99% of posters/readers won't call a company
You can accuse them of being lazy, inexperienced, or just plain morons.
But most people are confident that they can determine the truth, from others who CLAIM to have had direct contact with the company. Most people will think to themselves "Yeah, that sounds right".
Even if the self-appointed representitives who post their conversations with the company, are relating the conversation to the best of their abilities, they will be biased. It's human nature. If you add to that a little promotional salesmanship into the mix, then you have the ingredients for misinformation. Not to mention the fact that it's in their own best interest to accentuate the positive, or even just plain lie.
Like a recent investigative poster just posted today "My only interest is getting that PPS up as much as possible" (post# 14246). I'm not trying to pick on the guy. On the contrary. It's refreshing to see someone so honest about their motives. But it does illustrate my point.
These Boards are supposed to be for the discussion of all the factors that may affect a particular investment, Pro and Con. Instead, some here believe these Boards are for the sole purpose of promoting the company to potential shareholders. In other words, to get people to Buy.
These "stock salesmen" will do their best to hide anything negative by attacking those that express concerns, instead of discussing the issues that are raised. They act like common childish bullies, and enlist others to gang up on the questioning poster until he gives up and cries uncle, or leaves.
Unfortunatly, when any seasoned Investor/Trader sees this kind of activity taking place on a message board, they immediatly know that anything discussed is not trustworthy. People are not stupid. They know what's going on.
The attempt to attract more buyers of a stock, by controlling and manipulating a message board to only reflect the positives is foolish, and turns sensible Investors/Traders away.
In short, The "Buy and praise the company, or GET LOST" attitude, does more harm than good. You can't "Bully" people into accepting your point of view. Neither can you "Bully people into buying the stock. This should be a true discussion board, not an obediant religious "Cult".
Allow free speach. People will show themselves to be a genius, a moron, or something in between. Just because YOU don't like what someone has said, doesn't mean someone else can't benefit from their post. Sometimes others can see, or express something in a way that has never been considered before.
Those with the most wisdom, are those who can listen to others.
P.S damn!.... that was long post! sorry.
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