The Radarspotters Challenge

[Anmer]

I see Radarspotters is trawling for advertisers with the following incorrect or unsubstantiated claims:

"Radarspotters is a unique online presence, the only independent forum for the virtual radar aviation enthusiast.Launched in March 2009, Radarspotters is the largest independent virtual radar website and forum. Radarspotters has over 3100 registered members growing at an average of 100 new members every month. Page impressions average over 14,000 per day."

Before I report this UK hosted website to the Advertising Standards Authority, perhaps it would like to review this claim?

1. It isn't the only independent forum for the virtual radar aviation ethusiast.  There are others, notably Radarspotting.com.

2. One might question its claimed independence when it accepts adverts from AirNav but not from competitor suppliers.

3. Where is the evidence that membership is growing at 100 a month?  I wrote that years ago when membership was at that rate.  Today it's more like 10 a month, including possible spammers.

4. Where is the evidence that page impressions average over 14,000 per day?  It was true when I wrote it but Danny Dinneen has now removed the Stats page.

So Mr Dinneen, why not publish the Stats page so your potential advertisers (and members) can see for themselves and not be misled by unsubstantiated claims?

[Smudger98]

Usual Dan the Ban statement...  total tosh..  one would expect nothing less from a site that seems to be going down hill quicker than the Swiss bob sleigh team.... 

[IanH]

You beat me to commenting on that post on RadarSpotters. Saw it late on Sunday and noted the number of members (3148). I see it is now 3149 so will continue to monitor.

And it was those first two items that jumped out at me as dubious

Ian

[Sun Worshipper]

Obviously written after attending a Brandao "How to write a Press Release" course.

Why let facts get in the way of a 'good story'.

[Anmer]

Many of the members here are banned from accessing Radarspotters.  And others have asked to have their accounts deleted but DanTheMan refuses as it will reduce his membership count.  For example, I'm banned but he won't delete my account.

So it comes as something of a surprise to read today's email to his (selected) members:

"Hi,
We have noticed that you have never posted on the forums. We would like to get acquainted.

We will be performing a spring clean in the near future and will be removing any dormant accounts. To keep you account please make a post to the forum so that your post count is greater than 0.

We look forward to getting to know you,
Regards"

I can only assume this was sent to increase the page hits in advance of the ASA investigation.

My betting is he won't delete any accounts.

Naughty, naughty.  No wonder he's known as Desperate Dan.   

[IanH]

post count is greater than 0

That needs to be " post count is greater than 0 in the last 3 months" or some suitable time frame so that all the 2000+ dormant accounts are deleted, not just the spambots.

Notice Dave Reid spotted the sudden increase in posts today and hoped new members would continue their active participation..

Ian

[Anmer]

Notice Dave Reid spotted the sudden increase in posts today and hoped new members would continue their active participation..

As a regular poster, Dave wouldn't have been aware of the "threatening letter".  Reminds me of those unsolicited phone calls I used to get pretending to be undertaking an energy survey.

[Anmer]

I see Radarspotters is trawling for advertisers with the following incorrect or unsubstantiated claims:

"Radarspotters is a unique online presence, the only independent forum for the virtual radar aviation enthusiast.Launched in March 2009, Radarspotters is the largest independent virtual radar website and forum. Radarspotters has over 3100 registered members growing at an average of 100 new members every month. Page impressions average over 14,000 per day."

Looks like DesperateDan can't substantiate those claims afterall?

Now reads:

"Radarspotters is a unique online presence, THE independent forum for the virtual radar aviation enthusiast.Launched in March 2009, Radarspotters is the largest independent virtual radar website and forum. Radarspotters has over 3100 registered members."

As Corporal Jones used to say "They don't like it up em".   

Mind you, if he carries out his threat to cancel all the members who haven't posted, the total will be less than 300. 

[Anmer]

When asked "How come we have a sudden influx of newbies?", Desperate Dan replied:

"I sent a reminder to all dormant members."

Here's the "reminder":

"We have noticed that you have never posted on the forums. We would like to get acquainted.

We will be performing a spring clean in the near future and will be removing any dormant accounts. To keep you (sic) account please make a post to the forum so that your post count is greater than 0."

Reads more like a threat to me. 

And I've been deluged by PMs from ex-Radarspotter's members asking why their accounts aren't deleted when they close their accounts.  Simples, he needs lots of members to sell advertising and removing dormant accounts is the last thing he'd do.

Porkies.

[IanH]

Based on the number of members when the values were removed (3178), that was 30 new in a month - a bit short of the 100 claimed even if they were all genuine and not spambots.

[charliebrown]

Hi Ianhind

You might have a problem cancelling.   

I have just tried and the following message appears:

Please note that the forum moderators will have to approve this account's deletion before it will be removed.

Can I now cancel my membership as I do not want to remain a member of a forum that makes it so difficult to cancel your membership.

charliebrown

This was my post on 25-03-2012 and I assumed that I had left Radarspotters.eu.  Yesterday I received notification that there was a reply to my post and only when I went to the link did I find out my account had not been deleted.

Is a letter from Sue, Run and Grabbit needed  ?

Charlie

[Anmer]

Desparate Dan won't delete any accounts.  He might change the name to "Former Member" but there's no way he'll delete an account.

He won't reply to PMs or emails either.  Just wants to bank the advertising cheques and donations.  And issue threats.

[mhm]

Just keep naming and shaming him on the forums, once his advertisers see these comments his funds should dry up.

[Anmer]

I noticed a Radarspotters' member posted this earlier this evening and now the post has been deleted.  Just like AirNav:

"Hi,
We have noticed that you have never posted on the forums. We would like to get acquainted.

We will be performing a spring clean in the near future and will be removing any dormant accounts. To keep you account please make a post to the forum so that your post count is greater than 0.

We look forward to getting to know you,
Regards"

[Anmer]

Maybe Desperate Dan will regret his recent demand for posts?  I lost count how many "Pills Online" were there this morning.  After 100 I gave up.

I suppose that's what happens when he doesn't validate new members and just wants as many as he can.

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