Platinum, I understood your comments and love the idea of a javascript form to fill out for authentications....makes perfect sense! I do hope they implement it. Seems like it would solve a lot of problems and eliminate a lot of back and forth dialog that takes up so much of the authenticators time....
tPF authenticator discussion
- Thread starter missbanff
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I am so very sorry, Missfiggy. This is just shocking and inexcusable. That user should have been banned since this kind of behaviour towards other members is intolerable.
Same holds true for some of your experiences, Missbanff.
oh well, believe me, for some people it is difficult to imagine, that people like CB would seat here for hours and do everything just for free. and other authenticators, like on LV or Dior etc
Yes, they do exactly that and get rewarded with a bunch of attitude. That's the main issue here.
the only way to fix it, to show respect to people who donate they time and knowledge to forum. tPF should stop allowed anybody comment "fake/authentic",but only these people (like CB, AJ, Addy etc), let them know how important they are and that forum on their side. How are they doing it without forum administration support-big mystery for me.
Forum can't control people attitude, can't make people polite. but forum can give authentication to people who know what they doing, like CB. And not allowed anybody else comment there.
IMHO
Like I said, I can easily see how someone comes to tPF and is overwhelmed. There are hundreds of forums/sub forums and AT threads can be hard to find. Then once they find the thread, the format could be confusing because the forum is so big.
Let me put it this way - on instagram I not only say the brand of the bag in the photo I upload, but I also tag the designer. Do you know how many people still ask who makes the bag, it's a lot!! I don't get that at all because instagram is so so simple comparatively speaking, but people ignore things.
Happy to have you here and helping!!
I'm sorry you aren't authenticating, I know how loved you were in the Prada AT thread.
It's a shame that one bad apple can spoil it for the bunch. The best thing I can suggest is PM someone on the mod team or me directly when there is an issue and I will check it out right then. I do remember when that thread got a bit nasty and I tried to rectify it, but I'm sorry it was still so much.
As for people PMing you when they aren't supposed to for an authentication - that's annoying, but I truly see no way of stopping that. We do have parameters that don't allow people to start new threads or PM others until they reach 5 days, 5 posts, but I can't say I know how that can be combatted.
You can defend yourselves, but we are not looking for people to be getting into arguments in the open forum. I get it, I do. It's really thankless at times to help so many people who are not recognizing the help - I know sometimes mods feel that way!
We do our best as admin to help the situation but I know we aren't perfect - we might think something is ok when it was crossing a line or not get to a thread quick enough to step in. My goal is to have a great community and enforce the rules to keep things flowing best they possibly can. Doesn't mean I haven't gotten it wrong, and if I did in your case, I apologize. It wasn't my intention at all. I know SO many people are so thankful to authenticators and I see that being said so often - I wish the bad apples didn't spoil it, but I get why they do.
As for someone authenticating that shouldn't, if you reach out to me directly, I will handle it. We simply don't like that handled on the open forums. If that person is then being combative, that is when we consider infractions, bannings, etc.
I've thought about having a form built out for AT threads, Vlad and I are toying with this idea and how to execute it well. We can keep saying people need to follow the rules, but the fact is so many will not and this problem will continue unless we try something different to see if it can help.
Some people are totally just coming here with one thing in mind, and that is to get an authentication. They aren't bringing manners and they aren't looking into following the format.
I know when I start something new (like a new forum or app I sign up for), I research it so I can figure out what I'm doing. But everyone doesn't do that.
I do believe overall we have an amazing community - in fact one that is so big but still feels small at times which is really lovely. I know a lot of you by username and remember stories you posted or your avatars (like I always know it's you missbanff from your avatar!).
I don't like rude people at all either. When I hold a door for someone and they walk thru without a thank you it bothers me, but I know I am going to have that. I'm also going to run into some amazingly warm and friendly people. It's just life.
CB like so many of the authenticators and mods give their knowledge/help here for free. I have often said it is a thankless job for these people because while they may get 10 great people they can get 1 nasty one and that nasty one can leave a bigger impression.
The authenticators are incredibly knowledgeable and I can't even pretend I know even 1/10th of what they know about certain designer bags. It's truly amazing what they have done or continue to do!
I am incredibly sorry so many of them have felt burned here and wish there was something I could do to help - but overall, that is my feeling for the entire forum, I want everyone to feel comfortable here, from mods to authenticators to members.
I know authenticators have received attitude, I don't dispute that, but I also know they have been given tons of praise by so many who are so thankful. I don't want to forget all the great members who followed the AT thread rules and were truly thankful for helping make a great purchase for themselves!
+1! Praise is good and I see a ton of it too. It's right of you to point that out.CB like so many of the authenticators and mods give their knowledge/help here for free. I have often said it is a thankless job for these people because while they may get 10 great people they can get 1 nasty one and that nasty one can leave a bigger impression.
The authenticators are incredibly knowledgeable and I can't even pretend I know even 1/10th of what they know about certain designer bags. It's truly amazing what they have done or continue to do!
I am incredibly sorry so many of them have felt burned here and wish there was something I could do to help - but overall, that is my feeling for the entire forum, I want everyone to feel comfortable here, from mods to authenticators to members.
I know authenticators have received attitude, I don't dispute that, but I also know they have been given tons of praise by so many who are so thankful. I don't want to forget all the great members who followed the AT thread rules and were truly thankful for helping make a great purchase for themselves!
I want to clarify, I did not quit because I was burned out. I quit due to abusive members with a sense of entitlement and lack of support by mods/admin. Burn-out isn't something that mods/admin can fix because it's within the person, but rudeness, attitude and entitlement are.
Additionally, as the sole authenticator on an extremely busy thread, I was exasperated by well-intended members authenticating and constantly erring, deeming fake bags as authentic and vice versa and having to re-authenticate. This was not exclusive to newbies; some members have single numbered posts and others had notched up hundreds/thousands.
Furthermore, I had to deal with a torrent of abuse, lies and vitriol posted on the thread when I disagreed with a members incorrect assessment. Her posts were removed and I can only surmise that she was never given a warning since only a couple of weeks ago, again, she posted inflammatory and unpleasant remarks.
Prior to this situation getting out of hand, my PM to the mods/admin was ignored (and not for the first time) which leaves me to believe that my time and efforts were not appreciated. Hence I quit.
Thank you to Miss Banff for starting this thread and heartfelt thanks for the kind words from those who have supported me.
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You are missed and a huge loss to the PF. I saw what you went through and you should have been supported.
You are missed and a huge loss to the PF. I saw what you went through and you should have been supported.
I understand that you are upset at how you were treated and did not feel that I had your back.
I always have every single member's best intention at heart. I do my very best to figure out how to handle each situation, each thread, each reported post, each upset member. I will never keep everyone happy, and I know that, but I truly do try.
As I said to others, if people came to me with a PM to explain issues they are having I would be so happy to help the best that I can. tPF has over 250 subforums, and I along with the admin get every single reported post from 250 subforums. Each subforum is different and sometimes I may not handle a situation in a way that people see fit for a variety of reasons - one being because I didn't truly "get it". I can read the reported post, and read the pages of the thread, but unless you really are in that subforum, you don't always get it.
Of course I care greatly about the authenticators and how much they have given to the forums. You and their help is invaluable, and a very special skill set. I am sure you have helped thousands of people make good decisions, and that is simply amazing.
When a member is given an infraction/warning, other members can not see it. We as mods can see it and if someone begins to be a repeat offender, we will ban them, either temp or permanent.
All I can offer now is an apology to you and others who have felt like you've been treated poorly or unsupported. It was never the intention and I really do want to take care of everyone here - from new members just finding their way (hoping maybe they will find a little section of the forum that they love) to old members who I've seen here for years upon years to authenticators who offer such a valuable service.
Yes, you are sorely missed Colourful_belle. I was very shocked and saddened to hear that you had left.
I'm terribly sorry to hear that you (as well as other authenticators) were treated in such an abusive manner by other members without any assistance.
You, Miss Banff and the other wonderful members that run the AT forums are to be commended for taking the time out of your lives to help others.
I've said this before and I'll say it again.
Thanks and praise is very sweet but what I want to see is the offending members GONE.
We are not talking about hundreds of members. For me personally it is like three people. It sounds like it may be more for CB, but honestly, so what? What are these people bringing to the table? One of the people for me barely posts outside the ATLV. One of the other two is just condescending and abrasive.
Sigh.
Thanks and praise is very sweet but what I want to see is the offending members GONE.
We are not talking about hundreds of members. For me personally it is like three people. It sounds like it may be more for CB, but honestly, so what? What are these people bringing to the table? One of the people for me barely posts outside the ATLV. One of the other two is just condescending and abrasive.
Sigh.
We only ban members when they are breaking our rules. We don't typically ban on first offenses other than for spammers etc.
If you want to send me a PM with the members you are speaking of Id be happy to check it out.
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