I think this a matter of perspective.Yes Peter has a point in that some questions don't always get a reply from the experts.In many cases they do, or an obviously adequate response has been given by one of the many very able forum members.You are getting free advice usually well reasoned and invariably prompt.If a member asks and doesn't get a response then a gentle reminder can bring it back to light.I usually try a bit of humour which keeps it light.I don't think MS deliberately provide a forum only to disappoint but I guess these guys have pretty full schedules already and this forum is one aspect of their business.I am sure they have priorities which affect their abilty to respond as quickly as the questioner would like.If it's not perfect,then in Peter's own words he can 'move along'.

What is a bit curious is that his first post is not to help,ask a question on a product or problem but to take a pop at the organisation on its own forum.What's the motivation for doing that?

I'm not completely missing the point, I think you're seeing what you want to see. Chip. Shoulder. Large one.

REF: 01-25-2008 2:38 PM Graeme Delap

That was 2 days ago. Can you give your definition of 'isn't very often'? If the questions have been responded to by another member, why would they write something like "Yes, that's correct....."? If they have further input, as sometimes Graeme and Peter do, they will reply!

Thank you Vicissitude but (and said with respect) you are completely missing the point!

I had no question concerning insurance, constructive or non-constructive. My point was that it isn't very often that an MS expert answer, within a section of the forums, where users are invited to ask them a question.

Move along now. There is nothing more to see here. Handbags down people.

PeterA,

With responses such as:

"Clearly you don't have any constructive responses.

If I'd wanted opinion, I would have asked for it.

My question still stands."

I wouldn't be inclined to help either. Mr Big was asking if he could be of any assistance, and your reply was damn right rude. The experts do visit the boards, and regularly reply. However, the general stance is that so many experienced forum members now visit the boards that any posts/replies would be duplicated.

So, in your own words... "Clearly you don't have any constructive..." questions and just want a general moan, which is a fruitless exercise and I fail to see your original point? If the questions are being answered with satisfaction (which they are from regular members, I can assure you) then where is the problem?

Completely agree TheBigFC. Yes, there are a lot of very knowledgeable forum users on here who give a tremendous amount of free help, but the 'Ask the Expert' secion of the forum does suggest that one is asking an MS.com expert, not an expert from within the forum community.

What's your view MS.com experts? If you care to respond of course ;-)

To be fair PeterA does have a point Mr Big, the experts rarely post. However, I would like to think this is because the forum always has constructive input from it's community members and the MSM experts find that any points they could make have already been made for them by the community.

I'm sure most if not all of the threads get read by the experts but if there is nothing further to add then perhaps the experts do not feel the need to add comments. That being said perhaps there should be something on the thread to show that an expert has read the posts and agree with the advice given. Maybe some kind of rating that only the experts can adjust would be appropriate.

Of course this is just my opinion and a response from the experts would be welcome :)

Clearly you don't have any constructive responses.

If I'd wanted opinion, I would have asked for it.

My question still stands.

Good morning Peter, I see this is your first post!

Welcome to the forum.

Do you have anything constructive to ask?

It's all in the title...

Users are given the opportunity to ask a moneysupermarket expert but rarely does a thread generate a response.

What is the point of this feature?