When I read the original post, I saw it the same as several other members did. Let's look at the formal definition of advertising.

ad·ver·tise (ăd'vər-tīz') pronunciation

v., -tised, -tis·ing, -tis·es.

v.tr.

1. To make public announcement of, especially to proclaim the qualities or advantages of (a product or business) so as to increase sales. See synonyms at announce.
2. To make known; call attention to.
3. To warn or notify: “This event advertises me that there is such a fact as death” (Henry David Thoreau).

v.intr.

1. To call the attention of the public to a product or business.
2. To inquire or seek in a public notice, as in a newspaper: advertise for an apartment.


The original poster was doing more than just showing off his truck by labeling all of the parts that he sells on a regular basis. Going by the second definition, by listing all the parts, he was making known, calling attention to the parts that he sells. I have had a number of suppliers tell me that their thread was not advertising because they never mentioned prices and did not ask members to buy something from them. Neither of these cases are required for a post to be advertising, only that they draw attention to their products. Marc has loosened the policies on advertising in the forums to the advantage of the members and the suppliers with his move to a friendlier RCU. This has put a burden on moderators to determine what is acceptable and what is not. None have complained but this broadens the judgement calls the moderators have to make. Obviously, there are going to be some who disagree and get upset with these judgement calls but moderators a human and have to do what they think is best for the membership as a whole.

I did not remove the thread but in my opinion, it should have been removed but that is a judgement call.