User Infractions

[Earth_Girl]

Thanks for keeping out the bad stuff

[mrsfloyd]

Okay, so how do I go about disputing an infraction? I mean, it's been a couple of months since I received it and I was just going to forget about it, but I do believe that it was inappropriately given. And since I now come to this thread and see that it could add up to me being banned from the board (only if I got others, of course, but still) I'm kind of upset about it. It was in regards to me using wag's RR's at HT, saying that I was using coupons fraudulently or against store policy. But HT accepts them as competitor's coupons (not to mention the fact that they are manufacturer's coupons anyway), so I don't see how that goes against their policy when their policy clearly states that they take competitor's coupons. I did send a reply-PM when I got it that amounted to 'sorry, I didn't think I was wrong b/c HT takes competitor's coupons, I'll be more careful', but now that I think about it I really don't think I was in the wrong at all.

ETA: Okay, I just went and checked and it was actually a warning w/ no points attached, so really no harm no foul, but I'm still not sure why I was warned in the first place...

EATA: I also understand that this whole system is in place to keep everyone honest and keep the site from being completely insane, and I appreciate that the people who implement it are volunteering their time and efforts to help make this site a good place to be. So thanks for that. :)

[AvonelleRed]

Well, I guess if we get too many 'infractions', we can always go to any one of the other many, many couponing websites that do not have such strenuous rules and crazy point-systems. I personally feel like I am in school all over again! There are so many threads and so much info on this site (and others like it), that it can be very difficult for someone to keep track of it all, especially a newbie such as myself, who is still having a little trouble navigating the site. I just feel like HCW has gotten to the point where maybe it isn't that friendly to it's own users any more. Maybe it's because I am relatively new, but it seems to me that in the economy we have today, HCW wouldn't want to make everyone so mad that they would take their couponing interest to another website. Sure, it might be easy for someone who has been doing this stuff for years, but for people who are new to it all, it is overwhelming at times, and this just adds one more kick in the pants to that stressed-out feeling a newbie has already! Hope I don't get any infractions for this, but can't we all just get along and come to a friendly site? Of course, I do understand some of the rules and reasons for them, but some can border on the ridiculous (never-expiring infractions), and some can be easily misunderstood by newcomers. If someone can get an infraction for posting something that their store actually encourages, then it makes no sense at all, and we should all be worried and scared to post ANYTHING. Then, there won't be anything here.

[Mothernature]

Originally Posted by grnacrz "Honestly, this one seems a bit harsh to never expire. The lines are just not clear enough, IMO, to justify that. Do I start telling people to only use three like coupons per order, or only one on a BOGO at HT when not ONE of the stores in my area actually enforces that policy...??? I think most HT shoppers will be banned fairly quickly, or have to stop posting many of the deals." Amen BzyBee! As a first time poster I was not aware that it was in infraction to state that a certain store I shop at is very lenient in their coupon policy. .

Yes, this happened to me too. I have 5 points forever on my account; all I did was follow several stores policies in 2 states. This is an issue in retail which is not adequately addressed here. Coupons have no standard acceptance policy (even stores within the same chain). I think the coupon infraction exists to prevent such retailers from taking legal action against HCW for coupon policy issues. The retailers are the problem; not HCW nor the members here.

I do think there should be a time period where the non-forever infractions should disappear; much like points on a driver's licenses. As this thread attests, people make mistakes (unintentional) and rules change. A member should not have non-serious infractions follow them 5 years later.

I understand why the infraction system exists. It allows the modest team of moderators to control a board of 65,000 members. It stops most bad traders before they steal from many members; the infractions stop people who attempt to behave inappropriately in forums. Unfortunately, there are innocent people who make mistakes and unjustly punished. It is an inchoate process.

[Mikki 316]

If anyone has questions about whether or not to post something, just PM the Mods for that particular forum. We DO understand that when people are new, some misinterpretations occur. We've ALL been there. The problems usually occur, in my experience anyway, when there are numerous posts from the Mods and/or other members stating that X coupon can't be used on XX product (or on sale items, etc) and people continue to post about it anyway. Mods can only edit-out so many posts about the same problem and PM members before it becomes a real issue. Yes, mistakes happen. But reading the entire thread before posting is quite helpful. I know it's time consuming, but it will really help to reduce the PMs, warnings and infractions.

[gr8Idea]

Originally Posted by queenofthehivemomof5 Bump: We have added an infraction for posting of coupons or rebate forms in PDF, JPEG, or GIF format. (See OP) Of course every members is entitled to one warning before infractions are issued!

Hmmm.... I didn't get a warning. Just an infraction that never expires for being rung up by a CVS manager who encourages coupon use and was making suggestions to me based on what coupons were in my hands.

[ASweetHeart]

Yes, we understand there are a lot of rules to follow. That's why we send a warning first which gives the user the oppertunity to review the rules as well as a disscussion on why they got the warning. Warnings contain no -points whatsoever.

As for the non-expiring infractions, there are only a few.

Spamming the board via PM or posts *Spam is not tolerated whatsoever. Spam will result in an immediate and permanent banning from the site. Points - 30 Expires - Never For additional information, please refer to our Terms of Service and our Code of Conduct

That one is pretty self explanitory, and i'm sure most of you appreciate being able to veiw the site without stumbling on porn or such.

Posting about unethical activities and/or direct violations of store policies

*To learn about store policies, read the sticky threads in the appropriate store forum or contact the store's corporate office. Points - 5 Expires - Never Posting about using coupons in a fraudulent manner or in a way that goes against store policy *Our policy against fraudulent usage of coupons can be found HERE. To learn about store policies, read the sticky threads in the appropriate store forum or contact the store's corporate office. Points - 5 Expires - Never

Here at HCW we strive to keep all the deals honest and legit. This rule is to help prevent people from posting non-legit posts over and over. As a newbie, you may not understand a specific policy. We do understand that you may unintentionally post something that's not legit, and any warnings/infractions given may be discussed further with either a mod or admin for possible reversal.

We'd like to keep these deals from being posted because not only is it unethical, but it could further confuse other newbies as to how to get the most out of sales and coupons. There's nothing worse than going to a store and discovering that the deal you worked so hard on planning can't be done because rules were broken. This is also why we prefer that you do not post if something was allowed by your store manager but goes against store policy. In most cases, in most stores, it just won't fly.

Now keep in mind that warnings and infractions are only visable to the member that they are given to as well as moderators. They are not public knowledge.

Not only that, but it is rare (other than spammers and bad traders) that any points accumulate enough to cause a permanent ban.

If you have any further questions/concerns regaurding the policy, feel free to pm me or another member of the staff.

[MrsPinecone]

Originally Posted by gr8Idea Hmmm.... I didn't get a warning. Just an infraction that never expires for being rung up by a CVS manager who encourages coupon use and was making suggestions to me based on what coupons were in my hands.

I just looked. What you received WAS a warning and said so in bold letters right across the top of the page. There were no points attached.

[uagrl25]

Originally Posted by AvonelleRed Well, I guess if we get too many 'infractions', we can always go to any one of the other many, many couponing websites that do not have such strenuous rules and crazy point-systems. I personally feel like I am in school all over again! There are so many threads and so much info on this site (and others like it), that it can be very difficult for someone to keep track of it all, especially a newbie such as myself, who is still having a little trouble navigating the site. I just feel like HCW has gotten to the point where maybe it isn't that friendly to it's own users any more. Maybe it's because I am relatively new, but it seems to me that in the economy we have today, HCW wouldn't want to make everyone so mad that they would take their couponing interest to another website. Sure, it might be easy for someone who has been doing this stuff for years, but for people who are new to it all, it is overwhelming at times, and this just adds one more kick in the pants to that stressed-out feeling a newbie has already! Hope I don't get any infractions for this, but can't we all just get along and come to a friendly site? Of course, I do understand some of the rules and reasons for them, but some can border on the ridiculous (never-expiring infractions), and some can be easily misunderstood by newcomers. If someone can get an infraction for posting something that their store actually encourages, then it makes no sense at all, and we should all be worried and scared to post ANYTHING. Then, there won't be anything here.

I COMPLETELY agree! I feel that is where I am with a debate on another forum, I don't understand why everyone has to jump on me and be so rude! I was already told about it, and responded, so DROP it!

[Mikki 316]

(quote) If someone can get an infraction for posting something that their store actually encourages, then it makes no sense at all, and we should all be worried and scared to post ANYTHING. Then, there won't be anything here.(quote)

Originally Posted by uagrl25 I COMPLETELY agree! I feel that is where I am with a debate on another forum, I don't understand why everyone has to jump on m