Haha. FAIL.

Weeeee. Corporate Asspionage. I don't think Bank of America gets the reason we hate it so much. Scammy bullshit and lies are not traits we find appealing in banks. (Also, as a Canadian, the word America is also not high on our bank pref's...)

Let's take a look at the points presented:

That's ridiculous, BoA does have a ridiculous history of charitable giving. To say otherwise is simply ignoring the facts.

As far as the ATM thing goes, how is that not true? Everyone complains about ATM fees here, and now they have one of the largest ATM footprints in the US to draw upon, instead of the limited LaSalle footprint.

Bank of America's online banking is constantly ranked at or near the top as far as ease and capabilities.

So basically you banned someone for having a first post that was contrary to your (often) extreme/hastily formed opinions. This is ridiculous, especially for someone who lobbied to be in the google news feed.

Quality--

that was wicked funny, made my day

@ENM4R
let's see
Yes BofA does have a lot of ATMs and they are happy to fee the f#ck out of you for the convience. They also have a habit of not telling you about fees or making it a hassle when you need to talk to someone and get a straight answer, oh yeah, and they will charge you a fee.
Sure they have a great online system unless you need to transfer some money (fee) or don't keep a balance (fee although they sometimes will allow you to open the account without the fee but later put it back) and might even answer the message center (didn't get charged for that one.)

@enm4r: your right on point one, but point two overlooks the simple fact that ATM fees SHOULD NOT EXISTS AT ALL END OF STORY ZIP IT.

We are paying paper fees for electronic to electronic transfers that not one human ever see's and whose cost far and away outweighs the cost of upkeep.

Not to mention the sheer tone of the post screams PR bot. No one talks like that, Im sorry.

Your a complete idiot to not think corporate PR bots roam amok on this site. Consumerist has way too high of a profile to not attract paid bloggers and PR weasels, especially since they let every fucknugget in the world post here, unlike the old days when you had to have a legit in-line to a company, or be a blogger with their own site to get a invite.

@enm4r: I tend to agree that the banned post smacks of PR BS. Compare if you will the grammar and sentence structure with, oh I don't know your post, and the after it, and this one, and those that came before. Do you see the difference. (yes I intentionally left out the question mark...)

Ben,

I think you should substitute fucknugget every now and again for douchebag. I laughed so hard when I read that... thank you FALCONFIRE!

"BofA is a monster -- the good kind!"

Hahahah, no one in real life uses two dashes... and no one uses ! unless they're swearing up a storm and talking about BoA like they truly feel.

This is not a bot. :)

For the sake of heaping abuse on PR drones, it's obvious that this genius of a cumstain spends all his (or her?) time on a corporate firewall for web browsing, because nobody on the real Internet talks like that, unless you're restricted to only the squeaky-clean PVC tubes approved by someone 16 levels up the bureaucracy than you.

World-class? Evidence shows... without giving any evidence? Umm...yeah.

I'll give credit that the word "regime" is probably a good choice for this situation, as in "a dictatorial regime" (from the first definition on dictionary.com), although it's normally reserved for government rule, not corpora...wait. Yes, regime's the right word.

btw, fucknugget is definitely entering my daily vocabulary... thanks falconfire.

LaSalle Bank had an ad on the Chicago CBS (WBBM780) radio this morning about how they had ATMs on every corner! I heard it right after I read the posts on the other thread.

Does BoA have the history of giving or is it the founding Italian family (I forget the name - the guy basically built BoA by lending small amounts of money to Italians and other immigrants when nobody else would lend to them, IIRC)

@pfblueprint: I use double dashes, but I'm fancy like that...but not usually in a short comment on a blog...there's really not that much need for grammatical structure. lol ellipsis abuse

Well, it's certainly a bellwether event. Says a lot about The Consumerist and blogs in general that BoA would bother to create an account to post -- if it's not just an unaffiliated employee or other apologist.

Bullshit! He can't have an opinion all of a sudden!? He was completely on topic and if you don't like it, then go FU$K yourselves!!! Even if it is a troll, its an opinion, nothing else! This is why I HATE America (to all those who question me!!) I'm no longer very keen on this site either. WTG assholes!

Amen, Consumerist!

Now if we could scrape the flacks off the Citysearch restaurant boards ("I don't know why everyone complains about the food! I had the breem medallions -- a specialty of the chef and they melted in my mouth") and off the NYT website (i.e., the flack who commented on Paul Krugman's last column that Americans "use too much healthcare.")

The latter comment is #1 on the industry list of Reasons Why We Are Not the Bad Guys Because We Let Kids Die of Cancer to Save Money. Also, it's the kind of thing you'd never actually hear a living human being say about himself.

When civilization ends, it will just be the cockroachs and the flacks.

You know, it would have been far better to simply let the rest of the community flame him to smithereens instead of banning him. Know Your Enemy.

Also, if this was his only post, I don't think banning will matter. How hard is it to get a new name!?, takes what, 30 seconds!?

@rekoil: Sometimes it is best to send a message. For example, when I was young punching a school bully in the face could get them to leave you alone. Message sent, message received.

Ahh, BoA atm fees. I actually closed my account over issues with a fee at an atm with a BoA phone number, a BoA interface, statement that customers were not charged fees, and receipt printed on BoA paper. Their response was that they still didn't own the machine.

Right, and the guy above can explain why I their buying yet another bank is a good thing.

I wonder if they're going to make a statement in response to this post.

Hahaha - OWN3D!

@Falconfire: your right on point one, but point two overlooks the simple fact that ATM fees SHOULD NOT EXISTS AT ALL END OF STORY ZIP IT.

You won't get me to disagree with that, the fees are ridiculous. That's why I bank with a credit union that actually reimburses me. I refuse to do business with these big banks.

My point was that despite his town, he didn't say anything completely over the top or any blatant lies. If the guys a PR bum, he'll 1) make a new name, or he would have posted again under the same and shown his true colors. Banning the guy over his tone is, as far as I'm concerned, out of line.

That said, he was likely a PR bot, but the point was the the preemptive strike wasn't necessary, IMO. BUT DON'T BAN ME FOR DISAGREEING!!!!

:/

@asherchang:
They probably already have or will shortly, in the comments, pretending to be a real commentator.

Yeah! Way to go, Ben!

@pfblueprint: I use two dashes all the time -- but I'm weird.

@rocnrule: If we cause you so much pain, why won't you go away? Should we be trying harder?

I could see banning if you knew for sure (ie an IP address) that the person was from BOA, otherwise, just banning because you think that they are a PR bot doesn't really seem fair. But hey, it is your site, you can do whatever you want.

Wow, I WORK in marketing/PR and I'm disgusted.

Oh, and I use double dashes and exclamation points all the time -- and I'm no PR douchebag!

Who cares if he is a PR drone?

@rocnrule:

What a well-constructed argument. You, sir, are clearly an authority on the matter, and I will be sure to heed your words in the future.

I mean, hating all Americans because a website banned a corporate shill... you've blown my mind, sir!

That was so incredibly PRish I can't believe anyone would think it was a legitimate comment. I mean, it's right off a brochure!

"BofA is a monster -- the good kind!" I mean... c'mon! Who friggin' talks like that?

I used to work in PR. These guys/gals that don't understand the Internet think they'll just post some damage control statements in blog commentary. Or even worse, spend 2 weeks trying to start their own blog for a company, then only update it 3 times a month... then bill the client for an assgrab of money.

@Secularsage:
I'm no authority, but its called censorship and happens far too often. Freedom of speech -- It's just like insurance; You can have it, you just can't use it or else!
I don't hate americans so my apologies but this actually angers me. I hate america like america hates france. Its an ideology, not a personal thing. Just like you wouldn't dislike somebody from France specifically. Also, I don't care if you read my comments.
You can't read comments as if they are expert testimony so if 1 troll leaves only 1 post, is it so wrong!? I mean, is this supposed to mean the bank of america president is not allowed here, as a consumer, because he may have unpopular views!? Somebody somewhere actually believes in those comments.

ANOTHER TROLL BITES THE DUST!

I like how it was his first and last comment.

@rocnrule: Freedom of speech and censorship, my ass...Consumerist is the press. They are protected by the First Amendment. By definition, it is impossible for the Consumerist to impose upon anyone's free speech.

Unless Consumerist recently became the 51st state, in which case, we'll get Columbo right on it.

@enm4r: I would say they banned him because he a) didn't back up his points (where is there a link to this evidence?) and b) it sounds like a bot or a marketing director.

@Smashville: Thank god for comment! The overuse of "freedom of speech" as a buzzword to justify bonehead statements is vomit-inducing.

If the Consumerist were to become th 51st state, at least they'd have some kickass consumer protection laws.

Boo! His post was on topic and if he lied, call him on it. Don't ban someone just because you think they're from PR and don't ban someone because you disagree with what they say, geez.

Even if he was doing PR spin, what difference does it make? Argue the points, not the man. It's as if he was debating a topic, you couldn't make a logical response, so you just insulted him. As soon as that happens, he wins the argument.

I'm really disgusted by this, especially with the whole "Look what I caught out huntin', pa!" aspect of it.

@Chicago7:
LaSalle doesn't have an ATM on every corner.
They did stick them in all the CVS stores around Chicago, but LaSalle's branches aren't everywhere. There are huge areas without any & then there's East Lakeview which has two of them just three blocks apart.

And the Italian guy was A.P. Gianini. After the 1906 earthquake he had a shack there right away so his customers could keep their businesses going.
A true visionary whose bank is now run by cheesy, conniving, mental midgets!

@enm4r:
I wish somebody could explain to me why ATM fees are higher than first class postage!

@Rocnrule
"I'm no authority, but its called censorship and happens far too often. Freedom of speech -- It's just like insurance; You can have it, you just can't use it or else!"

Sorry, wrong. First, this is a privately owned site and they can do what they like. It is not the government. Second, the first amendment states that the government shall make no law restricting speech, not that dummies can say whatever they please when/wherever they want to. If you are going to "hate America" you might want to learn about it first.

If anything, the BofA stooge has learned a lesson in a higher level of marketing today. Slogans and marketing-speak glow like ugly neon because they are phony. This is an anti-phony web site for consumers. It wasn't so much what was said, but how it was said.

Also, there's nothing keeping him/her from trying again. So really, so what?

@pfblueprint: I use two dashes -- constantly. I use them because the em dash doesn't render properly on many online sites. You'll find many writers who do.

That said, yes, this fellow sounded like a PR machine.

I think we're all missing the most important part: Ben has brought to Consumerist the style and flair from its Gawker Brother Gizmodo: Executions all around!!

Yes! Ban that idiot. PR scum who post on blogs to troll legitimate users should be banned.

This is almost as bad as the idiots at Sony who hired actors to secretly 'demo' products to unsuspecting people on the street or that fake-ass Walmart blog. There's a reason these people don't want you to know their real intentions. And no I don't think it's because they want to be an anonymous benefactor like Great Expectations.

I don't know how the hell 'Marketing' ever got to be a legitimate profession. It's like if you took one part con artist, and one part thief and put them together with one part liar.

Hey I kinda agree with the whole not censoring argument but I just checked some random reviews on the citysearch website (to see what the other commenter was talkin about) and found tons of monster reviews -- the bad kind! Check out this example of a pr bot describing a deli in the bronx:
Who wouldn't make an effort to bring home a still warm, oozing with milk, delicious mozzerella? That's what you'll find every time at "Casa Della Mozzerella Deli". You'll also find the freshest cold cuts and salume, wonderful products from Italy and a fabulous cheese assortment. The staff is friendly and helpful and I have never been dissatisfied in my weekly pilgramages to this first rate deli. After your first bite, you'll never eat a mozzerrella anywhere else this side of the Atlantic Ocean!

Pros: This is the real deal for mozzarella!

Cons: Perfection personified!

I think the reason Consumerist banned that user is not just because he was pro BoA or sounded too PRish. But because Consumerist is trying to maintain their reputation as a consumer advocate site that backs up there statements with facts. If they don't take a stand now and ban pr bots, consumerist will be another citysearch and no one will come here for honest advice anymore.

@pfblueprint: re: F*cknugget... Other handy words, usually fun around the office.

F*cktard, eTard, iTard, DellTard, Crotchmaggot, Assgoblin, Assgremlin, Asshat, Assburgers, Arschgeiger *, Bananenbieger *, Dunkelbumser *, Kisama **, Kuso baka yarou **, Puto ***, Veeblyadok ****, Petookh opooscheny ****

Don't say these around
* - Germans
** - Japanese
*** - Mexicans, Californians
**** - Russians, Ukranians, or anyone who may be former КГБ (Komitet Gosudarstvennoy Bezopasnosti)

(Arschgeiger is one of the many fun arsch-words... There's also ficker, gesicht, kriecher, loch... People generally get a sense of what you called them, but can't ever quite figure out all of it.)

Da Da Da Da Da
Da Da Da Da Da
Da Da Da Da Da
Da Da Da

Go BOA!

The random beheading of commentators has become a spectator sport on many a gawker blog. It's part of the participation game.

Longtime fans might remember a commentator by the name of miss_smartypants... *tunes the guitar*

♪♪♪♪♪♪♪♪♪♪♪♪♪♪♪♪♪♪♪♪♪♪♪♪♪♪♪♪♪♪♪♪♪♪
♪ The Ballad of Miss Smartypants ♪
♪♪♪♪♪♪♪♪♪♪♪♪♪♪♪♪♪♪♪♪♪♪♪♪♪♪♪♪♪♪♪♪♪♪

A long, long time ago
So long ago I can't remember when.
The comment forums were the place to be
Moderated by some dude named Ben

Then along came this special girl
At least thats what we presumed her to be
She would spew her opinions without remorse
Presuming that this place was freeeeee.

Thank God, miss smartypants has moved on
Maybe moderator some day later
but for now she's long gone
She told Ben that the Nazi shirts weren't so bad
And then The Consumerist told her bye
Then the consumerist said bye bye.

And who could forget that time
She argued that breastfeeding on planes
Wasn't worth her dime
Those mommies should get right up and march
To the bathroooooom!

Then she defended that Verizon shill
Saying 0.15, 0.015, what's the deal?
The Consumerist must be getting it wrong
Ain't it simple math?

Thank God, Miss smartypants has moved on
Maybe moderator some day later
but for now she's long gone
She told Ben that he was an asshole
And that was the last we ever saw
That was the last that we saw...

The banhammer comes out like a flash
That we scarcely had a time to dash
When the dust had cleared we looked around
And miss_smartypants was nowhere
to be found.

She was singing...
My my, this here Ben Popken guy
He's the moderator but I hate him
Because of his Wal-Mart fascination; I just wish he would die
But now that I'm gone I really think I was wrong
Now where will I go when I troll?
Now that the bell has been tolled...

♪♪♪♪♪♪♪♪♪♪♪♪♪♪♪♪♪♪♪♪♪♪♪♪♪♪♪♪♪♪♪♪

Never Forget, 11/30/2006! *holds hat to chest*

There's a vast difference between freedom of speech and freedom of commercial speech. The first is constitutionally protected, and the other, when done clandestinely on a blog, is a form of theft -- stealing advertising space.

Got an IP address for the person, Ben? I'd love to have it and search them out. (I once did that to a guy who signed me up for a bunch of list-serves...took me 20 minutes to not only figure out who he was, but get his cell phone number and call him to tell him he owed me $50 -- which I persuaded to pay him -- for theft of my time [I had to get off all the listserves and track his scummy ass down.])

It's quite sad that BoA felt threatened enough to force some poorn intern to write cheesy comments on a blog.

On the otherhand, I'm happy that BoA feels threatened. Maybe it will one day motivate them to fix their shitty customer service.