Can we talk about how people ask questions here?

I've been in this group for about six months and I keep seeing the same thing. People post things like 'What's the best?' or 'Tell me everything' without giving any details. I tried to help someone asking about car repairs, but they didn't say what model or what the noise sounded like. It matters because vague questions get vague answers, or none at all. Has anyone else found a good way to ask for more info without sounding rude?

3 comments

3 Comments

daniel_martinez841mo agoMost Upvoted

Yeah the car repair example is so real. I just ask a couple specific questions back, like "what year is your car" or "is the noise more of a grind or a squeal." It frames it as you trying to help, not calling them out. Most people answer those right away.

elliot_lane961mo ago

My old boss at the auto shop taught me this trick. He said asking for the VIN number upfront does the same thing as @daniel_martinez84's questions, but it gets you the exact parts history too. It feels helpful while quietly proving if they even own the car they're asking about.

betty12615d ago

Yep the VIN trick is solid. I do the same thing when people hit me up on Facebook marketplace for car parts - just ask for the VIN before anything else, say it's to make sure the part fits. If they ghost after that, you know they were just fishing for info or trying to lowball someone else. The best part is it also lets you cross-reference the parts they claim they need against what's actually wrong with that model year. Saves so much back and forth.