It has been discussed extensively in the message board and hopefully Point2 will take some quick action before more damage is done!

It's an AWFUL feature... I hope P2A is paying attention to our suggestions at the message board...

Carol and Steve, it happened to Vance recently and he was irate!! and I am as well.  It needs to be gone.  Not tomorrow, but yesterday.  The implications are just to overwhelming.  If I were to get sued over something like this, P2 would be going with me.

shelly

Agreed, not working, needs fixed.

Many of us are upset about this feature and wonder why it is taking P2 so long to correct this horrible mistake.  

I hope it doesn't take a law suit to get P2 to respond to OUR NEEDS but it just might be the only thing that gets their attention.  I wonder, if your former clients sue you, will you have a legitimate claim against P2?

The agent isn't notified if a comment IS made?   What is the point of having it then?   I'd be po'd too.   Who knows what the motives are of someone putting in a comment!

I can't find the thread on the board either.. can someone direct me to the right thread?

The biggest problem with this is it takes control out of the hands with the liability (BROKER'S). P2 wants the lunatics to run the asylum, they better be prepared for some fallout.

It WILL HAPPEN. It's just a matter of when.

I'm getting a disclaimer together for my owners to sign, been meaning to ever since the syndication thing but I think I will implement this upon my return at the first of the week.

OK, read it. So it looks like the matter was to be taken under advisement 10 days ago. Am I correct on that?

So what is the resolution? Anyone know?

( I also Posted This On The message Board)

Well I am sorry to hear this.

But in my postings it was just a matter of time this would happen sooner and would be a train wreck,,, rather then later as I stated in a prior post.

This should not be a hard decision to make to abolish the comment section.

From the looks of it now monetary damage may have occurred from the reading of the posting above.

Hopefully now before this gets further out of hand Point 2 needs to immediently close down the comment section to avoid an avalanche of bad press, and possible violations of Real Estate Commission laws protecting the broker/client/agent fiduciary responsibility.

The comment on one of my properties was removed, but that does not mean the problem will not come back when that person see the remark was removed and most likely come back with a even more derogatory statement on my property.

You can rest assure this thread will be moved !!! it imay already be on the world wide net now..

Just a guess

Candice A Donofrio said:

OK, read it. So it looks like the matter was to be taken under advisement 10 days ago. Am I correct on that?

So what is the resolution? Anyone know?

NADA! Candice so far

Well keep on them, my gumba. My feelings are clear on this. It ain't right.

I know P2 was moderating these comments initially to ensure nothing terribly negative got posted. I was under the impression that the system did notify agents but apparently not. This could be a major issue as a busy agent with many listings would spend a lot of time just monitoring listings for comments. This is probably more the direction the net will take us in terms of sharing information but perhaps P2 is a little ahead of its time on this one.

Norm, a busy or a non-busy agent can monitor these comments all they want.. it doesn't matter.  The agent has no control over them.  In other words, if it is some Jack**s kid out there just wanting to make stupid comments, they can and you Cannot delete them.  So, I think P2 is a little behind the times....  IF I wanted comments to be made:

a) I should be able to click to allow comments or not (just like we can on our blogs)

b) I should be notified that comments have been made, and what the comments are

and

c) I should have the power to delete them (as I do on this blog).  

I have more power of others words right here on this blog, that I own no part of, then my website and listings that I am expected to act as a fiduciary on.

Nope, this was a wrong call and needs to be changed.

shelly

Mark said

"This is probably more the direction the net will take us in terms of sharing information but perhaps P2 is a little ahead of its time on this one."

"I disagree with you on that Mark"

There are third parties now involved now,

The home owners! they ultimately  have the last say as to how there listings will be displayed and having derogatory statements made against their property  anonymously is not one of the features they are looking for.

I for one would not list with any brokerages that has such a system in place, just think about the comments that can be left !!! it wide open for the most  ,libalous outrageous statements out there on the web all being done by anonymously by posters at their option on your listing?

I don't think so.....

Have you seen your comment section yet, I can leave any  anonymous posting I want right now..

As most can see I am still upset because of what happen to me and I had to explain it away for hours !! to the main principles of a 45 million $$ property and that is just one of many they have... and  I do business with....

Vance

Thank you for directing me to the discussion.  I've posted on there to let it be known how I feel about it.  

I'm sorry some of you have been hurt by the remarks.  I believe a long time ago I wrote in to say I didn't like it but then just forgot about the whole thing.  

I had no idea about these comments ... have to see what it's all about.

HEY P2 ARE YOU LISTENING TO US, CAN YOU HEAR US, GET RID OF THIS FEATURE!

I was not aware of it until it was just brought up now, but I can imagine the embarassment that it would cause should it happen to one of my clients!  The way our market is right now our sellers are looking for any reason to fire us and blame us for their homes not selling.  This is a horrible feature and it needs to be ADDRESSED IMMEDIATELY!!!!!

In P2’s quest to provide new features that benefit the consumer, they are losing sight of who their clients really are – agents, with a fiduciary duty to protect the interests of their client, the seller.

Hi Gail good to see ya:)

Vance

Public comments on an agents creative content (listings) without any control mechanisms is a flat out bad idea.

Wow Thats the first I have heard of that feature! Don't like it either. Have to go check to see if I have any comments out there!

Hi Vance -

I don't come out and play much - still being watched!

BTW - That new venture of yours looks great and something I will be pursuing.  ;)

We had noticed the comments section, but until reading Carol and Steve's' post on Reliberation today, we were oblivious to the dire consequences this could have in regards to our listings.

We want to go on record as advising P2 that this is a HORRIBLE feature, and it should be removed immediately.

If they insist on leaving it in place, the listing agent needs to have TOTAL CONTROL as to any comments that are ultimately published.

Vance,

I do see the problem with this system and I agree that the seller and the agent should have some say in whether or not this kind of discussion can occur around their listing.

I would really like to hear P2's thoughts on this and how they see it as a benefit.

Norm,

If one of your customers decided to sue you because of it, would you still care what P2 thinks about it?  This is not an issue for P2 to play around with or waste time thinking about... it should have been dealt with it last week when this was brought to their attention.  Their failure to address this important issue in a timely manner speaks volumes.  They've already told me that if I don't like the way they do things then I can hit the road.  Are they going to tell everyone else the same thing, now?  

Tim

Tim,

I am shocked that they have told you to "hit the road" if you don't like the way they do things!!!!

I have looked and looked for this feature on my listings and other P2A web sites. I can't find it. Is it on the standard, or, is it a feature for the "professional"?

I have been trying to get several, much needed and desired improvements for some time now and they got tired of me.  They let me know that this is their product and if I don't like it then I should find a new website provider.  Oddly enough, immediately after that my PI ranking began to mysteriously plummet.  This all happened about 2 weeks ago, not back when they made the changes to the PI system.  I honestly don't care about the PI but the 'timing' of my fall is very interesting.  I am finding ways to 'work around' most of the things I'd like to see changed or improved but this particular issue with the comments is not one that I can find a way around.  I sure do hope they see the light on this one!

Greg, they are all at www.Point2Homes.com for the public to see.  Look at this listing; you'll see Details, Photo Gallery and Comments" tabs above the photo.

http://tinyurl.com/2tshjv

Gregory....It is a main feature on the Point2 Homes site, http://homes.point2.com/

just click on details for any listing and you will see COMMENTS tab at the top.

Do the comments require anyone's approval?

"the matter was to be taken under advisement 10 days ago."

This is not a matter of being taken under advisement, it needs to be gone - now

With all the problems getting into our site (both us and our clients), making changes, missing contacts, and now this.  And I am paying for?  Ok I like Relib... when I can get in here.  

Hear us powers to be!

Jana

Do the comments require anyone's approval?

Try adding a comment yourself; a message will say pending approval, if the comments feature is to remain, it should be the listing agent who has to approve the comment, not some unknown moderater from P2.

We would really rather see this option gone period!

This is a feature which poses too much liability for both agents and P2, and too much potential for abuse.

Phil, Cathy & Fred, thanks for the link and info.That is the first time I had noticed the comments tab. I never go to that site address, just to my own web site www.gregorybain.com. But, on my visit using that link I was not able to see any of the three active listings I have on my P2A web site when I did a search. Maybe I have been doing something wrong?

Sharron and Steve Liebmann said:

Do the comments require anyone's approval?

--------------------------------------------------------------

No if that was the case this thread would not be here, but here is a copy and paste from the comment page to leave a comment on..

------------------                  ----------------------------

Use this public forum to give an opinion on the listing, or ask the agent for additional information.

(ie: Post a pic of the kitchen, add the property taxes).

Email the agent if you have a private question about this property.

Name is too long Name

Email (will not be published)

There you go

Hey Vance...

We actually posted a comment on our own listing to see how the sysem works. After submitting the comment the following dialog shows up.

Your comments awaiting approval.

Our question is who makes this decision?

Well The comment that was left on my property did not get approval!!

neither did Carol and Steves  bad comment get approval, but it was there.

There maybe a changing of the comment section underway ? we do not know about, but at any rate the comment section has no place in any listings Period

Vance

Gail said

I don't come out and play much - still being watched!

BTW - That new venture of yours looks great and something I will be pursuing.  ;)

I still have to do some work on it, but I really have been busy selling condos in FL & GA

I will focus more on it this week, I ah know about the eye thing....

Vance Private Eye :)

Yes, Greg.  I tried to find one of your listings there also to send to you as an example....   Maybe you haven't been paying your P2A bill on time?   :)

We recently had the following comment posted in one of our listings. It is very moving and good publicity for the property. But I agree, it should be the listing agent the one to approve the comment.

Maria

www.PuertoRicoGroup.com

Danisha Nazario says:

September 12, 2007 at 08:33 AM

The view is the best part. This house is PERFECT in EVERY SINGLE MINUTE DETAIL. It's BEAUTIFUL. My dream house! Tears came to my eyes when I saw this house. I showed "my house" to my mother. I WISH I could purchase it with little out of pocket costs (it's been my dream to move back to Puerto Rico, I'm tired of NYC but I'm paying off a $25,000 renovation on my apartment and don't have $$ for downpayment or closing)otherwise I would snatch it up.I know I'm pathetic but I've been looking at this listing everyday just to see the pictures, they bring a smile to my face. I hope a deserving family will be able to purchase this home and take care of it like the jewel that it is.

Maria,

Just imagine if the comment had been equally "negative" as it was positive.  You'd have very irate sellers to deal with, I'm sure.  

Just a footnote as to what started all of this.

Here is the property that the negative comment was left on telling the world NOT to buy here!!! with other assorted words mix in..

http://homes.point2.com/US/Florida/Orange-County/Apopka/Milan/659215-Real-Estate.aspx

Now put yourself in my position as many of you know I do very large properties in the Florida market how this could effect  them can have a enormous implications and repercussions.

This is why in my opinion the comment section needs to go in the best interest of all of us.

Vance

Vance - That's a beautiful place!

Ps - I wonder who gets the next 'get with the program or go somewhere else' speech.  :)

I am aware of that  and was taken back to say the least that such a communication would ever exist! and does not bode well with me at all, we are about professionalism here and should solve any problems that may arise from time to time in a professional manner.

The last thing that should be done is to avoid compounding a bad situation making it worse.

Oops gotta run I just got an e mail:)

Vance

I cannot disagree that the "feature" as it's currently operating seems to have some serious flaws.

Could you support this comments section if you had 100% control in moderation? Perhaps it could send the agent an email with a link where you could choose to approve or disqualify the comment.

Norm - If P2 wants to keep this feature then an agent should be able to opt-in/opt-out.

I'm not in favor of yet another feature that I need to police on my website.

Sorry Norm

I would never ever support any comment section, that I owe to my clients a  fiduciary responsibility to.

The day I see Realtor.com with the 3 million plus listings that are our listings in the first place, with a "Anonymous" comment section, will be the day I quit this business for good..

Vance

[Norm sez: Could you support this . . . if you had 100% control in moderation?  . . . send the agent an email . . . choose to approve or disqualify the comment.]

Perfect world scenario. Even so, with TDs and glitches, maybe not even then. I don't want any advertising of my listings, positive or negative, to not go thru me first.

without controls it goes against the our agency obligations!

Not all comments are to the best interest of the seller.

Point 2 HELP! You can't afford not to on this one.

Oh back to your question, I got carry away above, Norm.

No I will not support even a comment section that I can Police.

I am in the business of real estate and not a moderator of listing comments..

Even out Orlando IDX does not have a comment section, they can sign in for a private listings notifications.

http://www.VanceMLS.com  have a look

Vance

Mr Common Sense

My parents told me about Mr. Common Sense early in my life and

told me I would do well to call on him when making decisions. It seems

he was always around in my early years but less and less as time passed by

Today I read his obituary. Please join me in a moment of silence in

remembrance, for Common Sense

Good one Vance,

I have enough common sense to see that I'm beat on this one. May the majority prevail. :)

Norm Fisher said:

I have enough common sense to see that I'm beat on this one. May the majority prevail. :)

Exactly Norm,

Mr Common Sense beat himself to death over it, Norm.......

Its a good thing Mr Common Sense has a large family, its never to late!!

They have been deliberating this since Vance first brought it to their attention on August 31... it must be much more difficult to correct than we might imagine.  Of course, that doesn't explain their failure to at least update us occassionally.

Sorry folks - this has been a signficant decision for us in terms of policy and also in terms of its technological practicalities.  Point2 Homes has become a big ship, and as such it takes a little more effort to steer it.

We conceived of our consumer comments as something more akin to Trulia Voices (and ours were introduced first!) and still have very high hopes for user participation aspects of our products.  

But you know what?  It didn't turn out perfectly, and we can admit that.

Complete control in our members' hands - that is one of the core, essential mandates of Point2 NLS.

You should have absolute control over how consumers may contribute to your listings - or if they may at all.

And so, until we are able to accomplish that, and put that control into your hands, we will be disabling consumer comments on Point2 Homes listings altogether.

Fantastic, Carey.  Thank you!

WooHoo!!  Good decision!!  Thank you.

Carey,

That sounds like a prudent decision. Thanks!

Now this is good news.

There is a Funny thing here is being akin to Trulia Voices..

Apparently Trulia Voices drives people crazy! now look closely at this link then click on it...ha ha

http://www.phoenixrealestateguy.com/why-trulia-voices-drives-me-crazy/446

Yup I know the feeling this comment section drove me crazy, ha ha ha  you go Jay:)

There's a party going on right here and we are all invited Come ON! lets make this the number one thread, click on it..

http://youtube.com/watch?v=YwEMxYggoKQ

Vancepod