Where I stand with PMs

toni · Post by **toni** » Tue Jun 02, 2009 4:11 pm

I don't pm too many people, unless I have a specific question about a place they've stayed or eaten at for example. I'd think if you get pm's that are way too nasty or "out there" you should bring it to Anthony's attention-is there a way to block someone from sending you a pm? Similar to blocking spam emails? If you want to ask the forum their opinion on a pm you rec'd I'd think you could do it w/o letting on who it was from-just to see if you're reading it wrong-sometimes tone on messages is hard to tell.

As to whether or not people ask too many general/plan my vacation questions on the forum-that's kind of what these forums are for isn't it? Some people have more time/ability than others to read/research a lot (I'm a massive researcher) but others might not and so choose to ask very open questions, especially if they've just found the forum. If you want to take the time to answer that's up to you, ignore the question if you don't want to give an opinion.

Jo Ann - VA · Post by **Jo Ann - VA** » Wed Jun 03, 2009 10:15 am

<---------Never received a nasty pm. I feel so left out.

Xislandgirl · Post by **Xislandgirl** » Wed Jun 03, 2009 11:25 am

Gromit wrote:Rick-- sadly, I was thinking the same thing on the "plan my vacation for me thing."

I don't mind being helpful.. but sheesh... Google can be your best friend.

Note to newbies... we aren't travel agents ... it's usually helpful to have at least ATTEMPTED to do some research before asking the forum a question.

I have to say Gromit and Rick, I disagree with you 100%.( you know I don't usually)
This is a travel forum and that is the purpose of this board. People look to seasoned travelers for advice and suggestions. If you don't want to answer them, just pass it by, but I think discouraging people from asking questions defeats the purpose of what Anthony is trying to accomplish.

I have been know to do a search myself and post the link in the reply so the newbie can see that the search feature is helpful.

Newbies- Ask me all the questions you want...even in a PM

cypressgirl · Post by **cypressgirl** » Wed Jun 03, 2009 11:37 am

Jo Ann - VA wrote:<---------Never received a nasty pm. I feel so left out.

Me either. Should we send one to each other?

canucknyc · Post by **canucknyc** » Wed Jun 03, 2009 11:57 am

cypressgirl wrote:
Jo Ann - VA wrote:<---------Never received a nasty pm. I feel so left out.
Me either. Should we send one to each other?

Me either! Can I get in on this?

Gromit · Post by **Gromit** » Wed Jun 03, 2009 12:06 pm

I don't think that anyone can accuse me of not being extremely helpful to everyone on this forum and I do go out of my way to answer all kinds of questions for folks in a thorough and thoughtful manner.

However, it can be frustrating when it is obvious that someone hasn't taken any time whatsoever to do any research before asking a question on the forum.

Ask away... I will either chip in with advice or not. More than likely I will.

But I don't think that it's unreasonable for me to suggest that it can be frustrating for veteran posters who REALLY do want to help folks. The other side of the coin is that we just get frustrateed and stop answering questions altogether and that's not good either.

My point was intended to encourage new folks to just take a moment and familiarize themselves with the forum topics, use the search function and to actually check out some villa web sites and the airline schedules before asking questions. That way we can really spend time giving them the best advice possible.

I didn't mean to get into a big discussion about it. I was just agreeing with what Rick said and I don't think this is an agree or disagree thing. It's just how I feel.

RickG · Post by **RickG** » Wed Jun 03, 2009 5:21 pm

Xislandgirl wrote:I have to say Gromit and Rick, I disagree with you 100%.( you know I don't usually)
This is a travel forum and that is the purpose of this board. People look to seasoned travelers for advice and suggestions. If you don't want to answer them, just pass it by, but I think discouraging people from asking questions defeats the purpose of what Anthony is trying to accomplish.

Actually X, I agree with your point. I should have been more specific with regard to the point of my comment - PMs rather than posts.

Minde, no problems, I love to answer your questions. Your fun and interesting and you remember to thank people (very cool!). I nearly picked up the phone when I heard about your Conrad Sutton run in. I'm still stewing on that.

I like the approach of posting a link in response to a question. My favorite link to post is Joshie's parking hints. I actually have that one bookmarked so I can whip it out. Answering questions is a fun way to enjoy STJ from afar.

But, back to PMs. I think silence is the best way to deal with the weird or imposing PMs. Though, posting the crazy ones could be fun.

Cheers, RickG

Xislandgirl · Post by **Xislandgirl** » Wed Jun 03, 2009 5:47 pm

RickG wrote:
Xislandgirl wrote:I have to say Gromit and Rick, I disagree with you 100%.( you know I don't usually)
This is a travel forum and that is the purpose of this board. People look to seasoned travelers for advice and suggestions. If you don't want to answer them, just pass it by, but I think discouraging people from asking questions defeats the purpose of what Anthony is trying to accomplish.
Actually X, I agree with your point. I should have been more specific with regard to the point of my comment - PMs rather than posts.

Minde, no problems, I love to answer your questions. Your fun and interesting and you remember to thank people (very cool!). I nearly picked up the phone when I heard about your Conrad Sutton run in. I'm still stewing on that.

I like the approach of posting a link in response to a question. My favorite link to post is Joshie's parking hints. I actually have that one bookmarked so I can whip it out. Answering questions is a fun way to enjoy STJ from afar.

But, back to PMs. I think silence is the best way to deal with the weird or imposing PMs. Though, posting the crazy ones could be fun.

Cheers, RickG

I agree about the PM's asking for me to plan their trip. Capt John and I were actually talking about that last month. If I had a dollar everytime that happened at the other place you and I frewuent, I would be rich and I suspect you would too

soxfan22 · Post by **soxfan22** » Wed Jun 03, 2009 5:59 pm

I agree with X - this is a travel forum. I have no problem answering questions about the island. I have been criticized in the past for only posting on the off topic forum, but that is generally because when I see a post requesting information about STJ, Rick G or Flip, Gromit, X, etc have beaten me to a response...I can't see any point in being redundant, and their information is always top shelf (as is everybody's).

A woman I work with went to STJ for a wedding last week. She had asked me to email her places that she must see/do in terms of beaches, restaurants, shopping...I sent her a list of things that of course included a visit to St. John Spice...Well, yesterday I received in the mail a large glass canister of Cruz Bay Grill Rub as a token of her appreciation for the help I had given. Very nice gesture for sure! And, I was almost out - so perfect timing!

Oh, and she LOVED the island. Only complaint was the mosquitoes after the rain, but she said they only seemed to be out a couple of hours/day and other than that they were not a problem.

flip-flop · Post by **flip-flop** » Wed Jun 03, 2009 8:47 pm

RickG wrote:

But, back to PMs. I think silence is the best way to deal with the weird or imposing PMs. Though, posting the crazy ones could be fun.

Cheers, RickG

Well no wonder I haven't heard back from you.

DELETED · Post by **DELETED** » Wed Jun 03, 2009 9:57 pm

DELETED

mindehankins · Post by **mindehankins** » Thu Jun 04, 2009 12:21 pm

Thanks, Rick! I was feeling pretty guilty, cause you got (and answered

) most of my questions. So many others were very helpful, too. I'm very grateful for the info I found here...it made the trip.

greyhoundmom · Post by **greyhoundmom** » Fri Jun 05, 2009 10:58 am

Would I be out of line in asking about Minde's run in with Conrad Sutton? I'm just curious as we've loved renting from them the past 3 years??

canucknyc · Post by **canucknyc** » Fri Jun 05, 2009 11:36 am

greyhoundmom wrote:Would I be out of line in asking about Minde's run in with Conrad Sutton? I'm just curious as we've loved renting from them the past 3 years??

I've been wondering that exact same thing.

bevm · Post by **bevm** » Fri Jun 05, 2009 6:21 pm

What I've found is sometimes what we "type" can be misconstrued. I got a PM from someone commenting on something I posted. It was in no way meant to be nasty or disrespectful. I was just directing them to another island if what they wanted wasn't on St. John.
I suppose everything is up to how someone interprets it... I'm always happy to answer questions. As much fun as we all have on this forum and the fact that (for the most part) we all really like each other, we're really here to be helpful. I'll continue to do that.

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Where I stand with PMs