***Calling the owner of PriceScope!!!***

[chrono]

Perhaps "stone snatching" isn't as bad here in the diamond side of the forum but it's gotten positively horrible in the Coloured Stone section. Usually, these are one of a kind that cannot be found easily and posted recommended stones have been snapped by unknowns before the OP even has a chance to view the link during the past few weeks. It has put a damper for the regulars to recommend stones to the consumer. A PM would have been nice so the OP is aware of it, has the opportunity reserve the stone, then post it for review.

I do agree with OldMiner's thoughts that an open forum is best to get a multitude of opinions and is very conductive to learning. It also makes one more cognizant about posting accurate information.

 

[TitanCi]

Now see, if we had PMs I could have asked this question thru PMs...




Joking aside, everyone has brought up very valid points. Seems some of us would like it and it would be a nice feature to bring back, not not necessary. I'm sure we all agree putting our 2c into ppl's threads is much more fun as OldTimer has stated!!!

 

[Laila619]

A PM system would diminish the quality and variety of responses on the public forums. Advice that might be given is criticized here when it is wrong, or biased, but in a PM the recipient would not get the benefit of occasionally widely differing viewpoints and a more full understanding of the subject. Just because you have a simple question, does not mean the answer is simple. It might be, but it might be quite a controversial topic.

Also,the requirement to publicly state your thoughts puts a certain social pressure on particpants to reflect on what they have typed before hitting the submit button. If a forum like this is to succeed, there are many steps and rules of decorum and ettiquette(sp) that keep things pleasant, and highly useful to participants. Pricescope enjoys a unique position on the web in the diamond arena. There may be competition, but nothing comes close to the diversity of experts and the knowledge base.

The prevention of creating direct sales pitches via PM or phone call is a good thing for most everyone most all of the time. The most highly knowledgeable professionals who particpate here can all be readily contacted by Pricescope participants, but there are many private individuals here who likely would not welcome unsolicited calls. I think having no PM aqbility enhances the amount of give and take on the forum. That's one of the best features of Pricescope and I'd hate to see it lose some of the content.

This is a great post, and why I think PMs could be detrimental.