Time to clear the air
It does not give me any pleasure banning an individual from the forum. In almost 2 years I've only had to do it twice (bar spammers) with nearly 1,000 users and 27,000 posts. Perhaps I've been too lenient, but I've tried to maintain a freedom of speech on the forum. However things have gone to far. It's all very well bringing a supplier to task over problems with service but we need to put things in perspective. Some have sold several thousand bikes, easily surpassing the number of registered members on the forum. A few vociferous complaints can easily give the impression that there are more unsatisfied customers than there really are. When those complaints become persistent unjustified attacks resulting in almost extreme comments there really was little option.
It does not give me any pleasure banning an individual from the forum. In almost 2 years I've only had to do it twice (bar spammers) with nearly 1,000 users and 27,000 posts. Perhaps I've been too lenient, but I've tried to maintain a freedom of speech on the forum. However things have gone to far. It's all very well bringing a supplier to task over problems with service but we need to put things in perspective. Some have sold several thousand bikes, easily surpassing the number of registered members on the forum. A few vociferous complaints can easily give the impression that there are more unsatisfied customers than there really are. When those complaints become persistent unjustified attacks resulting in almost extreme comments there really was little option.