Unless I'm missing something the Wanted threads on the Town Market branch seem to fall off the bottom of the thread list or just disappear after a while.
Wouldn't it be a good idea to keep these posts for other people looking for similar recommendations?
Or just let people post in the Town Cafe - where there's more chance of people actually reading it as well.
Wanted threads expiring
Re: Wanted threads expiring
The answer is here: http://forum.sydenham.org.uk/viewtopic.php?f=13&t=1053
All Offers/Wanted posts expire after 30 days. As the above points out you can, of course, resubmit. The point is to avoid a build up of ads where the offer/need is no longer available and the poster has not remembered to delete.
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All Offers/Wanted posts expire after 30 days. As the above points out you can, of course, resubmit. The point is to avoid a build up of ads where the offer/need is no longer available and the poster has not remembered to delete.
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digime2007
- Posts: 258
- Joined: 10 Sep 2007 18:26
- Location: Sydenhham
Re: Wanted threads expiring
Yeah, I understand that and it does make sense for 'offers'. I'm not so sure about 'wanted' though.
One person wants an electrician; other people will want electricians in the future. I guess anything really old could mean the service is no longer being provided but that's unlikely to be the case within a month.
It also doesn't seem right that recommendations in other branches (there are many) get the exposure while those in the proper place disappear.
For example, there is someone on here that is recommended quite a few times in various threads. He moved from Sydenham some time a go but still benefits. His actual words when I told him where the recommendation came from were "Sydenham forum strikes again". Compare this to someone else, who lives locally, whose recommendation had disappeared when I came back to get his details after my original lead fell through. Doesn't seem fair.
That's my opinion as feedback anyway.
One person wants an electrician; other people will want electricians in the future. I guess anything really old could mean the service is no longer being provided but that's unlikely to be the case within a month.
It also doesn't seem right that recommendations in other branches (there are many) get the exposure while those in the proper place disappear.
For example, there is someone on here that is recommended quite a few times in various threads. He moved from Sydenham some time a go but still benefits. His actual words when I told him where the recommendation came from were "Sydenham forum strikes again". Compare this to someone else, who lives locally, whose recommendation had disappeared when I came back to get his details after my original lead fell through. Doesn't seem fair.
That's my opinion as feedback anyway.
Re: Wanted threads expiring
I was under the impression that most responses to 'wanted' were by PM hence unless the OP deletes or adds a post then people are unsure it is wanted.
But I take your point. I could compile a list of SE26 tradespeople who people recommend. There is an issue that recommendations are not always genuine (there has been a racket about cleaners I have had to clean out) so I have to be careful. Too careful and I get complained about t'other way ...
Any other thoughts?
Admin
But I take your point. I could compile a list of SE26 tradespeople who people recommend. There is an issue that recommendations are not always genuine (there has been a racket about cleaners I have had to clean out) so I have to be careful. Too careful and I get complained about t'other way ...
Any other thoughts?
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digime2007
- Posts: 258
- Joined: 10 Sep 2007 18:26
- Location: Sydenhham
Re: Wanted threads expiring
It is true that you have to be careful with recommendations but I'm sure people don't just take them at face value. I'm more likely to believe someone who posts non-trivial replies here often than a newly registered user. The advantage of leaving the threads is that people can leave feedback on their experiences.
That may well be a bit of a minefield and it illustrates why I think allowing recommendations at all on this site is to be commended. I know a lot of sites are too frightened to allow them in public. Not just in case of false recommendations but also because of the potential for disingenuous negative comments.
I've asked for a few recommendations on here and people have always posted replies rather than via PM. I guess my experience might not be representative but I'm not sure what the problem is with letting the posts stand. As they drop down the thread list they are less likely to attract attention and if people are inundated with PM’s they can always update the thread, ideally with some feedback on whoever they decided to use.
I'm not sure a list of recommended tradesmen would work. That would suggest an endorsement from the site which could be problematic and be seen as unfair by people not listed. I’m sure it would also solicit many requests for inclusion to the point where it was just a big list. I prefer just letting posts stand. They are there to be searched, and updated over time by people using the services. Like the existing Town Cafe threads recommending (the excellent!) LMS Gas* people.
*I’m not involved with them - I found them here after searching for a boiler fitter and was happy I did.
That may well be a bit of a minefield and it illustrates why I think allowing recommendations at all on this site is to be commended. I know a lot of sites are too frightened to allow them in public. Not just in case of false recommendations but also because of the potential for disingenuous negative comments.
I've asked for a few recommendations on here and people have always posted replies rather than via PM. I guess my experience might not be representative but I'm not sure what the problem is with letting the posts stand. As they drop down the thread list they are less likely to attract attention and if people are inundated with PM’s they can always update the thread, ideally with some feedback on whoever they decided to use.
I'm not sure a list of recommended tradesmen would work. That would suggest an endorsement from the site which could be problematic and be seen as unfair by people not listed. I’m sure it would also solicit many requests for inclusion to the point where it was just a big list. I prefer just letting posts stand. They are there to be searched, and updated over time by people using the services. Like the existing Town Cafe threads recommending (the excellent!) LMS Gas* people.
*I’m not involved with them - I found them here after searching for a boiler fitter and was happy I did.
Re: Wanted threads expiring
I have extended the 'wanted' expiry to 90 days. I'll see how it goes.
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digime2007
- Posts: 258
- Joined: 10 Sep 2007 18:26
- Location: Sydenhham
Re: Wanted threads expiring
Thanks for listening.
Re: Wanted threads expiring
Just stumbled over this thread when looking for recommendations for gas engineers. I remembered seeing recommendations for one particular company over and over again several months ago. I thought I could do a search and that thread would come up. So yes, we do like to use the 'Wanted' thread as a recommendations source, even after some time has elapsed.
Maybe we need to separate out "Wanted' items and 'Wanted' information? Or will that get too complicated?
Maybe we need to separate out "Wanted' items and 'Wanted' information? Or will that get too complicated?