Very, very frustrating nomination process with multiple contradictory rejection reasons

[tupelobound]

I have tried to get these very clearly artistically valuable antique Polly Gas Pumps multiple times now (please see the website I provided at the very bottom of this post if you don’t know the history of Polly Gas). Each time I provide evidence that these are antiques. Non-functional. Not “normal gas pumps” and that they are sought after collectibles by antique auto collectors and each time the Scopely rejection comes back the same:

Thanks for the appeal, Wayfinder! The nomination in question does not meet the Wayfarer criteria, as it is a common petrol pump that is not an eligible business. We recommend you review the Wayspot Criteria and Forum Criteria Discussions Library sections before submitting your next Wayspot contribution: Wayfarer — Scopely Explore Technical Support and Help Center and Forum Criteria Discussions Library — Wayfarer Help Center

That was the latest rejection that came after I provided this appeal reasoning:

Hello, the last time this was denied, I was given this message: “The nomination in question does not meet the Wayfarer criteria as it is a normal gas pump. If this assessment is not accurate, please resubmit the nomination with additional context.” Since that is not accurate (it is not a “normal gas pump”), I have resubmitted it noting that the pumps are DECORATIVE and 100% non-functional. I have also supplied an authoritative website proving that it is an antique, decorative item that collectors recognize as having artistic value and merit. https://antiquesignguy.com/behind-the-brand-the-history-of-polly-gas-and-why-collectors-love-it Could you please reevaluate this appeal? Thank you.

This is really frustrating. Me and many others are putting a lot of time into these nominations, trying multiple times to find new sources and supplemental information to address reviewer feedback and each time I get the same boilerplate rejection text that doesn’t actually seem like they looked at any of the new information I gave.

Can anyone help with this? How do these publicly displayed antiques have less artistic or unique merit than some random sign, random bench, an ugly mural that no one looks at, etc. (many I see as successful nominations)

Title:
Antique Decorative Gas Pumps

Description:
Antique gas pumps from Polly Gas that are 100% non-functional and decorative only

Supplemental:
These gas pumps are 100% non-functional, decorative ONLY. There is NO surrounding gas station, no attendants, no method of payment, and there is no power connected anywhere near these gas pumps. They are DECORATIVE ONLY. Please do not deny this as “non-unique, functioning gas pumps” as I have provided multiple sources confirming that these are DECORATIVE ONLY gas pumps that are both worth a lot of money (and thus valuable antiques) and well known as collectibles: https://antiquesignguy.com/behind-the-brand-the-history-of-polly-gas-and-why-collectors-love-it

Location:
4442 State Highway 27, Kingston, NJ, USA
40.375330, -74.613747

[tupelobound]

Okay I just clicked on the antique sign guy website I provided and it got taken down by the PHP apocalypse. This resubmission and rejection happened well before the PHP takedown (early October) so the reviewer absolutely had access to that website to see the evidence I provided.

Okay here’s an archived link: https://web.archive.org/web/20260520134246/http://antiquesignguy.com/behind-the-brand-the-history-of-polly-gas-and-why-collectors-love-it/

Here’s two other proofs:

Vintage gas pump lovers, this one's for you! What do you think of Polly Gas Pumps?

Neptune 855 Polly Gas Pump - Antique Refinishing Services

[cyndiepooh]

I realize this is frustrating. It appears that the appeals team has reply scripts that they attempt to alter to fit the individual appeal. It seems to me that they were unconvinced that these were something significant for people to want to explore.

An abandoned gas pump left rusting away on site is a very different thing than a polished showpiece like in your video. Would you like to share one of the nominations here for advice?

[tupelobound]

Sorry I didn’t see how to post images. The ones I nominated are in front of a classic car mechanics’ garage. Here’s the nomination

[cyndiepooh]

Okay, with these coordinates, 40.375330, -74.613747, I can see both why you think these are great and why reviewers rejected them.

It isn’t clear what this business is that has the decorative pumps out front. It does give the impression of a closed business.

On something like this, I try to put the important information about the point of interest in the description.

My title would be something like Antique Polly Gas Pumps

My description would be require a lot more research, but would basically be something like: Decorating the entrance to this classic car mechanic’s garage, this pair of pristine but non-functional pumps features the famous Polly the Parrot mascot.

That’s a quick mock up.

[tupelobound]

Thanks for the suggestion. I hesitated to mention the garage at all since, as you say, there’s no indication it is that at all and I thought that might give people even more footholds into rejecting the nomination (I only know it’s a classic car garage because I’ve walked by when the owners had those big double doors open and I saw all the antiques inside).

Do you really think the deciding factor is the garage itself? I’ve already said the pumps are non functional and not-actual dispensing gas pumps 50 different ways and that they have artistic value (with proof)

[cyndiepooh]

I think the deciding factor is convincing these are not just some leftover pumps at an abandoned gas station. If there is currently a business there, it seems more likely that they are an intentional installation. At least, that is what I would try.

@tupelobound

I only know it’s a classic car garage because I’ve walked by when the owners had those big double doors open and I saw all the antiques inside

If you are a people person, maybe you could talk to those owners and get more information about the pumps. If they had them restored, they are probably excited to show them off, and may give you more information that you can use in your nomination.

[tupelobound]

I hear you but are reviewers not even looking at the photos I provided? How would antique pumps that are NOT covered in dust/rust/beaten up and dented be abandoned? It just doesn’t make any sense

[00witsd]

I don’t think you have a very realistic view of human nature there. 50% of reviewers will look at the first image and click ‘not distinct’ before even looking at anything else. And most of the remaining 50% probably won’t do much more than that.

I don’t fancy your chances of ever getting these accepted. And that’s a shame, but unless you wildly luck out, it’s just going to be one of those things.

Sometimes you’ve just got to shrug and walk away before you go a little crazy.

[cyndiepooh]

So on a completely different note, you didn’t ask this, but are you aware that this location would not be eligible to become a pokestop if approved? Kingston Deli Market is the pokestop for that cell.

It would be eligible to be added to the pool for power spots.

I know you have done a ton of work here, and to finally get it accepted but it not show in game could be crushing.

[tupelobound]

I mean… these are being reviewed by Scopely on appeal and being rejected. Am I to take it that Scopely reviewers are clicking a boiler plate reject without really reading what I wrote or the websites I provided as proof?

[cyndiepooh]

@tupelobound

Am I to take it that Scopely reviewers are clicking a boiler plate reject without really reading what I wrote or the websites I provided as proof?

No. They are assessing the appeal statement to the best of their ability, then they do use a template to try to convey their findings as best they can.

[tupelobound]

Thanks for pointing this out. I still don’t really know how to navigate that cell map… I’ve gotten a bunch of new stops approved and they didn’t appear, which as you say, is crushing. Coincidentally, I was very glad that my nomination of that deli was approved!

[00witsd]

@tupelobound

I mean… these are being reviewed by Scopely on appeal and being rejected. Am I to take it that Scopely reviewers are clicking a boiler plate reject without really reading what I wrote or the websites I provided as proof?

Worse. They are reviewing while ‘on the clock.’

I don’t know, but I would not be surprised to discover that the appeals staff have quotas to get through each day. While they might have more experience, if you think that they are going to spend more than a couple of minutes reading your appeal, any links, squinting at photos and considering the amount of dust on things… No chance.

I only use appeals on the most obvious things – gyms and trail markers, mainly.

[cyndiepooh]

Oh then here are a couple of things for you to investigate submitting. I put the pin where there is a a Google label for Mannat by Chef Gaurav Mathur, an Indian restaurant. And there is a Google labels for Presbyterian church princeton, nj, which doesn’t look like a church, but you might check out. Those are both in empty L17 S2 cells.

And you might want to check around the other church. A sign for it is already a Wayspot and the church would be a duplicate, but is there something in front of or behind the church that may be eligible separately? It looks like there is something at this pin but I can’t tell.

Good luck!