Memo: Attention Giant Eagle shoppers: A note from your mod...PLEASE READ

[StaceyLFreedman]

While there may be too much chattering, I think that alot of it is very productive. The chattering encourages others to join in and even post what they've found on their own when otherwise they may not have done so. You have to feel comfortable with people in order to participate on ANY level and, I don't want to speak for everyone, I think the more that contribute, the better the forum is and the more deals we're all exposed to. I've only been around here since August and would've never had the nerve to try to post this week's ad had it not been for the welcoming feeling I get from everyone on here. And I don't want to bash or squash anyone's ideas on how deals should be posted. I think if we talk through this enough we can all find a way to post the ad up front, summarize the deals in a fashion that is easy for everyone to understand, and then share our ideas and chit-chat after that. My opinion only counts for me, but how many people are going to know to look in "X" thread where other deals and valuable info is being shared? I wouldn't have known if it wasn't for me stalking Sandy one day......lol I think Jen did a wonderful job with her summary; however, I don't want to throw anyone under the bus and get them to commit to doing something they really don't have time to do. So I think this thread in particular could be best utilized to figure out a strategy on how to make our forum the best one out there. Please forgive me in advance if I've over-stepped my bounds or offended anyone because nothing I said was with ill-intent....I'm still a baby on here and it's all so new.

[dw_shop]

Originally Posted by FunnyFace I find it so difficult to not go off on a rabbit trail. When I do try to just stick with deal scenarios, I feel like I'm disconnecting myself from the camaraderie that is so wonderful in the GE Forum. Sometimes it seems arrogant to me if I were to start a new thread with a quote from the original deal thread if that makes sense. This is why I suggested, but only a couple seem to agree with my idea that once the ad is posted that an appointed person whether it is Jen or someone else start a deal only thread that contains no more than three posts. The three posts would include the ad, the scenarios and maybe one that says going by shelf or sale if it is necessary to separate for easier answer finding. I think it would make it so much easier on you, mshopper, as the mod not to sift through our chitchat, delete and post reminders, yet allow us not only to post experiences related to the deals , but to freely chit chat too without breaking the guidelines or feeling like we need to suppress ourselves. Making a chit chat thread after the ad is posted and the chitchat has already begun in the original thread, imho, creates more cacophony then anything. Please forgive me, if I am overstepping my boundaries, I just wanted to share my ideas. I mean all this in the most respectful way.

I personally like it all in one thread (with a deal summary in the beginning). But I can see how your suggestion would work as well. Unfortunately, (in my opinion) the way the last two weeks has gone the chit-chat and deal threads have overlaped a lot. That's way I mentioned that it was confusing to me.

Whatever the decision is, is fine with me. I just think the threads the last two weeks have been more confusing than normal. I still appreciate all the posts and conversations though....they are extremely helpful!

[jen276here]

Here is my suggestion - One thread started by whoever posts the ad. Once the deal post is started (whether by me or someone else) the OP can revise the title to reflect where the deal post is. After that, all is fair in coupons and chit chat!

I really don't mind the chit chat - actually could care less if there is a ton of it. I usually am an active participant! Last week I was just incredibly cranky :sad: because I was hurting in the early part of the week and sick in the latter part of the week, so with the headache I had for the most part of the week, searching through the chit chat to find the deals made my head hurt more. But I got over it! lol

Thanks to all who do like the deal post! I love doing it - gets me ready for my own shopping KWIM? I am trying to make it easier to read through too - started alphabetizing the deals and posting the free's in red. I think the only thing I'd prefer to see from anyone posting deals is the source of the Q. Like, right now if someone posts it is an insert Q w/o a date, I go search the DB for it so I can post the date with the deal. No real biggie, but would make it easier. I also have to say I don't like the CVS/Wags format. I think it is redundant - everything is spelled out then the MATH portion spells it out again. Just seems like an extra step that isn't really necessary. :shrug7:

I personally didn't really think anything with the GE forum was 'broke' to make this an issue. But I guess with the increased number of Big-Birdians ( ) some things may need to be addressed.

[sbp]

Admin jumping in here, just to clarify things a little further!!!

We have had a global announcement in the past, asking our Walgreens and CVS shoppers to try to post using a uniform format, but we have never asked our members to do so board-wide, in any of the grocery store forums.

We do have over 90 mods on our moderating team, and we are grateful for all of their work and dedication to their own forum(s), and we realize that there are different preferences. Therefore we do allow each individual moderator the freedom to run their forum in the manner that they choose, and that includes suggesting a certain format for deals to be posted.

As members who frequent a store forum, you all are more than welcome to PM that mod and make suggestions or ideas for improvements, but it is ultimately up to the moderator to run his/her forum in the manner that they choose... providing of course that they adhere to the guidelines we have set for them regarding policy and such.

And as those same members who frequent a store forum, I would ask that if you are happy and satisfied with the way that your moderator is handling things in their forum, to please take the time to let your moderator know that you think they are doing a great job. I assure you that gratitude from our members go a long way to putting a smile on our moderators faces and a happy mod means a happy forum!!!

There are several ways to show a moderator your gratitude, including the following:

-give them a positive rep and include a positive comment
-send them a PM to let them know what you love best about the forum
-let the admin team know about your favorite moderator and post a vote for the Mod of the Month
-post within the forum for all the other forum members to see


I, for one, think that mshopper does a fantastic job in the Giant Eagle forum! I can honestly say that I've never had anyone contact me with anything but high praise for her hard work in this forum and in her others. So thanks, mshopper!! I'm very happy that you give up a part of your day to make the GE forum a great forum to visit!!

[mshopper]

Originally Posted by FunnyFace Sometimes it seems arrogant to me if I were to start a new thread with a quote from the original deal thread if that makes sense. No, that wouldn't be arrogant at all, IMO! I think it would make it so much easier on you, mshopper, as the mod not to sift through our chitchat, delete and post reminders, yet allow us not only to post experiences related to the deals , but to freely chit chat too without breaking the guidelines or feeling like we need to suppress ourselves. Making a chit chat thread after the ad is posted and the chitchat has already begun in the original thread, imho, creates more cacophony then anything.

Chit chat in a deal thread IS breaking the guidelines of HCW, though!! It is admin's wish that deal threads be only about that week's deals, thus making all the information easy to find and sift through. When the chitchat begins in the deal thread it is my job to suppress/delete it, simple as that.

Originally Posted by StaceyLFreedman While there may be too much chattering, I think that alot of it is very productive. The chattering encourages others to join in and even post what they've found on their own when otherwise they may not have done so. The chattering is great...I'm certainly not saying not to do it, just that it needs to be done in a different thread than the main deal thread. how many people are going to know to look in "X" thread where other deals and valuable info is being shared? That is the point of the weekly deal thread!!!! All "valuable info" pertaining to that week's sale should be posted there. So I think this thread in particular could be best utilized to figure out a strategy on how to make our forum the best one out there. Actually, it already is one of the best, but we could never top CVS!

Originally Posted by dw_shop Unfortunately, (in my opinion) the way the last two weeks has gone the chit-chat and deal threads have overlaped a lot. That's way I mentioned that it was confusing to me. It shouldn't be confusing. Any deals should be posted in the weekly deal thread. If there are deals that are posted in the chit chat thread that are not making it into the deal thread then anyone who notices this should feel free to go ahead and post it in the proper place.

Originally Posted by jen276here I really don't mind the chit chat - actually could care less if there is a ton of it. But, again, this is against HCW policy for its store forums. Also, what people may not realize is that many of our Giant Eagle regulars are connecting to the internet through dial-up service. It is quite a long and frustrating process for them to have to read through a thread filled with chatter to find a post that's relevant to that week's ad. Thanks to all who do like the deal post! I love doing it - gets me ready for my own shopping KWIM? And thanks to you, too!! I know how much everyone here appreciates your hard work! I personally didn't really think anything with the GE forum was 'broke' to make this an issue. No, you're right - a few things just seemed to need clarification.

Hopefully, this will put an end to any confusion. If not, please feel free to PM me and I'll be happy to discuss any concerns. Those that are relatively new to the Giant Eagle forum probably haven't seen me post too much. This was due to the fact that I DO have a real life...August to November are extremely busy months in my household. While I didn't have time to spend posting, though, I was always here, reading and jumping in (and deleting ) when necessary.

In accordance with HCW policy, we will continue to have a weekly deals-only thread. Anyone wishing to start any off-topic discussion is encouraged to do so, either by starting a separate thread or posting in the chit chat section, for I agree that the chattiness of the members on this forum help make it the wonderful place it is.

[FunnyFace]

I want to apologize to all for my passive aggressive approach on this topic. I'm sure it made others uncomfortable. I'm sorry.

[StaceyLFreedman]

Originally Posted by FunnyFace I want to apologize to all for my passive aggressive approach on this topic. I'm sure it made others uncomfortable. I'm sorry.

Hey Funny.......I didn't take offense to anything that you said nor did it make me feel uncomfortable. The written word is very open to interpretation as you don't have the advantage of seeing someone's facial expression or hearing the inflection in their voice; however, you were simply stating your opinion as were all of us and that's ok, right?

[spork]

I don't post a lot so may be inappropriate to offer an opinion, but I read this forum everyday. First of all, you people are wonderful! It's one of the best forums here, imo.

I find the issue to be what constitutes chit chat and what is valuable information related to the deal. It does overlap sometimes between the deal thread and chit chat thread and people may have varying opinions on what is important to know or where is the best place to ask a question. I still feel the need to read through both threads, and then the Catalina thread as well and it's time consuming, but I don't want to miss a piece of information that will make my trip as smooth as possible.

I find that when just one specific deal is quoted in a response, that makes it very easy to use the search feature and see just the responses related to that deal. Or perhaps each deal post starts with a bold heading "DEAL Quaker Oatmeal" and then replies do the same, no matter which thread they are in, ie.

"RE: Deal Quaker Oatmeal -- Where did you find the 1.00/1 coupon, I don't see it in the database?

RE: Deal Kraft -- FYI, the Cracker Barrell didn't produce the cat."

I'm all about being able to use the search function. Oh, and I'm a little anal -- ok alot! Just thinking out loud and thanks to all of you that actively post here and help save me so much money.

[mshopper]

Originally Posted by spork I find the issue to be what constitutes chit chat and what is valuable information related to the deal.

Exactly! Your examples of "Where did you find the ...coupon" and "FYI...didn't produce the cat" are things that I consider to be relevant to the weekly thread. My problem (and subsequent deletions ) is with the posts like "thanks for posting" (this is why the reputation system was put in place), "I wanted to go to the store to get xx deal, but my kids were sick", or "I now have 400 pounds of Kraft cheese." My job would be a lot easier if people would think before posting in the deals thread...if it's not informative or helpful in some way, it belongs in the chit-chat thread. Sounds easy to me! :shrug7:

Using the search feature, though, is always a good idea...particularly in a busy forum such as ours!