No Reply buttons on some threads

[grilled]

I've run into a few threads that have no reply buttons (for me).

One example:

http://community.ebay.com/t5/Member-To-Member-Support/Revising-an-Item/qaq-p/27398334

[grilled]

I see that the forum is restricted to members.

It would be better if that were indicated within the thread.

I wound up there by using a search.

[missjen831]

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@grilled wrote:
I see that the forum is restricted to members.

It would be better if that were indicated within the thread.

I wound up there by using a search.

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Its actually restricted to approved members. But you make an excellent point, there should also be a statement about that on the thread. Threads from that particular forum also appear on the main page (community.ebay.com) and many wonder why there is no "respond button".

[zzydny]

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@missjen316 wrote:

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@grilled wrote:
I see that the forum is restricted to members.

It would be better if that were indicated within the thread.

I wound up there by using a search.

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Its actually restricted to approved members. But you make an excellent point, there should also be a statement about that on the thread. Threads from that particular forum also appear on the main page (community.ebay.com) and many wonder why there is no "respond button".

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There really should be something that says so.  All too often I see threads going unanswered because there's no button.....it is the last word in frustration when I know I could tell the person what they need to know but can't.

[ted_200]

Threads from that particular forum also appear on the main page (community.ebay.com) and many wonder why there is no "respond button".

All too often I see threads going unanswered because there's no button.....it is the last word in frustration when I know I could tell the person what they need to know but can't.

This happens to me frequently, it is really quite ridiculous.  If I'm not allowed to particpate, I don't know why they're showing the topics to me.  

And a lot of stuff from that forum just sits there, no one ever answers it at all... others have useful replies like "you should have read the policy page", as if the user were telepathic and knew it existed, and knew how to find it.  

[missjen831]

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@ted_200 wrote:

Threads from that particular forum also appear on the main page (community.ebay.com) and many wonder why there is no "respond button".

All too often I see threads going unanswered because there's no button.....it is the last word in frustration when I know I could tell the person what they need to know but can't.

This happens to me frequently, it is really quite ridiculous.  If I'm not allowed to particpate, I don't know why they're showing the topics to me.  

And a lot of stuff from that forum just sits there, no one ever answers it at all... others have useful replies like "you should have read the policy page", as if the user were telepathic and knew it existed, and knew how to find it.  

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Because its not about you or any other responder. Its about the people who come here for help and see those threads & get the answer they were looking for. Its been asked several times why they don't keep those posts from appearing on the main page, and it was explained that it is important to keep them there for the people who come here looking for help 🙂

[hidy-hoo]

True that, missjean...and I go to the Member to Member board on occasion to find an explanation/answer that I don't know...doesn't happen often , but it is a quick way to verify information that I am looking for without wading through a ton of opinions/discussions on some of the other boards...

...however, I can understand the frustration of others when they happen upon a post/thread without a reply button because most community members don't go to that board and won't see the board explanation...they find the thread either through a google or community search or on the Community main page. Perhaps those that respond to the MtoM board could have some sort of short standard siggy or macro in red explaining what/why the MtoM board is and how it works.

[zzydny]

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@ted_200 wrote:

.....And a lot of stuff from that forum just sits there, no one ever answers it at all.....

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That is the stuff that drives me crazy.  I'll see posts buried pages down on the Answer Boards that has an easy answer, although the poster doesn't know that and is distressed, and I know exactly what to tell them but I just end up talking out loud to my computer saying, "Sorry, wish I could but I can't."  Hours later I might have another look and the thread is still unanswered.

[doug@ebay]

Here’s some clarification regarding not seeing the Answer button on questions posted to our member-to-member Q&A support board.

At the top of the Member to Member Support board, you'll see this message:

“Access to answering questions on this board is restricted to members who are part of our Community Experts program. Community Experts are members of our Community who have been recognized for offering consistent, high-quality support to other Community members. Experts can be self-nominated, nominated by other Community users or selected by the Community Team.

If you'd like to apply to join the program, please click here to email us.”

As this board receives questions from users who are in need of help quickly, we have restricted reply access to members of our Community who have a history of consistent, accurate and helpful posting.  If you are interested in being a part of the eBay Community Experts program, please feel free to contact us directly.

We'll look into improving the messaging about how the board works, including question  level information, as well as a signature message for members.

If you're interested in applying, feel free to review the program and process here.

Thanks!

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@grilled wrote:

I've run into a few threads that have no reply buttons (for me).

One example:

http://community.ebay.com/t5/Member-To-Member-Support/Revising-an-Item/qaq-p/27398334

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[ted_200]

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@zzydny wrote:

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@ted_200 wrote:

.....And a lot of stuff from that forum just sits there, no one ever answers it at all.....

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That is the stuff that drives me crazy.  I'll see posts buried pages down on the Answer Boards that has an easy answer, although the poster doesn't know that and is distressed, and I know exactly what to tell them but I just end up talking out loud to my computer saying, "Sorry, wish I could but I can't."  Hours later I might have another look and the thread is still unanswered.

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I don't look at them on purpose, I know how the deal works.  But they show up on the main page and I click them without noticing they're on that board. 

[*help_no_brakes*]

Just noticed a "high quality" answer on the M to M Board in response to a shill bidding question. 

The expert said that shill bidding is fine...it's just bidding late in the auction. 

There are many examples of incorrect replies on that board. 

[doug@ebay]

Please PM me the thread and we'll take a look. Thanks @*help_no_brakes*.

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@*help_no_brakes* wrote:

Just noticed a "high quality" answer on the M to M Board in response to a shill bidding question. 

The expert said that shill bidding is fine...it's just bidding late in the auction. 

There are many examples of incorrect replies on that board. 

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[grilled]

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@grilled wrote:
I see that the forum is restricted to members.

It would be better if that were indicated within the thread.

I wound up there by using a search.

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doug@ebay 
If it's members only to write, it should be members only to read.  I don't want to do a search and wind up in a thread where I can't comment.    And at the very least if I do wind up in a thread where I can't comment, it should tell me why within the thread. 

I understand now.  Millions of others do not. 

[doug@ebay]

Thanks @grilled, I do appreciate the feedback. We're looking into ways to better message the experience. 

The intention with surfacing the posts to make them more prominent was that the answers there would be helpful to all users.

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@grilled wrote:

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@grilled wrote:
I see that the forum is restricted to members.

It would be better if that were indicated within the thread.

I wound up there by using a search.

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doug@ebay 
If it's members only to write, it should be members only to read.  I don't want to do a search and wind up in a thread where I can't comment.    And at the very least if I do wind up in a thread where I can't comment, it should tell me why within the thread. 

I understand now.  Millions of others do not. 

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