and support it.


__________________

Check out these [Only registered and activated users can see links. Either login above or Register Now], or go directly to [Only registered and activated users can see links. Either login above or Register Now]
[Only registered and activated users can see links. Either login above or Register Now] EXP: 08.31.2002
Use coupon code BCD20-552317 to save 20% off of your purchase at ICE.com. (excludes watches)

[tracissavings]

People misunderstand the word FREE when it comes to websites - there is no such thing as FREE - someone has to pay for the server. As a website owner myself (multiple Genealogy sites) I would KILL to have software like that to help generate some revenue for the sites.

When Im not DODing, or at school, Im transcribing records for the sites and doing general upkeep. The cost for my own server, domain fees, etc. - not to even mention my time - is outrageously high for someone who is doing it for FREE. I didnt really care for the ads at first BUT I understood why they were there. (I dont even like ads at my Free Genealogy sites BUT I need them there)

Did I mention those tiny ads dont pay squat when it comes to the bills I get for everything? (about $120 a year from Amazon.com - the server bill is over $1000 a year)

If keeping ads on DOD is what it takes to keep it free, then bring them on - But PLEASE NO POP UPS - I HATE Those things LOL...

Uh, Where's my free software for my site HINT HINT? <grin>


__________________

Check out these [Only registered and activated users can see links. Either login above or Register Now], or go directly to [Only registered and activated users can see links. Either login above or Register Now]
[Only registered and activated users can see links. Either login above or Register Now] EXP: 09.30.2002
Save $5 off of your purchase of $35 or more at Amazon.com with coupon code MAPVALLEY535.