Jeff Chen

Diane - Thanks for your last answer. You nailed it a lot better and I appreciate that.

Joan - I don't think that negativity caused Lola not to come back so much as the thread of answers (which now is at 16 including mine) didn't answer her question at all.

For example, I am a technology expert and work in the IT Field. On tech forums I traverse, if someone came on and asked "Is it good to buy Dell laptops?" what would my response be?
Much like Diane nailed in her last post on clarification questions, I would ask the user
A) What is the reason they are purchasing the laptop?
B) What are your needs?
C) What's your budget?
D) Dell laptops relative to what?

You're right, Lola wasn't too explicit and detailed on her question, and it is very open ended. If it can be interpreted in many different ways, then I would ask the question to be clarified first and foremost. Why answer a question then if you're not sure what the point of the question is at all? Then I could sprinkle some knowledge of Dell laptops and let them know I can help them out with anymore questions or if they're looking to buy one.

And while I appreciate your profession and your job, it would be quite easy to be more subtle about it.
On the flip side, you're right, Newport could be a little nicer and more professional on a site like this. - Thu May 8 2008, 15:01

I have to agree with Newport on the contradiction. Joan pointed to the fact that the question was "is it a good idea to buy?" yet she continued down the line of "now is a great time to buy." Yet, neither of you Realtors took the time to look at the question and the question topic which is zip code: 92337 and Crime & Safety.

The question based on those/that information, if I understand correctly, should really be, "What is the neighborhood like in Fontanta zip code 92337? What's the crime and safety rate like? Is it a good place to purchase a home?" - Thu May 8 2008, 13:22