Hi Fred, I am going to disagree with you on this one, and here's why. The auction was brought to the attention of the discussion group by the vendor. Consequently, he made the auction a topic of conversation on the discussion group. So, we then have to look at the auction, where he definitely said "the inferior early version". The problem arises in that he did not provide any documentation to prove his claim that what he is selling is superior, or even that there is any truth to the claim, and consequently, the claim itself is specious at best, and a dishonest shot at other peoples auctions to his own auction's advantage at worst. If he had provided a link to a reputable lens testing site that had comparative data on the two lenses, that backed his claim, that would make a difference. Had the auction indicated that he was expressing an opinion, rather than making it sound like he was expressing a fact (which he wasn't making any effort to back up), then it would have been different.
What the auction implied, though, was that the lens he is selling is a T-Bone steak, and the other lens is a Big Mac. As a retailer myself, I couldn't condone that sort of advertising in my own business, and it shouldn't be condoned in any other business either, whether the seller is a long time respected contributor or a first time poster. William Robb ----- Original Message ----- From: Fred <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Sent: Friday, November 15, 2002 9:02 AM Subject: Re: Tamron 90mm F2.5 SP Macro for auction > > "Slightly better" 55mm version sounds better than "the inferior > > early version" > > Perhaps... > > > As for you, J.C., it seems to me that you are using this forum as > > a business tool. Not very ethical, in my point of view. > > Now wait a minute !!! - > > 1. JCO is a regular and valued contributor to the PDML. > > 2. It is generally understood here that PDML contributors may > legitimately post information on items that they're selling. JCO > may do so, you may do so, and I may do so. > > 3. In this particular case, I believe that JCO provided just the > URL to his eBay auction for this lens, in a admirably low-key > manner. (Please correct me if I'm wrong.) > > 4. The statement that you seem to be criticizing was not even made > here on the PDML, but was made within the open marketplace of eBay. > (Please correct me if I'm wrong.) > > 5. ~You~ seem to be the one that is trying to make the PDML some > sort of a flame forum for your personal feelings. You were the one > to use the term "cheap tricks" for a person's actions (which I think > is a lot more emotionally charged than merely applying the label of > "inferior" to an inanimate lens). > > I guess you are entitled to your opinion here like everyone else. > However, I think that your attack on JCO's character is far less > appropriate here on the PDML than is his posting of a URL. > > Fred > > >
