[NeonFx]

Hi everyone.

I thought I should post this here. There is advertising that I think is deceiving enough to take people away from the website while they think they're still in techguy.org.

If you look at my attachment you can easily notice what they're trying to do. When you click on it it takes you to a page that forces you to register for their service, if you try to exit the page you get a popup trying to convince you to stay.

The dropdown menu works, and you can actually type something into the text box, making it seem even more legitimate.

Could it be called a rogue support forum? haha

http://www.ripoffreport.com/reports/...Off0322359.htm
http://www.complaintsboard.com/compl...m-c142537.html

[Blackmirror]

Thank you for that
I am sure someone will be along to give an opinnion

[LauraMJ]

I agree, I think that one is quite confusing, especially for new or inexperienced users.

[vicks]

LauraMJ
You hit the nail on the head....
vicks

[Jason08]

I think I've seen it before, but never paid any attention. Ha! Caught it viewing this thread!

[Gizzy]

I'm seeing that one a lot (the top ad and side one at the same time) and it looks like the person that posted in this thread http://forums.techguy.org/general-se...-up-avast.html thought they were supposed to use it, so it is confusing.

Ironically, when I tried the "Ask Tech Support Now" feature (up above) & tried the Submit Question button, that too, did not work.

[ekim68]

It is annoying but, it is part of the ads that help pay for this site...If you donate $20.00 to TechGuy, they will disappear, as I recall...

[NeonFx]

I know that filters are in place to prevent ads from appearing if they link users to rogue antispyware websites. I figured this would fall under a similar category seeing as it is a link to a scam website that pretends to be legitimate and tricks our users into clicking on their ads and potentially tricking them into spending money.

Getting rid of the ad is not to avoid annoyances, but to safeguard TSGs reputation.

[Gizzy]

Originally Posted by ekim68

It is annoying but, it is part of the ads that help pay for this site...If you donate $20.00 to TechGuy, they will disappear, as I recall...

Yes that's an easy way to get rid of the ads but I believe this thread was because it's confusing to new or inexperienced users who think they're supposed to ask for help using the textbox in that ad thinking they'll get an answer sooner, not realizing it's just an ad.

See my earlier post where I referred to a thread where the user thought they were supposed to ask for help using that ad.

[aka Brett]

Whats the ppc

[Jason08]

Yeah, it's not that is so annoying to me, but it can really lead to a lot of confusion.

[TechGuy]

I'm not convinced it's any kind of scam or that they're trying to trick anyone, but I am sure many people have had bad experiences (as with any company)... I'll look into it further when I have some time on Monday.

[Blackmirror]

From the site

'No Assurances Given From and No Reliance on Term 'Expert' Throughout this Site, certain terms, including 'Expert', 'Specialist', 'Consultant' or 'Advisor' may be used to refer to someone who claims to have certain knowledge, background or experience that may be useful in responding to a question posed by a user. Use of such terms provides no assurance that the person answering your question has any expertise or qualifications to give such advice. You acknowledge that JustAnswer has not and cannot independently verify their qualifications. If you do not like any answer for any reason, your sole remedy is to disregard the answer and not pay for it. Notwithstanding the foregoing, JustAnswer reserves the right, but is not obligated, to remove any content that it believes violates any of these Terms, including, without limitation, any objectionable or personally identifiable information.'

I wouldnt pay for advice i can get Free from TSG

[vicks]

I second Black Mirror!!!!!
vicks

[hewee]

Also the colors used make it bad because it seems to show off that it is part of TSG and that can make others think they pay to get help faster when it has nothing to do with TSG.

May be best to have it so no malware or tech help ads are here at the site.