What is the correct way to thank people that post a reply to your suggestion?

  • Thread starter Thread starter Eric Kent
  • Start date Start date
E

Eric Kent

If I post a question on a newsgroup, I may get anywhere from no
response to a dozen response. Some may be helpful, some may not be
helpful. Should I thank each one individually or should I just thank
all the people in one message?



Thank you,

Eric
 
Eric Kent said:
If I post a question on a newsgroup, I may get anywhere from no
response to a dozen response. Some may be helpful, some may not be
helpful. Should I thank each one individually or should I just thank
all the people in one message?
Click to expand...
"Thanks to all that responded"
Plus, which response helped you to solve your problem,
as it might be helpful to someone else.
 
Eric Kent said:
If I post a question on a newsgroup, I may get anywhere from no
response to a dozen response. Some may be helpful, some may not be
helpful. Should I thank each one individually or should I just thank
all the people in one message?
Click to expand...

Post a "Thank you" reply to the first one that solves the problem. If there
were other helpful replies, add a general note.

The response to the real solution gives feedback to all, not just the one
who came up with the answer. Numerous other replies are not necessary
(unless you want to do it via private e-mail, not on the newsgroup).
 
Eric Kent said:
If I post a question on a newsgroup, I may get anywhere from no
response to a dozen response. Some may be helpful, some may not
be helpful.
Click to expand...

You never know.

One of my favorites is when you explicitly make clear that you don't
need certain information and that information is provided anyway.

Asking is an artform IMO.
Should I thank each one individually or should I just thank all
the people in one message?



Thank you,

Eric
Click to expand...

Currently, a thanks in advance like you just did is my favorite
salutation for a question. The reply authors peers take care of the
rest. The only reason a questioner needs to clutter the group with
further posts is if he (or she) has some real world experience to
share. In other words, definitely don't thank someone unless you
have verified the reply with actual experience. And it depends on
the question, there's no easy answer.

Have fun.
 
John Doe said:
You never know.

One of my favorites is when you explicitly make clear that you don't
need certain information and that information is provided anyway.

Asking is an artform IMO.


Currently, a thanks in advance like you just did is my favorite
salutation for a question.
Click to expand...

When someone says "thanks in advance", I'm tempted to
respond, "You're welcome in advance." and leave it at that.
But usually I just ignore the person's post. "Thanks in advance"
is no substitute for a follow up thank you to someone who has
made the effort to be helpful.

-- Bob Day
 
Bob Day said:
"John Doe" <jdoe usenetlove.invalid> wrote in message


When someone says "thanks in advance", I'm tempted to
respond, "You're welcome in advance." and leave it at that.
But usually I just ignore the person's post.
Click to expand...

That might save bandwidth too.
"Thanks in advance"
is no substitute for a follow up thank you to someone who has
made the effort to be helpful.
Click to expand...

That's a personal preference. I would rather read a post with more
substance than just "thank you". Thanking someone for effort is a
complete waste of time. A "thank you" should at least be a
confirmation of whether the reply author's advice worked. Depending
on how many reply authors, thanking each can be annoying.

Anyway, this is like discussing dining etiquette while walking
around in Baghdad.
 
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