Posting guidelines for commercial dealers

The rules of the group don't have enough space to explain the guidelines for commercial dealers, so here is an expanded post on the subject.

To start with, realize that this is a non commercial group.   I have zero interest in making money off it or even gaining any kind of fame.     I made some great cycling friends in BZ, and i am hoping that the spirit of that community will continue here - that is the sole purpose of creating this group. 

That said, we are all cyclists and we all tend to have a fascination with things that are laterally stiff, vertically compliant and cost absurd amounts of money for minimal tangible benefits.  

So some commercial posts are welcome here but conditions apply. 


So start with, it is ok to post special deals and sales on an occasional basis.   So for example, if you are having a special sale or clearance on something, feel free to post it here.    However, this group is not a captive audience that exists for you to market your products.    So don't spam the group with whatever you have for sale.   If your only contribution is going to be posting frequent ads, you are not going to be in this group for long.

So how much is too much?    The mods and admins decide.     Dealers that contribute to the forum with more than just for-sale posts will get more of a leeway.       Dealers that have a documented history of being pillars of the cycling community will get more of a leeway.     How much more?    The mods and admins decide, and you don't have to like it (and quite likely, if you are in a position where this question is relevant, odds are good that you won't like it).    So if in doubt, ask one of the admins or mods.

Second, disclose your commercial interest on any items related to sales/gear.   This is especially true if you are going to reply to a question involving gear with a sales pitch.      So:
- No sneaky marketing where you pretend to help but are in effect trying to make a sale.
- If you ask the poster to contact you for details, make it clear that you are a commercial dealer in the post.   
- If you ask the poster to contact someone else for details, clarify if that other person is a dealer and what business arrangement you have with him.     
- If you say Brand X is better than Brand Y, you better indicate if you are a dealer of Brand X

In short, on any discussion involving gear, where you may have a commercial interest, please disclose this.    If you violate this, the Ban Hammer shall descend upon you swiftly and mercilessly.

If you privately write to people trying to drum up sales, that will be weighed against your other contributions to the group.   If you are contributing to the community in other ways, you get some slack.   If all you do is try to make sales, the Ban Hammer shall descend upon you as well.
 
As always, if you have special deals for BikesZone members, and a proven history of record of integrity and service, you get more leeway.   The admins and mods get to decide how much.   

If you aren't sure about whether you should or shouldn't do anything - please ask first.
 
Basically - be open/honest in your dealings and try to give back to the community as well.