We actually had it that way initially, then changed it! The community grew and it seemed more practical to have them in their "home" forums.
One thing we would like to add to the Authenticate This threads to start is having a 500 post minimum requirement before someone can authenticate.
We believe having a posting minimum will not only deter people who don't have the proper knowledge to authenticate, but will also give members a chance to get accustomed to the forums and areas, see how they work, and then if they meet that requirement of 500 posts and they have the proper knowledge to help authenticate they can step in.
I'd like to add this to each of the threads and we can start modding in this way going forward. We do think it will help with some of the new members authenticating issues. I am sure many new members may have a lot of knowledge, but I think for the comfort of the community and to learn the ropes, the members should be very comfortable here and have been here a while before they can begin.
Hope this is a positive step forward for many of you!!
Swanky Mama has been very helpful to us authenticators in Michael Kors thread, with newbies coming along and giving out incorrect evaluations. She has been very good about taking care of that problem and it virtually solves it for us, by just removing their comments.
I think the way you have it now is working just fine, with all the authenticators for each brand being pinned to the top of each brand's forum. We have never had one complaint about being difficult to find.
HOWEVER, I personally think that 500 posts before being able to get an evaluation is something we need to seriously discuss. There are pros and cons to this, and I will tell you mine and then you tell me if I am off track, or what you think.
I personally don't think there is anything wrong with folks joining this forum to get an authentication. I do understand this might hurt professional authenticators that have businesses. So it makes sense in that regard. I have actually been sending new members here that are getting so much incorrect information off of facebook and other venues, misleading guides, etc. These people need help! What is the harm in sending them here, as long as they do not start authenticating! ?? I believe THAT is where we need to draw the line. Stating that no one under 500 posts is allowed to comment on authentications, should suffice and perhaps that can be in the user agreement, when they join?
But if they are here for an evaluation, why not give it to them? I agree with others here stating, "what in fact are others exactly 'contributing' because they have 500 posts??" For what? Oooh, aahhh, and I love that color?? lol! What contribution is that really??
I appreciate what you are trying to do by stopping these newbies from authentications, but I see no harm what so ever, in new members coming here to keep from getting ripped off by these criminal counterfeiters. I have faith that if we help them, they will stay on this forum and feel safe here. I often brag that this is a 'safe haven' for those of us that don't want to support the counterfeiting business. Why would we want to make it easier for the counterfeiters to sell their goods, by waiting so long to give folks an evaluation?
I think the TPF is perfect the way it is! Just allow us to keep reporting newbie authenticators, and that should continue to solve that problem. Newbies need to know to show respect for the long time authenticators here, not stepping on their toes, and not arguing with us on our threads. When I first started authenticating here, I contacted the present authenticators in private messaging, , after I had proven to them that I knew the bags really well, and I ASKED them, if they appreciated my input or not! If they dod NOT approve it first, I would have went away! I did NOT just start throwing out evaluations as a new member! I can't believe anyone does this! I think it is very disrespectful to the long time evaluaters here and shows total disregard for their positions! This is NOT facebook, where you can just do what ever you please, and even facebook has rules.
By continuing to remove their posts, this basically solves the problem. No need to cause a new problem , trying to solve an old one. I think not allowing authentications until 500 posts are made, is just going to send people to other forums. Why not keep them here?? Why not keep this the biggest and the best, with the most members?? Am I missing something here??
JMHO
