I finally figured out what on earth is going on

I've always been slightly puzzled by this sub-forum.  Being somewhat interested in chess equipment, boards, sets, etc., I've long been interested.  I'd click on each thread where someone has some set they are showing off with interest.  Oh, that looks nice.  *scrolls down for 5 minutes* Oh look, more angles of the same chess set's knights.  This time paired with the bishops.  Cool.

It seemed excessive, no matter how proud people were of their collections, but hey, who's counting, right?

So I'd get a new set and post a couple of shots.  I'd think "maybe I should take a bunch more photos from different angles, too," but it never seemed like the thing to do.  But there were always 6 or 7 other "collectors" here that would always do that.  No big deal, I guess.  Never thought too much about it.

Then something happened recently.  There were some posts in one particular thread by a "vendor."  Someone with an obvious stake in their company posting about some sales on their sets.  Now, this has long been something against the rules on these forums.  Advertising, spam, etc.  No wiggle room.  For heavens' sake, I once had a post deleted multiple times because I mentioned a free program called "Anki" in a favorable light.  I had made flashcards to learn a difficult ending that required Anki to use.  I mentioned it's a great program anyway.  My post was deleted multiple times for "advertising."  Obviously total nonsense, but an example of the zero tolerance policy on this subject.

I mentioned in the thread that the vendor's posts were obviously advertising and against forum rules.  Should be pretty obvious.  To my surprise, there was this almost creepy response favoring the advertising from this core group of posters.  How else would we know about these great deals?  We need to make them feel welcome!

Ok, this was very strange to me.  In all my years, I have NEVER seen someone defending spammers like this.  It puzzled me.  It was also very passive-aggressive, which is what I meant by creepy.  I struggled with this as I watched it unfold.  Basically, I couldn't believe what I was seeing.  It literally made no sense to me.

Then I put it together.  I guess I just never think about this kind of stuff happening, but it seems awfully naive of me, now.

This core group of posters is not just a group of collectors.  They are being paid to show off these sets.  Or, at least, compensated in some way.  They have some stake in allowing these vendors to post here, or at least not be run off.  There's really no other explanation.

"How else would we know about these great deals?"

Really?  Picture someone saying that about a walmart ad.  It just doesn't add up, forgive the "pun."  The way you find out about a company's deals is you go the company's website.  Everyone knows that.  And everyone knows companys would love to be able to get exposure like they get in this forum, more than regularly.

Looking back on my experiences in this forum, I am now completely ashamed of myself for being a part of it for this long without recognizing what it is.  This will be my last post here and my last post on chess.com's forums overall.  I was just going to leave without some selfish announcement thread, but I thought maybe letting others see what's going on here might be a good thing.  Maybe opening the mods' eyes, too, if possible (wouldn't be surprised if they are in the pocket, too, but whatever).

I will also be posting this on my personal blog (mirrored here on chess.com's blogging system-but that will also be my last post there, my personal blog only from then on) just in case this thread gets deleted.  I am thoroughly convinced my theory is correct and will not be hanging around for the denials.  And without further ado, let them commence.

It does appear possible that you are on to something but I don't think your suspicions would stand up in a court.

Personally, I think there are just some people who like to show off their sets like other guys show off their cars.

If there was one thread which a vendor used to advertise, I think you should complain directly via an email. WIthout doing that, I'm just not sure you should blame chess.com or quit the site. They don't have the staff to actively monitor the thousands of forum posts.

Ha! 

Everyone's entitled to their opinions but if you're going to pick a fight, shouldn't you hang around and beef it out? Who starts a fight then leaves?

   He's not leaving. The OP or pawpatrol has been here for 2 years and on ChessKid before that.

PossibleOatmeal, I would recommend you visit a forum for the discussion of Apple products to get some perspective for the kind of zeal and unpaid "shilling" of products you are talking about by people who have no real connection to the vendor.

I think it will surprise you how much people can turn into an advertisement for a product when they have sunks hundreds or thousands of dollars into it.  I include myself here, because I have found myself recommending products on forums (not only this one) I own and spent a lot of time researching before purchase and it was a big purchase for me. 

I think this is natural.  Why wouldn't you espout the virtues of something you know for certain is a good deal?

As far as the endless photos...well, that is how collectors go.  We rarely have anyone in person to appreciate the sets, and the most fervent among us covet close up photos of the pieces so we may scrutinize every detail (in preparation and endless internal debate over the next purchase!). 

A final note: I have never received any favoritism from vendors from my posts here.  Certainly no sample sets or pieces.  But not without trying!

Well, I agreed with PossibleOatmeal on that thread.

I did not agree with him that Carl was spamming us though what he was doing is advertising.  Carl's posts were in good taste and not a problem, in my opinion.

As for all the pictures of the sets, I see no problem with that at all.  I enjoy these pictures quite a bit.  Because of these pictures, I became interested in the Noj GM Pavasovic set, for example, and ended up buying one.  And after having it and playing games with it for over 2 weeks, I'm here to tell you that the set is as good or better than the pictures make you think.

I also like the pictures of sets that I cannot or most likely will not buy.  The Spanish and Romanian sets are an example for me. 

And all the pictures of the Russian sets give me the opportunity to look at all the possibilities and decide on the design I like.  Now that I have found that, when I see or hear of that style at a good price I'll buy it.

I do not think that the collectors that post their reviews with pictures and suggestions are compensated by the companies at all.  And Carl has been the only one giving Chess.com members special discounts.  Of course his products look and sound, from the testimonials of people that have bought these sets, really good.

I have never received any free sets or major discounts from my posts here.  But if a Chess vendor would want to give me something free, I sure would accept it.  No, I have bought all my sets and boards and clocks irrespective of being a poster on this forum.  And any discounts or sales I received have all come from sales and discounts that any other person could get without any special posting or testimonials on here.

I don't take offense that some guys have received free stuff, good for them actually.

I value this forum because it fulfills my like of Chess equipment.  And there are a lot worse things to be addicted to.

No, PossibleOatmeal was a name change from pawpatrol. Not a different account.

New account opened in October of this year. While it technically could still be PossibleOatmeal, it is unlikely.

Disclaimer, I know him in real life and he was in a group where I had to verify the name change. I know for a fact that the PossibleOatmeal account was a new name for the original pawpatrol account.

I enjoy looking at pics of chess pieces and learning about the history behind them. I never tire of it.

I don't understand what's this all about, but "creepy" is the word that comes to mind when I see 1500 different pictures of the same chess pieces and chess sets. Like, real creeeeepy.

Writes someone with bloody, dismembered fingers as an avatar. You're right. You don't understand what this is all about.

It's alright man, you can keep posting zillions of (the same) chess pieces pics and I can keep finding it kinda off the map, seems like a fair deal to me no?
Don't get upset about it.

Do you like this tired Fischer avatar better? Legend says someone showed him 100 Dubrovnik threads in 5 minutes, even he got "oh man no I can't"...

It's alright man even though it is creepy to come to a forum about Chess equipment and then complain that the posts have pictures of...Chess equipment.  Don't get upset about it, just quit coming to this forum.

Exactly.  If you think posters here are strange or whatever, why come here?  So you can tell them how strange they are?

I think people who blithely insult strangers on community forums are "off the map," but that's just me. 

i happen to be a long time member of a traditional shaving forum; i'm used to see tremendous amount of close-ups of badger shaving brushes, straight razors, razor blades, vintage shaving soaps and hones - from all possible angles. i love it!

further, i'm a member and contributor to a fishing reel forum; not only do we post plenty of pics of reels and fly fishing tackle, but of course of every single part from inside as well.

in addition i'm a member of a large chinese porcelain forum, and the tiny 100 x magnified details there have no end.

to this, i'm a member of multitude of other forums, each reflecting my many interests.

truth be told, i think there should be much more pics at chess.com. of all details, from all angles, in different light settings, in addition comes of course all kinds of facts and chess history: there can never be too much for a geek with real interest in a theme, so bring it on!