How The Negative Feedback System Works

We want GrownUpGeek.com to be a fun place for everyone, but with over 14,000 members, someone is bound to get a little out of control from time to time. Because of this we have a complaint/feedback process to give friendly reminders to members that get too frisky, and to invite them not to come back if they don't get the message.

Here's how it works:

If a you feel a member has gone over the line or violated our content policy you can report it by using the "report as spam" link (only available for Premium Members), or by sending an email to "hubby@grownupgeek.com". In the "spam report", or in your email, be sure to describe how/why you feel the post deserves a complaint (unless it's obvious).

All complaints are manually reviewed. If the site management agrees that the post was "over the line" (see below for how complaints are reviewed), the member may receive a "negative feedback" badge . Only one badge will be assigned per infraction, so if multiple people complain about the same post/thread, only one badge will be assigned. This badge will remain on the member's account for 7 days, after which it will be removed if no further complaints are received.

Please note that frivolous complaints or other abuse of the complaint system will result in a complaint from ME and a "negative feedback" badge on your account.

2nd Offense:

If additional complaints are received for other threads/posts within 7 days of the first offense, a second badge may be assigned: . This badge will remain on the account for 14 days after which it will be removed if no further complaints are received. Note that while wearing a "2nd offense" badge, the 1st offense badge will remain for the duration of the 14 days.

3rd Offense:

If additional complaints are received within 14 days of the second offense, the member may be banned temporarily for a period of 2 weeks. During this time their avatar will be removed and replaced with the shameful "banned" avatar:

After 2 weeks the member is welcome to come back and get off to a fresh start. If the banned member had a "mystery badge": It will be removed.

Further offenses:

If any further complaints are received within 3 months of being temporarily banned, the member will be rewarded with a permanent ban and will be asked not to come back.

What to do if you receive a naughty-badge:

Nothing. Naughty badge decisions are final. There is no appeal process, no debate, no discussion. If you send an email asking for more information, asking why, what, who, or whatever, the email will be ignored. Wait 7 days and if no one else complains, the badge will expire. Harsh? Perhaps. So think twice before you press that "post" button!

How complaints are reviewed:

All complaints are reviewed by me (Hubby). If I don't agree that the complaint is valid, second and sometimes third opinions are obtained from TheGeek or other trusted member(s). Note that in order to be counted as a valid complaint the post must be truly "over the line". "Grouchy" posts, pointing out inaccuracies, etc may not necessarily be counted as valid complaints. Note also that if complaints are received on a post that you later edit (and remove the offending content), a badge may still be assigned. Because it takes longer to verify posts that have been edited, it may be 2-3 days before your badge appears.

Instant Bans:

Site management reserves the right to permanently ban any member at any time if we feel it necessary. Permanent bans are final, and if it is determined that a member returns under a new sign-in name and/or a proxy it will also be banned.  To see a list of what may get you banned please see THIS PAGE.

Giving Praise:

You can also use the "report as spam" link (or send an email to Hubby@grownupgeek.com) to give kudo's or praise for a member, although in most cases it makes more sense to post your praise publicly.