Every week there are, on average, upwards of 80-100 new posts that don't receive a reply ( and at a time when the forum is relatively quiet). Obviously there is a percentage that quite clearly don't necessarily need a response, but if you are a first time poster, it can be dispiriting not to receive any answer at all.

All you need to do is click on Search and then Advanced Search:

In the Search Options box:

Change 'At Least' to 'At Most' and select either 'Your Last Visit', 'Yesterday' or 'Last Week' and click on the Search Now button.

Or you can just click here. (thanks to Barracad)

Even if you don't know the answer to the query, just a word of support or encouragement will bump it, where hopefully it can be seen by someone with more expert knowledge.

So please try and make a '0 Search' whenever you can and help keep '0 replies' to a minimum.

Thank you, Michael.

To add to this, you may be a relative newbie, and you think that maybe there are people with more knowledge or experience or "seniority" who can answer, or you don't want to be seen to put yourself ahead. Please don't ever feel that way and never hesitate to respond. That's how this site grew and keeps on growing, thanks to us all ordinary users.

And so say all of us.

Tyvm for this Micheal, I frequently check the "new posts", but will now use the "advance search " opriot, never know I might be able to help or point a newbie in th right direction

Thanks, every reply helps, and already average weekly unanswered posts are down to 50 odd, so it's going in the right direction.

Could I suggest that people who start a new thread to post a link to a news article etc, answer their own post after a day or so if it goes unanswered.

It just reduces the amount of threads that come up in the search.

Hi Michael

I for one am not always sure of the answers and don't want tp send 'duff' information. I think others feel the same and this tends to put you off saying anything. Saying that I will start to answer any I see if only to say hello.

Cheers

Chris:)

Jailbird,

See post#2. If you're not 100% sure of any advice, just say so in the post. It's not a crime to be mistaken, someone will always correct it, if necessary, and that way the OP, you and other users learn and add to their knowledge. I should know, I've done it often enough myself

Ok. Will do (but on your head be it ! )

JB

Hey great idea, cheers for the advise. Funny I always check new posts and thats how I found this post but checking for 0 posts is much better and effective. MAYBE a good suggestion to admin to add as a function at the top navigation bar alongside of new posts. if possible.

For the past few days, I have been looking for unanswered threads, and TBH, I never realised there were so many.

I find, however, that the unanswered ones are sometimes the real tough questions. I agree Jailbird, it is sometimes difficult to have a go when your not really sure, but I have decided that just plain moral support helps, and gives the thread a little bump to the top of the page, where hopefully someone will see it who can really help.

I do remember being new, and worried about making my first post (first few posts in fact), but the friendly comments I recieved helped ease me into CAG gently. Never forget, a friendly word can sometimes mean more, and do more than a really important fact.

Great thread (as always) Michael, we all need a reminder as to the real basics of what we do, and what CAG represents.

louis

Yes - thanks Michael.

I still don't like answering posts when I don't know the answer. But you're right -just the sense that somebody is there when you are new is, as louis says, the kind of moral support that is needed.

Point taken, and I will try.

Great thread guys, and sometimes a kind word will help people to start taking back control of their financial life, and share their stories with us.

Thanks to you all:)

I jus did a search as MB suggested - only 20 at the moment - and I really do not have a scoobie about any of them.

Looks like a lot of folk have been working hard.

We've got it down to about 40 now.

Since MB's first post, it has come down to about the 40 - 50 post mark, but rarely (ok never that I've seen) gone below.

This is partly due, IMO, to the difficulty of some posts, and also that some are just one off''s that neither need or require a reply.

I think if we can keep on top of this (and I believe there are a few who are spending a lot of time on this), then we should be very satisfied, and suitably pleased with ourselves.

Louis

Just been doing another sweep and a lot of the threads are really 'stumping' me (PPI, insurance queries, utilities and telecoms queries). But I've noticed that by putting the following on the thread seems to get the ball rolling, with other caggers with experience of the query posting on the thread:

Hi xxxxxxx,

Sorry, I've just noticed that you haven't had a reply yet. This isn't my area of expertise............. but hopefully somebody will be along soon to advise you further/point you in the right direction.

Best of luck

.............. seems to be working on most threads anyway!

I've noticed that by putting the following on the thread seems to get the ball rolling

 

Hi xxxxxxx,

 

Sorry, I've just noticed that you haven't had a reply yet. This isn't my area of expertise............. but hopefully somebody will be along soon to advise you further/point you in the right direction.

 

Best of luck

Either that or:

BUMP

Either that or:

 

BUMP

 

Ahhhhh............... but it's much nicer to be nice dear

And you are (nice, that is)

And you are (nice, that is)

Thanks!

See Hedgio, somebody appreciates me!

You too Ellen............. you're a sweetie! x

EDIT: think you'll find she meant me stiggo!

it applies to you all, of course;)

Can we dispense with the 'team hug'.

Yes you're all nice, now just get back to '0' posts

Can you feel the love?

No, fortunately it doesn't reach this far south.