In a word: NO.

In the arena of ideas (or life in general) you don't succeed by appeasing the intellectually dishonest. In fact to be successful, you have to be willing to do what others will not do. So while the Trademark haters and Richard Davis bashers create new online identities and re-group from my last tongue lashing, I'd like to take this opportunity to shine a light on a dark corner of the internet and those who seek to damage or if they can, destroy The Real Estate Pros. No, it's not some vast conspiracy but there are at least one, two or possibly three individuals who seem very determined to under mine the show and damage Trademark's good name. I'm going to reveal exactly what they are doing, who they are and if you're a fan of the show, why you should care.

If you've been following the discussion on another thread, you may feel like the unfortunate witness to a rather harsh debate. Over the last year, people posing as potential partners or casual, seemingly disinterested viewers have been waging a rather nasty online smear campaign against Trademark and Richard. Their goal is to confuse, misdirect and anger anyone who might watch the show or join in the discussions. They use the language of fear, doubt and ridicule to attack me, the Trademark team and anyone who might be considering doing business with Richard. These BASHERS use multiple nicknames and multiple email accounts to post false, misleading and argumentative information that is designed to disrupt the conversation, anger readers in this forum and discourage your participation in the discussion.

Generally speaking, most people live their lives trying very hard to be polite. We patiently listen to the telemarketer who interrupts our dinner as they ramble on for 5 minutes before we can tell them we're not interested in light bulbs. When cult members ring our door bells at 7am on Saturday, we open the door, smile and nod and kindly offer a 'No thank you' before we close the door. Bashers know that conflict turns most people off. They know that if they pick a fight, most people will back down, tune out and turn off. Like con-men of the 1930's and Internet Bubble Stock Market manipulators of the late 1990's, these wolves prey on your good nature and desire to treat others and see others treated with a certain level respect. And they always deal in fear.

But Bashers don't deserve our respect and I refuse to give it to them. So I hope you understand and can forgive me for using harsh tones and pointed sarcasm when taking these sniveling drivelers to task.

Bashers know that fear is an intensely powerful motivator. It's much easier to scare someone away with negativity than it is to draw them in with inspiration. As a result, they ridicule any idea or notion of hope, good news or positive developments. They feed you doubt and rely on innuendo. They know that a small distraction can quickly send a message board thread in a downward spiral so that no useful information will ever be read (or even posted) because most people are simply not willing to sort through the clutter or subject themselves to conflict.

These bashers also know that Ginger, Richard and Trademark either cannot or will not defend themselves online.

So who would engage this kind of campaign against Trademark? One likely answer can be found watching the TV show.

Watching Trademark buy and flip properties, we've seen several episodes where unproductive or unethical contractors have been called out. We've seen episodes where neighbors or HOA's have reacted less than kindly toward a project. One neighbor in particular had been trying to steal a property and was so upset when Richard paid fair market value s/he called in the County. We also watched Ginger at a public auction bid against other local investors. Ginger said on camera that Trademark, due to their strengths and financial backing were usually able to pay more for a property than most of their competition.

How many times can you lose a hot deal before you become angry or jealous of the team that always seems to beat you? You don't succeed in business without ruffling a few feathers. In the high stakes, competitive world of real estate, rivals can quickly turn into enemies. Trademark has been around for a long time; You cannot achieve Trademark's level of success, without making at least a few. You cannot get your own television show and then grow the business into a national organization without stirring your enemies into fits of jealous rage and envy.

A longer list of potential bashers also includes evicted tenants, misguided buyers or sellers and/or (if they even exist) disgruntled former employees. People get *very emotional* about their homes.

Still think all of this bashing is coming from real fans or potential partners?

When was the last time you spent *any* time on a message board for a show you dislike? Sure, some people might get online and post a negative comment or two but would anyone really repeatedly watch a show they dislike featuring people they seem to hate more than once? Why is it that the bashers continually post stuff like- "I don't care" and "I'm not doing business with them"? Why come back to the message board week after week, month after month to repost negative and hateful direct, personal attacks against Richard and Ginger? (This is a primary reason bashers may have recent registration dates and regularly change online identities as it helps hide their long standing pattern of negative posts.)

The best, plausible answer is somebody must be really- really angry. Who gets *that* upset over a documentary style TV Show?? I have no doubt that some of the potential partners are confused or maybe even stressed out by conditions in the market or some elements of the selection process but I checked the older threads and tried to match the names or post patterns to some of the YouTube videos. I don't see any posts or any evidence that will confirm the current bashers have ever been part of the process.

If you're like me, when a generally amiable person encounters an undesirable situation, most of the time we prefer to just walk away. If a restaurant provides bad service or lousy food, I simply never return. For me to even mention a problem to the hostess, I have to have been really, really steamed about something. Once they have my money, the airlines treat me like a piece of meat every time I fly. But I don't write the company president and I don't get online once a week to post hateful things about the ditzy flight attendants, the gorilla baggage handlers or the gate clerk gestapo. A certain cable TV news organization bombards me with biased reporting about Mostly Stupid Nonsensical Bull Crud on an hourly basis. But I have never been on their message boards to hound their partisan editors and reporters with hateful banter (and obviously, I really love message boards).

Why bother? It's much easier to just turn on TLC!!

The message boards here show the page views for each discussion thread. There are far more "lurking" (reading) than actually participate in the discussions. You certainly have the right to remain silent if you want, but I hope you won't. I enjoy the show and I would sure hate to see it disappear because a few maladjusted people in South Carolina (New York?/San Antonio?) desperately want to drive Trademark off the air and/or hurt their business. If you're a fan of the show, I hope you'll take a moment to register here and show your support for The Real Estate Pros.

The bashers aren't going to go away but *without* some additional positive balance in the discussion, the show just might. And when the Homunculi change nicknames and pop up to attack me or you for our enthusiasm, keep in mind who they are, what they are doing and dismiss their taunts and jibes.

Thank you for taking the time to read this very long winded post. Obviously, I feel it is important to share and I hope you find the information useful.

As one wise poster said in one of the older threads don't "get lost in the weeds". To that sage advice, I can only paraphrase my favorite venture capitalist and business start up expert Guy Kawasaki:

Never, ever let the Bozo's grind you down.

So a few questions, do you have proof that people post using multiple accounts? It sounds as if you do...

Second, I have a video on youtube you won't find it, it was shared only with Richard. Where is yours?

Third, I am sorry but if anyone knocks on my door at 7am on a Saturday, they are in for a but chewing...

quote:

Originally posted by thetlcguru:
So a few questions (snip)...

Interesting.

Are you confirming the intent of your recent postings here is to bash Richard? If so, did you write Trademark to withdraw your name from consideration before or after you decided to bash?

I have posted self-disclosures in at least two recent posts. Where are yours?

You realize that you openly admitted to hiding behind multiple online identities right?

Sometimes life just hands you material!

I am currently not going to post any further responses to you and I believe others feel the same way. It is obvious that you have no other intent than to be argumentative with people. I merely asked a few simple questions, but was answered with accusations of posting via multiple id's. That is ridiculous as if you or this forum is so important to me that I would post under multiple user id's.

There is one thing we can definitely agree on, when the new episodes air hopefully there will be more discussion than useless banter about Richard and Ginger. Until then have a good life!

I made no accusations Guru.

Like you, I simply asked a few questions.
- Did I misunderstand your quote?

I have a video on youtube you won't find it

Which argument did *I* start exactly?

This..
Or this one...

Maybe was it this one...

Or Was it this really old one...

...Thou doth protest too much...

EXPOSED: Tactics of a would-be Smear Artist

In order to grasp the insipid nature of the basher, it's helpful to parse what the say carefully and apply a standard of "reasonableness" to their words. Most people don't have the time or the inclination to do this very often and that's how bashers are able to quickly wreak so much havoc on a discussion board. While this recent exchange is not the most revealing example, it is very telling when measured against 'reasonable behavior'.

Rule #1 from the basher Playbook:

Attack anyone who challenges your negative script.

quote:

Originally posted by thetlcguru:
I am currently not going to post any further responses to you and I believe others feel the same way. It is obvious that you have no other intent than to be argumentative with people.

My stated intent is to unmask the truth behind this smear campaign. The basher calls me argumentative for daring to challenge his negative remarks. He also says he "believes" others feel the same way. When this post was made, the thread had been online less than 12 hours, had only his single reply and less than 50 page views. But he doesn't say he "thinks" or "feels" others will not reply, he uses the much stronger word BELIEVE. How can he be so sure? Could it be that he's sending a message to his basher buddies? Is it possible he controls some of the other accounts posting attacks on Trademark so he knows the others won't respond? Or has he already exchanged email with some of his buddies and is simply launching a first round of attacks against me for outing their very bad behavior?

Bashers don't like having their deceitful tricks exposed. And they become downright hostile when their tactic of asking leading (or I should say mis-leading) questions is pointed in their direction.

quote:

Originally posted by thetlcguru:
I merely asked a few simple questions, but was answered with accusations of posting via multiple id's. That is ridiculous as if you or this forum is so important to me that I would post under multiple user id's.

First, I never made any accusations. I too merely asked a question. My question accurately reflects that the basher admits "hiding behind multiple online identities". If you believe him about his participation in the process, you must also know that he stated outright that he's used one ID for his YouTube video, yet chooses to post here under another alias. He inadvertently makes this claim with the intent of discrediting my earlier point that it was very unlikely these bashers had ever been part of the process.

As I'll prove in a moment, he fails, miserably.

Second, why make such a strong denial of something when no specific accusation was ever made? It seems reasonable to ask:

If you're not part of, or at least sympathetic to a smear campaign:

Why bristle and become sooooo indignant at the mere suggestion that one exists??

I can understand how people might want to maintain some level of privacy, but is it the best strategy to post a secret video when applying to a company where employees are followed around by a camera crew as part of a TV show? Why hide your video audition when you know the company values high profile, community involved individuals? And why throw your hat into the ring but in less than 30 days get online under another name and start publicly bad mouthing the team you say hope to join?

To be fair, I 'm quite sure that some people might shy away from Youtube for many reasons.

- But it's simply not reasonable to get involved this way and then go online attacking your potential business partner.

The basher noticeably dodges the questions about his motives for recent negative and disruptive posts. He offers no self-disclosures and instead of answering the basic question becomes defensive- almost hostile suggesting I'm somehow "important" enough to hide from. My opening post is pretty clear on this: bashers hide their motives- in this case, I suspect personal animosity. Bashers cannot and will not ever be honest with us about their true motives because it would show their personal bias and demonstrate that nothing they post can be believed.

Finally, we again get a favorite basher word "ridiculous" stuffed into a clumsy and awkwardly worded sentence. We've heard this exact drivel before and I submit to you that this is not the language of a business professional. It reads more like the fumbling denials of teenager who's been caught writing graffiti on a neighborhood wall. Which, if you look at much of the post history behind this alias- is exactly what he is doing: scribbling nasty little comments all over this community.

In an older post, this basher has also repeated a favorite basher comment, that he's "not doing business with Trademark". He's right. If he has told the truth about being involved (which seems very doubtful), Trademark's screening process should have already weeded him out. But if somehow it hasn't, his admission should certainly help Trademark to easily identify him.

quote:

Originally posted by thetlcguru:
There is one thing we can definitely agree on, when the new episodes air hopefully there will be more discussion than useless banter about Richard and Ginger. Until then have a good life!

Rule #2 from the basher Playbook:

Discourage any meaningful, positive communication.

Is anyone else offended that someone would actually come into a fan discussion forum and call it 'useless banter' to talk about the stars of the show? Obviously this is another thinly veiled personal attack on Richard and Ginger but it's also directed specifically at fans who might want to participate here suggesting that any positive comments we might make are argumentative and unwelcome.

That seems reasonable to me - NOT!

Rule #3 from the basher Playbook:

Accuse, Intimidate and if you can, discredit others.

95% of the recent posts here in the last few weeks have been negative. Yet somehow, the basher tells you I'm causing a problem by remaining positive about a show I happen to really enjoy when defending the company and the cast. If you're not looking for a fight, is it reasonable to *repeatedly* post mean spirited attacks over many, many weeks in a discussion intended for fans?

His closing line is pretty silly. He's trying to seem nice to preserve what little sympathy might be left for this identity. Despite his nasty comments about Trademark and repeating the hostile attacks from others directed at me, he's hoping someone will give him a little credit for at least ending with a seemingly kind word.

Did it work?

Has he fooled you into believing anything he or his buddies might have said in the last 9 months is credible?

Taken in total, this basher post tells us he thinks it's argumentative and wrong to defend Trademark in a discussion forum created specifically for fans of their own show. He says talking about the stars of the show is "useless" and becomes defensive even hostile when questioned about his motives for being so mean. He offers no disclosures and denies any wrong doing, even though my previously posted links to his posts show a clear history of negativity and bad intent.

In the days ahead, I expect others will come to his defense.

Are there any fans or friends of Trademark who will stand up with me?
- Or will you remain silent so bullies like this dominate the discussion with mis-information, vile and deceitful posts?

I agree that there is far too much negativity against Trademark/Richard. I enjoy this show for the entertainment that it provides not to get a full education in house flipping and Real Estate sales. I think many of the bashers on this board do so for no other reason than they cannot stand the fact that a guy in his early 40's from a small town and grew up without a father or much money has made a giant success with his chosen profession. Not only is he successful, he is smart, has a great sense of humor, approchable and probably the most generous man in the entire State of South Carolina. I, for one, am looking forward to another season The Real Estate Pros.

You're identity is only 4 months old.

According to your tirade, this must mean that you are part of a conspiracy of people posting under multiple IDs to scream at everyone who is part of a conspiracy of posting under multiple IDs.

I think you have lost touch with reality.

quote:

Who gets *that* upset over a documentary style TV Show??

Apparently you.

Oh Goodie! More Drivel...

quote:

Originally posted by smiles433:
...scream at everyone who is part of a conspiracy of posting under multiple IDs.

The bashers cannot defend their own actions. And at least for now, they're not going to deny what they're doing. So, when in doubt, default to Rule #1:

Attack anyone who challenges your negative script.

Of course, I'm not screaming, I'm simply defending and revealing their tactics.

Smiley doesn't like that. And he can't allow legacy member (reg date 12-9-2002) BWMGIRL's post to stand, so he clutters the thread with NOT one, but two new attacks.

Wonder why?

You bash everyone that disagrees with you based on the recency of their registration date - ignoring the fact that your registration is even more recent. What is the logic behind that? When asked about it, you refer to the registration date of another poster. That has nothing to do with your registration date.

Smiley: You're working yourself into quite a dither repeating distracting, meaningless drivel over and over. Everyone know what you're doing now so I don't think that's going to work this time around.

Take it from me:

There are plenty of decaffeinated beverages available today that are just as tasty and prove far more calming to the central nervous system.

You continue to avoid questions that show how illogical your arguments are. There is no logical answer because you are illogical. You accuse everyone of "distracting" when you are the who is using distracting answers to avoid answering questions that demonstrate your illogical thought patterns.

Just answer the question. Why are your bashing people based on the recency of their registration date when your registration date is much more recent? How is that logical?

Basher Chronicles Vol. 1

In order to blend in and ultimately control the conversation, bashers will often participate using friendly tones and nice sounding words for a time. These players (sympathizers or SYMPS) will often mix left handed compliments with mis leading questions in order to stir up doubt and discontent while establishing a seemingly kind voice in the discussion. When the moment is right, a HAMMER post appears to launch a full on assault with the 'nice guy' IDs they've created always at hand to add validity to their negative attack.

When the Partners Program began, right out of the box personal attacks were launched. After a little debate, The Hammer strolls in and goes right on the attack. And his SYMP buddies quickly chime in with delight. Now, I'm not suggesting that everyone who ever posted a negative comment is out to get Trademark. Constructive criticism isn't a bad thing and honest evaluation of past performance is an essential element for obtaining future success. But bashers as is the case here, often use the more innocent criticisms as fuel for their most vicious, hateful personal attacks.

In one of his very first posts, the hammer openly admits he's from Charleston. He shares this with the hope it will give him credibility. The opposite is actually true. He essentially confirms my point that at least one cowardly competitor/rival/enemy is using this public forum to lash out.

He also tells us that "if you lie/misrepresent facts about one thing, then everything else you say is suspect.. And he wants us to think he has a secret peep hole inside the Trademark offices that he will use to denigrate Richard's character.

The final post under this alias from October is a flat out lie suggesting the show has been canceled. Ginger herself, proves this drivel is false. So by his own words, since he lies, "everything else" he says should be considered suspect.

This obvious lie was exposed and we haven't seen this alias appear since.

-- The same basher themes however, do show up posted under other nicknames, often with nearly identical language.

The HAMMER tries to set the tone for negative and personal attacks. He and his SYMPS will prattle on using similar themes often borrowing exact phrases from one and other. The HAMMER would have us believe that he's smart and successful. He argues that no successful person would even consider doing business with Trademark. He is so overcome by intense rage and seething jealousy that, with no facts and for no apparent reason, he tries to link Richard to a convicted local con man. His whine about $45 is a complaint that is gleefully repeated in a more recent SYMP post.

The Hammer's 'I'm a success' theme is a twisted phrase that, more than anything else, demonstrates arrogance and ignorance.

First, when achievement is measured in most human endeavors, it frequently shakes out a bell curve. 20% at the top, 20% at the bottom with most falling somewhere in the middle. While it's true the top 20% probably don't need a partner like Trademark, many people in the middle are often just becoming acquainted with their chosen fields. They may be younger and just starting out or they may be in the midst of a career shift. Or they may be struggling with dramatic changes in an industry. These folks could spend 10 or 20 years learning by trial and error. But isn't it reasonable to consider the possibility that some would fast track their own success by finding a more experienced coach?

Second, a wise person once pointed out that star performers like Hank Aaron, Michael Jordan and Wayne Gretzky, among the most successful in their professions, all depend on coaches. Truly talented people know that getting an extra 5% increase in performance can make all the difference in the world. I would also point out that when asked about their over the top success, these super stars are the first to admit their rise to the very top would not have been possible without a great team around them.

Bashers love child-like, circular arguments. Like dogs chasing their tails, they ignore critical points of reason, preferring instead to quibble over trivia. They like to draw the unwitting into pointless debate demanding answers to questions that have been asked and clearly answered.

Will you be distracted by this noise?

If you're a registered member and logged in, you can eliminate such drivel from a thread at any time by simply clicking on the name of an offending basher. A menu will drop down offering you the option to "ADD (basher name) to my IGNORE list".

I don't think any message board should be used to attack anybodys character, business practices or their private life. I remember a while back when some very nasty posts were made regarding Richards private life (the posts have since been removed). Do people who post these comments realize how hurful and damaging these comments can be, not only to him personally, but to his business and reputation within his community? My guess would be no, they don't care at all as long as their identity is concealed. Did it ever occur to these nasty people that the man may actually log on to this
website and read some of the comments here?
If you don't like Richard, fine! But don't rip the mans reputation to shreds on a public forum,
it's disgusting!

1. You say that people using multiple IDs to post can be determined by recent registration dates. Yours is barely four months ago.
2. I repeat your words about this and you call my post "drivel." They were your words.
3. You say bashers refuse to answer questions. You have refused to answer a direct question 3 times.
4. You say no one could be upset over a documentary show. Then you write at least 3 1,000+ word dissertations showing how deeply upset you are about it.
5. On a different thread, you tried to speak for Richard as if you know what he is thinking. Then you call it fact and say you have never met him. But somehow you still believe you know what he is thinking.
6. You say people don't post on message boards for a show they dislike. Go to any message board for any show and you will see this is untrue.
7. You say bashers attack anyone who calls them out about their negative script. You are the one on the attack.
8. People can have many reasons for not publicly posting what is the equivalent of a job interview. The most obvious is that they don't want to lose their current job.
9. You say you are not bashing, but you are and in a big way. The only people you are not bashing are Richard, Ginger, and anyone who shares your opinion.
10. And the beauty of it all. You state that bashers love to make circular arguments. Your postings make it clear that you are the queen of the circular argument.

If you are going to argue a point, try to be logical. You have an unhealthy obsession.

quote:

Originally posted by smiles433:
If you are going to argue a point, try to be logical. You have an unhealthy obsession.

Smiley presents false logic as if it were fact because he prefers to ignore the less subjective wisdom of REASON.

He sees any rebuttals as a personal attack because his posting profile reflects the very definition of UN-reasonable behavior. As a result, his postings become even more shrill because this fact has been exposed and documented.

This time he offers excuses (for someone else, I might add) and again goes on the attack.

Once again, he can't let a positive post stand alone. He ignores the fact that his refusal to just give up the fight demonstrates how his own unhealthy obsessive behavior is most likely motivated by anger, rage or jealousy.

See Rule #2 and #3 from the basher playbook.

LONG LIVE THE QUEEN!

A Question for Smiles433:

Why do you hate Richard Davis so much? I get the impression from a previous post that you went to his seminar back in July. Did something happen to cause such negative feelings towards him and his company?

bmwgirl, at the risk of being ripped a new one by Miss Amiable, I am willing to answer a direct question with a direct answer.

Hate is a very strong word. I don't hate Richard. I think he is a smart, successful, mostly-self made businessman and probably multi-millionaire. He is generous with his time and money. He just seems to have a god complex and has to throw it in the audience's face. Greatness is something that can be observed in a person. A great person doesn't have to tell people how great they are. A little humility would be nice to see.

I find the things he says sometimes to be a little (or a lot) over the top such as he is going to fix the SC real estate market with an auction. That will take more than a single auction. It makes me laugh when he says things like that as well as misspeaks like when he said "they're not making any more of it" when referring to houses.

I posted those because I truly found them funny, especially when it was a video that he created and that he could have corrected. And after Miss Amiable's ugly postings, I knew it would get her goat. But both were Richard's own words and she posted the link to them.

The reason I am posting on this thread has nothing to do with Richard. In the majority of Miss Amiable's posts she complains that everyone is bashing. Instead of making an intelligent argument, she resorts to name-calling and other ugliness.

Her arguments don't make sense because most could be applied to her, which is what I was pointing out. She makes it very clear that she hates bashing but then bashes many people on this forum. It is quite hypocritical. Although after reviewng this thread, I do believe that she has an unhealthy obsession with Richard and the show.

And no, I did not go to his speech. I am not interested in being an area partner. I will not be taking part in his auction and am in no way associated with the real estate industry.

My biggest beef is with the ugliness of Miss Amiable's posts when she criticizes others for