Suggestion

[TheWoman]

I have been visiting HCW since almost the beginning. It was my first deal site and it taught me most of what I know about coupons. It has made a huge difference to me and my family.

I love the way that HCW welcomes newbies. If someone asks a stupid question here, it is answered. Some of the other deal sites would tell them "can't you READ!!! noob", making them never want to post again. I love that people are welcoming and not rude here.

However, I am seeing a problem developing. As the site is becoming more popular and we are getting more new members, it seems that most of the deal threads now consist of "wait--I am new at this, what is a RR?" and then 3-4 people answering. Very often the same question is asked more than once in a thread, then again the next week and the next. Then there are whole threads that consist of a basic question or "I have these coupons, please someone tell me what to buy".

Now, don't get me wrong, I don't have a problem with people asking questions. I am seeing a problem with the boards getting bogged down with questions that have been answered in the FAQ. There seems to be an epidemic of newbies who have not read the FAQs but are just jumping into the deal threads, cluttering them with stuff that properly belongs in couponing 101. This makes for a lot of pages to wade through when trying to figure out what the deals are this week.

So I suggest the following:
1. (mods only) Create a question and answer thread for each store forum. Many have them already, some do not. Remind people that this is where general questions should go. By general question, I mean the questions that apply week after week after week. General = how does the SCR work? Not general = is coupon x valid on the item on sale this week?
2. (everyone) When someone asks a question that is in the FAQ, instead of answering it in the thread direct them to the FAQ. That way they not only get their question answered, but now they know where to find the answers to all their other questions. It also saves a lot of typing.

[Macaela25]

Excellent point.

[tivaclare]

I agree completely!! I only visit a few boards on this site and have noticed HUGE problems with users asking the same questions over and over, even if only a few posts ahead someone has linked to the FAQ!!

I actually left negative for the first time ever for a member who joined in 2007 and asked what the hours for her specific store were in it's own thread!! This is on a board with an excellent FAQ that links directly to this particular store's official site. I couldn't believe it, that's just laziness. I ask for help when I need it, but I always try to figure it out on my own first.

I've noticed the Walgreens boards are really bad for clutter. I'm to a point where I don't even bother to look there anymore except to look at ad previews. I can't handle the 60-80 page threads that are mostly junk.

Search people, search!!!

Sorry, rant over.

[billig]

Maybe the newbies checking out this thread could tell us how they would like to be...politely informed...that this is the answer, but this link will take you to the FAQ and reading it will really help you.

[Spoildbby1]

Maybe we could have training forums for the stores, kinda like trader in training?

[ChrisLeigh]

Another suggestion... It annoys me to read through posts and posts of "thanks... rep'd ya".... That's the point of a rep.... so we don't have to post all those crazy thanks! It just adds so many worthless posts to have to read through to find information! I think the MODS should delete the posts if there is nothing in them worthwhile to others. I'm not saying a thanks isn't nice to have... but it just fills this bogs with tons of useless stuff to read through.

Thanks for giving me a place to vent... repd ya!

[cuzisaidso]

You can lead a newbie to the FAQ's but, you can't make 'em read it.

[jkelstaten]

You can lead a newbie to the FAQ's but, you can't make 'em read it.

[Amniculus]

You know we get a flood of newbies at my favorite store forum weekly. Because a few of the members who are on local tv telling people how to save money.

We have a question thread and have had one. It's really helpful for the n00bs. ZM is really good about answering them.

But, uh, I've noticed the nit picking in coupon matches! Gimme a break! My other favorite, is where is *that* coupon? Check the database, that's how I found it.

I had an advantage coming to HCW, I learned how to use coupons by paying for a list. I've also had internet access since I was 14. I lurked and searched before posting.

[purplefdu]

I don't think its too awful to help someone out in a thread instead of taking the time yourself to track down the FAQ link. It takes me alot less time to explain RR means register reward than find the thread, link it, etc. There is alot of information here and even as a professional forum poster of over a year with mod and administrative training I still had a long hard time straightening it all out. I'd hate to think about the issues someone new to forums in general has, let alone forums, coupons, etc all at once.

I would suggest an announcement posted in the subforum instead perhaps with the FAQ link. That way it would link at the top of every page in the subforum just like when an announcement is posted now...just takes some tweaking behind the scenes.