Anatomy of a basher....
anatomyofbasher.netfirms.com
Is the "Bashing" of a stock an essential part of the online investment landscape?
Our Constitution guarantees us free speech and we have always valued
the lessons gleaned from dissent. When does dissent cross over that
imaginary line and become "Bashing"? To often we find well grounded
dissent capriciously labeled as "Bashing" by over zealous investors
bent on protecting a stocks reputation at any cost. The "Bashing" that is
addressed on this site is quite different from dissent. The Anatomy of
a Basher strives to look at the calculated erosion of confidence in a
given stock. Erosion by means that are, in every sense, void of
truth, hinged on deception and innuendo, and motivated by greed
at the expense of others. This compendium is offered to aid in identifying
the telltale signs of "Bashing", and hopefully provide a counter balance
to this heretofore unchecked manipulation of investors fears for personal
gain.
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IS IT EASIER TO SCARE PEOPLE INTO SELLING THAN IT IS TO SCARE PEOPLE
INTO BUYING A STOCK? I have asked some knowledgeable investors this
question and the answer is always: "YES, OF COURSE YES!"
WHO BASHERS PREY UPON
Consider the elderly that are investing for retirement, they find their way
to the message boards for validation only to see false posts about "SEC
Violations" and "Class action suits"... or the head of a "typical growing family",
with children to put through college, who is monitoring a message board only
to read posts by a "pack of 15 to 20 Bashers" (probably 5 or 6 under various
alias's) posting continuous disinformation... what do you think these new
investors will do? It's safer to not buy or even sell the stock, put the money back
in the bank than to deal with all this whirl wind of "unsupported" negative chaff.
The Internet has lured a whole new class of investor into the market. A new
investor is just that - New! This new investor, while learning the basics, is
particularly vulnerable to the tactics of professional Bashers. New investors
tend to lurk in the background of message boards, content to form independent
opinions based on what they read with their own eyes. Very often, honest,
intelligent and cautious people can easily be overcome by a well orchestrated
propaganda effort.
You must always remember that their is a lot of money to be made in just the
motion of a stock UP or DOWN it doesn't matter! And Bashers have money
at risk just as you do. But they have the edge of fear, lies, and falsehoods to
post while preying on the un-initiated. The average investor dose not have
the edge of organized deception.
Recent revelations have indicated that even Market Makers (those charged
with keeping the playing field level) have been involved in stock manipulation
by Bashing on a stock message board.
HAVE NO DOUBT THAT THIS IS A REAL THREAT!
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Lesson 1: Remember, BASHERS NEVER Bash A BAD STOCK.
Check the boards for stocks with no potential. They never have any
Bashers. Bashers only go after stocks that are moving up or
have excellent potential to do so. Bashers work to bring the price down
to either increase their position at the expense of others or help a Short
make their bones.
Lesson 2: BASHERS ALWAYS BRING UP OLD NEWS THAT YOU
HAVE HEARD MANY TIMES. New startup companies always have
a few bits of bad news. The Basher will post this over and over
again. Unsophisticated Bashers will try to freshen up old news with a
new date or by-line in an attempt to fool you.
Lesson 3: BASHERS POST MANY TIMES A DAY. They try to wear
you out. They comment on everything, every other post, and can
answer every question. THEY KNOW IT ALL! There is no positive
comment they won't Bash. They try to control the board. True longs
may have to confront the Bashers or they will appear to the
newbies as being the people with all the information. This is best
accomplished by posting positive, well researched data on the company,
repetitively, while trying hard not to engage the Bashers in direct repartee.
REMEMBER - LONGS... RESIST USING THE BASHERS ALIAS!
Lesson 4: BASHERS WILL LIE TO YOUR FACE. Never trust a
Basher. The truth on startup companies is that they make mistakes.
What new company hasn't? The Basher will compare your issue to a
another companies, financials - deals - management, etc., trying to lure
you into making an Apples to Oranges comparison. Remember each
company is unique and while it is prudent to seek out established
indicators, do so with care and don't take someone else's word for it.
Strive to come up with at least a "six-pack" of indicators so your vision
of the state of a company is not tied to a single barometer. Not doing
so is tantamount to going to a Race Track and betting on the "Pretty
Brown Horsey".
BASHERS WANT TO WHISPER IN YOUR EAR - PLANT A SEED
OF DOUBT, AND HOPE THAT YOU ARE NOT SAVVY ENOUGH
TO RESEARCH THE TRUTH ON YOUR OWN.
This is how they achieve their greatest success.
DOUBT + FEAR + LAZINESS = BAIL OUT!
This is your investment... work for it, protect it and don't panic on the
words of very shadowy figure that "has your best interest in their heart".
Consider that one factor: Someone you have never met, is not a member
of your family, is now, out of the goodness of their hearts - GIVING YOU
FREE ADVICE (that you didn't ask for). It's a no brainer.
They have motives $$$$$$$$$$$$.
Lesson 5: Bashers know YOU CAN'T VERIFY THEIR STATEMENTS
That's why they make the vague statements they do.
They rely on you being to lazy to research their droppings other than
to scan the board for others opinions. This is particularly dangerous
when you consider that Bashers work in packs and often validate and
back up each others nonsense with what appears to be "innocuous
and unsolicited" verification by comrade Bashers. Let's face it, we
are all conditioned to "believe" everything we see in writing. If others
by virtue of their "posts" also confirm this belief, then we are
subconsciously doomed to swallow the hook, line and sinker...
Basher - 1 Honest Investor - 0
Lesson 6: The Bashers PLAY ON YOUR LACK OF KNOWLEDGE.
They can lie about information and you won't know the difference
(unless you have done your own DD on the company and know the
truth and facts).
Lesson 7: Bashers play on your lack of patience. You have held a
stock for a while. You knew it will be a big stock someday, but the
BASHER CAN GET TO YOU BECAUSE YOU ARE TIRED OF
WAITING FOR YOUR GAIN. That's when the Basher is best. You
are tired. You have forgotten the goal for the stock was to hold it for
one year. The Basher is bothersome, so you dump it on a bad day.
Some others also dump. Then you get mad for your loss and
return to let everyone know how mad you are. Then you turn into a
semi-Basher as well. THE BASHER HAS WON, AND GAINED
A NEW ALLY - YOU!
Lesson 8: BRING THE PRICE DOWN. That is the Basher's job.
The truth is not important. Lies are the norm. Post continuously on
the board every day. They are trying to scare the newbies that are
just investigating a stock. They are trying to wear down the faithful
longs on the board and gain free reign and control.
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A BASHER HANDBOOK:
Do not underestimate a Bashers influence on a stock. The Pro's
are good at what they do and what they do is profit from your
losses. Below is their "hand-book" so to speak. Learn from it or you
will be donating your hard earned money to them!
Rules for Successful Bashing -
1. Be anonymous
2. Use 10% fact. 90% suggestion. The facts will lend credibility to
your suggestions.
3. Let others help you learn about the stock. Build rapport and a
support base before initiating your Bashing routine.
4. Enter w/ humor and reply to all who reply to you.
5. Use multiple ISP's, handles and aliases.
6. Use two (2) or more aliases to simulate a discussion.
7. Do not start with an all out slam of the stock. Build softly.
8. Identify your foes (Longs) and the boards "guru" Use them to
your advantage. Lead them do not follow their lead.
9. Only Bash until the tide/momentum turns. Let doubt carry it the
rest of the way.
10. Give the appearance of being open minded.
11. Be bold in your statements. People follow strength.
12. Write headlines in caps with catchy statements.
13. Pour it on as your position gains momentum. Not your personality.
14. Don't worry about being labeled a "Basher". Newbies won't
know your history.
15. When identified put up a brief fight, then back off. Return in an
hour unless your foe is a weak in reasoning powers.
16. Your goal is to limit the momentum of the run. Not to tank the
company or create a plunge in the stock; be subtle and consistent.
17. Kill the dreams of profits, not the company or the stock.
18. Use questions to create critical thinking. Statements to
reinforce facts.
19. DO NOT LIE, NAME CALL or USE PROFANITY.
20. Encourage people to call the company. 99% won't. They'll take
your word for claims made. If they do call you can always find
something that is inaccurate in how they report their findings.
21. Discourage people from believing Press Releases.
Encourage them to call the company. They won't out of laziness.
22. If the companies history/PR's are negative constantly point to
that. Compile a list of this data prior to beginning your efforts.
23. If the price rises blame it on the hype or the PR, temporary
mass reaction, the market, etc. Anything but the stock itself.
24. If other posters share your concerns, play on that and share theirs too.
25. Always cite low volume, even when it's not.
26. Three or four aliases can dominate a board and wear down the longs.
27. Bait the Longs into personal debates putting their
focus/efforts on you and not the stock or facts. Divert their attention
from facts.
28. Promote other stocks that would-be investors can turn to
instead of the one your Bashing.
30. Do not fall for challenges on the "values" of what you are doing,
it's a game and you are playing it with your own rules.
Your are a:
Grade "A" Basher:
If you post lots of old news, respond to all positive posts with a
negative side. Never respond to being called a Basher, never
post on another board with same alias. Can spend up to 80 hours
a week Bashing a stock.
Grade "B" Basher:
Very good way with words, always claims to be your "friend" taking
the positive poster into confidence, never posts on another board,
spends about 60 hours a week.
Grade "C" Basher:
Spends less time than the others but is somewhat effective and
gets a C grade due to getting excited when Bashers rules say not
to get excited, spends about 40 hours a week.
Grade "D" Basher:
Needs to learn the basics about being convincing when making a
negative statement. Spends a good amount of time working the
stock, maybe 20 hours a week.
Grade "F" Basher:
A complete idiot, most readers are not convinced he knows
anything about stocks in general. The type that says a stock
"sucks", but gives no rationale, shows up every so often but no
regular schedule.
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LEARN ABOUT HOW BASHERS WORK: For instance: did you know
that some Bashers are paid?
Golden Rule
IGNORE THEM FOLKS...learn how professional Bashers are paid:
When you REPLY to Bashers you give them an opportunity to earn
appox. 5-7 dollars. The service agreement they enter into with their
employer states their messages will be monitored for content,
profanity, lies, etc. but Overseers and the like don't have the
time to check all their Bashers messages. Only occasional spot
checks are done. Those who manage the Basher will generally
read the headlines to see if a Basher is replying to other posters by
name. That tells them the Basher isn't just "posting blindly" or
repeating the same message over and over since they won't pay
for those.(True to form a Basher will put the bite on anyone, even
their unscrupulous employer). A Basher will attempt to milk three to
five replies per post at one to two dollars each. This way the Basher
spreads negative influence to as many stockholders as possible.
A Basher will create this discussion thread because it takes less
time reading more messages than is necessary. This ultimately
allows the Basher more time to post and make money. In general,
NEVER ENGAGE A BASHER. Make them read all the posts
and think up ways to enter the discussion.
NEVER ENGAGE A BASHER; if you do so then YOU BECOME THE
BASHER,S AID! If you feel compelled to challenge a Basher do so
without mentioning his/her true alias in your response. This will make
it hard for the Basher to use your post as a revenue stream. Read the
news ,do your own homework and make your own decisions. Get real
time quotes and follow the stock for a couple of weeks. Due Diligence
is key here.
Know that there will be a time when the stock runs up which will be
followed followed by the Bashers and those that missed the boat.
The Bashers will trash the stock by saying such things as "it's a Pump
and Dump" and "the company is lying" and deceiving. There goal is to
scare off newbies and potential new investors by "shaking" you out of
your shares. Take the time to confirm your DD ,trust your own
judgement and believe in yourself, pick your point of return or loss
and live with it. Don't listen to hype or Bashers trust your own
judgement. Live by the rules you have created .
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HOW TO IDENTIFY A BASHER
1. Check the "Born on Date" Bashers create identities on a regular
basis. Rarely do you find a Basher with older "Created On" date.
So click on the Identity icon for more details.
2. Take the time to look at the Basher's history of Posts. Go to other
boards and see if their is a pattern to the theme of the posts.
Bashers rarely waste time trying to blend in with "positive" posts,
unless they are cultivating a new uninformed assistant.
3. When did the Basher show up. Bashers rarely show up when
activity is in at a Lull. They show up when activity up/down.
4. Bashers never answer direct questions except with another question.
5. Bashers do work in teams (sometimes themselves as a team).
So be suspicious of someone showing up and automatically having
a Shadow to converse with who supports their argument.
6. Bashers always select "an argument" that can never be resolved
by research.
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Helpful Links
CEO of Company Strikes Back at Bashers
ragingbull.com
Day Trader Busted for Posting Bogus Lucent Release 3/31/00
dailynews.yahoo.com
Manipulation of the markets in general:
Message 8437076
Market Maker is caught Bashing a stock he represented!!!
bigcharts.com
How MM's make money:
ragingbull.com
Link to comments by a former MM:
ragingbull.com
Link to posts about Bashers being busted:
ragingbull.com
Credits
Extracted and Revised from: Pacific Century Cyberworks (PCCLF) on
Raging Bull Message Boards posted by: MichaelK32 Post #34140
Thank you MichaelK32 for the hard work.
This is a non-commercial site, offered free of charge and maintained by
concerned investors that are disgusted with the unchecked and
unregulated manipulation of stocks via message boards. It appears
that our esteemed Regulatory bodies are leery of ferreting out these
people. We have no intention or desire to compile a list of "Bashers"
this page is offered to educate investors about the presence and
tactics of this growing practice. Please heed these warnings and
ALWAYS, ALWAYS do your own DD on any investment before
you risk your hard earned dollars. Good Luck.
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General Comments and Questions - email
Contributions or Suggestions - email
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The Basher "Pack" its a mentality.
Bashers love to work in packs. It provides the quintessential cover
to achieve supposedly "independent" validation of an argument. It is
neither independent nor validating.
Pack Structure: Basher Packs can be comprised of any number of
Bashers. They can be purposely formed within an organization or they
can be "ad hoc" formed during a conclave on a particular board. In fact a
pack mentality can be achieved by an ambitious "party of one" with a few
select aliases.
Once a pack is formed, a leader emerges. This leader is usually
acknowledged by other Bashers because of 1. Knowledge of the stock.
or 2. Recognition by current board Longs (high visibility). Once
established the Leader will usually work the Pack members up in to
a posting frenzy. Constantly changing themes and even occasionally
biting the ear of another pack member (this earns instant credibility),
and it doesn't offend the bitten Basher because he/she knows it is all
part of the effect. Quite sophisticated.
Packs will disband and slink away without notice. Usually this is the call
of the Pack Leader who is adept at recognizing overplay. More often
than not, Pack members must move on because they have other
Bashing commitments to fulfill. They will return to the site of a good
hunt over and over again, until hamstringing is achieved.
What calls a pack together. The Cry of the Leader. Certain Bashers love
to work together. They know each others bite, how to feign in and out, it
is a well choreographed Bash when pack members have worked
together before. They constantly check their "Sites Du Jour" for signs
of Pack activity. Occasionally they will throw out a "Nibbler" Bash to
see if the pack responds or if not they can work the site themselves.
It's all about effectiveness, time and earning money.
BEWARE OF THE PACK
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Anti-Bash Campaigns
"The Rug Pull" (contributed by "topdownxc)
Designed to yank credibility (false as it is) right out from under a Basher
or a pack of Bashers.
Set up: Pick a topic that you are familiar with. It is most effective if you
have an outside, published resource to ultimately validate your contention.
Example: You post " I have heard a rumor that WXYZ Inc. is backing
out of the deal with OUR stock. Can anyone verify this rumor"?
(Of course you have, in your back pocket a published piece of
corroboration that affirms JUST THE OPPOSITE!)
Hint: seem incredulous, ask a polite question, maybe even somewhat
naive... Bashers love this kind of cheese.
The Trap is Set: In rush the Bashers to feed off this "wind fall" of
opportunity to expand on negative information offered up by an
established long. Bing, Bang, Bam off they go, under what appears
to be an excellent cover... until you...
Pull the Rug by posting your back pocket resource that affirms just the
opposite has taken place Example:... "WXYZ signs new 25 year deal
with OUR stock for...." Watch then dry up like snails in a salt mine.
Its fun and very effective. Caution always make sure your outside
resource is unassailable, otherwise you are playing with matches.
If you have knowledge of successful methods for dealing
with "Bashers" please share them: email.
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