Hi potoole, Welcome to the Forum!potoole1971 wrote: ↑Sat Oct 02, 2021 10:06 amI am a former USMC officer and a graduate of the Hass School of Business (very grateful to have had that opportunity). I am working with a manufacturing company who hired me to do market research in the knife and tool industry, looking to break into the knife and blade market. I gathered a huge amount of information, became pretty fascinated with knives in general, and joined many different forums and organizations, learning and sharing information and the love of knives. I posted ONE, I repete ONE, comment on Blade Forum, and was immediately targeted by one of the "Gold" members, telling me I didn't know what I was talking about, didn't understand knives, didn't understand business, or money, etc. Completely out of the blue.
I (stupidely) identified myself, my adademic credentials, my military background, and the quantity of market research I was involved in, and let him? know that I did indeed know what I was talking about, and that I didn't appreciate his interaction. I was immediately attacked by other senior and "Gold" members, you know, the "Active since 2007" and "9056 posts" guys, who insulted me, told me I didn't understand business, money, knives, etc. I (stupedly) let them know they were being arrogant and disrespectful, and that I was pretty sure I had more education than they did, esp since I graduated from a world-class business school with a background in supply chain management and international marketing (yea it was childish but felt good in the moment :) ) and called them out for being rude to a new member and the overall unprofessionalism on Blade Forum I was experiencing. My account was closed and I was banned by the end of the day. Blade Forum is a weird cultish "club", with dated information and very territorial and not cool folks. I was surprised and disapointed.
That's too bad and disappointing. Thankfully you rarely see that sort of behavior over here. Sal sets a great example for us. :)