I still clearly remember when you left that forum in question Mike. I also remember reading the many attacks directed at you on said forum and if memory serves me right ( I have sometimers! ... sometimes I remember ) I reached out to you to find out what had happened cause you were a very active member and everyone really learned a lot and benefited by your wisdom and cooks. Most of all I remember how the moderator attacked you personally on the forum and the ganging up by others was atrocious.
My situation occurred on a wood pellet smoking forum where I read many instances where members were often dumped on ... there was one rule - my way or the highway! ... Anyway the forum used to hold weekly cooking contests. People would post cooks with pictures, etc and the previous week's winner would pick the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place winners. Then you received $25/$10/$5 respectively to spend at the forum owner's online store.
Back then I actively posted everything and I always entered the weekly contests. Now a few bucks here and there don't buy you much so when I won a 1st/2nd/3rd now and then I decided to save up the cash codes until I could buy something of substance. Over time I saved up close to $150 and decided to cash in. Using my cash codes I spent my money and bought a bunch of rubs and spices at no cost to me.
Well I did receive the products I ordered but I was chastised for doing what I did. Apparently I was expected to buy items with money out of my pocket and not just use the cash codes. A big deal of it was made on the forum (my name was never mentioned but I knew who they were talking about) and I figured that was the end of it. Nope - I was locked out. My account was frozen and I was never able to login again - this was a few years ago. No skin off my backside. It's their loss.
So here I am at LTBBQ and happy!