If You Never Want To Hear About Columbus In the Forums Again, Reply Here

[Jonathan Greene]

Do you feel continuously assaulted by the Columbus Mafia on BiggerPockets?

If any newbie utters the word Columbus, Midwest, or Ohio, the entire brokerage descends upon the forums with post after post. It's absolute madness. I believe this behavior also goes over the DMs.

In the beginning, it was funny. Now, it is spammy. If you read the majority of the replies by the Columbus Mafia, it's only about Columbus or the general area. Some of the responders know more than others, but some are just complete spammers. It's a strategy.

I've been answering questions on BiggerPockets for 10 years and never once asked for business or DM'd for business. People find me because I answer questions, sometimes about the area, most of the time about investing. If we built a spreadsheet of the overall responses from the Mafia and how many were veiled attempts at business, I would bet it is close to 80 percent.

I know I am not the only one annoyed every day, so please post your thoughts here so BiggerPockets can review them.

I do know someone who bought multiple properties with a former Mafia member and the properties are still performing so this isn't a referenda on how good the agents are. I have not personally worked with them. What this is about is the constant and unabashed spam sham on every post that mentions anything even close to Ohio. Like maybe just round robin it, bros. Watching you all post after each other is embarrassing.

[Greg Scott]

Yep, I never want to hear about Columbus.  Go Blue!

[Sean Martin]

Hahahaha! 

[Stuart Udis]

@Jonathan Greene But where else can I purchase my 1% rule properties with booming industries at the forefront of tech, life sciences, great universities and aren’t their rumors  that Amazon, Tesla and Apple are all relocating their HQ’s to Columbus by 2030?

[Jonathan Greene]

Quote from @Stuart Udis:

@Jonathan Greene But where else can I purchase my 1% rule properties with booming industries at the forefront of tech, life sciences, great universities and aren’t their rumors  that Amazon, Tesla and Apple are all relocating their HQ’s to Columbus by 2030?

LMAO. All Elon talks about is Columbus, Columbus, Columbus.

[Michael S.]

@Jonathan Greene - there was actually a moment in the past when I started wondering if  Reafco owned Bigger Pockets

[Jonathan Greene]

Quote from @Michael S.:

@Jonathan Greene - there was actually a moment in the past when I started wondering if  Reafco owned Bigger Pockets

I can confirm that is not the case. :)

[Becca F.]

I've talked to at least 2 aspiring California investors in the last 2 months, who said they were DM'ed by Ohio agents, one of whom received 12 DMs from ReafCo.  I've posted on here for over 2 years and I would consider that spam. Person #1 has now deleted his account. Person #2 said they were going to just ignore the Columbus agents DMs. A while ago another CA investor said he felt like BP sounded like it was becoming like a sales convention.  

I even started a post 2 months ago asking the Ohio agents, particularly the Columbus agents to give me specific examples with numbers, not giving out client's names or property address instead of the same spammy comments we've all seen. I gave my own specific example of one of my properties (Indianapolis) and this is what I was asking for

https://www.biggerpockets.com/forums/12/topics/1203206-quest...

Notice who comments, especially the one who says "tons of examples of 1% cash flow" but can't name one. 

I was also DM'd by a ReafCo agent recently and politely said I will no longer be investing in the Midwest and not interested in buying in Ohio

I commented very recently on a someone asking about Bay Area investing, giving very specific information my local area to help this person out and no surprise... a Columbus agent comments on this post. 

[Jay Hinrichs]

hey you cant blame them for trying to me its funny at this point so I try to work columbus into a lot of my posts just to play with them..  I am sure they are nice guys and just trying to make a living.

[Alan F.]

they pop up everywhere, it's like saying beetlejuice!

[Rene Hosman]

Quote from @Jonathan Greene:

Do you feel continuously assaulted by the Columbus Mafia on BiggerPockets?

If any newbie utters the word Columbus, Midwest, or Ohio, the entire brokerage descends upon the forums with post after post. It's absolute madness. I believe this behavior also goes over the DMs.

In the beginning, it was funny. Now, it is spammy. If you read the majority of the replies by the Columbus Mafia, it's only about Columbus or the general area. Some of the responders know more than others, but some are just complete spammers. It's a strategy.

I've been answering questions on BiggerPockets for 10 years and never once asked for business or DM'd for business. People find me because I answer questions, sometimes about the area, most of the time about investing. If we built a spreadsheet of the overall responses from the Mafia and how many were veiled attempts at business, I would bet it is close to 80 percent.

I know I am not the only one annoyed every day, so please post your thoughts here so BiggerPockets can review them.

I do know someone who bought multiple properties with a former Mafia member and the properties are still performing so this isn't a referenda on how good the agents are. I have not personally worked with them. What this is about is the constant and unabashed spam sham on every post that mentions anything even close to Ohio. Like maybe just round robin it, bros. Watching you all post after each other is embarrassing.

 Thank you for this @Jonathan Greene ! This phenomena has not gone unnoticed, when you see spammy self promotion please don't hesitate to hit report and we will review! We do our best to keep the community a place for real people to exchange real ideas about real estate but it takes all of us to keep it functioning properly by doing our best, putting our best foot forward, and aiming to give more than we take.

[Christopher Robert Noland]

I am not from Columbus.  However, they recently upzoned the area around Parsons Ave and Thurman with no setbacks to 6-7 stories so if you can find a good deal in that area, go for it.

[James Wise]

Quote from @Jonathan Greene:

Do you feel continuously assaulted by the Columbus Mafia on BiggerPockets?

If any newbie utters the word Columbus, Midwest, or Ohio, the entire brokerage descends upon the forums with post after post. It's absolute madness. I believe this behavior also goes over the DMs.

In the beginning, it was funny. Now, it is spammy. If you read the majority of the replies by the Columbus Mafia, it's only about Columbus or the general area. Some of the responders know more than others, but some are just complete spammers. It's a strategy.

I've been answering questions on BiggerPockets for 10 years and never once asked for business or DM'd for business. People find me because I answer questions, sometimes about the area, most of the time about investing. If we built a spreadsheet of the overall responses from the Mafia and how many were veiled attempts at business, I would bet it is close to 80 percent.

I know I am not the only one annoyed every day, so please post your thoughts here so BiggerPockets can review them.

I do know someone who bought multiple properties with a former Mafia member and the properties are still performing so this isn't a referenda on how good the agents are. I have not personally worked with them. What this is about is the constant and unabashed spam sham on every post that mentions anything even close to Ohio. Like maybe just round robin it, bros. Watching you all post after each other is embarrassing.

 I can confirm that the spamming, incompetence, and annoyance that you see from the Columbus Cartel on BP is just as bad or worse as you think it is when they try to do a deal with you.

They just repeadiditly spam me every time I put a new property on the market.

The reason all the BP posts are so vague is because there is no experience there. Just kids spamming. The spammy questions I get on my properties show a complete lack of understanding of the business. Hell, here is a good example, I had one property in Cleveland where one of the kids is asking me ridiculous questions like how often do you need to cut the grass......Bruh, you don't live in Vegas. Columbus is like right down the road from Cleveland.....How often does your dad cut your grass? 🤣🤣🤣

[Jay Hinrichs]

Quote from @James Wise:

Quote from @Jonathan Greene:

Do you feel continuously assaulted by the Columbus Mafia on BiggerPockets?

If any newbie utters the word Columbus, Midwest, or Ohio, the entire brokerage descends upon the forums with post after post. It's absolute madness. I believe this behavior also goes over the DMs.

In the beginning, it was funny. Now, it is spammy. If you read the majority of the replies by the Columbus Mafia, it's only about Columbus or the general area. Some of the responders know more than others, but some are just complete spammers. It's a strategy.

I've been answering questions on BiggerPockets for 10 years and never once asked for business or DM'd for business. People find me because I answer questions, sometimes about the area, most of the time about investing. If we built a spreadsheet of the overall responses from the Mafia and how many were veiled attempts at business, I would bet it is close to 80 percent.

I know I am not the only one annoyed every day, so please post your thoughts here so BiggerPockets can review them.

I do know someone who bought multiple properties with a former Mafia member and the properties are still performing so this isn't a referenda on how good the agents are. I have not personally worked with them. What this is about is the constant and unabashed spam sham on every post that mentions anything even close to Ohio. Like maybe just round robin it, bros. Watching you all post after each other is embarrassing.

 I can confirm that the spamming, incompetence, and annoyance that you see from the Columbus Cartel on BP is just as bad or worse as you think it is when they try to do a deal with you.

They just repeadiditly spam me every time I put a new property on the market.

The reason all the BP posts are so vague is because there is no experience there. Just kids spamming. The spammy questions I get on my properties show a complete lack of understanding of the business. Hell, here is a good example, I had one property in Cleveland where one of the kids is asking me ridiculous questions like how often do you need to cut the grass......Bruh, you don't live in Vegas. Columbus is like right down the road from Cleveland.....How often does your dad cut your grass? 🤣🤣🤣

in vegas its now illegal to put grass in.. its all fake grass.. :)

[James Wise]

Quote from @Jay Hinrichs:

Quote from @James Wise:

Quote from @Jonathan Greene:

Do you feel continuously assaulted by the Columbus Mafia on BiggerPockets?

If any newbie utters the word Columbus, Midwest, or Ohio, the entire brokerage descends upon the forums with post after post. It's absolute madness. I believe this behavior also goes over the DMs.

In the beginning, it was funny. Now, it is spammy. If you read the majority of the replies by the Columbus Mafia, it's only about Columbus or the general area. Some of the responders know more than others, but some are just complete spammers. It's a strategy.

I've been answering questions on BiggerPockets for 10 years and never once asked for business or DM'd for business. People find me because I answer questions, sometimes about the area, most of the time about investing. If we built a spreadsheet of the overall responses from the Mafia and how many were veiled attempts at business, I would bet it is close to 80 percent.

I know I am not the only one annoyed every day, so please post your thoughts here so BiggerPockets can review them.

I do know someone who bought multiple properties with a former Mafia member and the properties are still performing so this isn't a referenda on how good the agents are. I have not personally worked with them. What this is about is the constant and unabashed spam sham on every post that mentions anything even close to Ohio. Like maybe just round robin it, bros. Watching you all post after each other is embarrassing.

 I can confirm that the spamming, incompetence, and annoyance that you see from the Columbus Cartel on BP is just as bad or worse as you think it is when they try to do a deal with you.

They just repeadiditly spam me every time I put a new property on the market.

The reason all the BP posts are so vague is because there is no experience there. Just kids spamming. The spammy questions I get on my properties show a complete lack of understanding of the business. Hell, here is a good example, I had one property in Cleveland where one of the kids is asking me ridiculous questions like how often do you need to cut the grass......Bruh, you don't live in Vegas. Columbus is like right down the road from Cleveland.....How often does your dad cut your grass? 🤣🤣🤣

in vegas its now illegal to put grass in.. its all fake grass.. :)

Green carpet baby

[Jay Hinrichs]

Quote from @James Wise:

Quote from @Jay Hinrichs:

Quote from @James Wise:

Quote from @Jonathan Greene:

Do you feel continuously assaulted by the Columbus Mafia on BiggerPockets?

If any newbie utters the word Columbus, Midwest, or Ohio, the entire brokerage descends upon the forums with post after post. It's absolute madness. I believe this behavior also goes over the DMs.

In the beginning, it was funny. Now, it is spammy. If you read the majority of the replies by the Columbus Mafia, it's only about Columbus or the general area. Some of the responders know more than others, but some are just complete spammers. It's a strategy.

I've been answering questions on BiggerPockets for 10 years and never once asked for business or DM'd for business. People find me because I answer questions, sometimes about the area, most of the time about investing. If we built a spreadsheet of the overall responses from the Mafia and how many were veiled attempts at business, I would bet it is close to 80 percent.

I know I am not the only one annoyed every day, so please post your thoughts here so BiggerPockets can review them.

I do know someone who bought multiple properties with a former Mafia member and the properties are still performing so this isn't a referenda on how good the agents are. I have not personally worked with them. What this is about is the constant and unabashed spam sham on every post that mentions anything even close to Ohio. Like maybe just round robin it, bros. Watching you all post after each other is embarrassing.

 I can confirm that the spamming, incompetence, and annoyance that you see from the Columbus Cartel on BP is just as bad or worse as you think it is when they try to do a deal with you.

They just repeadiditly spam me every time I put a new property on the market.

The reason all the BP posts are so vague is because there is no experience there. Just kids spamming. The spammy questions I get on my properties show a complete lack of understanding of the business. Hell, here is a good example, I had one property in Cleveland where one of the kids is asking me ridiculous questions like how often do you need to cut the grass......Bruh, you don't live in Vegas. Columbus is like right down the road from Cleveland.....How often does your dad cut your grass? 🤣🤣🤣

in vegas its now illegal to put grass in.. its all fake grass.. :)

Green carpet baby

the quality of fake grass has really gone up.. some of my clients in South side of Chicago are actually doing it so they dont get violations when the teannts wont mow the weeds.

[James Wise]

Quote from @Jay Hinrichs:

Quote from @James Wise:

Quote from @Jay Hinrichs:

Quote from @James Wise:

Quote from @Jonathan Greene:

Do you feel continuously assaulted by the Columbus Mafia on BiggerPockets?

If any newbie utters the word Columbus, Midwest, or Ohio, the entire brokerage descends upon the forums with post after post. It's absolute madness. I believe this behavior also goes over the DMs.

In the beginning, it was funny. Now, it is spammy. If you read the majority of the replies by the Columbus Mafia, it's only about Columbus or the general area. Some of the responders know more than others, but some are just complete spammers. It's a strategy.

I've been answering questions on BiggerPockets for 10 years and never once asked for business or DM'd for business. People find me because I answer questions, sometimes about the area, most of the time about investing. If we built a spreadsheet of the overall responses from the Mafia and how many were veiled attempts at business, I would bet it is close to 80 percent.

I know I am not the only one annoyed every day, so please post your thoughts here so BiggerPockets can review them.

I do know someone who bought multiple properties with a former Mafia member and the properties are still performing so this isn't a referenda on how good the agents are. I have not personally worked with them. What this is about is the constant and unabashed spam sham on every post that mentions anything even close to Ohio. Like maybe just round robin it, bros. Watching you all post after each other is embarrassing.

 I can confirm that the spamming, incompetence, and annoyance that you see from the Columbus Cartel on BP is just as bad or worse as you think it is when they try to do a deal with you.

They just repeadiditly spam me every time I put a new property on the market.

The reason all the BP posts are so vague is because there is no experience there. Just kids spamming. The spammy questions I get on my properties show a complete lack of understanding of the business. Hell, here is a good example, I had one property in Cleveland where one of the kids is asking me ridiculous questions like how often do you need to cut the grass......Bruh, you don't live in Vegas. Columbus is like right down the road from Cleveland.....How often does your dad cut your grass? 🤣🤣🤣

in vegas its now illegal to put grass in.. its all fake grass.. :)

Green carpet baby

the quality of fake grass has really gone up.. some of my clients in South side of Chicago are actually doing it so they dont get violations when the teannts wont mow the weeds.

People have been telling me I need to learn to golf for years. So i'm considering putting a Par 3 in my backyard (got 20+ acres) so I can practice before making a fool of myself on the course. Been looking into some fake grass for the project, pretty sweet stuff. 

[Ryan Randall]

I'd put Cleveland up there as well. A large part of Ohio is seemingly the "perfect" investment for everyone but the people doing the actual selling.

[James Wise]

Quote from @Ryan Randall:

I'd put Cleveland up there as well. A large part of Ohio is seemingly the "perfect" investment for everyone but the people doing the actual selling.

 Ask your barber if you need a haircut playa. Tis the way of the world.

[Eric Gerakos]

Never want to hear how "All California investors are buying in Ohio" again. 

[Mike Dymski]

The forums are full of spam, OH and otherwise.  The mods can't stop it, unless the definition of spam is opened up or posting is disallowed based on vote ratio.

[Ryan Randall]

Quote from @James Wise:

Quote from @Ryan Randall:

I'd put Cleveland up there as well. A large part of Ohio is seemingly the "perfect" investment for everyone but the people doing the actual selling.

 Ask your barber if you need a haircut playa. Tis the way of the world.

 Meh. Good investments don't get spammed to random strangers on the internet.

My barber doesn't stand on the side of the street and tell everyone who walks by they need to get a bowl cut.

[Michael P.]

I like how they hire VA's to up-vote every single post in every single forum, makes me feel better about myself!

[James Wise]

Quote from @Ryan Randall:

Quote from @James Wise:

Quote from @Ryan Randall:

I'd put Cleveland up there as well. A large part of Ohio is seemingly the "perfect" investment for everyone but the people doing the actual selling.

 Ask your barber if you need a haircut playa. Tis the way of the world.

 Meh. Good investments don't get spammed to random strangers on the internet.

My barber doesn't stand on the side of the street and tell everyone who walks by they need to get a bowl cut.

 Why is your barber telling anyone they need a bowl cut?

[Rick Albert]

The problem is agents are on here for the sole purpose of finding business, not necessarily contributing to the community.

In the posts, I do not (or at least not intentionally) spam anyone. I only post if I can provide actual value. This can be from personal experience or the experiences from my clients. Because of this, I've had people reach out to me directly and we have done business together. It is about adding value, not promoting yourself. 

[Jonathan Greene]

Quote from @James Wise:

Quote from @Jonathan Greene:

Do you feel continuously assaulted by the Columbus Mafia on BiggerPockets?

If any newbie utters the word Columbus, Midwest, or Ohio, the entire brokerage descends upon the forums with post after post. It's absolute madness. I believe this behavior also goes over the DMs.

In the beginning, it was funny. Now, it is spammy. If you read the majority of the replies by the Columbus Mafia, it's only about Columbus or the general area. Some of the responders know more than others, but some are just complete spammers. It's a strategy.

I've been answering questions on BiggerPockets for 10 years and never once asked for business or DM'd for business. People find me because I answer questions, sometimes about the area, most of the time about investing. If we built a spreadsheet of the overall responses from the Mafia and how many were veiled attempts at business, I would bet it is close to 80 percent.

I know I am not the only one annoyed every day, so please post your thoughts here so BiggerPockets can review them.

I do know someone who bought multiple properties with a former Mafia member and the properties are still performing so this isn't a referenda on how good the agents are. I have not personally worked with them. What this is about is the constant and unabashed spam sham on every post that mentions anything even close to Ohio. Like maybe just round robin it, bros. Watching you all post after each other is embarrassing.

 I can confirm that the spamming, incompetence, and annoyance that you see from the Columbus Cartel on BP is just as bad or worse as you think it is when they try to do a deal with you.

They just repeadiditly spam me every time I put a new property on the market.

The reason all the BP posts are so vague is because there is no experience there. Just kids spamming. The spammy questions I get on my properties show a complete lack of understanding of the business. Hell, here is a good example, I had one property in Cleveland where one of the kids is asking me ridiculous questions like how often do you need to cut the grass......Bruh, you don't live in Vegas. Columbus is like right down the road from Cleveland.....How often does your dad cut your grass? 🤣🤣🤣

This trends, and I am not surprised. When BP becomes a strategy and not a place to connect, it's not good.