12-02-2007, 04:26 PM
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#1
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Registered User
Join Date: Mar 2006
Posts: 27
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Hey guys check out new V6 mustang project car (video)
http://www.nmratv.com/index.php?stre...flv&playlist=1
Check it out, we doing a full V6 mustang build. The project is sponsored by new take off.com (so it's got a little promotional stuff in there) but it's a pretty cool build.
We've already got the Xcharger on it, but I am sworn to secrecy on performance... for now
Let me know what you guys think
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12-02-2007, 04:56 PM
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#2
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is back!
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Canton, GA
Posts: 54,275
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Link doesn't work for me.
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12-03-2007, 07:31 AM
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#3
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Registered User
Join Date: Mar 2006
Posts: 27
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I checked it, seems to work OK.
go to www.nmratv.com - click playlist (red) and then go to the second video
see if that works
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02-04-2008, 11:55 AM
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#4
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Parts Specialist
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: Ames, IA
Posts: 199
Year: 1993/1995
Trans: AOD/4R70W
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02-04-2008, 12:02 PM
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#5
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is back!
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Canton, GA
Posts: 54,275
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02-04-2008, 12:15 PM
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#6
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Out of mind, Back in Five
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Upstate, NY
Posts: 1,692
Year: 2001
Trans: 5 Speed
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Thomas
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Figures as much! Good catch!
Quote:
Originally Posted by nmrajames
I checked it, seems to work OK.
go to www.nmratv.com - click playlist (red) and then go to the second video
see if that works
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You go to hell and you DIE!!!
__________________
2007 Ford Fusion SE
4cyl. 5-Speed Merlot Metallic
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02-04-2008, 12:36 PM
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#7
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(̅_̅_̅(̅_̅_̅_̅_̅_̅()ڪے
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: The big T O L
Posts: 15,343
Year: 0098
Trans: TR-5
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I saw we move this to OT and let the hounds have at it. See if we can get anonymous involved
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02-04-2008, 12:37 PM
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#8
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Rollin on GT4's
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: SoCal
Posts: 13,504
Year: 1999/95
Model: 4.6L
Trans: 4R70w
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die die die!
just had to say that before it got locked
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1999 Mustang GT
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02-04-2008, 12:42 PM
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#9
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What the deuce?
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Quincy IL
Posts: 19,164
Year: 2004
Model: Ford Explorer
Trans: 4r70w
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....
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02-04-2008, 01:18 PM
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#10
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Im yo' favorite cracka
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Ramona, CA
Posts: 8,370
Year: 2004
Model: 3.9l V6
Trans: 5 speed
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murrietta... thats almost right next to me!
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02-04-2008, 01:29 PM
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#11
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Banned
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: Toronto, Canada
Posts: 12,140
Year: 2002 V6
Trans: Manual
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I love how people Flame NMRATV and the like for posting videos..
Dumbasses...
Yah yah Viral Marketing OMG OMG .. .bahahaha
Too many newbs on the internet.
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02-04-2008, 01:58 PM
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#12
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Freakin' Wookies!!!
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Springfield,IL
Posts: 10,346
Year: 2001
Model: Deluxe vee sex
Trans: 5-Speed
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Quote:
Originally Posted by nmrajames
http://www.nmratv.com/index.php?stre...flv&playlist=1
Check it out, we doing a full V6 mustang build. The project is sponsored by new take off.com (so it's got a little promotional stuff in there) but it's a pretty cool build.
We've already got the Xcharger on it, but I am sworn to secrecy on performance... for now
Let me know what you guys think
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Get the **** out.
__________________
Trevor TOF ROVERT 2 =XBL
2001 Performance Red Mustang-5spd, K&N, Hood Scoop, Mach sound system, Fog Lights, Mac duals, and 2001 Chrome Cobra Wheels
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02-04-2008, 02:18 PM
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#13
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Take Warning
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: "I'm so smooth I got a beard on my hands." (BH)
Posts: 4,323
Year: 1998
Trans: Manual
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How in the **** is it going there James? Thank you so much for posting that swell video! Hopefully you can stay around for awhile and be an active member of this wonderful community!
__________________
Please Click Here to Donate Food to Needy Animals at No Cost
"Now I see this clearly. My whole life is pointed in one direction. There never has been a choice for me."
"Listen, you ****ers, you screwheads. Here is a man who would not take it anymore. A man who stood up against the scum, the c***s, the dogs, the filth, the ****. Here is someone who stood up." (Travis Bickle)
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02-04-2008, 03:00 PM
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#14
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I have a JDM addiction...
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: South Carolina
Posts: 10,683
Year: 1995
Model: Subaru Impreza L
Trans: Manual
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boom shockalacka
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02-05-2008, 03:31 AM
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#15
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Registered User
Join Date: Mar 2006
Posts: 27
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Hi guys, you have a PM.
We are not spammers. We are not paid to post videos. We were the group that covered the V6 Dyno Day for AutoBadges that he promoted out here in California at GTR High Performance.
http://www.3.8mustang.com/forum/show...ight=v6+nmratv
You guys have a great forum. If the mod or admins don't us to post here any longer, we will absolutely respect your wishes.
We did the V6 Dyno Day coverage and we also are building up a V6 Mustang on our show (which is why this post was started) because I thought you guys were interested since there is so little V6 builds in major magazines.
We are not paid to post these V6 videos and I'll PM the mods to see if they want us to post anymore.
Sorry for the problems.
-James
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02-05-2008, 03:42 AM
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#16
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Banned
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Tampa/St. Pete
Posts: 5,053
Year: Y2K
Trans: 4R70W-Jmod.
Timeslip: Not yet.
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02-05-2008, 03:53 AM
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#17
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Registered User
Join Date: Mar 2006
Posts: 27
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Klotz - you did read the part where I wrote that we covered the 3.8Mustang Dyno Day at GTR High performance for the members here. We covered it on NMRA TV.
I hope you didn't consider that spam? Or is it in America when someone points the long "finger" of spam at you, you are guilty 100% without being able to have a dialog.
I've got a long history in Mustang racing. I was an editor of 5.0 Mustang magazine, and the founder of the NMRA Event Series (the largest Mustang event series in the country) - you might have been to the Bradenton event we have thrown.
I am not here to hide from this but rather to discuss it.
-James
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02-05-2008, 04:11 AM
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#18
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Banned
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Tampa/St. Pete
Posts: 5,053
Year: Y2K
Trans: 4R70W-Jmod.
Timeslip: Not yet.
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You are advertising, plain and simple. Other people PAY to advertise. Plain and simple.
You need not discuss this with me, discuss it with a mod.
Welcome -- visitors from: 1320Drag.net, 3.8Mustang.com, 2005Stang.com, 67-72ChevyTrucks.com, AllisChalmers.com, BCSM.net, BradBarnett.com, BustedSpoke.com, CarJunkieForums.com, ClassicHeartbeat.com, ClubGP.com, Corral.net, CorvetteForum.com, CowtownJeeps.com, D-Series.org, DigitalCorvettes.com, DuncanMargetts.com, FBodyAddict.com, FordSix.com, FullThrottleForums.com, GMV8.org, GoDragRacing.com, GoFastZone.com, HorsepowerHeaven.com, HorsepowerJunkies.com, Hotrodders.com, JalopyJournal.com, JokeADay.com, LS1GTO.com, LuvTruck.com, M-100.cc, MachineBuilders.net, Moparts.org, Motor-Talk.de, MotorCityMarauders.com, MotownMuscle.com, MustangBlog.com, MustangForums.com, MustangHeaven.com, NastyZ28.com, NSRA.org.uk, Pro-Touring.com, PRWatch.org, PurposeBuilt.org, RX7Club.com, ScreamAndFly.com, SmallBlockPosse.com, SN95Forums.com, StreetCarChaos.net, ThirdGen.org, TractorSport.com, TurboBuick.com, TurboBuicks.com, TwinCityOutlaws.com, V6Power.net, V8Buick.com, VADriven.com, Vintage-Mustang.com, WebRodder.com, YellowBullet.com, ZR2USA.com .
For a list of sites that have banned PowerTV, click here.PowerTV
Many forums have recently been witnessing the arrival of a group of members working for a new company in the automotive industry: PowerTV.
These new forum members (going by the names of powermelissa, powerjon, poweramanda, powerscott, and nmrajames) post links to "videos" that were produced by PowerTV. The videos prominently feature the vehicles and parts of some of the largest companies in the automotive industry: General Motors, Holley, Comp Cams, Dynomax, and many others.
Shortly after the appearance of the new PowerTV forum members, forum administrators began receiving bulk emails encouraging them to sign up for PowerTV's free "video sharing technology", and to start their very own free PowerTV "channel".
When posting publicly on forums, PowerTV has portrayed itself as a "video production company", an "enthusiast video network", and a company that "partners with forums" so that they can have "their very own video player".
The truth is more accurately described by Lloyd Hunt, an Account Executive for PowerTV. On his MySpace page, Lloyd says:
"I work for powerTV Media. We are a online viral video marketing company that focuses on the automotive market."-- Lloyd Hunt, Account Executive for PowerTV, as stated on his MySpace page. 01/16 -- UPDATE: the above quote has been deleted from Lloyd Hunt's MySpace page. The original page had been saved by SpankMyMarketer.com prior to publication, and is now viewable in cache.
An "online viral video marketing company" is a company that produces videos for clients, and then promotes the videos for them online, using viral marketing tactics. Viral marketing is a set of marketing practices that capitalize on social networks to "encourage" people to involuntarily pass along a marketing promotion, such that it replicates and spreads "virally" -- analogous to a biological virus. The term "viral marketing" is often used as an attempt to legitimize the stealth nature of the tactics involved.
Of course, web-savvy people understand that "online viral video marketing company" is essentially a euphemism for "spammer".
Lloyd Hunt, as pictured in a PowerTV company photo, and in his MySpace profile photograph.
PowerTV employees initiate their promotions by registering on forums, and posting "videos" that they made. They never reveal that the videos are actually promotional advertisements, being paid for by the parts companies. And, they don't offer to pay for any forum advertising, instead describing their promotional videos as "news" or "event coverage". Then, PowerTV spams the forum admins by email, explaining that they can "enable" forums to have video-sharing "technology", and that, with PowerTV's help, the forums can create their very own video-sharing "channel".
The reality is that automotive companies pay PowerTV to produce and market their promotional videos, using a variety of unethical and illegal tactics. PowerTV's "video sharing technology" that "enables" forums to have "their very own video channel" (YouTube offers the exact same thing) provides a further opportunity for PowerTV to generate views for their clients' promotional videos and banner ads.
PowerTV was first exposed in this discussion on the Hotrodders.com forums, and has continued to be called out on many other automotive forums.
Who's working for PowerTV?
So far, SpankMyMarketer.com has identified three main stealth marketers for PowerTV, and two secondary spammers. They are using the following usernames: powermelissa, powerjon, powerscott, poweramanda, and nmrajames.
Here's a name-by-name breakdown, with links to their presence on each forum. In most cases, we've used a link to their public user profile. However, when user profiles are not visible to unregistered forum members, we've substituted a link to a discussion that involves them. We didn't assume every instance of these usernames to be connected to PowerTV, and are only publishing the verified ones below -- it's usually easiest to identify them by their posting of PowerTV videos, or their placement of a PowerTV url in their forum member profiles. We don't yet know if each person is using just one username, or, (as we suspect) some of the usernames are being used by various PowerTV marketers and/or automated forum posting software.
We're roughly estimating that our research here represents about 1/4 to 1/3 of the total, as this is just what we could locate in Google over the past week.
- nmrajames
James Lawrence, the CEO of PowerTV. James has previously worked for Primedia, the company that owned most large automotive enthusiast magazines. James established PowerTV as a sister company to his existing company, ProMedia Publishing & Events. The photograph below was found on James's MySpace page, where he had selected it as his public MySpace profile photograph. 01/31 -- UPDATE: The photograph has been removed from James Lawrence's MySpace page. The original page is now viewable in Google's cache.
1969Stang.com, 2005Stang.com, 3.8Mustang.com, 502StreetScene.net, 50Tech.com, AllFordMustangs.com, AutomotiveForums.com, BradBarnett.com, CVSR.net, CaliforniaSpecial.com, Camaro5.com, CamaroZ28.com, CarForums.com, Club3G.com, CorvetteForum.com, DFWStangs.net, FastLSX.com, FocalJet.com, FordMuscle.com, FunFordEvents.com, GTOForum.com, GoDragRacing.com, GoFastZone.com, GotStang.com, JPCRacing.com, KYFBodies.org, LS1GTO.com, LincolnForums.com, LincolnVsCadillac.com, MFBA.org, Mach1Mustang.org, MarkVIII.org, ModdedMustangs.com, ModularDepot.com, ModularFords.com, MotownMuscle.com, MustangBoards.com, MustangEvolution.com, MustangHeaven.com, MustangMafia.com, MustangsAndMore.com, MyFordFreestyle.com, NLOC.net, NastyZ28.com, NewAgeGTO.com, ProModSource.com, RangerPowersports.com, RevXtreme.com, SCCOA.com, SEMBMuscleCarClub.com, SVTSnake.com, ShelbyForums.com, SoCalHorsepower.com, SpeedSoutheast.com, StangCrazy.com, StangNet.com, StangSource.com, StreetCarForums.com, StreetFire.net, ThirdGen.org, Thunderbirds.org, TransAmTech.com, TurboBuick.com, UltimateCarPage.com, V8Buick.com, Z06Vette.com.
Make your own parody comics of James with SpankMyMarketer.com's automated parody-creation tool: The SpankMaker.
- powermelissa
Melissa Lawrence, the wife (or possibly fiancé) of James Lawrence, the CEO of PowerTV. "powermelissa" describes herself as a "big-time car girl" before subtly promoting various advertisers. More details on powermelissa are available in this discussion on the Hotrodders.com forums.
1320Drag.net, 1969Stang.com, 2005Stang.com, 240SXForums.com, 3.8Mustang.com, 50Tech.com, 5thGen.org, AFBForums.com, AllFordMustangs.com, BStuff.com, BlueOvalForums.com, BradBarnett.com, C5Forum.com, CaddyInfo.com, CaliforniaFords.com, CaliforniaSpecial.com, Camaros.net, CamaroV6.com, CarbdFord.com, CorvetteForum.com, CustomMagnums.com, DFWStangs.net, EverythingDuners.com, EvoTuners.net, F-BodyHideout.com, FastLSX.com, FQuick.com, Ford-Forums.com, FordForum.com, FordFusionForum.com, FordTaurus.net, GMV8.org, GTCars.ca, GTOForum.com, GirlsCanToo.com, GoDragRacing.com, GotStang.com, Hotrod.com, KYFBodies.org, KappaMotorsport.com, LS1GTO.com, LS1LT1.com, LS1Tech.com, LVFBody.com, LincolnForums.com, LincolnVsCadillac.com, MCRParts.com, MFBA.org, Mach1Mustang.com, ModdedMustangs.com, ModularDepot.com, ModularFords.com, MonteCarloForum.com, MoparChat.com, MotownMuscle.com, MuscularMustangs.com, Mustang-Forums.com, Mustang.com, MustangBoards.com, MustangForums.com, MustangHeaven.com, MustangMafia.com, MyFordFreestyle.com, NewAgeGTO.com, Off-Road.com, RacingSouthwest.com, RegalGS.org, SCCOA.com, SEMBMuscleCarClub.com, STLMustangs.com, SVTSnake.com, SportsCarForums.com, StangCrazy.com, StangSource.com, StreetCarChaos.net, StreetCarForums.com, SuperMotors.net, T6P.com, TampaRacing.com, ThirdGen.org, TorqueCentral.com, TundraSolutions.com, TurboBuick.com, UndergroundRacing.com, V8Buick.com, VADriven.com, VintageThunderbirdClub.org, WRXTuners.com, WS6ZXR.com, YarisWorld.com, YellowBullet.com, YourCobalt.com, Z06Vette.com, Z28.com.
Make your own parody comics of Melissa with SpankMyMarketer.com's automated parody-creation tool: The SpankMaker.
- powerjon
Jon Nguyen, a 21-year old stealth marketer working for PowerTV. powerjon focuses on the sport compact and "drifting" forums. Depending on which forum he's posting, powerjon claims a different vehicle as his own. For example, in his member profile on GMV8.org, powerjon lists his 2006 Pontiac GTO. On DSMTuners.com, powerjon lists his '91 Talon TSi AWD. On NoPistons.com, powerjon lists his 1990 Nissan 240SX. On SuperStallions.com, powerjon claims to own a 1990 Ford Focus (Ford Focuses weren't manufactured until 2000). On ToyotaOwnersClub.com, he lists his Corolla. And, on BMW sites like BimmerFest.com, powerjon adds his 1989 BMW 325is E30 to the list.
240SXForums.com, AFBForums.com, AllFordMustangs.com, BimmerFest.com, BimmerForums.com, BlueOvalForums.com, BoostCruising.com, BradBarnett.com, CamaroForums.com, CamryForums.com, CarbdFord.com, ChicagoSVT.com, ClubCivic.com, CorvetteActionCenter.com, CorvetteForum.com, CrazySpeed.com, DailyDrifter.com, DragCoverage.com, Drift.com, DriftCentral.com, EasternFBody.com, F-BodyHideout.com, FBody.us, FastLSX.com, FordF150.net, FullSizeBronco.com, GM-Diesel.com, GTCars.ca, GTOForum.com, GotStang.com, HPTuners.com, HorsepowerJunkies.com, KYFBodies.org, LS-X.org, LS1GTO.com, LS1Tech.com, LVFBody.com, MFBA.org, Mach-1.org, Mach1Mustang.org, MaconRacers.org, ModdedMustangs.com, ModularDepot.com, ModularFords.com, MotownMuscle.com, Mustang-Forums.com, Mustang.com, MustangBoards.com, MustangForums.com, MustangHeaven.com, My350Z.com, NLOC.net, NOPIForums.com, NastyZ28.com, NewAgeGTO.com, NoPistons.com, ProModSource.com, ProjectCamaro.com, RX7Club.com, RacingSouthwest.com, SFLDrifters.com, SVTPerformance.com, Scoobynet.com, StangCrazy.com, StreetCarForums.com, SubDriven.com, SuperStallions.com, SupraForums.com, TampaRacing.com, TideWaterRacing.com, ToyotaOwnersClub.com, TransAmTech.com, WildHorsesClub.com, YellowBullet.com, Z06Vette.com, Z28.com.
- poweramanda
Everything2Stroke.com, EverythingDuners.com EverythingMX.com, ExplorerForum.com, MudAndDirt.com, Off-Road.com, RockCrawlersDigest.com, SoCaps.com, TundraSolutions.com
- powerscott
ATVFanatics.com, AudiForums.com, BNZSport.com, DezertRangers.com, DRIForum.com, DumontDuneRiders.com, EverythingDuners.com, EvolutionForums.com, HondaSociety.com, S2000.com, SuperHonda.com, SSRFanatic.com, TruckTrend.com.
- unconfirmed
In addition, the following forums appear to have PowerTV presence, but either their postings have already been deleted, or there's not enough evidence to be 100% certain that it's PowerTV's marketers (for example, the forum may have all of the "power" usernames listed as members, but none has yet made a post).
350ZMotoring.com, 500Ecstasy.com, 6MT.net, 6SpeedOnline.com, ATVOutdoors.net, AudiPortal.com, BadAssMustangs.com, Bimmer.info, BimmerWerkz.com, CA-Mustangs.com, ChevyHHR.com, DSM.org, DieselPlace.com, DirtRidersInternational.com, EverythingDiesels.com, Ford-Trucks.com, GMHummer.com, GMTruckClub.com, HondaSwap.com, HotBimmer.net, Kia-Forums.com, LS1.com, MP3Car.com, MaxBimmer.com, NWStreetRacing.com, NewBeetle.org, RS246.com, TeamCamaro.com, TeamFC3s.org, TruckForum.org, UnitedStangs.com.
What companies are paying PowerTV to do promotions for them?
The following companies pay PowerTV to promote their products through viral video marketing (this is not a complete list): BMR Fabrication, Comp Cams, Dynomax, General Motors, Holley, Livernois Motorsports, Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA), Turbonetics, Vortech Superchargers, Wheel to Wheel Powertrain. Below are some example promotions.
- General Motors
General Motors pays PowerTV to do promotions for them, specifically in connection with their new LSX engine. Members on BlueOvalForums.com pointed out that Jamie Meyer, the "Product Integration Manager" for General Motors, is also listed as a "Creative Contributor" on the PowerTV staff. Some examples of viral marketing videos that PowerTV has made for General Motors:
LSX "Build": 1320Drag.net, 1969Stang.com, 2005Stang.com, 50Tech.com, AllFordMustangs.com, BlueOvalForums.com, CaliforniaSpecial.com, CamaroForums.com, Camaros.net, CorvetteActionCenter.com, FastLSX.com, Ford-Forums.com, FordForum.com, FordFusionForum.com, FordTaurus.net, GMV8.org, GoDragRacing.com, HPTuners.com, LVFBody.com, LincolnForums.com, MFBA.org, Mach-1.org, Mach1Mustang.com, ModdedMustangs.com, ModularDepot.com, ModularFords.com, MotownMuscle.com, MuscularMustangs.com, Mustang-Forums.com, Mustang.com, MustangBoards.com, MustangForums.com, MustangHeaven.com, MyFordFreestyle.com, NewAgeGTO.com, ProModSource.com, RevXtreme.com, SCCOA.com, SoCalHorsepower.com, SpeedSoutheast.com, StangCrazy.com, StangSource.com, StangNet.com, StreetCarForums.com, SuperMotors.net, Thunderbirds.org, TorqueCentral.com, UndergroundRacing.com, VADriven.com, WS6ZXR.com, YellowBullet.com. (This one was so widespread, a user on LVFBody.com asked: "Is there a car website in the known universe that you didn't spam this on?").
LSX Shootout: Austin-F-Body.org, F-BodyHideout.com, GoDragRacing.com, KYFBodies.org, LS1LT1.com, MFBA.org, NewAgeGTO.com, ProjectCamaro.com, ThirdGen.org, WS6ZXR.com, Z28.com.
"Wicked Crazy" LSX: Austin-F-Body.org, GTOForum.com, KYFBodies.org, MFBA.org, TransAmTech.com, WS6ZXR.com, Z28.com.
- SEMA, the Specialty Equipment Market Association
SEMA, the Specialty Equipment Market Association, is a marketing group made up of thousands of aftermarket parts companies. In these promotions, PowerTV advertises the annual SEMA Show. SEMA has previously been featured on SpankMyMarketer.com, for their involvement in the failed Spank My Monkey promotion. Some examples of viral marketing videos that PowerTV has made to promote SEMA:
SEMA 2006: 2005Stang.com, 50Tech.com, AllFordMustangs.com, BradBarnett.com, CarbdFord.com, DFWStangs.net, GotStang.com, Mach1Mustang.org, ModdedMustangs.com, ModularDepot.com, MotownMuscle.com, Mustang-Forums.com, Mustang.com, MustangBoards.com, MustangForums.com, MustangHeaven.com, RevXtreme.com, SVTSnake.com, StangCrazy.com, StangSource.com, StreetCarForums.com.
SEMA 2007: 2005Stang.com, 50Tech.com, AllFordMustangs.com, BlueOvalForums.com, CamaroV6.com, CarbdFord.com, DragCoverage.com, F-BodyHideout.com, Ford-Forums.com, GTOForum.com, GoDragRacing.com, GotStang.com, HPTuners.com, HorsepowerJunkies.com, KYFBodies.org, LVFBody.com, MFBA.org, Mach1Mustang.com, MaconRacers.org, ModdedMustangs.com, ModularDepot.com, MustangBoards.com, MustangForums.com, MustangHeaven.com, NewAgeGTO.com, RacingSouthwest.com, RevXtreme.com, SpeedSoutheast.com, StangCrazy.com, StangSource.com, StreetCarForums.com, SuperMotors.net, TorqueCentral.com, WS6ZXR.com, WildHorsesClub.com.
- Dynomax
powermelissa starts off this promotion by saying: "Did you guys hear about Dynomax's new event series?" When SpankMyMarketer.com tried to resolve this with Tenneco, the parent company of Dynomax, Tenneco tried to hide behind three different corporate lawyers. For the full story, see: A Tale of Three Lawyers. Some examples of viral marketing videos that PowerTV has made for Dynomax:
Dynomax Event Series: 1969Stang.com, 50Tech.com, AllFordMustangs.com, GoDragRacing.com, GotStang.com, Mach1Mustang.com, ModdedMustangs.com, ModularDepot.com, MoparChat.com, MotownMuscle.com, Mustang-Forums.com, MustangForums.com, MustangHeaven.com, RacingSouthwest.com, StangCrazy.com, StangSource.com, StreetCarForums.com, TorqueCentral.com, VADriven.com, VintageThunderbirdClub.org.
Are PowerTV's marketing tactics really illegal?
On most forums, users must agree to the forum's Terms of Service before registering. This is typically done by checking the "I Agree" checkbox before proceeding with the forum registration. This constitutes a legally binding contract, commonly referred to as a "clickwrap" agreement (you often have to go through a similar process when installing software on your computer). In most cases that have challenged clickwrap agreements, the terms of the contract have been upheld, and the contract has been considered legally binding. For more basic information, see the Wikipedia pages on Terms of service and Clickwrap. For a list of relevant cases, see: Contracts: Click Wrap Licenses -- Internet Law Treatise and Click-Wrap Agreement -- Internet Library of Law and Court Decisions.
Many forums have Terms of Service that explicitly prohibit the posting of commercial content, especially by those who have refused to pay for paid forum advertising. Despite this, PowerTV has been aggressively posting their commercial content on forums, in flagrant violation of many forums' Terms of Service.
Realistically, users "break" forums' Terms of Service frequently. It's usually not a big deal -- admins try to deal with it quietly and reasonably.
For many people, including us, the greatest issue is not that PowerTV was technically in violation of the law (plenty of automotive forum members don't drive 5 miles without "technically" violating the law ). And, while their refusal to pay for advertising insulted a lot of admins, it wasn't a big deal on Hotrodders.com (we don't allow any advertising on our forums, not even paid advertising).
The real problem here is that PowerTV was attempting to take advantage of countless forum members and administrators.
One of the larger companies involved in the PowerTV marketing scam was Tenneco, a $4.7 billion dollar automotive parts manufacturing company (Tenneco is the parent company of Dynomax, Rancho, Walker, and many other automotive parts brands). SpankMyMarketer.com contacted Tenneco many times about PowerTV's activities. Each time, they tried to hide behind a different lawyer. Their general counsel (the chief lawyer in a corporation) and their internal legal department were both unable to provide a satisfactory explanation, and thought that they could simply "remove" the stealth postings from all of the forums, effectively covering their tracks. Finally, they hired an external law firm specializing in Internet law. Through this law firm, Tenneco told us, in writing, that they had instructed PowerTV to stop violating forums' Terms of Service, and to clearly communicate the fact that PowerTV posts involving their products were actually advertisements. However, Tenneco still refused to stop funding the PowerTV promotions. (For more information, see: A Tale of Three Lawyers.)
We've been communicating by private phone calls, email, and conference calls with the involved companies and their legal departments. We've also notified the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), and we expect further legal action to take place.
What forums have banned PowerTV?
Many forums have responded by banning the various PowerTV usernames. On some forums, when a member is banned, the word "Banned" is displayed alongside the banned member's username. By Googling for the various PowerTV usernames and the word "Banned", it was possible to locate a few examples of forums on which they've already been banned. At the links below, you can see discussions about banned PowerTV marketers, or user profiles in which the word "Banned" appears under their usernames, indicating their banning from that particular forum.powerjon and nmrajames banned on 67-72ChevyTrucks.com, powermelissa banned on DigitalCorvettes.com, powermelissa banned on DFWStangs.net, powermelissa banned on GTCars.ca, nmrajames banned on LS1GTO.com, powermelissa banned on LS1GTO.com, nmrajames banned on MFBA.org, powerjon banned on MFBA.org, powermelissa banned on MFBA.org, powerjon banned on MustangHeaven.com, powermelissa banned on MustangHeaven.com, powermelissa banned on NastyZ28.com, powermelissa banned on SEMBMuscleCarClub.com, powerjon banned on StangNet.com, powermelissa banned on StangNet.com, nmrajames banned on StreetFire.net, powerjon banned on SVTPerformance.com, powerjon banned on TampaRacing.com, powermelissa banned on TampaRacing.com, powermelissa banned on VADriven.com, powermelissa banned on YarisWorld.com.
What forums have publicly called out PowerTV?
Some forums are holding private, members-only discussions about this (we only know this because we can see the referrals in our traffic logs). Our policy is to only link to discussions that are publicly available for all to see, without registration. Here's a list of publicly-available forum discussions in which PowerTV or their sponsors are called out as spammers or stealth marketers:1320Drag.net, 3.8Mustang.com, 67-72ChevyTrucks.com, AllisChalmers.com, BlueOvalForums.com, BradBarnett.com, Camaros.net, CarJunkieForums.com, ClubGP.com, CorvetteForum.com, D-Series.org, DigitalCorvettes.com, FBodyAddict.com, FordSix.com, FullThrottleForums.com, GMV8.org, GoDragRacing.com, GoFastZone.com, GTCars.ca, HorsepowerJunkies.com, LS1GTO.com, LUVTruck.com, LVFBody.com, M-100.cc, MachineBuilders.net, ModdedMustangs.com, Moparts.org, Motor-Talk.de, MotorCityMarauders.com, MotownMuscle.com, MustangForums.com, MustangHeaven.com, NastyZ28.com, NSRA.org.uk, Pro-Touring.com, PurposeBuilt.org, RX7Club.com, ScreamAndFly.com, SEMBMuscleCarClub.com, SmallBlockPosse.com, SportsCarForums.com, StreetCarChaos.net, ThirdGen.org, TractorSport.com, TurboBuick.com, TurboBuicks.com, V6Power.net, V8Buick.com, VADriven.com, WebRodder.com, YellowBullet.com, ZR2USA.com. (If your forum has publicly called out PowerTV, please let us know through our feedback form, and we'll add your site to the list. Or, feel free to post your forum url in the original PowerTV discussion on the Hotrodders.com forums.)
On Wikipedia, powermelissa attempted to write an "article" about PowerTV. Wikipedia administrators quickly deleted it, saying that "the article seems to be blatant advertising which only promotes a company". Further details are available on powermelissa's Wikipedia profile page.
In addition, the Center for Media and Democracy has exposed PowerTV's promotion in their Spin of the Day section. The Center for Media and Democracy is a nonprofit group dedicated to "investigating and exposing public relations spin and propaganda".
We caught PowerTV on our forum. Any suggestions?
Obviously, it's up to each forum's administration to do as they see fit. Various forums are handling this situation differently, according to their established protocol or preferences. Some are deleting, some are banning, some are editing. Some are doing this in private discussions, some are calling out PowerTV publicly.
Our best suggestion is to edit the urls out of all PowerTV posts. Although this may not be practical for forums with many PowerTV posts, it has the advantage of rendering the advertisements largely useless, while freeing you from the onus of deleting posts. From there, it's your decision to ban or not ban, in accordance with your general policy, and in consideration of the specific posts that PowerTV made on your forum.
When posting about this, most forums have chosen to do so publicly. However, depending on your preference, you may opt for a members-only discussion, or a moderators-only discussion.
That's pretty much it. When the number of forums that have exposed the stealth promotion exceeds the number of forums that have been exposed to the stealth promotion, the campaign will likely be rendered ineffective, and the promotion will "reverse" back on itself.
If you're interested in "enabling" your users to have video-uploading "technology" , YouTube may likely still be your best bet. They have the same "channel" capabilities that PowerTV is offering, plus they're owned by Google, so you have less to worry about in regard to ethics. If you're looking for more of a DIY solution, you might like the free FLV PLayer, which we use here on SpankMyMarketer.com -- it supports playlists, a variety of streams, and, like YouTube, has a revenue-sharing advertising option. Beyond that, just ask around at a large forum for admins, and see what everyone has to say.
We heard that SpankMyMarketer.com is run by crazy people who hate all companies. Is that true?
You most likely read PowerTV's "explanation" of these events. James Lawrence, the CEO of PowerTV, has been making the rounds trying to do damage control. Rather than addressing the facts of this situation, and trying to work toward an understanding with the online automotive enthusiast community, James has chosen to make personal attacks against the administration of Hotrodders.com and SpankMyMarketer.com. James says that we "hate companies", and even compares us to "the anti-abortion radical movement that went so far as to start murdering doctors." James's defense post has been variously placed on certain forums, often resulting in its deletion, or James's banning from that particular forum.
After James's damage-control post was deleted from a few forums, he posted it in a discussion on the official PowerTV forums. The entire "discussion" consists of three posts, all authored by James. After James's third post, the discussion was locked by James.
Once again, James's damage-control post can be viewed here: PowerTVOnline.com forum post. And, our reply is here: Hotrodders.com reply.
Despite James's allegations, SpankMyMarketer.com is well known for meticulous research, non-profit motivation, and high ethical standards. We don't "hate all companies", and, believe it or not, we've never murdered a single doctor .
Actually, SpankMyMarketer.com has been covered in the press, defended by free speech lawyers, and even studied in Harvard Law School.
Why are you guys making such a big deal out of this?
SpankMyMarketer.com routinely monitors the stealth marketing activities of several key elements of the automotive industry, and intervenes when necessary. In most cases, we are able to resolve situations with extended private communication. Occasionally, these discreet methods fail to bring about a resolution -- talks break down, companies hide behind public relations firms, and corporations send in lawyer after lawyer in a vain attempt to defend their actions.
In this situation, we spoke with many of the involved companies in an effort to get them to stop funding the PowerTV promotions. It didn't work. Nobody apologized, nobody tried to make good on what had happened, and nobody stopped paying for the PowerTV campaigns. So, after numerous failed attempts to resolve this through private emails and phone calls, we took this situation to the public, the press, and the federal government.
PowerTV's executives are the same people behind the automotive mags and the TV shows. James Lawrence, the CEO of PowerTV, and Mike Acosta, the Sales Director, have both worked for Primedia, the company that once owned most large automotive enthusiast magazines. James also admits that PowerTV uses "the same network TV model to run our show as does HorsepowerTV, Two Guys Garage, Pimp My Ride, etc."
These days, most car enthusiasts are savvy enough to understand that the mags publish content primarily to satisfy advertisers, and that the TV shows are written for the advertisers, a process known as advertiser-funded programming (note how the producers of HorsepowerTV attract advertisers by telling them that they will "tailor show content to benefit your bottom line!").
These are common examples of how automotive knowledge and culture have been sacrificed for financial gain. We see PowerTV's campaign as an attempt to do the same thing to automotive forums, by using deceptive tactics to take advantage of hundreds of forum administrators, and millions of forum members.
Automotive forums are places for people to share their thoughts, ideas, and friendships. Many of the larger parts companies seem to have a "Pimp My Forum" attitude, and we think that it's well worth the time and the effort to stand up to them.
Methodology
After Hotrodders.com was repeatedly spammed by PowerTV (email spams and forum posting spams), we Googled for "powermelissa" and uncovered the campaign. When private communication with James Lawrence ended in personal attacks, we exposed the campaign in this discussion on the Hotrodders.com forums. From there, we searched Google for other PowerTV usernames and PowerTV urls, detecting their presence on numerous forums. We also found the official PowerTV MySpace page, which led to various PowerTV employee MySpace pages.
The photo of Melissa Lawrence is a still image from a PowerTV promotional video. The photos of James Lawrence, Lloyd Hunt, and Jon Nguyen are their public MySpace profile photographs. On January 16th, 2007, Lloyd Hunt's MySpace page was altered to remove the part where he says: "I work for powerTV Media. We are a online viral video marketing company that focuses on the automotive market." The page is still viewable in SpankMyMarketer.com's cache.
On sites that allowed public searching of their forum archives by non-registered members, we also researched PowerTV posts. However, if access to the search function required registration on that forum, we didn't register. If PowerTV-related discussions were members-only, we didn't pursue them, as we didn't want to register with the sole purpose of reading members-only discussions.
Prior to publication, every link referenced on this page was saved in SpankMyMarketer.com's cache.
We've already privately emailed 72 of the affected sites, with individually-written emails detailing the specific PowerTV presence on their forums.
Feel free to comment on this issue, either privately through our feedback form, or publicly on our forums.
SpammerTV logo designed by lowROLLERchevy. Home • About • The Full Story • Media • Spank My Monkey Photo • PowerTV • Tenneco • Anti-Christ of the Hot Rod World Video • Richard Rawlings • Corky Coker • David Coker • SEMA • The Learning Channel • The Bullrun • Dodgy Monkey Media • Is that Fake Rust? • It Looks Like... • Sponsors • Comic Gallery • The SpankMaker • Parody and the Law • Legal Action • How You Can Help • Marketing Suggestions • Submit a Marketer • Feedback
Last edited by klotzstang; 02-05-2008 at 04:25 AM.
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02-05-2008, 04:23 AM
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#19
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Registered User
Join Date: Mar 2006
Posts: 27
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Quote:
Originally Posted by klotzstang
You are advertising, plain and simple. Other people PAY to advertise. Plain and simple.
You need not discuss this with me, discuss it with a mod.
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Klotz:
In the last year, all we have ever posted are Mustang racing videos, plus the GTR V6 Dyno Day, plus a V6 Project Build.
How is this advertising a company for FREE? None of these videos are commercial. I guess you could say the V6 project build is MAYBE because it's new take off's parts, but that's a stretch.
I'll leave it up to the mods and owners to decide, but I'm curious, is your take from reading the Hotrodders.com web site or looking at these videos?
James
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02-05-2008, 04:44 AM
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#20
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Banned
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Tampa/St. Pete
Posts: 5,053
Year: Y2K
Trans: 4R70W-Jmod.
Timeslip: Not yet.
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Oh wow, all day flamming, and me with an honest job to go to.
There are several sources indicating the methods you use.
Why don't you just register as a official trader or sponser, it saves time and band width.
I'm sure a mod will happen upon this thread. He can further explain the rules concerning selling and ADVERTISING on 3.8. I have to go to work.
Have a nice day.
PS... The more you push your point, the more you prove mine.
Bye, now.
Last edited by klotzstang; 02-05-2008 at 04:47 AM.
Reason: PS...
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02-05-2008, 04:53 AM
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#21
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Registered User
Join Date: Mar 2006
Posts: 27
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Quote:
Originally Posted by klotzstang
Oh wow, all day flamming, and me with an honest job to go to.
There are several sources indicating the methods you use.
Why don't you just register as a official trader or sponser, it saves time and band width.
I'm sure a mod will happen upon this thread. He can further explain the rules concerning selling and ADVERTISING on 3.8. I have to go to work.
Have a nice day.
PS... The more you push your point, the more you prove mine.
Bye, now.
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I am not pushing my point by trying to tell you that hotrodders.com is incorrect and we are not paid to post on forums. You are free to believe me or not. You choose to believe Jonathan, and that's fine. No worries. I can only tell the truth.
As I already stated, we made mistakes by posting on different forums without being involved in the community. I'm not running and hiding from that. But at the same time, I also have a right to tell the truth and not have our videos defamed as paid spam.
Do you agree with that?
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02-05-2008, 05:09 AM
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#22
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Banned
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Tampa/St. Pete
Posts: 5,053
Year: Y2K
Trans: 4R70W-Jmod.
Timeslip: Not yet.
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Quote:
Originally Posted by nmrajames
I am not pushing my point by trying to tell you that hotrodders.com is incorrect and we are not paid to post on forums. You are free to believe me or not. You choose to believe Jonathan, and that's fine. No worries. I can only tell the truth.
As I already stated, we made mistakes by posting on different forums without being involved in the community. I'm not running and hiding from that. But at the same time, I also have a right to tell the truth and not have our videos defamed as paid spam.
Do you agree with that?
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Only if you were a registered vender, like the ones listed on the bottom of the main page. Otherwise, you are getting free advertising that those others PAY for.
It is just like stealing. And you are stealing my time, I have a job to go to in a few minutes.
If niether of us gets the ban hammer by 6:30 EST, I will be back. But fair is fair, and if you intend to sell here, register as a trader, it is clearly written out in the TOS.
Bye, now!
- For Sale Board / Advertising rules: Advertising and Spamming are absolutely NOT allowed at 3.8mustang.com. The classified boards exist for private, one-time transactions between members of this site. Please try to limit for-sale items to Mustang-related goods. Electronics, etc. are occasionally allowed at the discretion of the moderator. Repeated classified postings by businesses or individuals that do not have an advertising agreement with 3.8mustang.com is strictly prohibited. This site is able to exist due to the revenue generated by our paying sponsors. If you have found this site a useful resource we encourage you to support our carefully screened site sponsors. Site sponsors have demonstrated an exceptional track record for customer service. Businesses or individuals interested in advertising on 3.8 should email inquiries to mailto:advertising@3.8mustang.com
- Sponsor Forums- Each site sponsor has a customer service forum available for you to use. If you have issues with a sponsor or would like to provide feedback on a transaction, you are encouraged to use this forum.
Last edited by klotzstang; 02-05-2008 at 05:12 AM.
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02-05-2008, 05:19 AM
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#23
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Registered User
Join Date: Mar 2006
Posts: 27
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Quote:
Originally Posted by klotzstang
If niether of us gets the ban hammer by 6:30 EST, I will be back. But fair is fair, and if you intend to sell here, register as a trader, it is clearly written out in the TOS.
Bye, now!
- For Sale Board / Advertising rules: Advertising and Spamming are absolutely NOT allowed at 3.8mustang.com. The classified boards exist for private, one-time transactions between members of this site. Please try to limit for-sale items to Mustang-related goods. Electronics, etc. are occasionally allowed at the discretion of the moderator. Repeated classified postings by businesses or individuals that do not have an advertising agreement with 3.8mustang.com is strictly prohibited. This site is able to exist due to the revenue generated by our paying sponsors. If you have found this site a useful resource we encourage you to support our carefully screened site sponsors. Site sponsors have demonstrated an exceptional track record for customer service. Businesses or individuals interested in advertising on 3.8 should email inquiries to mailto:advertising@3.8mustang.com
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This is the mod's site. Whatever rules they feel should govern the video section are OK by us. Those rules listed say Classifieds, but maybe they apply. We'll follow the rules and I'll contact the admins.
I appreciate your feedback and I appreciate your treating me like a human being. Honestly.
-James
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02-05-2008, 07:03 AM
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#24
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Official 3.8 Sponsor
Join Date: Dec 2001
Location: Location: Location:
Posts: 24,825
Year: 1995
Model: Vortech'd V6 ShowStang
Trans: 5 Speed > Auto
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Well I haven't read the entire thing but I will step in and say they did cover the V6 Dyno Day that AutoBadges and GTR High Performance through last year in 07. They did a fantastic job, no charge, no nothing. They just came out to cover the event and the feature looks amazing. NOT sure what all this scamming is about, but I have never received ANY sort of spam from this company...only great things.
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02-05-2008, 07:08 AM
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#25
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Twin Turbo trainwreck
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Orlando, FL
Posts: 15,044
Year: 1999
Trans: T-5
Timeslip: 12.64@106.95
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02-05-2008, 07:13 AM
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#26
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`
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Florida
Posts: 14,365
Year: '99
Model: Honda Accord
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drama llama...
and lol @ klotz getting so involved
__________________

'99 Honda Accord 3.0L V6
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02-05-2008, 07:16 AM
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#27
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She's just bein Miley
Join Date: May 2003
Location: Jacksonville, FL
Posts: 27,372
Year: 1992
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There are much lulz to be had here.
__________________
Quote:
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Originally Posted by Alen
I dont know I cant be rude......its not my nature raising up with listening at Michael Jackson and learning trough his songs the language and afterwards seeing what type of person he was...Im not like that but showed alot similiaritys...I just cant be bad..only controlled in the ring or something....
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02-05-2008, 07:44 AM
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#28
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Struttin' that ***
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: San Diego (619)
Posts: 23,378
Year: 2001
Model: 5.4L Mustang 'GT'
Trans: 5spd.
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walnuts anyone? im going to the store to prep for festivities to be had in here
__________________
2001 Mustang GT: Forged 5.4 H/C/I, Shorties, O/R-X, Bassani Catback, IRS, Coilovers, and much much more...

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02-05-2008, 08:30 AM
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#29
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SAY MY NAME!
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: North Port
Posts: 316
Year: 1999
Trans: Manual
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Quote:
Originally Posted by domin8stang
walnuts anyone? im going to the store to prep for festivities to be had in here
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Make sure to buy me some, I ran out of potato chips while reading this
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02-05-2008, 08:31 AM
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#30
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Gator Bait!
Join Date: May 2003
Location: Gainesville/ UCF
Posts: 8,565
Year: 2003
Trans: manual
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*popcorn*
__________________
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