The Consumerist Comments Code is a code of etiquette intended to promote a discussion filled with substantive information, insights, humorous observations and relevant personal experiences. Just as etiquette prevents you from throwing overcooked spaghetti at your server, we hope this code of conduct will prevent our community from devolving into pasta-flinging chaos.
So, what's the code?
Above all, don't be a jerk and don't be boring. Ask yourself, is my comment boring, repetitive, or not contributing to an engaging discussion? If you can answer yes, don't hit submit.
Bullying of any kind will not be tolerated. Please note that this includes bullying other members of the community, people who write in to the site for help, and the site's staff. Treat others as you would like to be treated.
Additional guidelines:
No junk comments
Your comment should be a meaningful response to the issue raised in the post.
The following comments are disruptive and boring and are forbidden. Users who post these comments are likely to be banned.
"Why is this on Consumerist?"
“The overall quality of this site has really gone down in the last 6 months.”
"Why did they even shop there in the first place?"
"This is a non-issue"
"Slow news day?"
"People still ______?" (use dialup, eat fast food, breathe air, and so forth)
"This is why I don't shop there"
"I make my own at home."
"In before someone blames the OP."
Stay on topic
Read the full post before commenting. We highly advise reading linked articles before commenting as well. Avoid tangential political rants or partisan diatribes. Bullying in any form will not be tolerated.
Avoid blaming the poster or victim or commenting only to be negative
Consumerist exists to help people. Don't attack the people who have come here for your help and advice. Assume good faith. Express contrary opinions, but treat others as you would like to be treated. Don't constantly spew negativity, be it about other posters, the site, the article, or anything.
No sexism, racism, homophobia, xenophobia or hatred
Don't put this crap in our comments. Don't post links to hate, porn, spam, or shock sites, or their ilk.
No flame wars or proofreaders
Ad hominem attacks are boring to read. Keep cursing to a minimum. Pointing out other commenters spelling or grammatical errors is not a productive exercise.
No sockpuppets
If you post about a company you work for, or pays you in some way, you must disclose this relationship in your comment.
Don't tell people how to break the law
Providing instructions on how to commit criminal acts is not OK.
Commenters are not moderators
If you see a commenter violating these rules, email moderator@consumerist.com. Posting only to point out someone is breaking the rules is distracting and unnecessary. Don't try to argue the fine points of how your comments are just within the rules. Always post with the spirit of the comments code and not just its letter.
What happens if I break these rules?
You may be banned, or, perhaps worse, "disemvoweled." We might warn you in the comments. We also might not. If you ignore a warning, you will probably be banned. If you feel your ban is unwarranted, email your appeal to moderator@consumerist.com and we'll see if we can work it out.
What's "Disemvoweling?"
It's when a moderator removes all the vowels from your comment, making it very hard to read. This is when you've said something out of line that doesn't warrant a ban, but we just don't want to have to see it or subject others to it. If you get disemvoweled, consider it a warning that a ban may be imminent.