posted on September 27, 2000 07:00:26 AM new
A short while back, an ebay seller started a tread on a transaction they had with a buyer.
It appears that the seller and buyer both could have handled it better.
Because it was a seller with over thousands of feed back, and a newbie buyer, some posters to the thread felt the seller could have handled it a little different.
The thread was filled with people agreeing and disagreeing, with both the seller and each other.
Because clues were given the buyer was invited to join the thread. Immediately after that, the starter of the tread deleted all their posts and requested the thread be locked.
Of course we could say the poster did it for "our own good" because they did not like the way the thread was going, or we can say they did it because they did not want to "face" the buyer.
I feel the rest of us posters were left in the lurch, we were in the middle of explaining our views and opinions to each other. And we know when this happens, sentences are misunderstood, and often we find an "friend" from another thread has a completely different view from our on this one and we try to explain ourselves.
I would like to see AW implement a new feature. A "add-on" to posts instead of edit. Perhaps we would all be more careful in what we say, and how we say it, if the words were going to be left there forever.
In real life one can not just delete their words. It is like the courtroom drama on TV when the judge says "Jury, disregard that statement." Yeah, right. This would force us to have a little bit more thought before we post.
Now we all know AW has rules against attacking individual posters. You can say, "I think that was a stupid thing to do", but you can not say "You are stupid".
(Yes, we would all love to use stronger words than "stupid" sometimes.
As far as returning and correcting typos, if you are that worried about it, copy and paste into a word program for spell checks before you post. This also give you time to read what you wrote.
Truckers have a term called "CB Rambo". Those "daring" people that spew off at the mouth because no one can tell who they are.
AW has a few of those too. It is time to be more responsible for our words on these boards.
~Not barrelracer on ebay, don't pick on them!~
posted on September 27, 2000 08:09:53 AM new
All good points, barrelracer, but I think the edit function is very valuable. About 50% of the time I see something dumb -- gramatically, spelling-wise, or otherwise -- which I've written in a post and I edit it. I'm not going to copy and paste each post into another program and run spell check on it before sending.
The "delete posts and lock thread syndrome" isn't very common, and even when it happens it really doesn't amount to much in the larger scheme of things. What good would really have come from the buyer in that case being able to read the seller's remarks? Most likely none.
posted on September 27, 2000 08:26:06 AM new
<<What good would really have come from the buyer in that case being able to read the seller's remarks? Most likely none>>
If someone wrote what you felt were lies or misconceptions about you, wouldn't you want the chance to tell your side?
Deleting all the posts and locking is uncommon, but if a poster knew the words were there to stay, wouldn't they try to be more truthful in the way they presented their case?
posted on September 27, 2000 09:24:47 AM new
I agree with barrelracer. It's cowardly to impugn the character of another and then delete the post when the poster knows there's a good chance the person they've been libeling will read their comments. People should have to be responsible for what they say and write. If you're not willing to stand by your words, don't write them.
posted on September 27, 2000 09:54:41 AM new
I'd miss the edit feature. I find myself editing most of my posts for clarity, to add missing words or delete extraneous words.
Actually, big on my AW "wish" list is a preview function. On another board I post at, I rarely edit, simply because I can see and edit my post in preview mode.
posted on September 27, 2000 10:26:19 AM new
I've visited some message forums which use software similar to AW's but they only allow you to edit your post for 30 minutes after it was placed.
This has been a significant issue for online message boards since the very beginning.
I tend to favor the ability to edit, and even delete one's own posts. People say things that they later regret. I've certainly done it. We probably all have.
There are several cases in which someone had so much regret over something they had written online that they committed suicide. It's certainly not worth that.
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All rights reserved. All wrongs reversed.
posted on September 27, 2000 10:27:17 AM new
Sometimes as I write, it sounds fine but afterwards if I go back to read what I have said the sentence structure may not seem right. I then like to edit to change a word or clarify a statement in case someone else is reading something different into it. Talking on a message board is not the same as talking face to face.
On one thread last spring I aged myself by a whole decade by a simple typo and later when my husband pointed it out to me and I went back to edit it the thread was locked.
But if I do come here with a problem I am willing to stand by my words as I know there is always the possibility the auction can be identified.
posted on September 27, 2000 11:19:35 AM new
To me it is about responsibility. Being responsible for what you post.
If there is a glaring error or misunderstanding of what you wrote, an "add-on" feature would allow you to correct it.
But if you are going to down right lie about someone or some instance, no, you shouldn't have the means to delete your entry. You can amend it, or explain it, but it will give the other person a chance to defend themselves.
And hopefully make us think a bit more before our fingers fly to the keyboard.
Our words would be there for all to see, no way to delete them, pack up our toys and run home to mama.
It's about taking responsibility on our actions, on all posts in this thread.
~Not barrelracer on ebay, don't pick on them!~
posted on September 27, 2000 12:08:39 PM new
Barrelracer: I have seen many posts which were later edited out and I silently applauded. The reasons for those editings had nothing whatsoever with covering up any lying. It was about trying to prevent further pain or trying to reduce damage caused by thoughtlessly revealing personal information/background about someone else.
posted on September 27, 2000 01:03:17 PM new
I too have edited my posts when I realize that I have strayed way from the topic and it might confuse the issue.
It seemed that a mistake was made if hints were made to identify the buyer. I believe that under auctionwatch rules, it is the choice of the person starting the topic that has the right to invite or not invite the other party involved. Other AW users can't do the inviting. Also the person starting the topic can ask to have a topic locked.
posted on September 27, 2000 01:13:28 PM new
Barrelracer,
The "syndrome" that is even more egregious in my mind, is the proclivity of some eBay sellers to use these very public threads to blow off steam about the normal, everyday frustrations that go along with having customers. In the particular thread you mentioned, the seller didn't seem to be seeking advice or input with a particular tricky situation. Rather, she just wanted to vent and became increasingly shrill when others disagreed with her approach. The whole thing was ill-conceived and I for one was glad to see she thought better of what she said and attempted at least some damage control.
posted on September 27, 2000 01:15:33 PM new
barrelracer (still love that handle!)
"To me it is about responsibility. Being responsible for what you post"
Unfortunately, with the advent of the internet, email, and these kinds of forums, responsibility for what you 'say' has gone the way of the DoDo Bird. I know for a fact that I have 'said' many things here that I would not say to someone in a real letter, a telephone call, or face-to-face.
Part of the problem is the ease with which we can insult and belittle each other. Don't have to take a pen to hand, or buy a stamp. Don't even have to dial a telephone number!
The biggest part of the problem though, as I see it, is that we do not have to tell anyone who we really are. I can virtually say anything about you, or to you that I want (maybe not on this forum, but on thousands of others where there are no rules or moderators) and there are absolutely no consequences. I can also carry on a heated argument with myself by creating a 2nd alias, or I can have an entire debate with myself by creating a whole bunch of aliases
We Agree! It is always nice to see that when you had a disagreement on on another topic.
and
<< I can also carry on a heated argument with myself by creating a 2nd alias, or I can have an entire debate with myself by creating a whole bunch of aliases >>
I think some people might already do this on AW!
~Not barrelracer on ebay, don't pick on them!~
posted on September 27, 2000 02:26:56 PM new
Kelly: Anybody in a thread, if they feel it is apparent who is being talked about, can invite that person to AW. I think the idea of that section of the CG's is to encourage the thread originator to invite the person they want to talk about from the get-go.
