topic Re: "I don't know..." in Community Chat

"I don't know..."

Moonchilde — Fri, 03 Feb 2017 19:34:38 GMT

So many times, in reading reviews there will be "Can you answer this question" (about the item) along with it. Someone will ask a specific question about a specific feature of a specific item - and a bunch of different posters will take the time to post "I don't know", "I don't have one" and variations of those two.

When I see a question, if I don't have the item, don't know anyone who has the item, or just flat have no clue or opinion about what is being asked, I just pass on by. I don't get the point of answering "can't help you, sorry" or "I don't know."

I know that on QVC when you write a review or answer a question, they will ask you if you can answer other questions. If I can't answer them, I don't! Do some people think QVC is *forcing* them to make some sort of comment?

I see this phenomenon a lot on Amazon and BB. It happens on QVC but no more often here than the other places. There are pages of "?? Can't help you" on Amazon.

I just don't get taking the time to answer a stranger in writing with, in essence, "I don't know." In person, with someone you know, I get it, but in the other context, no, I don't get it. I don't know why someone would feel a pressure of some sort to respond when their response isn't helpful and they know it before they write it.

Re: "I don't know..."

QueenDanceALot — Fri, 03 Feb 2017 19:48:33 GMT

They think everyone is waiting for their input?

Kind of reminds me of theads that have the same answer from 200 people, like they read the OP but don't bother reading the other replies before posting theirs.

Re: "I don't know..."

ChynnaBlue — Fri, 03 Feb 2017 19:52:25 GMT

I do it here sometimes as a way to bump up a thread that's not getting any responses. I do the same on Facebook for the same reasons - Facebook looks at things that get more feeback (likes/hates/comments) and shows those to more people. A post with no responses gets deprioritized and drops to the bottom quickly,

It gives someone who does know more of a chance to respond.

Re: "I don't know..."

Moonchilde — Fri, 03 Feb 2017 19:51:56 GMT

@QueenDanceALot wrote:
They think everyone is waiting for their input?

Kind of reminds me of theads that have the same answer from 200 people, like they read the OP but don't bother reading the other replies before posting theirs.

Which is a peeve of mine. They not only don't read what others have said, they don't read any further information or explanation the OP has written.

Re: "I don't know..."

QueenDanceALot — Fri, 03 Feb 2017 19:54:16 GMT

@Moonchilde wrote:
@QueenDanceALot wrote:
They think everyone is waiting for their input?

Kind of reminds me of theads that have the same answer from 200 people, like they read the OP but don't bother reading the other replies before posting theirs.

Which is a peeve of mine. They not only don't read what others have said, they don't read any further information or explanation the OP has written.

Because they have the answer! No need!

Re: "I don't know..."

Moonchilde — Fri, 03 Feb 2017 19:56:08 GMT

@ChynnaBlue wrote:
I do it here sometimes as a way to bump up a thread that's not getting any responses. I do the same on Facebook for the same reasons - Facebook looks at things that get more feeback (likes/hates/comments) and shows those to more people. A post with no responses gets deprioritized and drops to the bottom quickly,

It gives someone who does know more of a chance to respond.

I do get, in some threads, saying "I don't know but hopefully X, who might know, will see it and help" kind of thing.

Re: "I don't know..."

LTT1 — Fri, 03 Feb 2017 22:13:26 GMT

@Moonchilde

ITA... I sometimes want to write "well, WALL, ..."

Re: "I don't know..."

suzyQ3 — Sat, 04 Feb 2017 00:21:42 GMT

@QueenDanceALot wrote:
They think everyone is waiting for their input?

Kind of reminds me of theads that have the same answer from 200 people, like they read the OP but don't bother reading the other replies before posting theirs.

@QueenDanceALot, I think you might be right, in a sense. When I see this, I wonder whether the person is relatively new or not very savvy when it comes to engaging online. I have a very vague memory of such innocence when I first started.

It may be a "bump" on a thread, where otherwise the thread will soon be out of sight, but that wouldn't be the case in the Q&A for products here or on Amazon.

As for not reading a thread before posting, the worst is when the OP apologizes for something and then tons of people still post scolding comments because they didn't read the darn apology.

Re: "I don't know..."

QueenDanceALot — Sat, 04 Feb 2017 19:54:53 GMT

@suzyQ3 wrote:
@QueenDanceALot wrote:
They think everyone is waiting for their input?

Kind of reminds me of theads that have the same answer from 200 people, like they read the OP but don't bother reading the other replies before posting theirs.

@QueenDanceALot, I think you might be right, in a sense. When I see this, I wonder whether the person is relatively new or not very savvy when it comes to engaging online. I have a very vague memory of such innocence when I first started.

It may be a "bump" on a thread, where otherwise the thread will soon be out of sight, but that wouldn't be the case in the Q&A for products here or on Amazon.

As for not reading a thread before posting, the worst is when the OP apologizes for something and then tons of people still post scolding comments because they didn't read the darn apology.

There are a lot of scolders on this board.

Re: "I don't know..."

suzyQ3 — Sat, 04 Feb 2017 20:52:27 GMT

@QueenDanceALot wrote:
@suzyQ3 wrote:
@QueenDanceALot wrote:
They think everyone is waiting for their input?

Kind of reminds me of theads that have the same answer from 200 people, like they read the OP but don't bother reading the other replies before posting theirs.

@QueenDanceALot, I think you might be right, in a sense. When I see this, I wonder whether the person is relatively new or not very savvy when it comes to engaging online. I have a very vague memory of such innocence when I first started.

It may be a "bump" on a thread, where otherwise the thread will soon be out of sight, but that wouldn't be the case in the Q&A for products here or on Amazon.

As for not reading a thread before posting, the worst is when the OP apologizes for something and then tons of people still post scolding comments because they didn't read the darn apology.
There are a lot of scolders on this board.

@QueenDanceALot, yes, but honestly, I think we all do our fair share of scolding. There are some, though, who seem to consider it a hobby. Hey, everybody should have one, as they say. :-)

Re: "I don't know..."

akaburtonfan — Sat, 04 Feb 2017 20:59:36 GMT

If I don't have an answer, I generally don't respond. It may be as someone else said to bump the thread up. It may also be that the person responding doesn't see anyone else responding and doesn't want the original poster to feel like they are being ignored.