Another thing...LOL, I've been collecting Chanel, Hermes, Gucci, Prada and LV for 25 years and feel that I know the Chanel brand more BUT no way would I ever attempt to authenticate. The authenticators in these threads are fricken amazing, they spend so much of their time checking auctions, looking at pictures to evaluate multiple requests daily. ALL for free! I do not visit the other AT threads as much but I'm sure those authenticators are awesome!
tPF authenticator discussion
- Thread starter missbanff
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While it's unrealistic to expect all mods to have a specialty in which they have expertise necessary to authenticate, I think this would be a great idea. I've gathered (from what I've been reading since the beginning of this thread) is that most of the problems seem to occur in brands where the mod isn't also an authenticator. Switching those mods around not only provide a different personality but also give those mods a chance to get first hand experience in seeing what authenticators are complaining about in those problem brands.
I've been trying (in vain, may I add) to figure out what the devil this "issue" with CB and the CB imposter is all about. If I'm understanding this correctly, the CB Imposter trashed a mod on a completely different forum than tPF and the offending behavior actually didn't happen here, it just started here and was taken elsewhere. Is that correct? If so, how is anyone on tPF be they CB, a Mod or Admin responsible to correct something that didn't even happen on tPF?
Whatever it is, it sounds very case specific to CB and her reputation and frankly, not really relevant to this discussion. Unless I'm missing something, sorry CB, but it's not.
I agree with you
. I've said this before in this thread, but it's worth repeating, I was wrong. I did not support the authenticators as much as I could have and because I didn't do so, many felt under-appreciated and like I would side with new members over the authenticators. Your one line that you wrote above it perfect and since this thread began, we have been actively posting something like this in the AT threads when we see a poster being rude to the authenticators and stepping in much more.
I don't disagree with what you said above at all, I just want you and the others to know we've made an active change to that and I believe many of the authenticators have seen that happen.
Yes to this too! I get why people come in desperate for an opinion from the authenticators, but this is completely up to each authenticator how they would like to authenticate, who to help, when to help, how fast to help, etc. If an authenticator wants to stop helping people for 2 months, that is completely their prerogative and it is totally fine. If they want to take 2 days to answer, also totally fine. This is up to them and people being demanding of free help, well, I just don't get that.
Authenticators have really spoken out to voice their concerns/problems and we have actively made changes to it. I hope it helps their experience here.
We handle what happens on our forum and if there is an issue we look into it and see if there is something that needs to be done. The situation in question did not happen on tPF, I haven't even been told who it was, nor was I shown anything specific that gives me a look at the situation.
I'm sorry to hear that. I'm not sure of the post you are referring to, but if it appeared that way to you I am sorry. It's the opposite. I love this forum and the members and am really care about everyone being happy here and treated well.
This issue you are referring to didn't happen here (if it did, someone please let me know otherwise and I can go back to look into it). I wasn't told anything about it until probably 6 months after it happened, wasn't given links to where something happened, wasn't told who this member was, and on top of it - it wasn't happening on the tPF, it was happening on a different board/forum. I can only know what I am told and what I see, and can only run this forum.
Anyone involved in that situation is welcomed to PM me if they have more specific info they'd like me to be aware of.
Yes, we recently added new mods which I think was a big help. Before that, Chanel didn't have it's own designated mod (crazy!), and that worked against that specific subforum like it did others without their own specific mod.
A fresh set of eyes and ears really helps each section as we pick mods who understand their area well and can step in to help and let us know if there is something we need to take a look at.
Yes, this is how I have been reading the situation which is why I didn't feel the need to discuss it in the first place. I really hate to hear anyone having a problem but I really can only be in control of what happens on tPF.
If I am not wrong, this member blasted CB in ATC & it was horrible. When I saw it, a lot of offending posts were deleted plus those who came up & supported CB, those were deleted as well. This member is still in the forum & I don't think she was given warning or whatnot. So CB is talking about this issue, the one that happened in another forum is a spin off from this incident above. Hope I am making this clearer to you all.
Only to a point. Things like that have also happened to me and to MissFiggy on the Prada AT thread more times than we both can count. It's in the past and the adult thing to do is to accept the olive branch being offered by the Admins and Mods, give them the benefit of the doubt and move forward.
That said, I'm taking said "olive branch" one day at a time and have made it quite clear that I'm viewing this as a probationary, transitional period. I'm willing to set aside years of issues to attempt a fresh start, but if things start backsliding, them I'm out of here as well.
I know you said most and I honestly don't go to other AT threads except LV. I have gone to the Bal AT threads a couple of times in the past. But I thought it is important to note that this thread was created using a post from missbanff, who was an LV authenticator, who has left tpf after I don't know how many pages of on going discussion at this thread. 2 of the LV authenticators are also mods. (They are great!)
I don't think mods necessary needs to have expertise to authenticate. The job of a mod is very different than an authenticator. I will never dare to be an authenticator (I simply don't have enough knowledge) but I have been mod and admin before.
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It is not uncommon to remove all posts pertaining to drama. So the offending post gets removed as well as those that come to defend. It wouldn't make sense to only remove the initial rude comment and leave the replies. It is not an effort to remove the support, but to remove the drama.
It is awful when anyone is attacked or treated poorly and not in the intended spirit of the forum. A public reminder could certainly be posted to remind people of authenticators' commitment and a request to treat them with respect. It sounds like that needs to happen more. It won't stop the few prickly members, but it's public support.
While I can't speak to this particular situation, it is rare that anyone would get banned over one incident. Reminders (or in some cases warnings) are issued in hopes that the behavior is not standard. It's a tough situation because if we act harshly, we are seen as over-modding and as though we treat members like children. If we let things play out, we are seen as letting things run wild. I'm not speaking specifically to the auth threads there, but it sometimes applies. Just as when an authenticators gets testy (and it happens sometimes), we know that does not define them.
We can't guarantee that everyone is going to like everyone. Just like in the world, members come in all types. We can do our best to sort through issues as they arise though and make greater efforts to show public support to the auth teams.
I know we were wrong in past situations and I apologize for that. Thank you for taking the olive branch and know that this is really important to me to keep these changes happening.
I'd hate to lose you! You're the one who always tells me how bad the colors and site changes are! Jk but seriously, losing any member is not good but losing a long time member who's been a fixture of the forum and helped so many and brought others enjoyment is the last thing I want and I'm doing what I can do help ensure if someone chooses to leave, it's not because of my lack of helping them feel supported and appreciated here.
I would hope that someone taking information from here and using it against a valued member, even elsewhere, especially pretending to be the valued member, would be enough to be banned, especially if the abuse started here. But, I am not a mod or authenticator. I am in the EBay Forum mostly but lurk the AT threads to learn. I have seen members banned quickly and would think that offenses related to identity tampering/damaging would be a good reason for such action. I understand behind the scenes communication in some instances, but when it is abuse or bullying, not a misunderstanding, well, I call BS on the hand holding and nice PMs.
I really hope the authenticators find support and acknowledgement. Without the AT, the traffic here would fall by a large amount.
I liked a statement someone posted above about a simple reminder when posters get antsy or rude. After that point, if someone continues, then a PM. After that, a time out is necessary. However, in the case of bullying or outright attacks, there needs to be more decisive action. Remember it is not only those participating in the threads that see that nonsense. If it is seen as condoned or encouraged, well......
I know I am not a big part of TPF and my opinions are pretty localized, but I cannot tolerate the idea that the volunteers who authenticate, donating their time and knowledge, are allowed to be stomped all over and basically told to suck it up or don't do something they love ie; helping others.
Thank you for letting me express my opinion. I truly hope things improve.
I really hope the authenticators find support and acknowledgement. Without the AT, the traffic here would fall by a large amount.
I liked a statement someone posted above about a simple reminder when posters get antsy or rude. After that point, if someone continues, then a PM. After that, a time out is necessary. However, in the case of bullying or outright attacks, there needs to be more decisive action. Remember it is not only those participating in the threads that see that nonsense. If it is seen as condoned or encouraged, well......
I know I am not a big part of TPF and my opinions are pretty localized, but I cannot tolerate the idea that the volunteers who authenticate, donating their time and knowledge, are allowed to be stomped all over and basically told to suck it up or don't do something they love ie; helping others.
Thank you for letting me express my opinion. I truly hope things improve.
Megs, I say in all seriousness (and you know how hard it is for me to be serious) that I am at least one of the authenticators here that has seen changes for the better in the past few months as a result of this discussion. That tells me that you guys are indeed making an effort. I've been here for 9 years this month and we've been through a LOT together. Maybe that makes it easier to try to work things out. When there's so much time invested in something, it's not easy to just walk away.
So basically, you and Vlad will have me *****ing at you for every new change and color scheme for years to come.*
*Told you it's hard for me to be serious.
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