Let the Buyer Beware !
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In reply to:
New Hodge family information source
Joy Shivar 11/29/00
NOTE: My messages for names starting with "A" and "B" all mention the word "scam"; I have changed my mind about this.
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Joy et al:
Please read my comments at the end of all this. After a few days to think about your messages, I believe you think you are doing a good thing, but you are not convincing very many people because of the obtruse way you are expressing your message.
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These are quotes from others asking Joy to explain what she is doing, and some answers from Joy herself. You be the judge.
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Quote from Mary Ellis Harper BATES # 3532: I don't see anything wrong with using GenForum to inform researchers of other sites that might be of value to them. Many, many personal genealogy web pages link to GenForum (including mine) and route traffic to GenForum. It's all part of a co-operative effort - synergism. It's certainly preferable, to me, to repeated postings here saying "please email me the URL."
From Gordon L. Weaver BATES # 3533: "Joy" recently left similar messages in many of the surname categories here on Genforum that suggest a link to specific relevant information when in fact it's just a type of "spam" advertising. I don't like the idea of someone pretending to be helpful when in fact they are just trying to drive traffic to their website that may not have any relevant information.
From "joy": I believe you are jumping to the wrong conclusion. My site offers very specific FREE information gleaned from newspapers prior to 1900 on more than 5000 surnames. There is only me inputting this stuff and trying to match it to the right people. I am trying to cover the costs of the site by selling the original newspapers, but after many thousands of dollars invested I am not yet even covering the cost of the server. I have no intention of inundating folks with e-mail, I just want them to check my information to see if they can discover a surprise. Please don't be so suspicious.
Quote from Loueen Coy from BAKER #8747: First of all, Joy, GenForum does not care if you "advertise" another site. They want people to complete their genealogy and they know they don't have all the information needed to do that. More curiously, though, if you don't have the time or wherewithal to scam those who do respond to your offer, where do you get the time to answer all the queries you get for 5000 surnames? Wouldn't it be easier and more generous to just put the name of the site out there and let others use it? Genealogy is about sharing so somehow your offer just doesn't ring true, but who knows, maybe you like answering 25-30 e-mails a day!!??
Quote: I have been to her site. It is not a total scam. Just the wording in her posts should have been a little different. She has a collection of old newspapers that she has worked hard at transcribing. The TRANSCRIPTIONS are free. If you want the real thing it costs money. She unfortunately DOES NOT have LOADS of information on all the surnames. You might find something there on your surname. She could not post the URL here because her site is commercial.
Julie Schwyhart @ BATES #3817: While Joy's posts are harmless, it leads people to believe they are in for loads of surprises. The surprise is: You may get lucky and find something and you can make a purchase too! There is nothing wrong with selling copies or original newspaper articles - JUST NOT HERE !! This is not the proper forum for that. To be honest, if she had been more honest in her postings, I probably wouldn't have paid any mind to it. I could then choose to respond based on the information that it was a business venture for her.
Joy: Your posting makes the therein referenced site appear to be a genealogical site; however, it is a commercial site where transcriptions of various old newspaper articles are shown. The originals of said articles (or copies thereof) are offered forsale. Perhaps a more accurate description of your site should be posted rather than the somewhat misleading information currently posted on this and approximately 125 other surname boards. Although your intentions are probably not to mislead, it is most likely somewhat disappointing to others who go to your site and find such scanty information for their surname.
Quote: I have come across someone doing exactly the same thing in another area. They take information that is already available FREE OF CHARGE from libraries, archives, and genealogical sources and transcribe it. There is USUALLY a fee for this service,either from the beginning, or after the first "freebie". Also, please be careful about giving all your hard-earned information to someone who might publish it later as their own. This is happening more and more these days.
May I suggest that anyone wanting more info about their ancestors should post a clear message on this or other forums, rather than responding to these kinds of lures, which are almost always going to cost you money at some point.
Joy, why not just tell people you have a clipping service from various newspapers which MIGHT be of SOME help to SOME people ? It's no big deal, and as Loueen says, GENFORUM doesn't care if you mention your site. Don't get people's hopes up; many of them posting here are desperately trying to find THE single clue about their ancestor, and it is not likely that your site will give them all the answers. But DO be 'up-front' with them and don't obscure what you have to offer. There are some people who may benefit from your information. Keep in mind that this site is NOT for commercial purposes, and people will be offended if you try to be coy about the service you are providing. Just 'tell it like it is' and, as they say, "let the buyer beware".