So, on another forum I frequent and am a moderator on, we have a problem child who's basically abusing the for sale section. It's his only interaction, and it's clear he is selling a lot more than personal stuff. So, discussing this with admin, we were asked for our opinions on the following options. First two are normal stuff, the last two I didnt even know about
Restrict his access to that subforum
Permaban him for not heeding previous warnings.
Put him "In conventry" where only us mods and admins can see his posts, but nobody else.
Give him "Miserable User" status. Here's what that does........
talk about your evil genius...........
One of the truck forums I was on was bought by a corporate entity several years ago (Vertical Scope). When the change was set to happen, all current mods and admin were set to stay the same, with the exception of 2 new mods and 1 super admin. They were also supposed to keep the site store open, as well as the premium member perks (sticker kit, and the dirty hidden forum). About a week after the change over all of the original mods and admins lost their access. Before the change was set to happen some of the more veteran members had already began creating a new forum, just in case SHTF with the old one. Most members moved over, some remained thinking they could maintain the community as it was. When VS caught wind of the new forum, the hammer came down.
Rather than ban members, they changed the title to "no longer with us", and placed into "miserable user status". This allowed them to maintain large member numbers, which appeared to make the forum appear more active than it was. The forum became a ghost town. With the few remaining trying to answer questions (most had no idea how to trouble shoot). Attempts by members to help people seeking information were hindered, they went as far to put an auto block which changed the new forum name back to the old one. VS has done little to maintain the forum, even now they are running a VB version that is almost 4 years old, with no current security updates. There are now no mods, and one admin who stops by once a month it appears. VS uses inflated member numbers, over inflated visitor numbers and inflated post counts to sell ad space. My account has been in miserable status since the change, I do not log in, however my account as well as others have been logging in randomly.