@Fori

I see you are a "pro" today!

https://www.houzz.com/discussions/6361946/help-with-diy-flooring-decision#n=3

I used to love the kitchen and baths forums pre-Houzz. I too noticed that only pros are acknowledged so I stopped reading those forums about six months after Houzz took over.

Fori, can you get me a discount on a suit of armor to go with my new pillows?

😁

Eileen, your post reminded me of a thread that got ugly due to a pro’s ego and assumption that only she should be heard:

I don’t remember the exact topic, but it started out as a fun thread. Living room or bedroom, I think. The OP had an eclectic style and we were all enjoying brainstorming. It was a good community discussion.

A pro came on and tried to take the OP in a completely opposite direction. A sterile direction she likes, but not at all what the OP wanted.

After a few of her increasingly aggressive posts were thanked politely by the OP, but otherwise ignored, the pro came back very huffy and asked the OP would she rather listen to all ”these people”, or take the advice of a pro?

~record scratch~

It was quite astonishing. And I guarantee not who those of you aware of the DD cast of characters would think it is (not Pat, not Jan ….).

It's extremely annoying to go to the trouble to comment in a thread, trying to provide helpful suggestions and/or photos, and to be completely ignored by the OP in favor of the "pros" in the thread. That said, while I've jokingly said that we should turn ourselves "pro" as well, I don't think I want to be associated with that group. There are a handful who are kind, helpful, and talented -- but they are definitely in the minority in my view.

I'm in septic, so if that's the kind of armor you want, sure. But tomorrow I could be a paint pro or an architect or perhaps an importer/exporter so ask me then.

I'm just sayin', if you're gonna be posting over there, go pro! Like, don't be offering unqualified electrical advice or anything, but you're as good as anyone!

--ProFori, who was once accused by a pro of trying to sell crap furniture before going pro and who also holds grudges sometimes.

I can't, I'm too honest. As a graphic designer, I think some skills transfer (as many creative occupations can), but of course there are big differences too. I have some decent DIY skills and strong opinions, but certainly don't want to attach a fake PRO tag to my comments.

I actually started my account on Houzz because I was hoping it would be full of DIYers exchanging tips and ideas. I was very disappointed to find out that it's really not that. Sometimes I wonder why I bother spending so much time commenting and photoshopping ideas for other people. But the thing is I love making mockups, so it's a good time waster if I'm having a boring morning. Better than facebook!

Add a disclaimer.

(NotaPro)

(ButJustAsVettedAsAnyoneElseHere)

Oh yeah, I totally get the sentiment! I certainly don't believe that many of the "pros" here are actually pros. or some of them stopped practicing a long time ago and are out of touch.

How I hated when people originally from the Houzz side would respond and start off their post with "Not a pro".

Awww now I'm torn. :)

What if I say "not a pro" with a pro tag?

-pro-something.

OK OK maybe I'll switch back.

How about "Not a Hack"?

Wait! Fori!

Our friend of a pro discounts …..

"Proudly not a pro"

“Do you know who I am?! pro”

I'm pretty sure if I added a Pro designation to myself, the world would implode or we'd all get sucked into a wormhole, or something.

I have many talents and skills in life...but keep in mind I am the person who originally found GW because I painted my ceiling a warm white and my walls were a cool white, and the cognitive dissonance made my head hurt - but I literally didn't even have the vocabulary to explain WHY. It's true, feel free to laugh. This would have been maybe 15 years ago now or so - but I very literally didn't know what a warm color vs a cool color even meant.

I originally came for the knowledge, but have stuck around for the conversations/people. I've learned so much in the process too. I'm still guaranteed to need to repaint at least twice though...every stinking time. :)

@Jilly

You and I both posted on this thread. Flo posted a screenshot of her pro discount on a rug. It was substantial. A few comments later Paul F posted that he finally sees a reason to upgrade to a pro account ;-)

Friday, I just saw that!

Seriously considering it now. 😄

(Sadly, looks like that OP will be badgered into white walls, when she wanted color.)

Yes! That is why I asked Fori about it at the top of this thread. LOL

I have not noticed a pattern of posters ignoring amateurs and listening only to the pros. I enjoy some of the stuff in those forums, because I have a personality that likes to "help". I almost always don't really "care" if someone listens, because, I guess, people have a lot going on in their lives, and it all can't be explained in a post. It's nice if the OP puts in a budget, or explains that they're asking about cabinets/countertops but also moving in a year or two, and that the DH isn't cooperative (or whatever).... but people pop on here because they need help, and they don't always know the "protocols" and the "right" way to post their question, or follow up.

I often couch my replies with an "I'm not a designer, but...." because I'm not, and I think it's fair to say that I'm just offering perspective.

@Jilly I would really miss you over on the other side because I can't recall a thread where I didn't agree with you. When you show photos of your home, I swoon because I love it so much, and you're so kind to people too. I think the threads NEED people like that! To spread some help and kindness, and that's what I get so much gratification about offering (whether they dislike or ignore what I say--whatever!).

Mrs S, you are someone I respect so much (ditto about always agreeing with your posts) … your kinds words have made my week! Thank you so much for such sweet compliments, they mean more than I can say. ❤️❤️

I don't know about the discount and I'm not about to look--if it exists, it's unlikely to apply to the FREE accounts. :P

I have not shopped at Houzz before but the items I usually see suggested by "Pros" with Hzz links look pretty much like disposable stuff. I don't mind people in the trades getting discounts and I don't need to get in on that (but if I hired someone and that's the stuff they were offering, I'd be miffed).

Golly I'm such a snob.

It does bug me when some poor soul asks a simple question and gets pounded by a pro for leaving a sock on the floor or leaving the toilet lid up or something...it's not nice to be mean.

I would not be mean in those situations, but I probably would spend about as much time thinking about their decor as they apparently have.

Am I the only one who ponders this: How can someone who coins themselves as "pro" find the time to offer free advice on an internet discussion forum to people from whom the pro has likely zero chance of gaining business? Are Houzz discussions really part of their marketing strategies?

You are not the only one who ponders that, Feathers. One would think that a true design professional would spend the majority of their time, ya know - designing professionally. And getting paid for it. Those that we are most familiar with due to their frequent participation and "interesting" online personas must surely be retired (and still clinging to the pro designation), or mostly clientless.

@Jilly I didn't realize you had been in the biz! I'm curious, do you work outside the home now or work from home maybe? I realized I have no idea what you do (other than take on wayward cats of course LOL!)

Tina, in and out of the home. :)

While I joined post Houzz‘ take over of Garden Web, I have noticed a different tone in those older discussions. For example, if someone already made some changes, no one bashed them or made them feel like an idiot for selecting certain things.

It makes it intimidating to post a question on here - for example, when I asked a question re: tile layout pattern - and someone tells me to use a different tile - when I’ve already explained that I’ve purchased the tile. The tile setter was showing up in a couple days - and I couldn’t change the tile even if I had wanted to (which I didn’t - it was a pretty popular tile on here - and there wasn’t a reason to not use it - except some people preferred other size tiles vs. the size I selected for a tub/shower surround).

I’ve seen some threads that have been going on for YEARS - and it’s interesting to see how much help the OP received - and also see how the space(s) turned out. It seems like the OP disappears now (for various reasons) and you never see the final result.

I have quite a few items of furniture that belonged to my mom/nana that I’ve recently received. I would love to figure out a way to incorporate them - but posting a bunch of photos of my house that I have just started renovating = intimidating because I don’t want to hear a bunch of criticisms about things that I haven’t yet addressed.

I have read threads where people received help like that - and it was fun to read + watch the different spaces evolve.

Now, I am not saying that I’ve never received help on Houzz, because I have. However, I try to limit the types of posts. I also had to take a break from Houzz for a few months because it was making me stressed - I was reading posts where arguments were happening = not fun and relaxing.

I have definitely received some great help from non-pro designated people on here.

dani, right there with you and agree 100%. I read here for ideas and inspiration. However there is no way in h e double hockey sticks I'd share photos of my home on one of the main boards. Like you, I have some family pieces which mean the world to me and they will be a part of anything I do. I am not interested in hearing some alleged "pro" opinion of them.

The rudeness from the alleged pros is appalling. The tone of the boards in general is far more antagonistic since H took over. Occasionally I'll see some original poster who gives as good as they take and so in those cases the gloves come off. Whatever.

But so many people post real photos of their real home and all I can think is that they're like a lamb walking into a slaughterhouse. It's painful to read. So....mostly I don't anymore. I swing by here because there are so many posters here who I enjoy and who have great ideas (without ever putting anyone down!) - but the majority of the other forums are a hot steaming mess. IMO, of course.

Retired! 😂

You just got tired of me begging for discounts.

I have posted my house on the DD side. Sometimes I get ultra-rude comments and other times people love it. I usually get rude comments when I post in response to someone's post and I mention that I did a DIY. The negative comments that I get from people who have completely different tastes from mine are fine. If I look at your profile and like your style then I will give both your positive and negative comments more weight. Rude comments typically seem to always come from the same handful of actors, and their groupies, who have tunnel vision and are incapable of thinking outside the box. Unfortunately, many who fit that description also have "pro" status. When people see that they tend to jump on the wagon and sing the same tired song.

<The only two reasons I can think of for anyone to use a pro account is for automatic respect and clout (it works!) or to drum up business (that is a valid reason). >

I joined Houzz at work before it took over Gardenweb (where I already had a personal account from 2002) because I was interested in viewing photos, and at that time, I could not view photos without being a member. I wanted to make sure that a mirror design that I was working on was not something already in the market, and there was one on Houzz that was remotely similar.

When I joined, I filled out a questionnaire, and Houzz gave me a pro account, which I did not ask for, but that's what they gave me. To confirm my status as a pro, they called the accounting department where I was working and asked them a lot of questions about me, to confirm that what I had said in my application was true.

That's how I got a pro account, and it had nothing to do with trying to get automatic respect (since there were no forums at that time), and I knew nothing about drumming up business, since I was not in the marketing department.

Then when Houzz took over Gardenweb, I ended up with two accounts, and I used one at work and one at home. I've had very little interest in giving advice to anyone on the forums here because very few share my design aesthetics, and the furniture that I designed was not in the price range of most Gardenweb members, including me. Also, we sold only to the trade - not to end users, and we required a resale license for purchases, as we only sold wholesale.

Since I am now retired (since 2018), I no longer use my pro account, and I do not even remember how to log into it. The email account associated with it has been non-functional ever since I retired.

I don’t think that’s how it works anymore, Lars. I’m talking about current times.

With what you describe from back then, it’s totally understandable why you had a pro account.

Fori explained how to get a Pro account now. There appears to be no verification of anything.....which explains a lot.

Although I do love her septic knowledge. 😄 That will come in handy if I ever want to disconnect from municipal services.....

Sorry Jilly. I didn't mean to be nosy.

Tina, don’t apologize! You weren’t being nosy! ❤️

@Mrs. S "I have not noticed a pattern of posters ignoring amateurs and listening only to the pros." I think what happens a lot is there is a nice flow of suggestions and advice and one of the bully pros latches on like a dog with a bone and there is no room or opportunity for others to participate. Sometimes the OP is thrilled they are getting free pro advice and ceases discussion with any others.

There is one pro in particular who will post over and over, with each post only having one sentence, instead of doing a more thoughtful, inclusive post or editing to add to their original post. I think they must get some kind of badges/rewards for having so many posts so they do 20, when 2 would do. Others often just give up when it's being dominated like that. Those threads sometimes then evolve VERY quickly into a weird kind of intimate friendliness. Not like the intimacy or friendliness here of people who have long relationships, but weird, like too familiar too quickly. Kind of cringe.

I think I know who you mean, Oly.

🤗Right?🤗

Yup.

I've thought about registering as a "Pro" a couple times, but reconsidered.

Even tho' I've got evidence of 2 expensive Tinters that existed briefly together in my Paint Dep't.!!

My "Toy" on the right is the new Spring '21 COROB....$20,000 worth. On the Left, is the Fall 2006 COROB.....was $16,000 at that time. So.....I've made a lot of Paint for people in my 21 years! Had another COROB Tinter not pictured here, for the C2 line for years. The 2006 big D600 (Left), was the original C2 Tinter, which used all 16 Colorant Silos.

Faron

@Ally De, if it's yellow, let it mellow. If it's brown, flush it down.

That's the end of my prohood, for now.

Just as an example, and not a really great one, but I don't want to look for a better one, I ran across this post where only posts from "pros" received acknowledgment from the OP. And it's not because other posters' suggestions were inferior: https://www.houzz.com/discussions/6361443/black-granite-countertops-have-to-go#n=40 I think that if all who responded to the post had had PRO tags, the poster would have had so many more ideas to draw from...it saddens me to think that she has artificially limited herself due to a silly tag that any schmoe can assign to themself. bwahahahaha

But Faron, you actually ARE a pro and in a relevant field! That's not as funny! 😁

LOL Fori!

Oh yes.....I could DROWN you in all kinds of Paint nerdiness!

When I read your username too quickly.....THIS is where my "Mind" went....

Hey, I'll take it!

@Fori How could you possibly think @Faron79 is a pro when he doesn't even know that Simply White needs at least 8 coats to cover a white wall?

Oooooohhh JH! WICKED humor ..... I love it so!!! 🤪🤓

I knew I liked you!

Faron

Jilly, I do agree that it is very different now, but I wanted to explain how I ended up with a pro account, and some other pros may also have had my experience.

I'm sure that a lot of things changed very drastically after Houzz took over GW, but I do remember Houzz from before that happened.

When I first joined Houzz, it was not that easy, and I was screened for my credentials. I do not know whether they do that anymore. Other people became members when they bought from Houzz, but I was not interested in that.

Jilly, she couldn’t stand that the op was connecting with you (princess peacock) and jumped right back in as if they have an exclusive collaberation. It must be so hard for her!

Catch this one. Click on the name to get the page. There is no "pro'" designation, but I

bet that "Phoebe " is the star designer in ilinoy roc.

(4/6: Edited to add that both posts have been deleted.)

I like Phoebe. She's a pro like me! (except I spell better.) (I type poorly though!)