TPF AD scams?

AlexColeman · Jan 18, 2009

How can TPF let these ads up that are blatant scams? For example, they have an ad for the D90 for $29.70. This forum which I regard as a great place for beginners to learn, is showing them to the wrong path. No better way to start in photography then to be scammed, must be TPF's belief. I can see if they have to be ad supported, but why not ads from reputable dealers?

LaFoto · Jan 19, 2009

Alex, I moved your question to the Feedback and Suggestions forum, as yours is direct feedback to something with regards to the forum as such (which is the idea of "Feedback and Suggestions"), and I hope that like this someone responsible will better find it. OK?

Chris of Arabia · Jan 19, 2009

I've flagged this one up in the Moderator area and will await a response from the site admins. Just out of interest, where exactly did you see the ad described above?

Battou · Jan 19, 2009

Was this in the Google ad box or in one of the boxes I don't have in my display skin?

AlexColeman · Jan 19, 2009

Thank You.

Along one of the top ad boxes.

I am not sure. It might be, but I will try and get a screen cap.

dEARlEADER · Jan 19, 2009

I really have no place responding to this but......I don't TPF controls the various adds.... i think they just have to be photography related...

report the silly ones to the mods and they can have them removed by the search engine that places them...

I think....

Overread · Jan 19, 2009

far as I understand it the google ads just searches for key words on each page and then puts up random adds that apply to it (you can get some really funny ones depending on how the conversaton goes!).
I think most sites can request that specific ads not be shown (such as keeping it family friendly) but its not specific control.

Interesting idea having sponcered ads at the moment I can only see one sponcer that is Pro Camera Gear (hiding under the TPF shop sponcer). Since the TPF shop is currently closed would it not be better to remove the refrence and just like direct to pro camera? Unless the shop is comming back.

also what happened to lens baby and adorama? were they not two other sponcers/regular ads that we had

Battou · Jan 19, 2009

dEARlEADER said:
I really have no place responding to this but......I don't TPF controls the various adds.... i think they just have to be photography related...

report the silly ones to the mods and they can have them removed by the search engine that places them...

I think....

As for the google ones no, TPF has no control over them, Google sets them according to whatever the stated subject is and rotates from the list of matching adword ads I do believe.

*EDIT*

Overread said:
also what happened to lens baby and adorama? were they not two other sponcers/regular ads that we had

I still have adorama and B&H

AlexColeman · Jan 19, 2009

I understand, I just think it is misleading.

ferny · Jan 19, 2009

Sponcer?!?!?! :mrgreen:

Overread · Jan 19, 2009

*mutters and grumbles*
*adds ferny to his hit list - right after most of the people on this page since it appears more than one person invented the dictonary - Dictionary - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia *

AlexColeman · Jan 20, 2009

The ad in reference is the swoopo one, where you can buy a d90 for $27.

clarinetJWD · Apr 9, 2009

Holy crap! I should give them my credit card now! What a deal

NateWagner · Apr 9, 2009

yeah, I've seen it as well, I'm not entirely sure it's a scam though. If you go to their site, it's usually one where the lowest unique bid wins, and everybody has to pay say a few dollars to bid. And then, there has to be a minimum number of bids (so they know they make their money back) and the lowest unique price wins (the winning bidder also has to pay that)

thus, the final sale is usually something ridiculously low. I think it's more like a raffle and ebay mixed together.

Anyway, all that is to say, I'm not entirely sure it's a scam.