tPF authenticator discussion

[Megs]

Now this is strange! The quotes are all off. Now I see what you meant!

I think the quotes are acting up (happened to me last night), which is only adding to confusion. I'm having Vlad look into it!

 

[alansgail]

There's a bit of misinformation here that Id like to clear up. Infractions/reminders are not just given to authenticators or only for the AT threads, they are used forum wide.

Our goal as owners is to make the forum run as smoothly as possible - keep problems off the boards, have people take personal issues to PM, and make this a fun place to be.

No one will ever agree with everything we do and I have no problem taking blame for different issues members have run into, because it def falls back on Vlad and I. But I do want to be clear that we do not look for issues in threads to reprimand people, we want people to figure out their issues and work it out themselves. But I want this place to be welcoming and kind.

Our lives are all filled with so much stress, no one knows what someone else is going through. We never will know that. So I made rules for this forum based on a kindness, this should be a safe place.

With that being said it could be that I've stepped into an argument when it was not needed at times or deleted a post to keep problems off the board before it was needed. But overall I know my goal and the goal of the entire mod team is to keep things running smooth and fun.

I think many members will tell you that you can come forward with issues, it's taken seriously, and I can tell you that I spend a lot of time thinking about each issue and how I can help resolve it and that continues.

Thanks Megs for clarifying that it's not just the authenticators who get the 'infraction' reminders, that we're all subject to the same rules here. If I had any posts removed then I guess I would take a look at what I posted and maybe think that possibly I've stepped over some line. Your job can't be an easy one.....

 

[threadbender]

nvm It works now!


My recommendation, as a quick, temporary fix is to use the ignore function if a member refuses to follow the rules or is rude and pushy. I do think that it could be mentioned so that people who want help realize they are asking a favor and should keep that in mind.

 

[BeenBurned]

Thanks Megs for clarifying that it's not just the authenticators who get the 'infraction' reminders, that we're all subject to the same rules here. If I had any posts removed then I guess I would take a look at what I posted and maybe think that possibly I've stepped over some line. Your job can't be an easy one.....

nm

 

[whateve]

Hi again,

I am still following this thread and wish there was a way to protect the authenticators from hostile members and the wear and tear of the unrelenting requests to authenticate items that do not meet the requirements.

Since information about what makes a bag fake or not is not disclosed, is it possible to do all authentications via PM from a trusted member forwarding the request to the authenticator AFTER confirming that the request meets all the requirements?

Once the authenticator has deemed the bag real or fake s/he could cc the trusted member who could post the result.

I am the curious type and often try to "guess" privately whether a bag is fake or not. So if I did not know that asking "what makes a bag fake" was taboo, I would be inclined to ask. I totally get why you cannot answer the question but I also understand why someone might ask innocently.

From a newbie's perspective, it breaks my heart that as such valuable resources as the authenticators are to this site they are not treated better, by EVERYBODY.

Bad idea, IMO. I don't want more reasons to get a PM. My PM box fills up way too fast. I also don't want to encourage people to ask for private authentications.

I understand what you are trying to do. I did it myself when I was learning and we want to help you learn. On the Coach AT thread, there are many times we'll post a specific reason along with pictures comparing fake to authentic to help you learn. I don't think we hold back very much. We won't post factory code lists but if you have a specific question, such as "did they use the x factory code for xxxx in the year xxxx?" we will usually answer it on the forum. Often I don't mind giving more information. At least for me, go ahead and ask. If I don't think it should be answered publicly, I'll say so.

I also understand your frustration. When I was looking for a Gucci, it was very frustrating getting told something was fake and, then because I didn't know why, wondering if the next one I was going to post had the same issues. It made it difficult to weed out my searches and made me a bit of a pest, probably asking for more authentications than I would have if I had known what to look for.

 

[Prada Psycho]

so.

I also understand your frustration. When I was looking for a Gucci, it was very frustrating getting told something was fake and, then because I didn't know why, wondering if the next one I was going to post had the same issues. It made it difficult to weed out my searches and made me a bit of a pest, probably asking for more authentications than I would have if I had known what to look for.

On the Prada AT, overlooking our stance that we don't want to help counterfeiters perfect their crap, the problem with giving out information about what makes any one given item a fake is that there a thousand other variables that can come into play. The old, long-standing belief that the shape of the "R" in a Prada logo would indicate fake or authentic is SO inaccurate. Now with epidemic of the Super Fakes among us, it's even that much harder to spell out every minute detail that determines authentication.

And NO, NO, NO on the Private Messages.

 

[Prada Psycho]

Thanks Megs for clarifying that it's not just the authenticators who get the 'infraction' reminders, that we're all subject to the same rules here. If I had any posts removed then I guess I would take a look at what I posted and maybe think that possibly I've stepped over some line. Your job can't be an easy one.....

I don't recall reading any post in this thread that indicated that only authenticators get nastygrams and points. The reason it's a sore spot with authenticators is when they come about because of something on AT threads (when we're giving our FREE time and expertise to help out people) and end up getting sent to tPF detention when we defend ourselves against the parade of jerks that migrate onto the AT threads.

 

[whateve]

On the Prada AT, overlooking our stance that we don't want to help counterfeiters perfect their crap, the problem with giving out information about what makes any one given item a fake is that there a thousand other variables that can come into play. The old, long-standing belief that the shape of the "R" in a Prada logo would indicate fake or authentic is SO inaccurate. Now with epidemic of the Super Fakes among us, it's even that much harder to spell out every minute detail that determines authentication.

And NO, NO, NO on the Private Messages.

Oh yeah, there is also a problem that when you point out what makes it fake, it gets misinterpreted, and there are exceptions to every rule. If we say that Coach never used signature lining in a bag with a signature exterior, someone will post a bunch of requests, trying to find something that doesn't follow the rule!

 

[Prada Psycho]

Oh yeah, there is also a problem that when you point out what makes it fake, it gets misinterpreted, and there are exceptions to every rule. If we say that Coach never used signature lining in a bag with a signature exterior, someone will post a bunch of requests, trying to find something that doesn't follow the rule!

Exactly. That's why it's called the "Authenticate This" thread versus "Learn How to Authenticate This."

The only way to be really good at authenticating is to have a love for one particular designer and within that designer's MASSIVE types of items, narrow that down to a few particular items. In my case clearly that's Prada, but my authentication expertise is self-limited to handbags and some small accessory items. That's it! And the literal hundreds of bags that have passed through my house, photos I have in my reference library and other reference materials would make most layperson's brains explode. It simply is not something one can be taught. Good authenticators also have to have strong attention to detail, a discerning eye for what's right and what's "off" with an item and a certain amount of sleuthing skills to boot.

If I'm shopping for something by Hermes, Gucci, Marc Jacobs, etc., I go to those authenticators for help.

 

[missbanff]

I don't recall reading any post in this thread that indicated that only authenticators get nastygrams and points. The reason it's a sore spot with authenticators is when they come about because of something on AT threads (when we're giving our FREE time and expertise to help out people) and end up getting sent to tPF detention when we defend ourselves against the parade of jerks that migrate onto the AT threads.

They've been migrating well outside the AT threads of late. The needlers, the button pushers, the pot stirrers. It seems we can't defend ourselves against them no matter where they are.

 

[devik]

Exactly. That's why it's called the "Authenticate This" thread versus "Learn How to Authenticate This."

The only way to be really good at authenticating is to have a love for one particular designer and within that designer's MASSIVE types of items, narrow that down to a few particular items. In my case clearly that's Prada, but my authentication expertise is self-limited to handbags and some small accessory items. That's it! And the literal hundreds of bags that have passed through my house, photos I have in my reference library and other reference materials would make most layperson's brains explode. It simply is not something one can be taught. Good authenticators also have to have strong attention to detail, a discerning eye for what's right and what's "off" with an item and a certain amount of sleuthing skills to boot.

If I'm shopping for something by Hermes, Gucci, Marc Jacobs, etc., I go to those authenticators for help.

Exactly. I've become obsessed with one specific bag by one specific designer and over the past few months have educated myself to the point where I'm confident I can authenticate for myself. I have no clue about this brand's other bags though, much less any other designer. I don't think I'd ever be proficient enough for something like H or Chanel!! Their product catalogs are just too vast and the history too deep for me to catch up.

 

[creighbaby]

Allow me to correct myself - I misread the original question.



Of course some of the authenticators have their own paid service, but they are not paid by PurseForum for their help in the AT thread on TPF.



Apologies!

Thank you for clarifying.

This has been a very informative thread. I feel like everyone is taking the time to really listen to what others are saying.

 

[creighbaby]

You have 39 Posts, and have been here less than a year...



MissBaniff has been here 8 YEARS... has OVER 10,0000 Posts,

MOST of those posts, HELPING people... Either on the ebay forum,

or at the AT threads. and you THINK it is OK to say to HER "perhaps you should stay off of it" ??



Now, EVERYBODY has a place here.... Somebody with ONE post, somebody with 10,000 Posts... BUT... to say something like that to

a LONG TIME Member, who spends most of her time on The Purse Forum, HELPING people, is just WAYYYY out of line.







You call her RUDE?? Yet, I've NEVER seen her talk like this to ANY member... I'm shaking my head...



the sheer nerve of that post, is just stunning.

This is an example of what I'd mentioned before:

Calling someone out for their opinion and justifying it by saying they don't have as many posts as the long-time member they are criticizing.

Is the person being rude, or is the person not showing enough deference to the long-time member?

If you feel a person is being rude, then they are being rude. It doesn't matter how many posts they do or don't have, and I don't think that should not be a factor in an assessment.

 

[alansgail]

I don't recall reading any post in this thread that indicated that only authenticators get nastygrams and points. The reason it's a sore spot with authenticators is when they come about because of something on AT threads (when we're giving our FREE time and expertise to help out people) and end up getting sent to tPF detention when we defend ourselves against the parade of jerks that migrate onto the AT threads.

Authenticate because you enjoy it and get satisfaction from helping others.....when that feeling goes away I would step back from it and decide whether or not it's something worth pursuing.
If it's causing undue stress in your life and it's something that you're voluntarily doing (which it undoubtedly is) then it's time to be selfish and decide whether you want to continue.
GLD, there are many on the AT forums who would hope that most AT's would want to continue offering this service.

 

[alansgail]

This is an example of what I'd mentioned before:

Calling someone out for their opinion and justifying it by saying they don't have as many posts as the long-time member they are criticizing.

Is the person being rude, or is the person not showing enough deference to the long-time member?

If you feel a person is being rude, then they are being rude. It doesn't matter how many posts they do or don't have, and I don't think that should not be a factor in an assessment.

Exactly this. Some may see the fact that one's been on here for so very long as possibly being "burned out" and tired of it all. It's totally not fair to take a newbies post and turn it into something based on "experience" etc. Sometimes newcomers can have a fresh spin on things that can be positively enlightening if given the chance.
This is kind of reminding me of an "old boys' club" kind of mentality.
Not flattering.