Experts? (1 Viewer)

Should we have an "Ask the Experts" forum?

  • Yes

    Votes: 18 54.5%
  • No

    Votes: 15 45.5%

  • Total voters
    33

Jim

Ringleader
Jul 19, 2007
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Some may recall that I was thinking about organising an Link Removed Forum.

Input that I have received from the membership since then has broadly fallen into two camps.

Camp A think its a great idea, and that we would benefit from having industry experts on the forum to answer all our questions.

Camp B think that an experts presence might make others reluctant to post, or to delay posting and "wait for the expert" That they should be encouraged onto the forum but not given their own slot.

Before I make a decision I thought I should put it to a vote. Please do take the time to vote. Thanks
 

scotjimland

LIFE MEMBER
Jul 25, 2007
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Provided the 'experts' have bona fide credentials, work in the sector they are representing and the answers they provide are open to scrutiny and debate I would support it, in particular I think the following topics could benefit from this..

Insurance
Finance
Legal matters
Importing
Servicing
 

johnsandywhite

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Jul 29, 2007
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:Cool: Having come across MANY experts in MANY fields in my life? It made me make the decision to do any jobs required myself. Within reason of course. I am not casting ANY aspersions on ANY Experts. I am sure there are many GENUINE experts out there that are VERY competent at their job?

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Mangothemadmonk

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Sep 25, 2007
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I put NO. The only reason being is that what happens if something goes wrong? What happens if the "expert" gives the wrong :Doh: info and this leads to a costly mistake/bill?

Just my views as a "new-comer" to the forum.

Johnny F
 

Sweet Chariot

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Sep 30, 2007
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We have just had a new member join who works in Fridges etc what was one of the first posts,? a question about his broken Fridge which he answered and offered 5% discount on products, can't be a bad thing asking the expert.:thumb:
 

scotjimland

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I put NO. The only reason being is that what happens if something goes wrong? What happens if the "expert" gives the wrong :Doh: info and this leads to a costly mistake/bill?

It's a very valid point, one that I'm conscious of when replying to questions where a mistake could be either costly or dangerous, this is where several replies and consensus of opinion is needed, in saying that all advice must be taken as just that, advice, not the gospel.

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Road Runner

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Jul 26, 2007
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Look at it another way leading me to not vote.

Doubt many know more about importing a vehicle from the US than JSW but he has no credentials on the subject.

Then you get duncan Star Spangled.

Confused? yep:Doh:
 

Papa Smurf

Member
Sep 25, 2007
539
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As a non-owner (at the moment) I voted No.

The reason is that I have a load of questions and would value several people's answers as they can often answer a question I didn't know I needed to ask! This of course, could include "experts" replies , and I personally would prefer the opinion of many rather than of one person, regardeless of their credentials. ( and in NO way am I knocking anyone now, or in the future ).

I also would hate to think that anyone who is an "expert" in an particular field iwould be expected to answer a question, knowing that this may in all likelyhood dictate a course of action ( not legal action ) based solely on their experience.

I value everyone's input on this forum - it's the interchange of ideas and expressions of views that allow me to form MY decisions.

Again, may I say this is in NO way "knocking" those who have specialist knowlege in any area - part of the evaluation of answers includes a "weighting" of the input from everyone, and it would be inappropriate for someone to take what I say about Jelly Babies against someone's response to someone who happens to be the Production Manager for the Jelly Baby line at equal value!

Sorry for the lengthy reply....
 

eddie

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Oct 4, 2007
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I have been the MMM interchange "security correspondent" for some 12 years. Most of what little I do is to find old instructions, and put people in touch with the "Right man in the right company"

The trouble with internet forums is who will vet the posters? There is still a thread swimming around the internet which a complete bozo misquoted me, and then used his "Own misquote" as a statement of fact, and then proceeded to demolish the "fact" as "rubbish" coming to the conclusion that I was an idiot and didn't know what I was talking about. (that may be the case, but surely that is for me to prove :roflmto: by my own actions and statements)

I will always try and help anyone that emails me, about any security matter, if I can, and always have done, but think the idea of discussing someone’s security problems on an open forum would be a bad idea anyway.

So, I think that ask the experts is a good idea....unworkable

Just my opinion

Eddie

ps A case in point. There is a member here at the moment who has a problem with his alarm. My company did not install the alarm, but it is a Strikeback. I have swopped four or five emails with the guy and we will get to the bottom of his problem. This sort of information, about a specific vehicle should not be on a public forum

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Jul 29, 2007
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Hi sounds like in general "experts" would be sticking their necks out, advise someone, they do it, any problems and you get lambasted as an idiot.

No collective response is best, then we can all share in the blame. ::bigsmile:

Olley
 

TinaGlenn

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Aug 7, 2007
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I voted no, the reason being, I work in an environment where people call us asking for help and advice, and unless the person asking the question is very specific or clear in what they say, misunderstandings can occur, a wrong diagnosis of the actual fault/problem made, and the wrong information may be given in answer. This can lead to wrong parts being ordered or incorrect action being taken which can aggrivate the situation and prove costly.

In an open forum with many people reading the original question, there will often be many differing answers, the originator will then have more information to help resolve things.
There are members of MHFUN who have little bits of expertise on many subjects through experience as well as their jobs, and whose answers could be just as good as someone with company connections.

just my thoughts

Tina
 

Supertractorman

Free Member
Sep 7, 2007
406
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My vote was a No, because I feel some people who have resolved a problem in their own way , may not be prepared to go into print for fear of being "shot down" by an "EXPERT".:Sad:

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G

GeorgeTelford

Deleted User
Hi Fordson, all

If you post on a forum your should expect peer review, I expect it and know that any mistake that I make is going to be seized upon and that is a GOOD thing, If I ever disagree with anyone elses post, I post verifiable evidence of why it is wrong.....

Thats the whole point of forum's, If an expert or I do not have the evidence to support his/her/my post then it is good thing to be put right, it benefits the expert and anyone reading the post.........
 

eddie

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Oct 4, 2007
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Hi George, I agree with you entirely.

However, You, for example, put well balance reasoned arguements forward. To refer to a recent post you quoted for example, the latest legislation on the mobility act, and VAT status.

You posted, complete with a link to the information source. But: The information that you posted, contradicted what some individuals had planned, and purchases that have already been made. You seemed to be subjected to a triade if personal abuse and illogical arguement.

Worse people were stating their personal situation, which whilst tragic, had no bearing on the law, and because you were suggesting that some cases fell out of a qualifying vehicle you became the whipping boy, for explaining the Governments position.

That is the danger as I see it. Open forum where anyone can pitch in, look at the facts, ignore the flaming and the hysteria and make a balanced overall view.
 

sammclouis

Account Deactivated
Aug 14, 2007
351
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shropshire
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c class
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i voted yes.....i think its a great idea..especially if links are posted to support the experts advice...i'd love somebody to give an expert opinion of any probs i may have & if backed up with evidence well im sure it'll save members ÂŁ's,,,bring it on...sammx :thumb:

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Sundowners

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Hi
I voted yes, but after reading others comments, I realise that it's not so clear. Any "expert" must be prepared to be challenged following anothers experience, so the problem should be open to anyone that feels they may have some input to help solve a problem-------------.So maybe there is no point in asking an expert in the first place!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Nigel
 

eddie

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An expert, a legend, a star, being gifted and very talented: These are all phrases that you should use when refering to other people. Start believing your own "publicity" and youv'e had it, in my opinion.

Was it Oscar Wilde who stated that

"I would not want to belong to any club that would have me as a member"

Good advice

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eddie

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I stand corrected:Blush:

Thank you, By the way, what colour do smurfs go when the get very cold? :Smile:
 

Papa Smurf

Member
Sep 25, 2007
539
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The same colour as when you choke one :roflmto:

Now, must dash to find the number of the local smurf mafia for Somerset to "pay you a visit"

Found it. ;D

Now, here's an example of their "work" on the last person who made fun of us....

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Oct 14, 2007
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From Jim's original post

"Among our members we have some extremely knowledgeable people, but I'm thinking of having an"Ask the Expert" forum so that we can have some "industry consultants" who check in here once a day to answer any questions that the members care to ask. The forums would be just like any other, with everyone allowed to discuss both the question and the expert’s answers. If we could get some good experts on board it could elevate the status of the forum which can of course help when we start touting for advertisers"

I can't see a problem with a bona fida Industry consultant checking in once a day to answer specific queries as Jim says, but I would agree that there could be a problem with a so called expert giving out misleading information to someone who then gets the hump when it's gone pear shapped.

At the moment we are a bunch of lads and lassies with a common interest and a wealth of knowledge that we are willing to share with others, and as others have said it's about looking at all the advice/info and comming to your own decision.

How am I goinig to vote:Sad: yep I am going with the yes camp. It's my decision and mine alone if I wan't to take any advice given freely, if I was paying for it that would be different.
 

Mangothemadmonk

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I can't see a problem with a bona fida Industry consultant checking in once a day to answer specific queries

Hi Diablo. There are bona fide experts and bona fide experts. How do we/can we check on their credentials?

We all know of someone claiming to be an "expert" who you wouldn't trust with a machano set let alone your pride and joy.

I am in the "camp" of chuck a question in and see how many people give the same answer and take it from there. If you still aren't sure then go to the professionals and pay for it. If its wrong then at least you have some come back.

Just my thoughts though.

Johnny F
 
Aug 16, 2007
457
3
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111
No

I voted NO, because at the end of the day the only person in this day that you can completely trust is yourself!
People are sued for helping and are now very often afraid to offer advice!
Many fraudulent insurance claims are made as too many people want the easy get rich option.
Not fair to expect any expert to offer advice unless he/she was insured for millions, and then they would have to charge for their services!
No thanks

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Jul 20, 2007
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Hi all
Interesting concept...... I am all for "experts" giving advice, however..................
It is my experience that in the past I have had cause to ask questions and have received many answers, some correct and some not so. For the not so correct replies there is usually a debate that addresses the issues and a consensus is arrived at. I have also asked questions and had "expert" advice given, to site an example, when we bought Rocky we needed lots of help and advice as well as many parts. Linda (in this instance) answered my questions openly in a forum and then we began dialogue through email and PM. The vast majority of answers helped me and I am sure that they helped others too. It is apparent that some "experts" will read a post and then immediately PM the poster with offers of help, whilst this may help the poster out it does little to add value to the majority of the forum who are then left in the dark about the outcome. The fix is hidden in PMs between two people and if that problem ever came up again, then there is no trail to investigate and people are left to ask the same question again, with possibly the same course of action being used to resolve it.
I think that it is beneficial to have "experts" as part of the forum, they are then free to answer what they understand to be the question (and the important wording there is "what they understand".....) and everyone is open to comment. This would be a huge benefit if the respondent has misunderstood the original question and would prevent misleading information being given, with the best will in the world it is impossible to get everything right all of the time, and I sure that an expert would be hesitant to offer advice if they thought that it MAY lead to legal proceedings or just (as Eddie pointed out) a public lambasting because of some minor misinterpretation or misunderstanding.
I think that it would be great for an "expert" to post in open public forum with their reply and also identify their field of expertise, as in Stateside Tuning for example, no one is in any doubt that Linda is running that business and will be hoping for some financial reward for her efforts even if it is indirectly and that is accepted. To my way of thinking, if such experts were to offer help and advice and we all knew that they had businesses, then it would only add credence to their answers and in the fullness of time they would be rewarded for their time, effort and knowledge, because members would think "that person was really good and helpful so now I need X then I will go to them, a kind of forum loyalty would grow. Why go to a total stranger to part with your cash when you can get whatever you want from known forum, helpful and friendly members? I know that is how my mind works anyway.......
I hope that this makes sense and helps the discussion :thumb:

Keith
 

JayDee

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Some may recall that I was thinking about organising an Link Removed Forum.

Input that I have received from the membership since then has broadly fallen into two camps.

Camp A think its a great idea, and that we would benefit from having industry experts on the forum to answer all our questions.

Camp B think that an experts presence might make others reluctant to post, or to delay posting and "wait for the expert" That they should be encouraged onto the forum but not given their own slot.

Before I make a decision I thought I should put it to a vote. Please do take the time to vote. Thanks

Hi Jim,
I voted yes primarily because of the point raised by ScotJimLand about Insurance, Finance, Legal matters, Importing, Servicing and other such thorny issues. Experts in these fields would be a great help to a lot of people. Day to day stuff seems to be pretty well covered by the general forum; and usually with a bit of associated banter ::bigsmile:

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OP
OP
Jim

Jim

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Jul 19, 2007
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Its been a close one and a good debate, but the "no's" just have it. I am going to shelve this idea for the time being. Thanks for your input, its been much appreciated
 
G

GeorgeTelford

Deleted User
Many experts simply tell you "do it this way, this is the right way" without ever showing why they consider it to be the correct way, and often it really isn't, which is perhaps why they couldn't show you in the first place...........

Some things have been done in a certain way for so long, that it seems that it must be the best way of doing it. Otherwise why hasn't a better method taken over?

Personally I always want to know the answer, this means I always try to verify what I have been told, this is where a forum comes into its own.

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