TalkBoard Topics - Gift disclosure and thank you

Believing as I do in openness, I wanted to disclose that Internet Brands gave me a $5 gift card for Amazon.com in appreciation for my service on the TB.

It is a very nice gesture, so thank you to IB, Carol and the management team.

And happy holidays to you folks, too!

I recieved a PM asking to confirm my email address last night as well - and just checked it a few minutes ago & also received the same.

Thanks!

Believing as I do in openness, I wanted to disclose that Internet Brands gave me a $5 gift card for Amazon.com in appreciation for my service on the TB.

It is a very nice gesture, so thank you to IB, Carol and the management team.

+1 (or would that be +3 since I posted after bhatnasx :).

Cheers.

And in the spirit of disclosure, so did I.

Thanks Carol and IB!

Me too. Who said I wouldn't profit from being elected to the TB? :D

Thanks, Carol and IB.

--Rich

I also got $25 Starbucks Gift Card from RP... oppss wrong place

I received a mansion and a yacht. ^

I received a mansion and a yacht. ^

Elmer J. Fudd?!? Is that you?!?

Elmer J. Fudd?!? Is that you?!?

Elmer J. Fudd, Millionaire - thank you very much.

I received a mansion and a yacht. ^My mansion IS my yacht! ;)

I also want to disclose my $5.00 gift card but also want to express my thanks ^ and wish everyone a very happy and healthy holiday season and a prosperous 2012

I think all those $5.00 gift cards (pretty meager if you ask me) should be given to soldiers in uniform next time you're at an airport.

Additional comments not posted for simplicity.

I think all those $5.00 gift cards (pretty meager if you ask me) should be given to soldiers in uniform next time you're at an airport.

Additional comments not posted for simplicity.

I'll be happy to send you $5 via PayPal and you can do that yourself. PM me.

P.S. If you're serious, than you're being a bit petty.

I think all those $5.00 gift cards (pretty meager if you ask me) should be given to soldiers in uniform next time you're at an airport.

Additional comments not posted for simplicity.

Oh come on, Dan. This was a nice gesture of appreciation by IB. I thought it was very kind and generous. That's all I have to say...

The disclosure, voluntary as it is too, is nice to see. Any disclosures about airlines or hotels or credit card companies offering benefits to company-selected "opinion leaders" in positions of authority, perhaps in hopes of "guiding" things or having a "closer" relationship? It's how they try to play it with the travel blogging industry. It's how lobbyists try to do it with favored pols and bureaucrats.

Even as I trust that many people can take from others without feeling obliged to them, the disclosure is still appreciated.

Hmm... if I list all the 'swag' I got at the various SMDs, I may have to file a supplement to my income tax filing for 2010 :)

Seriously though, so far the offers to 'bribe' (that I now of) have been pretty rare. I've been to a few press events that LH put up and compared to American carriers they offer very little in terms of giveaways to sway the opinion :p

The disclosure, voluntary as it is too, is nice to see. Any disclosures about airlines or hotels or credit card companies offering benefits to company-selected "opinion leaders" in positions of authority, perhaps in hopes of "guiding" things or having a "closer" relationship? It's how they try to play it with the travel blogging industry. It's how lobbyists try to do it with favored pols and bureaucrats.

Even as I trust that many people can take from others without feeling obliged to them, the disclosure is still appreciated.

That's exactly why I posted. I don't believe that IB (or anyone else, for that matter) could 'buy' anything from me in terms of my meager role around here. But I think that in the ever-increasingly murky world of blurred 'commercial' ventures (both on line and in the real world), the best way to avoid even the appearance of a conflict is simple full disclosure. Even of something as nominal as this. ^

Well, that and to say thanks, since my momma raised me to be polite. :)

That's exactly why I posted. I don't believe that IB (or anyone else, for that matter) could 'buy' anything from me in terms of my meager role around here. But I think that in the ever-increasingly murky world of blurred 'commercial' ventures (both on line and in the real world), the best way to avoid even the appearance of a conflict is simple full disclosure. Even of something as nominal as this. ^

Well, that and to say thanks, since my momma raised me to be polite. :)

In its advisory capacity, will TB consider a proposal to advocate, for the above reasons, that such disclosure become standard practice for those in a position of privileged official influence on FT? At the very least, TB doing it for TB should be possible despite TB's limitations.

In its advisory capacity, will TB consider a proposal to advocate, for the above reasons, that such disclosure become standard practice for those in a position of privileged official influence on FT? At the very least, TB doing it for TB should be possible despite TB's limitations.

I (obviously) continue to have concerns with regard to creeping commercialization and mixed motivations/conflicts of interest around participation on FT. So it's something I will be exploring during my time on TB.

For now I thought I would just lead by example. @:-)

In its advisory capacity, will TB consider a proposal to advocate, for the above reasons, that such disclosure become standard practice for those in a position of privileged official influence on FT? At the very least, TB doing it for TB should be possible despite TB's limitations.I have absolutely no problem with this but do we stop at only TB members as there are "others" who are in a position of privileged information and influence ;) <and now i will duck>

I have absolutely no problem with this but do we stop at only TB members as there are "others" who are in a position of privileged information and influence ;) <and now i will duck>

I also received an A380 for my personal use.

I also received an A380 for my personal use.

Ha! That's really funny!

Next thing you'll be telling us you got free status at a hotel chain!

Stop! My sides are splitting!

Ha! That's really funny!

Next thing you'll be telling us you got free status at a hotel chain!

Stop! My sides are splitting!

I already disclosed both my mansion and my yacht. Do you expect me to really head into the 1%er stratosphere with my own Four Seasons Maldives bungalow disclosure?

Ha! That's really funny!

Next thing you'll be telling us you got free status at a hotel chain!

Stop! My sides are splitting!

No, you have to write a blog for that. I've been told a blog is like a book, but shorter.

Ha! That's really funny!

Next thing you'll be telling us you got free status at a hotel chain!

Stop! My sides are splitting!
Unless it's elite status at Motel 6, pretty much any other elite status is worthless to me, as my lodging budget calls for hostel beds and a Motel 6 is a splurge. ;)

Thank you, IB, for the $5. That plus the $20 I already had saved up in Amazon gifts from family, etc. means I now have enough to qualify for Free Super-Saver Shipping! :cool::p

I also got $25 Starbucks Gift Card from RP... oppss wrong place

I also received the $25 Starbucks Gift Card from RP and, in the interests of full disclosure, I do not drink coffee so I sent it to an FTer who holds a position I am not allowed to mention.

I also received the $25 Starbucks Gift Card from RP and, in the interests of full disclosure, I do not drink coffee so I sent it to an FTer who holds a position I am not allowed to mention.

As this is supposedly a family-friendly board -- even of relevance to minors -- is it safe to conclude that the "moral majority" thanks you for not elaborating upon who is holding a particular Kama Sutra position?