I wasn't aware that Missbanff had left and am sorry to hear this. She was a valuable asset here, just as yourself. I've noticed that you haven't been authenticating. After looking over the AT Chanel thread, I can understand why. No one reads and it's like a free-for-all over there. (Members not following the correct format, entitlement issues, etc.)
I was surprised at this recent comment made:
"The listing has ended because I am in the process of purchasing! Please authenticate!"
The sense of entitlement/rudeness is quite astounding to say the least.
I believe I know of the vengeful member that you speak of. Did this happen on the AT Chanel sub-forum by chance?
Within the past month or so, I've witnessed several members bullying a
Coach authenticator who often posts here on the eBay forum. Some extremely nasty things were said, their posts deleted, yet they still post frequently as if nothing had ever happened. I've come across thinly veiled sarcasm from time to time however; these comments were over the top. I can't imagine only getting a warning for these types of posts. I've seen posts of that magnitude on political forums and accounts were deactivated instantly.
It really pains me to see any member go, especially a longstanding member who I truly enjoy.
We unfortunately will continue to have people come to ask for authentications and do it improperly for that thread. Those people may not follow the rules, expect answers, or just be kind of rude. There is no way to change that. What we've told authenticators many times in this thread and I stand behind is the ability and choice to authenticate for anyone as you would like and skip the ones you don't want to - for whatever reason.
As I stated above, we are working on a build out for authentications that will have more of a form set up which will really help out authenticators as far as following the format goes. It's being worked on currently and I am hopeful it will help!
Many know that I am someone who doesn't ban members easily. When we issue an infraction/reminder we have a way to track it, so if there is an obvious problem person we can issue temporary bannings or permanent bannings. Typically, people who are not good fits for the forum show themselves.
I saw that too! What unmitigated gall! The nerve! But, why wouldn't she phrase it that way? Why not? What's going to happen?
When infractions are committed, posting privileges, and it is a privilege, not a right, should be curtailed.
While I commend ANY action taken against members who violate the rules of the forum, if some of the discipline isn't done in the open, how will it discourage others from doing the same thing, and thinking that's it's acceptable to attack other members?
Someone assumes someone else's forum identity and insults a moderator and they are given a "warning"?
I still know nothing of this situation, so no warning was given as I do not know what has happened. I've reached out to hear more.
Valued members who contribute their time and expertise to the forum are not only feeling as if their services aren't valued and respected, they are so frustrated that they are quitting. Clearly something more needs to be done in this particular area. Members who have demonstrated an indisputable dedication to TPF and other members best interests for years in trying to prevent them from falling victim to fraud certainly merit more consideration.
A lot of the frustration from authenticators comes from the people asking for authentications, which is hard to manage. People may find the forum just for an authentication or be a member and only lurk and not post then ask for an authentication. They then may not follow the AT thread rules they are in and that is totally frustrating and annoying, but we won't ban people for that. But this is why we are working on a form to try to help this issue out, and I am very hopeful that it will work!
Being a member is a privilege, you are right. When we are moderating, we do so behind the scenes and many times in the thread itself. If you look through some threads that had drama/fighting, there are not only posts removed but we go in and post as well. I'm sure it's not perfect, but we try to handle it the best way possible.
I realized missbanff left when I notice her avatar was no longer James Spader a few days ago. Then saw the "done here" underneath her name.
WOW, I didn't know anything about the vengeful member or problems at the Coach subforums. (I pretty much stay at LV, ebay forums only. Sometimes I wander into Bal forums.) That's just sad.
Really sad to see her not here - especially because her avatar was one that I always recognized as her and it made me smile because I "knew her".
Completely agree with your post, Nikki.
I am very sorry Missbanff felt she had no alternative but to leave TPF.
I know I've said this before, but I really don't understand why the bad apples don't get their accounts deactivated. Instead, people like Missbanff leave us and CB (who has done a wonderful job at the AT Chanel thread) is treated like cr*p when she is trying to help people...*sigh*
Bad apples do get their accounts deactivated
. I said this above, but I am probably much more lenient than some would be, but I try to see if people are just having an off day or if that is more there style. If there is a member who is constantly combative, then yes, we do consider temporary or permanent banning. Some members simply just don't get along, and we don't ban for that but we do have the ignore feature which helps.
People that come into threads and are rude should be reported. That way we can be sure we see it and handle it. I still feel like a lot of the issues or problem posts are not being reported so we are not seeing it.
It's changed a lot in the last few years, entitled, demanding without any appreciation of the hard work of the authenticators.
I never go to the LV forum, but I always enjoyed her visits to the Ebay forum