ok, I have a legit question about help here....

[thecatspajamas]

I would compare the situation to how one would react if someone walked into their physical store with a question about an item they carried in with them. Is the storeowner required to give them a full 30-minute lesson on all the ins and outs of their item (in this case, an evaluation of their autograph)? Do they give them a quick yes or no answer with zero background? Or do they tell them they will give them their opinion for a fee (maybe more appropriate for those who make their living giving their opinion for a fee)? Or simply tell them to scram if they're not going to buy something?

Some see giving free advice as a good business practice, whereas others see it as an annoyance at best. Depending on the situation and the customer, I would anticipate most of the usual board "advisors" would tend toward the former reactions over the latter, though they would be within their rights having any of the above reactions. I would also anticipate close friends and repeat customers getting the most attention, with the "scram" being reserved for the neighborhood kid who always has a million questions, never buys anything, and leaves a sticky film on everything he touches (though we were all that kid at one time or another, weren't we?)

We see the same kinds of patrons here on the board as we would in a physical store too: The new guy who we've never seen before who has a single question that, once answered, will disappear never to be heard from again. The old friend looking for a bit more information on something they've found. Folks looking for second opinions on something before they make a purchase. Repeat customers who happened to *gasp* buy something from someone else. And yes, the kids with a million questions who never shut up and don't add anything productive to the conversation.

All of that is to say that, just as different professionals will react differently to the various questions and individuals posing them in person, I would expect the same varied reactions here on the boards. As long as all parties remain calm and remember that nobody is obligated to offer any information on any subject, everything should run smoothly. It's when I see demands being made and personalities clashing that the ride starts getting bumpy. Even a bumpy ride can be enjoyable though, particularly for those standing on the sidelines so I would never suggest shutting it down altogether.

Just my 2 cents as someone who typically does more questioning than advising, and has never actually been paid for any of my 2-cent observations