it's YOUR forum, so what should "I" do?

[TexasBC6]

If you want to allow them their own little forum, I have no problem with that. But I do think letting them in the free forums would cause more problems than anything. You know the saying, "give 'em an inch, they'll take a mile."

This place has always been about sharing information and learning to be a better handicapper first and foremost. The touts usually don't like to share much information or wagering strategies, but rather "SUPERSTAR LOCKS." I personally don't want anything to do with those crooks.

 

[the_fix_is_on]

MJ,
I agree with most that post 'no touts here'.
I have a friend that has been burned on more than one occasion by sports handicapping scam artists (my friend is gullible). From what I can gather, most of these so-called 'touts' are not in the business of handicapping games, they're more interested in relieving unsuspecting clients of their cash. My friend was scammed out of $6k. Like I said, he is gullible.
There may be some legit touts, but how will you know who's legit and who's not?
If you want to create another page of "tout" links, I think that would be fine. . .with a caveat - "Buyers Beware" or "Enter at Your Own Risk".

CALL ME NOW!!!!
- The Duke

 

[Skinar]

IF they want to come into the free forums then they MUST post for free, build a track record and not promote their business (like Fletcher, hoops, some others we know well), otherwise I think you should give them the boot. It won't take the denizens long to figure out who knows their business and who doesn't.

IF someone comes in and consistently violates your rules then give 'em the old boot by all means. You're not being a bad guy - you're running a great business which could be destroyed by some people with less than honorable intentions. Not ALL tout services are bad folks. But as soon as someone starts talking about 'inside info' I think I would give them the old heave ho, or as soon as they try to send people to their site. You could set up an advertisement section for these guys and take THEIR money - why not - like you do with the Sportsbooks. I doubt that many MJ regulars would visit there but you could probably make some easy money considering the enourmous number of hits your getting nowadays.

But I do think it's really important to keep the shysters out of the regular forums, it would change the tone of the site.

 

[AR182]

I agree with most here, you have a successful business now why tamper with it.If you let one post in the forum then it will be over-run by the others. If you decide to let them post at Best Bettor then you should charge them. Why let others capitalize on your hard work.
One of the reasons why I like this forum is because there is no BS from touts.

Your doing a great job, Jack. Why rock the boat.

 

[the_fix_is_on]

I just thought of something else.
If you want to see how letting 'touts' into your site looks, go to Raging Bull and go to almost any stock page. Pages are made up of hypsters and bashers trying to influence other people to buy or sell a particular stock. The site was designed for people to share information about various companies' stock but has turned into a trash and bash forum. So much bullsh*t is spewed about, it's impossible to know truth from fiction.
I think the same thing could happen here. Someone with their own agenda could try swaying peoples' opinions about games, handicappers, etc. It could open a nasty can of worms.
My last 2 cents.

DON'T CALL ME NOW!!!
- Jack Price

 

[ddubs]

yyz: Charging them would not change a thing, Jack. I would pay you $10,000 a month to advertise, if I was to get $50,000 back!

acehistr8: NO NO NO NO NO NO NO!!!!!!!!!
This site works because it is a free exchange of ideas and thoughts and insights. FVCK THESE TOUTS!

I share the same sentiments. I've stopped going to other sites completely since joining MJ's for this reason. I know it's very hard work on you weeding them out, Jack, but this is what makes this site unique and so much better than what's out there on the net.

Keep it the way it is now, pretty please.

 

[DOGS THAT BARK]

Howdy Jack
I watched all the work you and IE have put in since inception of Madjacks and evidently you have made all of the right decisions so far, so would weigh you guys personal opinions and judgements quite sound and while it is nice to ask opinions of the crew I would go with your gut feeling.

 

[ferdville]

Couldn't agree with Skinar more. "If they want to come into the free forums, then they must post for free and build a track record and not promote their business." Guys like Fletcher and KC Wolf shouldn't be put in the same class as touts. Please forgive me for not mentioning many others who may have connections to services, but don't fit into the "tout" category. I remember some guy called "The Kennedy Experience" or something like that. He came into the forums during baseball season and won his first 11 or 12 plays. Once the law of averages caught up with him and he had 3 or 4 losing days in a row, we never heard from him again.