Leaving feedback for people

Does anyone ever use this feature? I've checked several people's profile and I've never seen feedback left for them so I was just wondering why? Or if nobody ever uses that feature, why is it there?

Just wondering if I'm missing something,
Stephanie

Stephanie,
I happened on the members' feedback features. I mistakenly used it for communicating purpose. Anyhooo, no reply.

the feedback function is mostly used for those that are active in the Plant Trading and Seed Trading forums, not everyone is but if you check on a few members there, you will see some feedbacks.

I've used it to give feedback on co-op organizers also. As Sue said, the main reason is so that if you're entrusting plants or money to someone and expecting something in return, you'll know whether they've got a good track record or not. Most people are very reliable traders/coop organizers, but there are a few out there who can be a bit flaky so it helps to know that ahead of time!

Lily--I don't think the system ever notifies someone if they have feedback, so unless they happen to go and look they may never know. If it's someone who's actively involved in trading/coops then they'll probably check just to make sure people are saying accurate things about them, but if it's someone who doesn't trade much they probably never even look there. It's better to use d-mail if you want to communicate with someone.

Thanks ecrane3, I'm working myself out of the w.w.w. maze. I haven't done any trading but's nice to learn more info. Still some abbreviated terms are still new to me. So as I learn more, I like it more.

It is a learning process but checking out the various features and FAQ really will get you comfortable here soon, not to mention often sidetracked!

I always recommend newcomers to DG check out the "Tour" (link at bottom of every page). Very helpful for the basic features of the site, but I just checked and don't think Member Feedback is listed there under the Trading section. Should be added imho.

I really wish more people left feedback.

When I am considering a trade or even SASE, I check to see what kind of feedback they've recieved.

I know that I've sent many free things to different members, and never received any feed back from them, but I always try to acknowledge the person who sends me things, through leaving feedback.

If I had a bad experience, I would think hard before leaving a negative feedback, hoping that maybe it was just a one time thing with this trader.

just my $.02 worth.

Sasha

I often forget, my life gets so hectic. It would be a handy dandy feature to get an automated message that we have gotten feedback, it sure would remind me that one was owed. (hint hint Dave!)

How about a auto-suggested "Leave Feedback?" when you record receipt of an item in TradeTracker? It suggests a DMail when we record something as sent, so why not something for received?

With the member-to-member feedback, generally "no news" means very little - they might be a good trader, or it mean they're a newer trader with no feedback.

Remember, the feedback tool was put in place to quickly and easily flag bad traders: http://davesgarden.com/forums/t/450636/ and http://davesgarden.com/forums/t/450816/

Sasha, It is much better to acknowledge something or to thank a person through D- mail. Feedback is for when you want the world to know your experiences with a person.

farmerdill,
I heartily agree about sending appreciative comments thru D-Mail!!

But, I still maintain, just like that other popular site(the big E-word), feedback is an important function, to look up "records" of experiences with other subscribers.

I'm certainly not complaining, and apologize if I somehow came off that way. I just think it's a valuable tool of DG that is underused.

Thanks for responding, as all objective opinions are valuable to our community. :-)

Sasha

There is no notification for feedbacks. I found out I had a couple of them (like 4 months after the fact lol lol !!) when I was googling around for the plant "pardalinum". Since I hadn't done any trading I never thought there was a reason to look there.

I've used it since "finding" it about a year ago. I want to make sure, esp. when someone's gone out of their way, that others know about it. IMHO, both feedback AND a dmail thank you have their places. I, for one, have been blessed repeatedly by the kindness of my DG friends...hopefully I've been able to pay it forward.

Chantell, your post is what I see as the essence of DG and what makes it a special haven. Paying it forward is the opposite of the so common 'me-me-me; mine-mine- mine' attitude prevailing these days. I love your post. And Pardilinum, wasn't that positive feedback refreshing for you? (BTW, I always thought you were a he, not a she LOL! Sorry!)

I took 2 minutes to phone Sears Customer Service a few years ago to let them know of a particularly helpful laundry repairman. He gave me very helpful advice on energy savings, rooted in his van for an ancient part for an ancient dryer for free and I wanted to acknowledge his extra and appreciated efforts. The lady on the phone cried. She wept. She said "Nobody calls here except to complain: all day, every day." That is really sad.

So to take the extra minute to leave someone positive feedback is one's opportunity to acknowledge their efforts and spread some smiles, no matter how brief. Perhaps the recipients will extend the same practice in their treatment to others.

The negative feedback is a little bit more challenging. One can be tactful and to the point without being malicious; but still it's hard ( for me) to complain about anyone.

Oh Pooch that is funny. All of my coworkers are men so it probably rubs off on me. And yes, it was pleasing to find out about the feedback. It would be nice if Dave could fix it so that we get notified when feedback has been posted.

Poochella, I couldn't have agreed more. Well stated. And Pardalinum; great suggestion, hope Dave would consider it.
Kim

Thanks Lily_ love. You might want to Dmail Pardilinum who has great lily seeds according to the feedback left for her!

Dave, now I have a different question. I just left feedback on an excellent trader and my 2007 comment eclipsed the 2006 input I had left. The post is still as originally dated: April of 2006.

Do we only get one chance annually to leave feedback on someone? Wouldn't it be of value to see the entire history of feedback on a member or is there limited space for such?
http://davesgarden.com/feedback.php?user=bigcityal&action=about_user