Email/DM/social-media posted questions

[BikeGremlin]

I already wrote about "Why I Answer Questions on BikeGremlin Forum Only," and posted my pre-written (canned) response. I copy/paste that canned response to anyone who asks for advice, tips, help or has questions, and decides to communicate:

• Via e-mail (privately).
• Via a direct (private) message on a forum, Discord, or any other platform (like social networks).
• By commenting on social networks (YouTube, Instagram, Reddit, Facebook etc.).

Even if it seems like "just one small thing," I apply this rule (unless it's something really sensitive, private, and there is a very good reason to keep the conversation as such - I'm not an idiot). It's not about the size of the request - it's about where and how it gets answered, as I'm explaining below:

1. Why do I insist on the forum?​

There are several reasons why I answer on this forum only, basically:

1.1. It helps everyone with a similar question/dilemma​

Forum replies are public and everyone can use search to find them any time in the future.

• Private messages or emails are for one person only.
• Comments on social networks are not very easy to find using any kind of search later on (social networks are designed to keep piling the new garbage, and make everything older than one hour become obsolete - they want your constant attention).

If I'm going to spend 20 or more minutes thinking, formatting my answer so that it is clear, and post it - I would much rather do it in a way that helps millions, instead of helping only one person.

1.2. It's a great filter​

I still get many questions each week - through various channels. If I answered them all privately, I'd get nothing else done.

If a person is not willing to spend 15 minutes on registering on this forum, and posting a question, I am not willing to spend my time to answer.

Money is no big motive for me - so even if someone pays me for private consulting, I very much prefer to answer for free, on this forum.

Hence, having a filter like this is a great way to save my time and attention.
Sometimes, if a question is very good and universal, and I haven't already written an article or a forum reply on that topic, I may go on and write an article, or a forum topic. But that may take a month or two - when I find the time - depending on the topic's complexity.

2. People don't get it?​

Some people get confused or even offended by my canned response.
I can't help them - and won't spend time trying to.
My canned response is clear and polite. If that offends you, or you can’t follow a few simple instructions - I'm not your guy.

2.1. Concrete examples of misunderstanding​

Based on my experience so far, when I direct people to the forum using my canned response, in addition to replies such as:

• "Is this AI?!"
• "I have no idea what you're talking about?!?"

- some replies are like this email - name redacted to respect the person's privacy:

Mechanic Relja,

Dear sir, I didn't ask you to help me learn a computer course just so we could communicate - I simply asked if you could explain something or give advice/instructions regarding IS-type mounting or replacing a hydraulic front disc brake caliper.
Thank you and goodbye - I don't want a situation where, just to send a basic email, I'd need to hire an administrative assistant to handle internet communication with you.

Best regards – Name redacted out of respect for privacy

I can't help such people.
Over the past decade, I've had a fair share of rude, dismissive and disrespectful communication from people who I've tried helping - after they've asked me to help them.
Humans...

Relja Can'tPleaseEveryone Novović

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