Page 1 of 1

Newbies that only pass through.

Posted: Mon Jun 28, 2021 1:37 pm
by sapphireblack
Maybe its just me being old and curmudgeonly?

Looking back over 'recent times' it seems a fair number of new "members" buy a vehicle with problems, register, dive in with a question or more, get help then just bugger off :(

Not really good form or in the spirit of any forum I'd have thought.

Apologies if i'm just being grumpy.

Newbies that only pass through.

Posted: Mon Jun 28, 2021 6:51 pm
by X5Sport
It’s fine to be grumpy. We’ve noticed a significant drop in ‘traffic’ over the recent past. Things have definitely changed over the years. The Forum used to be alive with banter, silliness, mods to cars and even the occasional ‘it’s broke, how do I fix it?’ Perhaps the owners of the day live on social media these days. This is by far the best UK resource for BMW X Owners that I know of and long may it continue.

Newbies that only pass through.

Posted: Mon Jun 28, 2021 7:10 pm
by sapphireblack
I am very happy to be here and hope to continue indefinitely. That said my tinkering and improvements days have probably peaked now. I kind of have split 'loyalties' too, with a VW in the mix nowadays. What i find irritating, is people joining any forum just to glean information and then simply buggering off when their need is satisfied. Its a bit like pillaging.

No forum input, just self centered harvesting of info then off they go.

Grumpy mode fully on!

Newbies that only pass through.

Posted: Tue Jun 29, 2021 10:44 pm
by Leslie
Most forums are the same facebook has taken over for a lot of things .

Newbies that only pass through.

Posted: Wed Jun 30, 2021 6:29 am
by sapphireblack
Leslie wrote: Tue Jun 29, 2021 10:44 pm Most forums are the same facebook has taken over for a lot of things .
I don't doubt that social media has changed forum participation, my issue is what i regard as selfish seeking of help with no further subsequent involvement.

Newbies that only pass through.

Posted: Wed Jun 30, 2021 9:03 pm
by Leslie
I see on other forums I'm on now if they have a facebook part it gets 95% of the traffic , you tend to get an answer quicker though it may not always be the right one :rofl:

Newbies that only pass through.

Posted: Thu Jul 01, 2021 12:41 pm
by henrym3
My gripe is that there is often no indication which of the suggested fixes worked. Or not.

Newbies that only pass through.

Posted: Thu Jul 01, 2021 2:05 pm
by X5Sport
That is frustrating I agree. Knowing whether a hint or tip actually worked is a massive help at a time of crisis.

Newbies that only pass through.

Posted: Sat Jul 03, 2021 7:27 am
by Greydog
I totally agree a simple "Thank You" or "Great Help" would go along way but then general social manners have declined over the last 25 years I guess Social Media has a part to play but can't be the sole cause?
Even our kids are noticing it and they are only in their 40's the pub near our daughter re-opened recently with a wonderful sign in the garden
it reads " We Don't Have Wifi, Pretend it's 1995 Talk to each other"

Newbies that only pass through.

Posted: Sat Jul 03, 2021 11:24 am
by sp3ctre
Greydog wrote: Sat Jul 03, 2021 7:27 am the pub near our daughter re-opened recently with a wonderful sign in the garden
it reads " We Don't Have Wifi, Pretend it's 1995 Talk to each other"
I saw a funny response to that along the lines of “set your prices to 1995 rates and we’d be happy to”.

I think some of the issue is social media, as you said, but equally some of the issue is the lack of activity on the forum. There is a threshold where activity breeds activity but unfortunately it is hard to get there. I have a few things in mind so hopefully traffic will grow and with that you will find people stick around more.
[/quote]