We are not being formal here. Because, if we were, the TOS has clearly stated that the rules are subject to change. They did.

I am trying to be fair here, not formal. Being fair should apply to me and to you (contributor).

If you say "I did it because it was not explicitly prohibited", then we don't have dialog. My answer is "The rules changed. Period".

So, if you want me to be fair, apply the same mark to yourself. less

TOS can be changed at any time, but it wasn't, it's still the same now. How can you judge the actions of someone prechange (before your ideas of point farming where layed out in writing) and just expect us to KNOW them before now?

Okay let me put this in how you might understand-

Say you're playing a game with someone. There are set rules and you play the game. You do everything you're supported to in those guidelines and then after you win the person you are playing with say "oh wait, I'm adding more rules now so you didn't really win anything because you were cheating the whole time!"

I am the one being fair here, not you. less

TOS can be changed at any time, but it wasn't, it's still the same now. How can you judge the actions of someone prechange (before your ideas of point farming where layed out in writing) and just expect us to KNOW them before now?

Okay let me put this in how you might understand-

Say you're playing a game with someone. There are set rules and you play the game. You do everything you're supported to in those guidelines and then after you win the person you are playing with say "oh wait, I'm adding more rules now so you didn't really win anything because you were cheating the whole time!"

I am the one being fair here, not you. less

I am considering (no decision has been made yet) to restore points to the honest contributors. Would you say this is a fair deal or not?

You will be asked to submit a reconsideration request. It is optional. If you chose not to participate, your points will remain as they are now.
We review the submission manually and decide whether your points will be restored or completely erased.

All your points (or converted Gift Cards) will be cancelled and removed if company finds that you accumulated 500 points or more by intentionally abusing the system. Abuse will include but not be limited to the following actions:

- publishing a large number of reviews in a short period of time; unless clear proof of the product ownership by the author is established;

- publishing plagiarized reviews, nonsensical reviews (reviews on the products like Gift Cards, Eden Bags, batteries, and other promotional item), vandalized reviews, reviews without substance: this will be deemed point farming;

- reaching regularly daily limits on secondary activities like "liking", "commenting", "rating", etc...; this will be deemed point farming;

- starting and participating in nonsensical forum discussions like "Let's count up to 5,000", etc...; making posts reported as spam; this will be deemed point farming;

- opening multiple accounts;

- if your account has been suspended, terminated, or otherwise noted for the same or similar activities; less

We are worth 85% less than we were last week with these new rules. The people who have contributed 2,549 reviews to your business, driven activity to your website, brought you business through our blogs, tweets, and activity. And we are now worth 85% less for our contribution. That, is not fair. less

It's pretty easy to see my reviews are legit: they're detailed and have photos. I can crank them out when I'm on a roll. I like to write.

I don't see how I could be considered delinquent. I've been abroad and moving, so there have been weeks (close to 2 months) where I could barely access the internet, let alone point farm. Essentially, if I get declined, there really isn't any hope for any other big contributors. less

This reminds me! Regarding photos -
Not everyone owns a camera - I don't have my own - but, if it would help to convince Fred that I own the toys I reviewed (that do not appear in my purchase history) I will borrow one from a friend and send those pictures along. I do not know what else we can do to convince Fred that our submissions were legitimate and took time and effort to contribute. less

This reminds me! Regarding photos -
Not everyone owns a camera - I don't have my own - but, if it would help to convince Fred that I own the toys I reviewed (that do not appear in my purchase history) I will borrow one from a friend and send those pictures along. I do not know what else we can do to convince Fred that our submissions were legitimate and took time and effort to contribute. less

Guys, the situation as I see it is simple enough.

If you're confident in your submissions and activities - you will be better off submitting the request. If you're not - then don't, but if you didn't request, then "forever hold your piece" going forward.

The decision will not be and cannot be objective - it will be purely subjective.

On a game parallel. This wasn't a game. This is an attempt to create a community: self supporting, positive, encouraging. Just because we are having this conversation today tell me - we are not there yet.

I will continue this efforts and you can be part of it or not. Your choice. less

He wants a picture with you (your face in it) sitting at a table with your toys all scattered out in front of you, holding your ID in one hand and a current newspaper (with the day's date) both in clear site. Anything less make you a point farmer you no good no-nita! less

Guys, the situation as I see it is simple enough.

If you're confident in your submissions and activities - you will be better off submitting the request. If you're not - then don't, but if you didn't request, then "forever hold your piece" going forward.

The decision will not be and cannot be objective - it will be purely subjective.

On a game parallel. This wasn't a game. This is an attempt to create a community: self supporting, positive, encouraging. Just because we are having this conversation today tell me - we are not there yet.

I will continue this efforts and you can be part of it or not. Your choice. less

Guys, the situation as I see it is simple enough.

If you're confident in your submissions and activities - you will be better off submitting the request. If you're not - then don't, but if you didn't request, then "forever hold your piece" going forward.

The decision will not be and cannot be objective - it will be purely subjective.

On a game parallel. This wasn't a game. This is an attempt to create a community: self supporting, positive, encouraging. Just because we are having this conversation today tell me - we are not there yet.

I will continue this efforts and you can be part of it or not. Your choice. less

He wants a picture with you (your face in it) sitting at a table with your toys all scattered out in front of you, holding your ID in one hand and a current newspaper (with the day's date) both in clear site. Anything less make you a point farmer you no good no-nita! less

Guys, the situation as I see it is simple enough.

If you're confident in your submissions and activities - you will be better off submitting the request. If you're not - then don't, but if you didn't request, then "forever hold your piece" going forward.

The decision will not be and cannot be objective - it will be purely subjective.

On a game parallel. This wasn't a game. This is an attempt to create a community: self supporting, positive, encouraging. Just because we are having this conversation today tell me - we are not there yet.

I will continue this efforts and you can be part of it or not. Your choice. less

Guys, the situation as I see it is simple enough.

If you're confident in your submissions and activities - you will be better off submitting the request. If you're not - then don't, but if you didn't request, then "forever hold your piece" going forward.

The decision will not be and cannot be objective - it will be purely subjective.

On a game parallel. This wasn't a game. This is an attempt to create a community: self supporting, positive, encouraging. Just because we are having this conversation today tell me - we are not there yet.

I will continue this efforts and you can be part of it or not. Your choice. less