tPF authenticator discussion
- Thread starter missbanff
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This is why I was bothered by the removal of OT posts in Dooney. As the only authenticator there, I can say that they don't bother me, I've been known to contribute to them and I couldn't imagine the few "regulars" having reported because they add a lot of helpful and insightful information too.
While I don't know who reported those posts, I can't imagine that it was one of the handful of posters on the Dooney subforum since they're the ones who post and learn from the posts of others. (It makes me wonder why someone who probably doesn't contribute would even be bothered to lurk and report but that's a topic for another day.)
And because Dooney doesn't have a large following and doesn't get a huge number of AT requests or posts on any of the other threads either, I have trouble seeing the big deal of a few OT posts.
Again, I understand there are rules and reasons for the rules but there's also a fine line between what is a violation and what's a slight detour that still brings us back on the same road.
I'm the one you refer to as "someone who insinuated" that Swanky didn't really get reports but I didn't intend to imply she's lying. Again, I just find it hard to imagine that a regular Dooney contributor would have made the reports.
I assume that as mods, you can see who submits the reported posts. Was it someone who posts there regularly? If not, is there a possibility that it's a potstirrer?
As Whateve mentioned above and other Coach authenticators mentioned elsewhere, if the membership and authenticators are okay with a bit of further information on sellers, pictures, condition, etc., often considered to be chatter, is it a huge deal as long as the substance of the AT thread is still authentications?
It was a regular contributer.
I think it's okay to set the tone of the AT threads. Just let us know that you are okay with a bit of off topic chat as long as it's regarding the item in general, in a round about way. Less work for us! But if someone is reporting posts in the AT thread, by a regular contributer no less, and we take action, you can't just jump down our throat with a hostile post. Since you're the one in there doing the heavy lifting, we're okay if that's how you want it. But Swanky didn't know that and neither did I, until now. You know? You can't assume we know the preferences of every person in every AT thread. Especially since we are usually being taken to task for not reponding to reports. And I'm sure Swanky was less than thrilled to be accused of not being truthful, as if that's something we need to lie about. I can tell you the last thing any of us mods are doing, is stalking the D&B threads for fun.
I think it's okay to set the tone of the AT threads. Just let us know that you are okay with a bit of off topic chat as long as it's regarding the item in general, in a round about way. Less work for us! But if someone is reporting posts in the AT thread, by a regular contributer no less, and we take action, you can't just jump down our throat with a hostile post. Since you're the one in there doing the heavy lifting, we're okay if that's how you want it. But Swanky didn't know that and neither did I, until now. You know? You can't assume we know the preferences of every person in every AT thread. Especially since we are usually being taken to task for not reponding to reports. And I'm sure Swanky was less than thrilled to be accused of not being truthful, as if that's something we need to lie about. I can tell you the last thing any of us mods are doing, is stalking the D&B threads for fun.
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This thread has been open for months in order to have a dialogue between authenticators, members, and admin. I've let everyone share their opinions and continue to do so. I've listened to a lot of people's problems and we've made changes. I think all the authenticators would say that is the case. If an authenticator does not feel it's the case, please do let me know.
The issue that started this thread back up was the removal of chatter posts in the D&B subforum. When we see threads that get off topic, we typically remove some posts or ask people to stay on topic for the thread. I get every reported post of this forum and there was a report about it from a member. If that thread works well with some chatter, we can discuss that and leave a bit more room there. BB you are welcome to PM me with concerns or suggestions. Posting here was fine too but I think it sounded like you thought we were removing posts maliciously and that wasn't the case. If I read it wrong, let me know.
I think many of the authenticators are happier knowing they have an open line of communication with us and we've been working on the issues we've said we will work on. I can never make everyone happy and yes, some people are not authenticating that once were. But I've actively reached out to authenticators and made changes and that still may not work for some people.
The issue that started this thread back up was the removal of chatter posts in the D&B subforum. When we see threads that get off topic, we typically remove some posts or ask people to stay on topic for the thread. I get every reported post of this forum and there was a report about it from a member. If that thread works well with some chatter, we can discuss that and leave a bit more room there. BB you are welcome to PM me with concerns or suggestions. Posting here was fine too but I think it sounded like you thought we were removing posts maliciously and that wasn't the case. If I read it wrong, let me know.
I think many of the authenticators are happier knowing they have an open line of communication with us and we've been working on the issues we've said we will work on. I can never make everyone happy and yes, some people are not authenticating that once were. But I've actively reached out to authenticators and made changes and that still may not work for some people.
This entire thread has been spent talking about how to help authenticators out on the forum. I've said many times and I'll reiterate, our authenticators are an amazing asset and provide a great service to members and the forum to keep fakes from being bought.
Our moderators do the same. Our moderators give their time and energy to keep the forum running how Vlad and I would like. I'm sure there are things they too would do differently, but they are amazing supporters of us and the community and it too is a thankless job.
Just as some of you are friends and want to help each other, the moderators do too. A post like yours above (and the response to a mod above) doesn't help the conversation out. You and others don't want authenticators to be treated rudely, and neither do I, but I also don't want moderators treated rudely. Fact is, I want no one treated rudely, it's a rule of the forum - this is a fun place to hang out, not to be mean. Our lives are filled with so much, I want tPF to be fun.
Is there something I haven't done for the authenticators that is angering you? I know you don't authenticate and I want to understand your frustrations too, but to be honest I don't know where this is coming from.
LV AT threads have lots of traffic and sadly not many trusted authenticators left anymore. Lee is still there and I notice Ishcat has dropped in periodically. misbanff of course have left tpf altogether and I haven't seen Addy in there for a long time. There is one more LV trusted authenticator, but I can't remember her exact screen name right now although I do recognize her avatar. She seldomly drops in though. (At least since I have been a member.)
Oh well, I guess good luck to the newbie asking for authentication. It will be wise of them to go through a few pages of the thread to see who are the trusted authenticators.
I think it's IrisCole? I do see her authenticate in the ATLV thread once in awhile as well...
Yes! That's it. I know it ends in Cole just couldn't remember the beginning! :shame:
As an interested impartial bystander reading various AT threads, I believe that while it appears that considerable latitude is granted to newbies, standards of behavior are far more rigorous when it comes to longstanding authenticators.
This is merely my perception and in no way is meant to heap criticism on the mods. Their jobs, and those of the authentications, would be much easier if the same standard of behavior is required of all tpf members regardless of how new they may be to the forum.
This is merely my perception and in no way is meant to heap criticism on the mods. Their jobs, and those of the authentications, would be much easier if the same standard of behavior is required of all tpf members regardless of how new they may be to the forum.
I edited out a portion of what was in the original post from CB as it was a private matter discussed via PM. We've never allowed private matters to be discussed on the open board
A few pages back, my post on the subject of how authenticators are treated, and the lack of support they historically have not received here at TPF was edited. I outlined a specific incidence of the behavior I and other authenticators have experienced, since we have been asked repeatedly what the problems are...when have authenticators been attacked or mistreated and nothing has been done, or whatever was done was stunningly insufficient to discourage future such incidents.
My post was edited. No one has "reached out" to me to address my concerns.
It is difficult to have a meaningful, productive conversation if both parties can't freely express themselves. My unedited post broke no forum rules that I am aware of. I see no valid reason to edit my words. You say that you handle private matters only via PM. The matter I mentioned involved me and my good name, and someone impersonating me to attack a moderator of this forum. I didn't name the offending member, and the moderator was a victim in this, so I see no issue with saying who is was who was harmed.
I mention this incident because it illustrates one of the major problems we authenticators and other member have with the disciplinary policies I outlined before. You wrote to me that you would PM me to discuss the editing of my post and the reason. So far, I have not received a PM from you, Megs.
I believe that I have been clear in my appeals for a different approach to the handling of antagonistic members of the board, one involving less tolerance to repeated attacks and more support for positive, contributing members. To be direct, I wish the attention and swift response exhibited by the editing of my honest description of an example of the disciplinary action of this board, were directed towards the members who harass and attack others here on TPF.
Things would greatly improve then.
"Handling" things one way in public on the forum, and differently in the infamous PM's and "behind the scenes" doesn't seem to work on several levels. Members who dedicate enormous amounts of time and effort to help others feel unsupported, and helpless to defend themselves, while other members get to harass and attack them with seemingly no consequences. No one SEES these members get disciplined, they continue to post, and they continue to benefit from board participation. We authenticators have OUR posts edited, and others see that it's fine to be rude to us, treat us however they see fit, and rudely demand our attention and free services.
Behaving one way in public and another way in private is anyone's prerogative, of course, but if that is supposed to be an effective method of running a public forum, it is woefully lacking.
There are a few points here I want to address, and while I prefer to keep personal matters private, I will say that I did PM you - twice. Once right after I edited the post you are speaking of. I have that PM in my outbox and it was sent on June 25th at 10:05 am. Both of the PMs I sent you were not replied to, which is fine, but you are stating that I have never reached out to you and that is not true at all.
Your post only had one part edited, and that was because it was a private matter about you and another member and we do not want to share information from PMs on the boards. That has always been on stance.
We've heard many people say that they believe we are more lax on new members than the older members, and part of that could be true. I like to think older members know the rules here better than new members who are trying to find their way. However, I did not think we were not showing support to authenticators, but that is how many felt. Since I realized that, we have put a lot in place to make changes and we have stepped into many threads when we see anyone stepping out of line with an authenticator. We have done this in the thread for everyone to see and I think it has been helpful for the authenticators to see us and feel us on their side. I believe many authenticators will agree with that.
I caught your question before you edited it out. No, the mods are not paid they are volunteers.
I really am trying to understand which aspect you are frustrated with and if there's something I haven't done to help rectify it.
Nope, we volunteer.
Have you, at any point in this thread, stated why you are so unhappy?
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