Are all forums this bad??

[Twenty Four]

For the greater part, the 'advice seekers' are the ones who benefit most from this forum - knowledge is gained (for free) that will help them achieve DIY goals themselves or make them better informed when seeking advice from tradesmen, thus saving them money.

I'm sure a few of the RGIs egos would still allow them to post even if they had to pay the forum to do so.

Well said too, Dave. I was going to post something similar last week after reading yet another home owner wanting to know more about how his system actually functions, and the choices available to him, only to be told by an RGI who's posts look like they've been written by a 3 year old with cramp and even Google translation refuses to decipher, that he was going to attempt the work himself. I only stopped when the forum's biggest ego actually answered a question without the sarcasm and ridicule that so many of his posts contain and so thought it was unnecessary at that point. There are a couple of guys here that answer questions well and a couple that fail to read the OP's post and spout utter irrelevant tosh, (You know who you are).

But, and it is a big but! The last few days have seen a couple of posters getting sound advice only to completely ignore it and report back they've either done or will do something not even mentioned! That is also just rudeness and ignorance at its best and doesn't help the cause of getting questions answered.

My experience of RGIs though, and very recent too, is that they took the job because all dustmen jobs had gone in their area.

 

[topskins]

There are, of course, two sides to every story!
On an open forum, such as this, there are all types of people, from many different backgrounds with a variety of attitudes and personality traits.
There are good and bad on both sides of the fence.
Birds of a feather will stick together.
For the greater part, the 'advice seekers' are the ones who benefit most from this forum - knowledge is gained (for free) that will help them achieve DIY goals themselves or make them better informed when seeking advice from tradesmen, thus saving them money.
The 'advice givers' get a 'like' or a 'thanks' and a bit of comradery from their peers (and quite often, critique!).
It is very frustrating for those of us, in the trade, to see the same questions being asked again and again, when answers can be found in either the FAQs or the archive. Also questions that cannot be answered for forum rule reasons and questions that are way beyond the scope of a "DIY" forum.
In addition... There are as many "cowboy customers" out there, as there are "cowboy builders" but that doesn't make for entertaining tv programmes I suppose!!

Personally agree with most of this but, in my view, and having come back to reading this forum, things seems to have got far worse in recent years...
There are often personal attacks and "baiting" that have nothing to do with questions being asked.
Seemingly inocuous questions go completely off-piste, and some of the posts made seem a million miles away from the top 3 items of the Forum Rules:

1) This is a friendly site and we ask that everyone is treated with respect!

1a) Abusive or unhelpful posts are not welcome on this site and are always removed!

2) Posts should be topic relevant and threads that become abusive will be closed!
​

On the multiple questions being asked front, aren't they just things that ought to be covered in the Wiki/FAQs? Then it's just a response with the link (or no response at all).

 

[dilalio]

Like I said... All sorts, all walks!

 

[oph]

They have their preferences . Be it paint, fuseboards or boilers.

Yes but they should not be forcing their preference onto their customers. ( forcing as in inducing the customer to accept their recommendation as the best recommendation without discussing the pro and cons of it and other options )

They came , they asked and they were told.

Nothing more, nothing less

 

[Dan Robinson]

Genuine questions that have not been answered thousands of times already, and don't involve playing with the combustion chamber of the boiler are usually answered quickly and politely.

Posters that refuse to accept the professional opinion, or insist on working on something they are not equipped or competent do work on will get the pish taken, especially if they want to continue labouring the point .

But by definition, asking a certain level of question is proof of lack of competence.

Others like to think they understand the nature of a post, but fail to comprehend the language used. Particularly amusing when they ask an opinion then go off on one as if they knew better. I have arguments with my 7 year old like that .

What about the sado's that keep coming back under different usernames thinking they won't be so spotted (OP you're under notice on that one!)


Of course the creme de la creme are those who post advise relentlessly that is wrong or so left field they think it's original when in actual fact, the phrase "more by luck then judgement" should be applied.

The final category of person that doesn't deserve too much grace are the ones who get uppity with the lack of a desired answer thinking they are the only ones who might search for the solution. Good's gift to engineering they maybe, but someone else might use the advise without the correct understanding and screw up badly.

So, yes, if certain professionals like to call a spade a spade, it can come across as rude, abusive or unhelpful. But in reality, the is usually a rhythm to the reason.

 

[Dan Robinson]

My personal favourite opener, usually by Nest purchasers....

"I've tried searching but can't find my particular situation "....

Closely followed by the asking of how to wire a basic thermostat when the answer is printed on the back of the flipping cover.

 

[AGAS]

I'm sure a few of the RGIs egos would still allow them to post even if they had to pay the forum to do so.

Well said too, Dave. I was going to post something similar last week after reading yet another home owner wanting to know more about how his system actually functions, and the choices available to him, only to be told by an RGI who's posts look like they've been written by a 3 year old with cramp and even Google translation refuses to decipher, that he was going to attempt the work himself. I only stopped when the forum's biggest ego actually answered a question without the sarcasm and ridicule that so many of his posts contain and so thought it was unnecessary at that point. There are a couple of guys here that answer questions well and a couple that fail to read the OP's post and spout utter irrelevant tosh, (You know who you are).

But, and it is a big but! The last few days have seen a couple of posters getting sound advice only to completely ignore it and report back they've either done or will do something not even mentioned! That is also just rudeness and ignorance at its best and doesn't help the cause of getting questions answered.

My experience of RGIs though, and very recent too, is that they took the job because all dustmen jobs had gone in their area.

Personally agree with most of this but, in my view, and having come back to reading this forum, things seems to have got far worse in recent years...
There are often personal attacks and "baiting" that have nothing to do with questions being asked.
Seemingly inocuous questions go completely off-piste, and some of the posts made seem a million miles away from the top 3 items of the Forum Rules:

On the multiple questions being asked front, aren't they just things that ought to be covered in the Wiki/FAQs? Then it's just a response with the link (or no response at all).

if you don't like the information go elsewhere at least you are getting advice ffs what else do you want ???? , if you don't like it PAY for it . plenty of people don't like advice on here then don't take it and start crying about it, but then again we only give advice from experience but you still have a problem with it " WHY ",
the reason why you still research your problems here is because you know the advice is sound but at least your are getting some advice ( FOR FREE ) . should we just ignore everyones question ? i was once told " the more info you get about your problem the better, good or bad ", if you think about it it makes total sense . so FFS stop crying about the responses ( which is just banter nothing personal ) and join in and eventually you would be more than the wiser

 

[Twenty Four]

Steady, Forrest, you'll put a hole in your flue.

 

[Agile]

Maybe he can find a DIY forum more to his liking ?

Absolutely right Dave, just a shame as there is a hell of a lot of knowledge and experience here, just far too much nasty attitude

You have come to this forum and made so far seven postings and all of them negative.

In spite of that Dan has welcomed you!

You are obviously in an employed job like a teacher where you get paid regardless of what you do.

Most people who work in the heating industry are self employed and if they are not paid then they starve and get thrown out of their homes because they cannot pay the mortgage.

So can you explain why they should go and travel to visit people and give them a free diagnosis so they can do it themselves or get a cheap East European?

I could give free diagnosis but that would be a full time job and completely unpaid !

Now my dentist charges £156 per hour to do inspections!

Accountants charge, solicitors charge £300 + for meeting you in THEIR office so they have no travelling time or costs. Who does NOT charge?


So I don't see any other profession that gives free diagnosis or advice.

Doctors seem to but they are being paid about £90k pa by the NHS so its paid out of taxation.

Your explanation please, David Simms, of why heating engineers should work for free?


I, and Dan, and a few others do give some advice on these forums free of charge but that is voluntary and only for what we choose to respond to and we do it as a relaxation and to try to be helpful. It is not very encouraging when you, David, come here and make all these complaints when you don't pay or give any help to people in return. Those people are called "free loaders".

 

[halfway]

I think the OP's post is long over due. There has been some appalling behaviour here on this board.

 

[Twenty Four]

Agile, if people are happy to pay you to come to their house and diagnose a fault then more fool them if there are thousands of professions that wouldn't survive if they insisted on that business model. That said, if you've dealt with freeloaders you might be a little peeved but it still wouldn't wash with most, honest or otherwise.

 

[AGAS]

I think the OP's post is long over due. There has been some appalling behaviour here on this board.

oh didums , what have you actually contributed to this forum ??, absolutely nothing , if your that upset why are you still here so thanks for your two pence worth

 

[Agile]

Well, Twenty Four, just how do you think that I could go to installations to do a free diagnosis and still support my self?

Perhaps you can explain what you do for a living and how that could support anything like.

But I suspect that you are safely employed.

Why do you think anyone is a fool to pay me to diagnose their problem?

Does your car mechanic, dentist, solicitor, accountant, or non NHS doctor give you free diagnostic visits?

Tony

 

[halfway]

I think the OP's post is long over due. There has been some appalling behaviour here on this board.

oh didums , what have you actually contributed to this forum ??, absolutely nothing , if your that upset why are you still here so thanks for your two pence worth

Thank you for reinforcing my opinion. I couldn't have illustrated it better.

 

[AGAS]

Agile, if people are happy to pay you to come to their house and diagnose a fault then more fool them if there are thousands of professions that wouldn't survive if they insisted on that business model. That said, if you've dealt with freeloaders you might be a little peeved but it still wouldn't wash with most, honest or otherwise.

are you for real , another one that expects people time for FREE , it just proves people are only worried about costs . its the customer that tries to get advice for free , you don't have a clue how a gas engineer business model works so why comment.