Event Bait-and-Switch

I believe I have encountered venues which advertise events on the event calendar just to attract the unwary, who then stand around--adding to the owner's Traffic rating--for events that never actually happen. Two days ago, I went to one place that had both a PG and a Mature event scheduled at the same place and time. After standing around until 15 minutes after the start time, I realized that neither event was really going to happen, and I left.

Is it a TOS violation to advertise events and then fail to actually run them? If so, how does one complain? Do complaints ever result in effective enforcement?

I would think that if LL can detect venues where events are routinely scheduled in bad faith, they could suspend the traffic/dwell ratings for that land until the owners shape up.

I think the same should apply though to stores that list things like animationshoesclothingskinsmensclothing etc etc etc and then when you get there it is nothin but a box put there to look like more will rez and nothing ever does. My sense is that sometimes folks forget to change the ads for their stores when they move, and that it generally isn't malicious or cheating.

The same could be true for events venues. I know one time, we missed an event and when i followed up with the host, she had just had a RL friend drop in from out of town unexpectedly and completely forgot she was going to host. she Imed each person who was registered as coming to the spa at that time period to apologize, but it might have damaged our credibility a little, merely through error. Consistent errors of this kind, though, might be gaming the system.

Have you considered that an ISP just wasn't working for the host of an event? Maybe there was an illness. Sometimes, RL just gets in the way. I know that has happened to me and one wishes it wouldn't, but it does. Hell, I have even posted the event on the wrong day, not realizing I had done so until I received several friendly IM's.

You are right: Things often go awry (both in RL and SL!). I was certainly not thinking of penalizing people for honest mistakes or real problems. I am concerned with a pattern of dishonest behavior.

There are people who are terrific hosts, who host real events and make an effort to see that their guests have a good time. They should not suffer in the popularity rankings due to others who game the system.