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LittleGem
16-08-2011, 11:10 AM
Hi everyone, I would love your help and expertise in answering any burning questions some of our customers have! Every week, I will post a list of questions so feel free to answer and aid others in their understanding of aspects of our jewellery world :)

Dennis
16-08-2011, 06:53 PM
That sounds fun, but maybe you can suggest they join us too. Dennis.

LittleGem
19-08-2011, 08:27 AM
Hi Dennis,

I am currently designing a specialist forum e-mail to send out to everyone in order to encourage more of our customers to join which will be sent out in October, I hope this will increase the forum community. Jess

noname
19-08-2011, 09:24 AM
Are you a cookson's employee?...Are you using actual cookson customer names?...Do you need their permission...?Slightly concerned!

LittleGem
19-08-2011, 09:38 AM
Hello everyone!

I have just started at Cooksongold as E-commerce Assistant and I also have a keen interest in jewellery making. I am going down to London next week to attend my first jewellery making course and I am really excited!

What was the first piece of jewellery you ever made?

Nice to meet you all!

Jess

Hi, as you will have seen in the welcome section, I introduced myself :)

noname
19-08-2011, 09:42 AM
Do you have customers permission to use their names?

ps_bond
19-08-2011, 09:46 AM
Ah, I see - I'd thought at first you were referring to the email, I misunderstood. Am I correct in understanding that it's the use of their names in the questions you mean?

LittleGem
19-08-2011, 10:12 AM
Do you have customers permission to use their names?

Hi,

Just for your comfort and peace of mind, these questions were publicly posted, by the individual, on our facebook profile and for double measure I also asked them if they would be happy for their name to be published along with there questions.

Hope this dispells any concerns you may have had.

Jess Sweetingham
E-Commerce Assistant

Cookson Precious Metals
59-83 Vittoria Street
Birmingham
B1 3NZ

noname
19-08-2011, 11:34 AM
Ah, I see - I'd thought at first you were referring to the email, I misunderstood. Am I correct in understanding that it's the use of their names in the questions you mean?

Yes...thank you...

noname
19-08-2011, 11:46 AM
Hi,

Just for your comfort and peace of mind, these questions were publicly posted, by the individual, on our facebook profile and for double measure I also asked them if they would be happy for their name to be published along with there questions.

Hope this dispells any concerns you may have had.

Jess Sweetingham
E-Commerce Assistant

Cookson Precious Metals
59-83 Vittoria Street
Birmingham
B1 3NZ

Possibly...I will wait and see...

mizgeorge
19-08-2011, 01:18 PM
I find this whole thing very odd.

Firstly, if people want to get advice from a forum, why not just point them in the direction of the forum and let them ask themselves? Otherwise, Chinese whispers will inevitably set in, and someone will be expecting someone else to take responsibility for information given by yet another person.

I also wonder who they think they're getting the answers from. If they are asking Cooksons (who they probably think should know something about the products they sell) are they aware that these answers are coming from a mixture of professional and amateur enthusiasts, and in many cases may simply be a case of personal preference?

There are plenty more aspects to this particular can of worms that I haven't touched on yet.....

Pauline
20-08-2011, 08:08 AM
I find this whole thing very odd.

Firstly, if people want to get advice from a forum, why not just point them in the direction of the forum and let them ask themselves? Otherwise, Chinese whispers will inevitably set in, and someone will be expecting someone else to take responsibility for information given by yet another person.

I also wonder who they think they're getting the answers from. If they are asking Cooksons (who they probably think should know something about the products they sell) are they aware that these answers are coming from a mixture of professional and amateur enthusiasts, and in many cases may simply be a case of personal preference?


I think this is a very valid point to raise.

medusa
20-08-2011, 09:01 AM
This is a really bad idea. I strongly suggest that any customers posting questions on FB be pointed in the direction of the forum or you simply answer the questions directly on FB without asking here first. Whilst I doubt very much that I know enough to contribute, if I were one of the experienced jewellers here, I think I'd be rather pi$$ed off at being mined for my expertise in this way.

Dennis
20-08-2011, 07:45 PM
The OED defines Forum as a meeting or medium for exchange of views. I am now totally convinced that anyone wishing to participate should register and post their own questions in the hope that they will take part in the discussions.

Brains trust a group of experts who give impromptu answers to questions in front of an audience. This we are not.

Dennis.

ps_bond
21-08-2011, 02:57 PM
I think it's fairly clear this one is, shall we say, not to the taste of many on the forum? (Going for the mastery of understatement again!)

So what would work? Would pointing Facebook users to any existing discussion on their question, coupled with the explicit suggestion that they could/should join here?

Ideas gratefully received :)

medusa
21-08-2011, 08:10 PM
maybe the FB page could say something along the lines of:

need help or advice? why not join our friendly forum and talk to jewellers of all levels from beginners to master craftsmen?

To be frank, the posts relating to the FB and about the gemstones read like spam.

LittleGem
22-08-2011, 07:54 AM
maybe the FB page could say something along the lines of:

need help or advice? why not join our friendly forum and talk to jewellers of all levels from beginners to master craftsmen?

To be frank, the posts relating to the FB and about the gemstones read like spam.

I will definitely change my promotion of the forum, and thank you for the suggestion of approach.

Would you be able to message me, elaborating your point about the gemstones thread and possible suggestions? Would greatly appreciate it.

LittleGem
22-08-2011, 07:56 AM
I think it's fairly clear this one is, shall we say, not to the taste of many on the forum? (Going for the mastery of understatement again!)

So what would work? Would pointing Facebook users to any existing discussion on their question, coupled with the explicit suggestion that they could/should join here?

Ideas gratefully received :)

Really like the idea of direction to existing discussion to.

moodlemoo
08-09-2011, 01:20 PM
I think I would prefer an answer forum on Facebook itself. I have asked questions on here, and have had to trawl through a myriad of replies to get a very vague answer. If I asked a question on Facebook my answer would be clearly shown in the comments section. Also asking questions on Facebook also negates the problem with names being displayed, as if you are willing to place a question on the Cooksons wall, you are well aware your name will be shown.

LittleGem
08-09-2011, 01:37 PM
Thanks for your feedback.

We are going to have a mixture of both as I still strongly believe that people who ask questions on the forum are able to access a whole host of opinions, advice and help from like-minded individuals who all have different expertise and experience. It depends on the nature of the question though.

Everyone can freely post questions on Facebook to receive both answers from ourselves here at Cooksons but also our fanbase.

mizgeorge
08-09-2011, 01:38 PM
I think I would prefer an answer forum on Facebook itself. I have asked questions on here, and have had to trawl through a myriad of replies to get a very vague answer. If I asked a question on Facebook my answer would be clearly shown in the comments section. Also asking questions on Facebook also negates the problem with names being displayed, as if you are willing to place a question on the Cooksons wall, you are well aware your name will be shown.

moodlemoo, I'm confused. As far as I can see you've asked one question here, which was answered pretty quickly, in the immediate next post, with a far from vague answer. I see you've also been able to help others with answers to their questions. Which is what forums are all about.

I, and perhaps others here, don't use facebook at all, so I'm commenting from a poor position, but from what I've seen, it certainly doesn't come across as having an easy q&a format. I'm afraid I don't understand the issue about name displays.

ps_bond
08-09-2011, 01:41 PM
I have asked questions on here, and have had to trawl through a myriad of replies to get a very vague answer.

You've asked precisely 1 question here - and that was most ably answered by George.

The forum is here, Facebook is over there and they're completely different beasts.

medusa
08-09-2011, 06:26 PM
I think I would prefer an answer forum on Facebook itself. I have asked questions on here, and have had to trawl through a myriad of replies to get a very vague answer. If I asked a question on Facebook my answer would be clearly shown in the comments section. Also asking questions on Facebook also negates the problem with names being displayed, as if you are willing to place a question on the Cooksons wall, you are well aware your name will be shown.
hang on, you have asked ONE question here, in someone else's thread and you got a clear and concise answer.

And unless moodlemoo is your real name, then you have more anonymity here than you do on FB. If you want people to know your real name on here then you can use it if you choose.

Also, if a FB page is really popular, it is a nightmare to search. The search function here is easy to use and efficient. And if you want replies to your questions saved, then you can be informed by email and save them in a specific cookies folder.

ETA: One day I will read the whole thread before posting:(|

moodlemoo
08-09-2011, 09:05 PM
there is a good reason i prefer facebook to the forum, and i freely admit that i have asked questions and answered some, however as it clearly shown on this thread if anyone even dares to express an opinion to say they prefer one pplatform to another they are faced with hostility. i only mentioned about the name thing as it was already listed in the thread and i was just saying that if u want to post a comment on facebook your name will be there, personally i have posed questions on both and don't care who knows my name. i have also spoken to other cooksons facebook users who have used this forum and found themselves with an unanswered question and just been told to give an introduction to themselves.
but again i will say this is just my opinion so can everybody just chill out?

ps_bond
08-09-2011, 09:26 PM
...as it clearly shown on this thread if anyone even dares to express an opinion to say they prefer one pplatform to another they are faced with hostility.

Actually, I think you'll find that's got far more to you coming out with arrant nonsense in claiming that your one question was several, and that "they" were answered vaguely. Frankly, it looks to me like you're trolling.

moodlemoo
08-09-2011, 11:28 PM
frankly it looks to me that as a 'super moderator' u feel u have some right to express hostility to other 'junior' members (in that read myself), and as a moderator i think u should be more impartial. however, clearly u think your opinion is the only thing that matters and i can honestly say i would have expected something better from a 'super moderator'. clearly i am disappointed, but then again i suppose i shouldn't have expected more from the forum.
and by the way dictionary.com states that the definition of forum is "A meeting or medium where ideas and views on a particular issue can be exchanged", not where someone's opinion can be shot down by someone who thinks they are superior.
also note that i will no longer be using this 'forum' as it is clearly just a list of certain people expressing their own views and damned be to anyone else. this is not an exchange of ideas, its more like a monarchy.

ps_bond
09-09-2011, 05:35 AM
In no particular order:

1. You insulted the intelligence of the other forum members by lying.
2. You insulted a specific member by describing their answer as vague.
3. You've then attempted to troll the forum with your specious claims of victimisation, rather than apologising for doing something stupid.
4. You've then been rude to a moderator.

So, you're absolutely correct - you won't be using the forum again.

Everyone, as has been stated before, is welcome (with the exception of spammers and trolls) - but the rules are there to be followed. The members here, as has already been clearly pointed out, engage in discussion because they want to; we answer questions because we want to. We aren't paid to do so, there is no right to an answer, there is no service level agreement - this is the nature of fora (or forums, whichever people prefer).

As a member, I contribute where I can.
As a moderator, my role is to look out for the forum - or more importantly, its members. Nothing else.

caroleallen
09-09-2011, 07:59 AM
I think we should all chill out too. I don't really think Moodlemoo intended to be offensive with her original comments. Sometimes with forums we have to examine our words from every angle before we type them, particularly if we haven't already built up a relationship with the other members. I know I've said things before that seemed quite innocuous at the time but afterwards I've thought "why did I say that?". It's quite scary introducing yourself to a whole load of people who you think have skills way beyond yours and all seem to know each other. I'd hate to think that people reading this thread may be put off from joining the forum. It's hard to ignore the fact that there are many people missing from this forum who were here at the beginning. Many of them are people I really miss, who made this a much friendlier and more informative place. We should be asking ourselves why this has happened.

ps_bond
09-09-2011, 08:34 AM
There is no context within the written word (as I think I've said before). Without that context, it is doubly important for the writer to try their hardest to make sure their comments are not misconstrued. Having caused offence, it is then doubly important to try to rectify the situation.

And yes, I miss many of them too. I'd be happy to see them back here.

geti-titanium
09-09-2011, 12:51 PM
There is no context within the written word (as I think I've said before). Without that context, it is doubly important for the writer to try their hardest to make sure their comments are not misconstrued. Having caused offence, it is then doubly important to try to rectify the situation.

And yes, I miss many of them too. I'd be happy to see them back here.
even me Peter? :-) :~:

ps_bond
09-09-2011, 12:52 PM
Even you Alan. When I was asked where was the best place to get a titanium ring, where did I send them? :D

geti-titanium
09-09-2011, 12:59 PM
Even you Alan. When I was asked where was the best place to get a titanium ring, where did I send them? :D
Very much appreciated Peter - 'ang on a bit! - you mean there are other places ? :-)

ps_bond
09-09-2011, 01:01 PM
There are :) Still sent them to you first.

medusa
10-09-2011, 10:34 AM
Blimey, what a kerfuffle!

I personally think that banning was a bit harsh, even if the member was a bit snotty (that does sound rude!) but it's not down to me.

However, as a bit of a forum tart and one who spends time on unmoderated forums, I actually appreciate the professional but friendly advice I get here. I think it is the member's loss and not ours that s/he's gone.