Idea: Putting an end to the old "How long 'til I verify?" question!

DieselDragn · 27-11-10, 05:55 PM

Ay up!

A couple of days ago, I clicked [Verify] for my first ever freebie, something that I've been wanting to do ever since I started freebie hunting back in June. However it's three days since I did that now, and as yet there's no visible indication (At my end) as to what's happening with my verification...Only the static "Your account is currently being verified. Please be patient." message on my status page.

Now as ye can imagine; With this being my first verification I'm itching to get verified and receive my freebies. I have to admit I've been tempted several times to open a ticket to ask how long my verification will be, but I'll refrain from doing that as more support tickets means less time to deal with verifications - And the less load placed on FJ's excellent team, the better!

However, I have an idea for dealing with the impatient so-and-sos like myself, which could save FJ's team a few headaches and might reduce a percentage of support tickets too:

Insted of showing a static "Your account is currently being verified..." message which gives no current information about freebie progress, why not display an informative one like "Your verification is in queue position 123/xxxx, and is estimated to be processed on dd/mm/2010."? (The queue position and date obviously being updated every time the status page is loaded.)
This would reassure the impatient ones amongst us that verification is indeed imminent (Because we'd see the queue position decreasing each day) and would also give us enough information to estimate roughly when verification will complete and freebies'll be dropping through the door!

Given that FJ must use an existing FIFO-based queue of some sort to organise pending verifications - Meaning that there's an existing database where queue positions/dates could be extrapolated from - And that this kind of thing could probably be implemented with just a few extra lines of code in user.status.php, I can't immediateley see any argument against something like this being implemented.

Any thoughts, anyone?

az87aris · 27-11-10, 05:57 PM

I posted an idea very similar to this in a thread amy started.

I only read the bit you highlighted in blue - I couldn't really be bothered with the rest!

buckers582 · 27-11-10, 06:03 PM

Iv always thought this, or at least something similar to kudos where they give an estimation

Also this would decrease the amount of support tickets asking why it hasnt been dispatched and so on
edit: you said that so i agree with all you said, thanks for highlighting the main bit it makes it easier for us

Andyb123 · 27-11-10, 06:04 PM

IF alex/rich are too busy to do verifcations on the day that it has been estimated that it is going to be done, then think about all the support tickets from new users which will only slow it down.

If you had signed upto a site, and it had told you 15th of the month, it was the 17th and you still hadnt recieved information.. you would contact them. This will just slow everyone down so I think it's better of the way it is

Just my 2 cents though

az87aris · 27-11-10, 06:16 PM

What I suggested the other day in the other thread was to add something like "verification time is currently Xdays" the blurb that appears when you press the verification blurb.

FurbtasticM · 27-11-10, 06:21 PM

They could save themselves time by just saying "Your account is currently being verified. This process can take up to 14 days, please be patient".

To be honest, they are so damn quick relatively speaking that I don't think they need to change or add anything personally.

Furb

SometingStu · 27-11-10, 06:22 PM

I would agree with Furbs (not from experience I'm sorry to say) but I still think that the idea could be implemented. Especially the order queue one.

az87aris · 27-11-10, 06:26 PM

I don't think displaying the order queue is a very good idea at all, what if you're 1000th in queue, If It came up that I was 1000th in queue I would be thinking WTF?

The best way to go about this is to do what furbs has suggested and just put the 14day verif time in the blurb that is already there. This can be reduced when the verifier is up and running and verifs aren't taking quite as long, not that 14 days is long anyway.

moviedrome · 27-11-10, 06:26 PM

The queue wouldn't work exactly - if someone press on the same day on apple or consoles it just depends what mood I'm in which gets done first. There's no set order on the sites. Plus if we put an estimate then people send a ticket as soon as it's over that.

**ryan1087** · 27-11-10, 06:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by moviedrome

The queue wouldn't work exactly - if someone press on the same day on apple or consoles it just depends what mood I'm in which gets done first. There's no set order on the sites. Plus if we put an estimate then people send a ticket as soon as it's over that.

Hmmm, better to have the odd ticket when its over rather than tickets all the time?

moviedrome · 27-11-10, 06:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ryan1087

Hmmm, better to have the odd ticket when its over rather than tickets all the time?

The sites already say 7-10 days in the FAQ anyway

ndev2k · 27-11-10, 06:42 PM

Hey rich are you doing verifs today? I clicked on Tuesday, any clue how long it will be as they were the competition prizes. Cheers

**ryan1087** · 27-11-10, 06:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by moviedrome

The sites already say 7-10 days in the FAQ anyway

Yes but generally people a quick to send in a support ticket rather than go to the FAQ, they might think something is delaying ect.

Not trying to argue, just stating

**the_icks** · 27-11-10, 07:07 PM

fingerws crossed for my amazon vouchers soon!! :o)

Amiethest · 27-11-10, 08:31 PM

The ones you feel like? Do mine Rich! Do mine!

DieselDragn · 27-11-10, 11:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Andyb123

IF alex/rich are too busy to do verifcations on the day that it has been estimated that it is going to be done, then think about all the support tickets from new users which will only slow it down. If you had signed upto a site, and it had told you 15th of the month, it was the 17th and you still hadnt recieved information.. you would contact them.

From some of the posts above, I can see why an estimated date mightn't be such a good idea after all...Though my initial suggestion was based on the assumption that the majority of the FJ verification processes were automated and that Rich/Will/Alex just had to click "Confirm" or "Deny" buttons after checking verification output on their computer screen.

Quote:

Originally Posted by az87aris

I don't think displaying the order queue is a very good idea at all, what if you're 1000th in queue, If It came up that I was 1000th in queue I would be thinking WTF?

Obviously I can't speak for the majority, but I admit that I'm a "Red Pill" man. In these cases I'd rather know exactly where I stand no matter how far back in the queue that may be, rather than be informed "You're somewhere in the queue" and given no info on where I am or what might be going on.

If I could monitor my own progress through the verification queue, then I could make a rough guesstimate as to when I'll be processed and my freebies sent out...And a queue readout on it's own would give me enough assurance to not be wanting to open FJ's 50,000th Am I verifying? Where's my freebie gone? ticket of the week!

Quote:

Originally Posted by moviedrome

The queue wouldn't work exactly - if someone press on the same day on apple or consoles it just depends what mood I'm in which gets done first. There's no set order on the sites. Plus if we put an estimate then people send a ticket as soon as it's over that.

Ahh...I'd always thought that the various FJ sites were connected together and handled as a single unit at the FJ end, and thus there's be a FIFO queue for verifications from all sites to be processed in turn.

If it wouldn't give out any private info on the FJ workings though: May I ask roughly what percentage of the verification process is handled by computer? Given the amount of freebie hunters versus my estimation of <=4 staff at FJ, I'd be really shocked to find that verifications were a wholly manual process!

Oh...And if ye process verifications for each site at will, I'm guessing the verification queue for Select.FJ is a lot shorter than that for Apple and Consoles if ye fancy an easy shift...

refmaster · 28-11-10, 01:30 AM

How about another freebiejeebies sub-forum where members post when they've verified clicked verify, when their order is processing and then when their order has been shipped.

This could give an approximation of the current verification times

Then when the freebiejeebie-er/ee has clicked verify, they could have a link saying:
"why not check out Exceem to see approximate verifying times for similar orders"
(I know there is already a link to Exceem on the refer members page but this one would appear on the status page after the user has clicked the V button.

Cruelworld · 28-11-10, 01:49 AM

Or how about, we just leave it as it is.
The system works and if you can't handle waiting a few days, knowing FACT that your item is in the post one way or another and it will get to you sometime soon as long as your referrals haven't been naughty... then there is something wrong.

You go to verify, it takes as long as it takes and you are told either way good or bad if your referrals have passed.

I've gone through the verify stage recently and have been waiting stuck on processing for about a week now but do I care ... No. Not a bit.
Because I know that my FREE items are going to be shipped as soon as things can be sorted.

These things are free guys, just slap the order in and let it run it's course.
It'll get there when it get's there.
FJ don't need all this extra pressure of threads banging on about verify times etc.

Monkeyegg · 28-11-10, 06:02 AM

Just wanted to say that when I'm doing verifs I try to do all accounts that pressed verify on a particular day on the same day.

We can't give proper estimates of how long the waiting time will be due to sheer volume. We quite often have up to 50 accounts all press verify on the same day (for instance, if a 'completed' report comes through for one of the popular offers). We also still only have a small team of verifiers so it depends how much time we can spend doing verifs each day.

The only way we could have a message stating how long verification will take is if we say it will be within 7-14 days or something equally vague and over-estimated. Since most verifs would actually take less time than this, it wouldn't reflect the service we typically offer. Our 'regulars' would still know that this varies and contact us for a more specific indication anyway. Such a message is more likely to prompt more support tickets saying they don't want to wait for however long the maximum time frame is.

**ryan1087** · 28-11-10, 11:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Monkeyegg

Such a message is more likely to prompt more support tickets saying they don't want to wait for however long the maximum time frame is.

Don't know if i agree with that, people will send in a support ticket to find out the verify time frame, where as if they are given an estimate then they will only send in support tickets over the estimated time. I could be wrong though, i don't know how many support tickets you get but can imagine it being a lot

27-11-10, 05:55 PM	#1
DieselDragn iPod Nano 4GB Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Location, Location! Posts: 302	Idea: Putting an end to the old "How long 'til I verify?" question! Ay up! A couple of days ago, I clicked [Verify] for my first ever freebie, something that I've been wanting to do ever since I started freebie hunting back in June. However it's three days since I did that now, and as yet there's no visible indication (At my end) as to what's happening with my verification...Only the static "Your account is currently being verified. Please be patient." message on my status page. Now as ye can imagine; With this being my first verification I'm itching to get verified and receive my freebies. I have to admit I've been tempted several times to open a ticket to ask how long my verification will be, but I'll refrain from doing that as more support tickets means less time to deal with verifications - And the less load placed on FJ's excellent team, the better! However, I have an idea for dealing with the impatient so-and-sos like myself, which could save FJ's team a few headaches and might reduce a percentage of support tickets too: Insted of showing a static "Your account is currently being verified..." message which gives no current information about freebie progress, why not display an informative one like "Your verification is in queue position 123/xxxx, and is estimated to be processed on dd/mm/2010."? (The queue position and date obviously being updated every time the status page is loaded.) This would reassure the impatient ones amongst us that verification is indeed imminent (Because we'd see the queue position decreasing each day) and would also give us enough information to estimate roughly when verification will complete and freebies'll be dropping through the door! Given that FJ must use an existing FIFO-based queue of some sort to organise pending verifications - Meaning that there's an existing database where queue positions/dates could be extrapolated from - And that this kind of thing could probably be implemented with just a few extra lines of code in user.status.php, I can't immediateley see any argument against something like this being implemented. Any thoughts, anyone?

27-11-10, 05:57 PM	#2
az87aris Mini Mac Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: South Yorkshire Posts: 4,906	I posted an idea very similar to this in a thread amy started. I only read the bit you highlighted in blue - I couldn't really be bothered with the rest! __________________ Free iPhone 4S \| Free iPad \| Free iPod

27-11-10, 06:03 PM	#3
buckers582 iPod 30gb Join Date: May 2010 Location: Plymouth Posts: 1,002	Iv always thought this, or at least something similar to kudos where they give an estimation Also this would decrease the amount of support tickets asking why it hasnt been dispatched and so on edit: you said that so i agree with all you said, thanks for highlighting the main bit it makes it easier for us __________________ Freebiejeebies Free Click here to gain 2 free greens on mobiles.fj! or Click here to get the top spot on the points.fj conga! Last edited by buckers582; 27-11-10 at 06:04 PM..

27-11-10, 06:16 PM	#5
az87aris Mini Mac Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: South Yorkshire Posts: 4,906	What I suggested the other day in the other thread was to add something like "verification time is currently Xdays" the blurb that appears when you press the verification blurb. __________________ Free iPhone 4S \| Free iPad \| Free iPod

27-11-10, 06:21 PM	#6
FurbtasticM ..is a Muppet! Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Swindon Posts: 10,243	They could save themselves time by just saying "Your account is currently being verified. This process can take up to 14 days, please be patient". To be honest, they are so damn quick relatively speaking that I don't think they need to change or add anything personally. Furb __________________ iPhone deals \| Giveaway \| Free iPhone \| Free iPad

27-11-10, 06:04 PM	#4
Andyb123 iPod 20gb Join Date: Aug 2010 Posts: 742	IF alex/rich are too busy to do verifcations on the day that it has been estimated that it is going to be done, then think about all the support tickets from new users which will only slow it down. If you had signed upto a site, and it had told you 15th of the month, it was the 17th and you still hadnt recieved information.. you would contact them. This will just slow everyone down so I think it's better of the way it is Just my 2 cents though

27-11-10, 06:22 PM	#7
SometingStu iPod 30gb Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 1,488	I would agree with Furbs (not from experience I'm sorry to say) but I still think that the idea could be implemented. Especially the order queue one.

27-11-10, 06:26 PM	#8
az87aris Mini Mac Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: South Yorkshire Posts: 4,906	I don't think displaying the order queue is a very good idea at all, what if you're 1000th in queue, If It came up that I was 1000th in queue I would be thinking WTF? The best way to go about this is to do what furbs has suggested and just put the 14day verif time in the blurb that is already there. This can be reduced when the verifier is up and running and verifs aren't taking quite as long, not that 14 days is long anyway. __________________ Free iPhone 4S \| Free iPad \| Free iPod

27-11-10, 06:26 PM	#9
moviedrome FJ Network Owner Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 6,799	The queue wouldn't work exactly - if someone press on the same day on apple or consoles it just depends what mood I'm in which gets done first. There's no set order on the sites. Plus if we put an estimate then people send a ticket as soon as it's over that. __________________ freebiejeebies Consoles \| Apple \| HDTV \| PS3 \| Mobiles \| Sports \| Gadgets \| Points \| Gifts \| Select Supported Network of the Year 2008 & 2009 & 2010 & 2011 Network Staff Member of the Year 2009 & 2011 (joint) Supported Network of the Year (Design) 2008 New and Unproven Network of the Year 2007

27-11-10, 06:42 PM	#12
ndev2k Looking for a new job!! Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: St Helens Posts: 4,276	Hey rich are you doing verifs today? I clicked on Tuesday, any clue how long it will be as they were the competition prizes. Cheers __________________ Free Stuff \|Free iPhone 3GS \| Free Nintendo Wii \| Free PS3 \| Free Stuff Spoiler Received: DS Lite w/Cooking Guide \| Bank Transfers worth £1839 \| 320GB WD Portable HDD \| 8GB iPod Touch \| Navman S70 3D Sat Nav \| Sony Playstation 3 80GB \| £340 Amazon Vouchers \| Singstar Vol 1 & 2 \| Fisher Price Little People Santa's Sleigh \| 7 in 1 Trekker from Mothercare \| Singstar Abba \| iPod Shuffle 1GB Blue \| Windows 7 Ultimate \| Linksys Wireless Router \| Buzz Quiz TV \| Buzz Brain of the UK \| Silver Necklace \| Bio-Oil \| iPhone 3GS 16GB \| 750GB Internal Hard Drive \| SATA Cable \| Hoover Dishwasher \| Sceptre II Gas Fire \| Walnut Fire Surround \| Heated Towel Radiator \| Amazon Kindle 3G + Wi-Fi \| £424 Paypal \| £520 worth of Building Materials \| X-Factor (Dual Mic Pack) Game (PS3) \| £90 Amazon Vouchers (prizes in Competition) \| Nintendo 3DS with Zelda Game Value Of Received Gifts : £6019(approx)

27-11-10, 07:07 PM	#14
the_icks Mr Baldy Chicken Join Date: Mar 2006 Posts: 14,482	fingerws crossed for my amazon vouchers soon!! :o) __________________

27-11-10, 08:31 PM	#15
Amiethest is meant to be revising Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Nottinghamshire Posts: 6,448	The ones you feel like? Do mine Rich! Do mine! __________________ Well since as my SERPS are now dead, I won't belearning how to get an iPad for nothing anymore\| My Free Xbox 360 sitehas tanked \|And the only one that was an experiment and doesn't make money is Free 3DS darn it. Want to know how to get greens (referrals) for FreebieJeebies? I'll tell you how..... Work hard, like the rest of us! Feel free to ask questions!

28-11-10, 01:30 AM	#17
refmaster iPod Nano 4GB Join Date: Aug 2008 Posts: 239	How about another freebiejeebies sub-forum where members post when they've verified clicked verify, when their order is processing and then when their order has been shipped. This could give an approximation of the current verification times Then when the freebiejeebie-er/ee has clicked verify, they could have a link saying: "why not check out Exceem to see approximate verifying times for similar orders" (I know there is already a link to Exceem on the refer members page but this one would appear on the status page after the user has clicked the V button.

28-11-10, 01:49 AM	#18
Cruelworld Romper Stomper Join Date: May 2009 Location: Behind the fridge... Posts: 4,263	Or how about, we just leave it as it is. The system works and if you can't handle waiting a few days, knowing FACT that your item is in the post one way or another and it will get to you sometime soon as long as your referrals haven't been naughty... then there is something wrong. You go to verify, it takes as long as it takes and you are told either way good or bad if your referrals have passed. I've gone through the verify stage recently and have been waiting stuck on processing for about a week now but do I care ... No. Not a bit. Because I know that my FREE items are going to be shipped as soon as things can be sorted. These things are free guys, just slap the order in and let it run it's course. It'll get there when it get's there. FJ don't need all this extra pressure of threads banging on about verify times etc. __________________ Free Gadgets \| Free iPod \| Free iPhone \| Free Gadget \| Free Wii U This page will help some people.

28-11-10, 06:02 AM	#19
Monkeyegg FJ Network Owner Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 2,942	Just wanted to say that when I'm doing verifs I try to do all accounts that pressed verify on a particular day on the same day. We can't give proper estimates of how long the waiting time will be due to sheer volume. We quite often have up to 50 accounts all press verify on the same day (for instance, if a 'completed' report comes through for one of the popular offers). We also still only have a small team of verifiers so it depends how much time we can spend doing verifs each day. The only way we could have a message stating how long verification will take is if we say it will be within 7-14 days or something equally vague and over-estimated. Since most verifs would actually take less time than this, it wouldn't reflect the service we typically offer. Our 'regulars' would still know that this varies and contact us for a more specific indication anyway. Such a message is more likely to prompt more support tickets saying they don't want to wait for however long the maximum time frame is. __________________ Consoles \| Apple \| HDTV \| PS3 \| Mobiles \| Sports \| Gadgets \| Points \| Gifts \| Select Supported Network of the Year 2008, 2009, 2010 & 2011 Supported Network of the Year (Design) 2008 Last edited by Monkeyegg; 28-11-10 at 06:07 AM..