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Ask An Ambassador: Need ActiveRain Help? 2023 Edition

By
Real Estate Agent with Transaction Alliance 513.520.5305 www.LizTour.com SAL.2002007747

Everyone needs help at some point, be it here in the Rain or elsewhere.

I've been here in the Rain for a long, long time and one of the things that differentiates this place from other real estate forums is the general willingness of community members to help other community members.

Things aren't the same as when we first started in the Rain.  There's no Bob or Kerrie roaming the virtual halls of ActiveRain or in real life at Raincamps.  In that regard, the community has had to develop self-sufficiency, and how we get help has changed.

Once upon a time my advice for help would have been the following:
1.  Ask another member (comment, phone, email, text, etc.)

2.  Ask an Ambassador

3.  Reach out to ActiveRain staff (Bob or Kerrie or Brad)

4.  Email support@ActiveRain.com

Options 1 and 2 are still alive and well (but with a caveat...look for someone that is actually active in the community...the Ambassador list has been trimmed to 77, and could probably use some more trimming based on inactivity). 


Option 3, there's not really a visible Bob and Kerrie, but there is ActiveRain Member Support.  You can tag ActiveRain Member Support in a post, comment or question and they'll typically show up to either give direct help, or send a message to the people that can help.  Make sure you use ActiveRain Member Support.  Other member names with ActiveRain in the name (e.g. Development, are NOT Support aka ARMS).

Option 4 seems to be broken.  There are too many instances of people stating the equivalent of "I've contacted support multiple times and can't get a response".  Word on the grapevine is the ticket system is broken, so many legitimate requests are never making it into Support's inbox, or getting drowned out amongst spam.  And for those expecting a call-in phone number...no gots.  Any number you find with an online search is probably ancient and rings in to a Zillow office :) 

Another option that didn't exist at the beginning is the site's Q&A section.  Post your questions there and you'll get responses (most of which will be helpful and NOT snarky!). 

Bottom line, if you need help, just ask, but use one of the sources listed above that still works.  You'll receive help, or be pointed to someone that can help.

Until next Tuesday, just Ask An Ambassador if you need help (or post a question, or ask ARMS, or another member!),
Bill & Liz aka BLiz

Posted by

Serving Warren County Ohio & Adjacent Areas

The Liz Spear Team of Transaction Alliance
Elizabeth Spear, ABR, Ohio License SAL.2002007747

William (Bill) Spear, Ohio License SAL.2004011109  Kentucky 77938
Ask for us by name if you visit the office!

EHO
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Liz Direct: 513-265-3004     
Fax: 866-302-8418

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Comments(13)

Michael Jacobs
Pasadena, CA
Pasadena And Southern California 818.516.4393

Hello Bill (and Liz too) - ActiveRain is like life itself, right?  It changes over time and it certainly is far from ideal.  Both remain "here" and that continues to be a constant.     

The more time I gather on this platform and planet are reminders (and reinforcements) of the similarities of the two.  To that end, I accept (and reject), adjust and adapt as a regular part of my visit.   Yes, I repeat it often.  Sometimes such reminders are important.  So is this post.  

Oct 10, 2023 09:40 AM
Liz and Bill Spear

True, we have to decide where the value is (or isn't) and act accordingly.  I still find value here when I weigh the pros vs cons.

Oct 10, 2023 07:28 PM
Jeffrey DiMuria 321.223.6253 Waves Realty
Waves Realty - Melbourne, FL
Florida Space Coast Homes

The ability to write a post and ask for help is a big plus. If you have a question...ask. Lots of bloggers will help.

Oct 10, 2023 10:12 AM
Liz and Bill Spear

I don't think I've ever asked for help from this community and not gotten it.

Oct 10, 2023 07:28 PM
Kathy Streib
Cypress, TX
Home Stager/Redesign

Excellent Bill- Oh yes, I do miss the Kerrie and Bob Stewart days however answers are still here!! I agree that the Q&A has proven to be very useful as well. 

Oct 10, 2023 10:36 AM
Liz and Bill Spear

I'd still love to see someone in that position to provide some daily guidance to the community.

Oct 10, 2023 07:29 PM
Ed Silva, 203-206-0754
Mapleridge Realty, CT 203-206-0754 - Waterbury, CT
Central CT Real Estate Broker Serving all equally

Too few newer members recognize the orange banner or know its purpose. The 4th option you offered tends to be the most responsive as it's done by members helping members.

Oct 10, 2023 10:55 AM
Liz and Bill Spear

Members helping members has always been the strength of this community.  People living it every day understand each other.

Oct 10, 2023 07:30 PM
Hannah Williams
HomeStarr Realty - Philadelphia, PA
Expertise NE Philadelphia & Bucks 215-820-3376

Liz and Bill Spear love this post as it is so helpful for members seeking HELP! Many will do the logical and ask for support and never will get an answer. The best way to receive an answer is Q&A  or as you said ask an Ambassador. If they do not know the answer  they can direct you or help you find the solution   

Oct 10, 2023 01:51 PM
Liz and Bill Spear

It's unfortunate that the support email isn't accomplishing what is intended, but at least there are alternatives.

Oct 10, 2023 07:31 PM
Dr. Paula McDonald
Beam & Branch Realty - Granbury, TX
Granbury, TX 936-203-0279

That is one the best things about AR and that is the wonderful help and support that have received over the years.

Oct 10, 2023 05:06 PM
Liz and Bill Spear

It's a huge plus that keeps bringing me back regularly.

Oct 10, 2023 07:31 PM
Dorie Dillard Austin TX
Coldwell Banker Realty ~ 512.750.6899 - Austin, TX
NW Austin ~ Canyon Creek and Spicewood/Balcones

Good evening Bill,

There is always someone to help in Active Rain and your advice to go to the Q & A is right on. I do miss Bob and Kerrie but just like life there are lots of changes. Craig Daniels has been truly a wealth of information and so responsive!

Oct 10, 2023 05:29 PM
Liz and Bill Spear

Between Craig, ARMS, Ambassadors and other members, there's not much that can't be answered.

Oct 10, 2023 07:32 PM
Patricia Feager, ABR,CRS,GRI,MRP
DFW FINE PROPERTIES - Flower Mound, TX
Selling Homes Changing Lives

Liz and Bill Spear - One can always expect growing pains when starting something as big as a Platform designed for the Real Estate Industry. It was a brilliant idea and lots of fun. 

I'd say, the members who picked up the slack and continue to make this a great ActiveRain are truly commendable and appreciated. We can think about the past and still make progress, thanks to people like you, Craig Daniels, Debe Maxwell, CRS, and so many others. 

Oct 10, 2023 07:51 PM
Liz and Bill Spear

It's what keeps this place ticking along, there are a lot of people that care deeply about the success of ActiveRain.

Oct 11, 2023 07:18 AM
Brian England
Ambrose Realty Management LLC - Gilbert, AZ
MBA, GRI, REALTOR® Real Estate in East Valley AZ

I love how Rainers are always willing to help out other Rainers when they can and I would relish a newbie reaching out to me in order to learn more about life in the Rain!

Oct 11, 2023 05:01 AM
Liz and Bill Spear

Brian, that's often the frustrating thing when you see some of the posts, if the person had just known where to ask, they wouldn't have gotten the right kind of help and quickly.

Oct 11, 2023 07:20 AM
Kat Palmiotti
eXp Commercial, Referral Divison - Kalispell, MT
Helping your Montana dreams take root

Yes, while things have changed, one thing that has remained the same is that you can still get help! I wish this could be pinned on the "Help/FAQ" link on the bottom of the screen. That's where people would go if they are new and needed assistance (I think).

Enjoy your day!

Oct 11, 2023 05:42 AM
Liz and Bill Spear

Hopefully they can get the support email/ticket system working properly and soon.  It's pretty grim to see some of the posts/questions that say "we tried to reach support and got no response".

Oct 11, 2023 07:21 AM
Kat Palmiotti

Agreed

Oct 11, 2023 07:43 AM
Margaret Rome Baltimore 410-530-2400
HomeRome Realty 410-530-2400 - Pikesville, MD
Sell Your Home With Margaret Rome

The beauty of AR is the quality of knowledge and the generosity of the members to share. We can let our concerns be known in the Q&A, write a post, call an ambassador or other active member, and be on the weekly Zoom call. There are a ton of people on this platform who are constantly sharing and who are available for questions. You, Liz and Bill Spear are proof! Thank you for all you do in the RAIN!

Oct 11, 2023 07:13 AM
Liz and Bill Spear

You're welcome!  We have plenty of company (like yourself) helping put the "community" in this place.

Oct 11, 2023 07:22 AM
Jeff Dowler, CRS
eXp Realty of California, Inc. - Carlsbad, CA
The Southern California Relocation Dude

Bill:

While things have changed here over the years the atmosphere of sharing, learning and helping each other continues. There are a number of avenues for getting help as you've mentioned, you just need to ask in whatever way feels most comfortable. And don't feel embarrassed that you need assistance - it happens to us all. Ask!

Jeff 

Oct 11, 2023 10:23 AM
Liz and Bill Spear

It's the core philosophy that keeps me coming back.

Oct 11, 2023 12:46 PM
Anna "Banana" Kruchten
HomeSmart Real Estate - Phoenix, AZ
602-380-4886

Thank you for sharing this information Bill.  For sure things aren't the way they used to be but a lot of us are still here and helping out in many ways and happy to do so.  Thank YOU for all your support and help over the years! 

Oct 11, 2023 11:44 AM
Liz and Bill Spear

Definitely changes, but the core culture continues to live on :)
Happy to help where I can!

Oct 11, 2023 12:47 PM