Site Communication.

[theGinsue]

Here's a little insight from someone who sees what goes on behind the curtain and a few suggestions.

Far too many folks have their notifications turned off for received PM's. For those folks, unless they specifically look at the top/right of their site page where it shows how many unread PM's you have, they never notice they have a PM waiting to be read -totally their foul.

Regarding email - All "bounce backs" come to the site "Contact Us" email address. I'm seeing an increasing number of bounce backs due to folks no longer having a current email address in their profile (also the members foul). Too, about a dozen times a week, I see bounce backs from a members mail provider that the message was rejected by the provider for one reason of another ("unacceptable content" is a popular reason); neither the members nor the sites foul. I used to try to reach out to members to let them know, and where possible, to get it fixed. It became too time consuming with little to no results so I stopped doing that. A couple of months ago I even started going through our membership ranks and sending them PM's to update their email addresses and dates of birth (lots of folks have BS DOB's). I caught endless grief from those members, some long time and good standing who we'd hate to loose, and finally just said f' it, it just wasn't worth it.

So, my suggestions to the membership are:

1. Check out your profile and update any/all out of date info. If something isn't right, fix it! This includes your date of birth - which you can set to be hidden and only allows the staff to see it (and we're not sharing that info with ANYONE!). While you're in your profile & fixing stuff, ensure you allow PM's from other members, not just the staff. If your PM mailbox is full/near full, clean it out so you don't miss a potentially important PM.

2. When you log in and just before you log out, look at the top/right of the site page to see if their are any "Notifications". Every now and then the site glitches (I know, "say it isn't so") and you'll get a PM without immediately getting a notification - even if notifications are turned on.

3. When you're doing a Trading Post deal, either as a buyer or seller, stay on top of it and communicate. This is required under the Trading Post rules for sellers and if the staff is notified that you're not actively maintaining your sale/trade thread we will lock &/or remove it. If you request only email responses and aren't getting any it could be because you mail provider isn't playing nice. If that's the case YOU, the seller, will still be held accountable. Better than saying "email responses only", how about "email responses preferred but if you don't hear back from me, please send me a PM".

4. Perspective buyers: Be a little patient. We all know that life has a way of throwing things into our path and, thanks to that asshole Irishman Murphy, it's usually at the worst times. Sometimes real life prevents us from responding immediately to other members. For instance, if I get a couple of minutes to log onto the site from work I usually don't have the time to reply to PM's & have to wait to do that in the evening when I get home.


I think, if we all used these suggestions fully, we'd see far fewer complaints regarding the TP and other activity on the site.

Just my $0.02. Now, go be fruitful & multiply your posts.

[HoneyBadger]

Thanks for the clarification, Ginsue. Now you have me curious though: Why does the site need an accurate DOB?

[Bailey Guns]

Thanks for the clarification, Ginsue. Now you have me curious though: Why does the site need an accurate DOB?

It provides the most accurate intel on members to the DHS. Especially those in CA.

[theGinsue]

Thanks for the clarification, Ginsue. Now you have me curious though: Why does the site need an accurate DOB?

It helps the staff in various ways.

First, if you're a minor, we need to set your account as a COPPA user. This protects the site in a limited way. (Google COPPA requirements)

Next, if a member has drawn the attention of the staff, knowing how old a person is helps us to possibly understand the individuals perspective and gives us a better idea of how to address the issue that drew our attention to them. We don't respond to a 50 year old the same way we do a 24 or even 35 year old (same as any of us do in real world/non-internet encounters). The better we can understand the person, the better we can understand the others perspective and possibly which response will work best for all involved. For some it could be the difference between a quick PM, a slap on the wrist, a perma-ban, or nothing at all.

It provides the most accurate intel on members to the DHS. Especially those in CA.

Pipe down there Idaho. And if you could just stand still outside your new garage for another 2 minutes the drone will be able to get some more good shots of you for our dossier.

[BlasterBob]

Thomas, since I turn 80 in a few months, perhaps the response I will deserve is,"Quiet down you old fart, finish that 16 oz glass of prune juice and camp out on the throne".

[Alpha2]

I think, for one, that BlasterBob deserves the response he deserves. Seriously, how many more responses does he have in him, anyway!?

And, BB, 16 oz is WAY powder in that case!

[lex137]

I have bought multiple things from members here, don't think I have had bad communication per the site. I had to cancel a few meets and deals fell through, but it's the nature of the beast. I've asked for help in the wanted section not all the time members can help I'm not mad about it. I try not to hold a grudge, but I understand your fustratuon as I've had members negotiate a final price and decided to sell to someone else for full price, just the cost of doing business with people you don't know I guess.

[BlasterBob]

I think, for one, that BlasterBob deserves the response he deserves. Seriously, how many more responses does he have in him, anyway!?

And, BB, 16 oz is WAY powder in that case!

Oh, I have a ton of responses left in my old carcass. Maybe because of my age, I fail to understand "16 oz is WAY POWDER in that case". Did you mean whey powder?

[Bailey Guns]

Pipe down there Idaho. And if you could just stand still outside your new garage for another 2 minutes the drone will be able to get some more good shots of you for our dossier.

Oh...no problem. I'm working on getting rid of these unsightly tan lines. They should get some pretty good full body shots.

[sportbikeco]

almost as bad as bumping your ad to the top when its sold....just edit the post!