Windshield Repair Forum

I know others have posted on there fustration of people who ask questions on topics that have been covered to death in the past. I do not believe there is a dumb question but I do believe there are LAZY questions. You know it amazes me for those of us that contibute our time to help others and post valid and detailed information that knowledge seekers cant put a little effort into simple searches which would produce answers.

I am not trying to make anyone gun shy on posting a question but lately there have been a few topics posted that have been hammered to death in the past. Out of respect to yourself, your business and everyone that shared there hardwork on the forum to make it easier for everyone, please be proactive. Try to help yourself first.

This post is for all of us to consider.

Whilst I do not like wasting time, things do change, techniques change and get better. Also would the forum not close down if questions were not asked and answered?

First, can we get clear on this thread being a response to Kingmonkey's, "do you actually need the networks"?.
I was tempted to post, saying essentially the same thing Bryan did. At least telling him to use the search feature. Then, I noticed he has been a member here for over 2 years and this subject was discussed here very recently.

In the past, I've been guilty of "scanning" a post, that is to say, not really reading and understanding the posters questions or points they want to make. Then making a post of my own and ending up looking like an idiot.

I suspect, in this case, that KM may have fallen into this trap. If that's the case, he probably won't get it anyway.

IMHO

I expect that "EVERYTHING" has been covered in the forum at one time or another. I agree that a search should be done to find out if your question has been answered before, but I think that just like getting a computer response on a question, some of us would rather talk to a real person. That said, answering the same question over and over gets a little old after a while, so I think that people should be reminded that there is a search feature.

To cultivate good relationships with new people, I think we have to be careful how we come across when telling people to search. Sometimes people come across as kind of mean spirited, like "why the ___________ didn't you do a search, you dummy?" When speaking we can inflect words so as not to mean that we are judgmental or angry, but that's hard to do in print. I'm not sure what the answer is but I think new people especially can get driven away by too curt an answer. And I agree with screenman that over time things can change.

If nearly everything can be answered by a search, then at a certain point we wouldn't even need a forum anymore. And I don't think we would want that either.

It's been suggested to the moderators numerous times for several years now that certain "mundane" information, such as being discussed here, can be categorized in a format that would eliminate this from happening. The moderators have their own reasons, whatever they may be, for keeping things the way they are. Still, the oldtimers get frustrated.

The moderators sorta like it that folks do not take the time to research out their question first verses just ask it on the forum "again" for the short cut.
It is good PR for their forum site and sales company.

Other forums will tell the member to call them and will give the info being asked by phone instead of letting others reading know the answer...... know wonder the other forums are sorta dead of activity...

OK, I didn't scan your post, Chippen, I read it over 3 times and I still feel like an idiot. LOL
Could you maybe rephrase it?

OK, I am going to do this without beating around the bush.
Delta does not mind repeat questions, because it keeps their forum looking busy and if they are busy they have feedback that may help sell their repair system to the new readers... New readers read all the response and it sounds good them and thinks I will buy from them with all the help provided.... win win.

Verses

In regards to the last part, other forums (GT) for one would rather answer the question asked by phone one on one instead of posting the response to the forum for others to read at the same time. Maybe Adam can not put it in writing and has to voice it to get the point across. ?????? don't know... this is the feeling I have been getting myself reading from their site.......

I did try to be nice in the other post...

I think there would be far more ability to up sell on the phone than what there is on a forum.

I cannot see the problem, none of us are compelled to answer, sure beats watching television.

A forum is an online discussion site where people can hold conversations in the form of posted messages. I applaud a company that isn't afraid to put something in writing. Think about it and name another company or organization in the industry that does what Delta Kits does. They have a lot to lose by posting on the forum and I am sure if they were to ever make a questionable post we would be all over them and their competitors would be too. I agree that somethings are easier to explain over the phone but what is a technician to do when the company is closed for the day? That is were the forum comes in handy. At times the information can be repetitive but what's it to me? I am not obligated to read every post.