Setting the record straight
TOMMYGUN has been permanently banned from HSM.
In the past I have given TG a temporary banning for his rage problems, outbursts/ tantrums/ and excessive foul language directed at other members.
Admittedly I have been far too lenient on him, he has crossed the line so many times in this department that I really have no excuse as to why he wasn't banned earlier (other than I tend to err on the side of being too lenient).
The nail in the coffin this time was an alias he created to pump his stock pick GCKO (bulltrends08 matches TommyGuns IP), which at HSM is an automatic permanent ban in every situation. So for the record, these two offenses (which make up numerous incidents) are more than enough to get anyone banned.
An even greater infraction has been that TG has managed to build himself an email list of people that he sends picks to, which he solicited on this site. This goes against the HSM "no solicitations" rule, and despite repeated PMs he would still continue to solicit members through his signature and posts. There are reasons we have this rule, they will be explained below.
TG would use old pumper tactics like telling people there are "limit spaces" on his list and they should sign up immediately, or setting a release date for a pick which is touted to have gains greater than the last. These are all classic pump tactics which have no place on HSM.
If there is a stock you like, you do not tell people that on the Monday the 12th at exactly 11:32am the pick will be released. Why a release date? The reason for this is that it builds excitement and noobs are guaranteed to rush into the stock with market orders, sending it higher.
In addition, we have it in good authority that certain individuals were emailed a pick ahead of the main email group. This is called front running and when done on a large scale like this, is an illegal practice. Once TG realized that he could spike an illiquid stock +10 to +20%, it becomes fairly obvious what happens next.
It basically becomes a game of who can get in and get out first, basically screwing over anyone who is too slow, ie all the noob investors who look up to him.
Over the past decade on HSM we have seen his type come and go several times. He may have had a hot streak, but they never last, and at the end more people tend to lose money than make money.
As history has show us in the past, the whole TG saga would have ended with one or more of the following scenarios:
- An investigation from the SEC
- TG getting sued (TG if you're reading this, I'd be careful with this one)
- Disgruntled ex-list members going on the attack, or
- Shorters catching on and using the pops to short his stocks, destroying the noob investors even faster.
The last thing I want to touch on is a general warning to everyone that did/ does/ or will follow TG and his picks or anyone like him.
First off, there is no denying that he made some good and great picks this year, but with the markets as a whole being up around 70%-80% since their lows, you'd be hard pressed to find too many stocks that haven't risen dramatically.
Making good picks when we're in one of history's most bullish runs ever isn't all that impressive. More important than actual good picks is your timing. TG has admitted time and time again that his timing sucks, that he constantly sells too early/too late etc. THAT IS THE KEY TO TRADING!! Good picks mean nothing if you don't hold them long enough or you buy into them a month before they finish plummeting. TG would make a pick and validate it by saying, this company makes this gadget, people like that gadget, and they trade on the NYSE. This is a perfect example of his reasoning for getting into a trade, usually of a stock that was in freefall. TG has little understanding of technical analysis, and no regard or understanding of balance sheets and fundamentals, as we saw by him recommending a stock like CHB which was in the midst of filing bankruptcy when he picked it (now CJHBQ).
There is a reason why TG has himself admitted that overall he has been an unprofitable trader.
My point of that last paragraph was not to drag TG's name through the mud or take a cheap shot at him. Again, he has made some amazing calls, and in time he may in time develop and become a good trader, but when large groups of novice traders latch onto an individual like this, history has shown us that the outcome will not be favorable.
It is also important to note, as we have been informed, that many of TG's picks are fed to him from a few of his list members, he then passes them along as if they are his own picks.
I posted this to clear the air and let everyone know that this was done with the best intentions for long term financial health of new investors on HSM.
For anyone that disagrees with me, that is your right and we at HSM respect that. If you're one of the noobs that trusts him, then continue to follow him and see how that works out. Keep your eyes open and I know you will see the truth in this situation.
Good luck.
