Am I out of line here?

Okay, so I had a student request me, and I accepted. I sent a welcoming message, briefly explaining how the mentor program worked, and asking them if they currently had any products that they could review. I got a reply back stating that, yes, this student had quite a few items that they already owned, and could review, but they wanted to know about getting free products.

I wrote back, explaining that I don't like to offer push assignments, especially to students that already have things that they could review. I explained that graduating the mentor program would promote the student to an advanced reviewer, and that they'd be able to select a monthly free assignment (as well as buyout assignments) at that time.

I got back a response which.. well, I don't want to share it directly here, but the response was more or less very angry about the fact that I would not do a push assignment for this student that already said they had items to review.

So... am I out of line for not doing push assignments in cases like this?

I hate offering push assignments. I find that it's a real hassle to find a product that's eligible for a push assignment, and I would feel terrible if a student bailed before completing their assignment. less

It depends. Are their items in the realm of a more difficult item to review? I have had that happen with my students--or items I am not familiar with at all, so we find other items that I can guide them about in the proper review form. If they have items but only want a free item--then we discuss the benefits versus the additional time and effort factors. I will also make them choose an available item, this often changes their mind or at least gives THEM the experience prior to graduating. less

Many people have come to associate the mentor program with free assignments. If you do not plan on offering free assignments, I would state that clearly in your mentor profile so that prospective students are aware before requesting you as a mentor. Personally, I feel that we're here as mentors to help students and part of that is sometimes helping them pick an appropriate item for them to review. And worrying about whether or not a student bails on an assignment is not our concern. Yes it bothers me too, but it's up to EF to deal with it. If it becomes a problem, EF can change the mentor program. less

A lot of my issue with the push assignment is that they can be really difficult to find. I spent literally hours one day searching for a product that was eligible for a push assignment for a student who had no items to review. In the end, I couldn't find anything, and I told the student to take a look on her own and see what she could come across. The student then spent awhile looking. Finally, that student decided to just purchase her own items --- and I helped her pick out ones that were suitable to her needs. less

I generally give students the assignment parameters and ask them to look first. I help if they have questions or have difficulty. I agree, it's not an easy task but to me it's part of what being a mentor is about. It also helps to teach students about relative costs for toys and gives them an opportunity to try things that they might otherwise not want to spend their own money on. As I suggested, if you feel it takes you an inordinate amount of time, simply state in your profile that you do not offer free assignments and this will no longer be an issue. But to not offer it simply because a student already owns items doesn't seem completely fair to the student either. less

Okay, so I had a student request me, and I accepted. I sent a welcoming message, briefly explaining how the mentor program worked, and asking them if they currently had any products that they could review. I got a reply back stating that, yes, this student had quite a few items that they already owned, and could review, but they wanted to know about getting free products.

I wrote back, explaining that I don't like to offer push assignments, especially to students that already have things that they could review. I explained that graduating the mentor program would promote the student to an advanced reviewer, and that they'd be able to select a monthly free assignment (as well as buyout assignments) at that time.

I got back a response which.. well, I don't want to share it directly here, but the response was more or less very angry about the fact that I would not do a push assignment for this student that already said they had items to review.

So... am I out of line for not doing push assignments in cases like this?

I hate offering push assignments. I find that it's a real hassle to find a product that's eligible for a push assignment, and I would feel terrible if a student bailed before completing their assignment. less

Okay, so I had a student request me, and I accepted. I sent a welcoming message, briefly explaining how the mentor program worked, and asking them if they currently had any products that they could review. I got a reply back stating that, yes, this student had quite a few items that they already owned, and could review, but they wanted to know about getting free products.

I wrote back, explaining that I don't like to offer push assignments, especially to students that already have things that they could review. I explained that graduating the mentor program would promote the student to an advanced reviewer, and that they'd be able to select a monthly free assignment (as well as buyout assignments) at that time.

I got back a response which.. well, I don't want to share it directly here, but the response was more or less very angry about the fact that I would not do a push assignment for this student that already said they had items to review.

So... am I out of line for not doing push assignments in cases like this?

I hate offering push assignments. I find that it's a real hassle to find a product that's eligible for a push assignment, and I would feel terrible if a student bailed before completing their assignment. less

Okay, so I had a student request me, and I accepted. I sent a welcoming message, briefly explaining how the mentor program worked, and asking them if they currently had any products that they could review. I got a reply back stating that, yes, this student had quite a few items that they already owned, and could review, but they wanted to know about getting free products.

I wrote back, explaining that I don't like to offer push assignments, especially to students that already have things that they could review. I explained that graduating the mentor program would promote the student to an advanced reviewer, and that they'd be able to select a monthly free assignment (as well as buyout assignments) at that time.

I got back a response which.. well, I don't want to share it directly here, but the response was more or less very angry about the fact that I would not do a push assignment for this student that already said they had items to review.

So... am I out of line for not doing push assignments in cases like this?

I hate offering push assignments. I find that it's a real hassle to find a product that's eligible for a push assignment, and I would feel terrible if a student bailed before completing their assignment. less

While we allow mentors to teach their students as they see fit, there is one part of the program that remains a constant: offering push assignments.

It's a show of goodwill on Eden's part and the mentor should welcome the opportunity to show off just how great the program really is. By trusting new users and showing them how things work, we develop a tighter-knit community of people who are invested in Eden.

If a student runs off with a product, the assignment is still active. They won't be able to request anything else until it's completed.

It's only fair right? If you are on the forum or reading blogs about EF, the word "free" can be found frequently when referencing the review program. Why wouldn't someone ask about it? Why wouldn't someone want to take advantage of that?

Just because they asked about the push assignments doesn't mean they intend to leave Eden high and dry and assuming such is not very friendly or welcoming.

All mentors should be willing to offer push assignments. less

While we allow mentors to teach their students as they see fit, there is one part of the program that remains a constant: offering push assignments.

It's a show of goodwill on Eden's part and the mentor should welcome the opportunity to show off just how great the program really is. By trusting new users and showing them how things work, we develop a tighter-knit community of people who are invested in Eden.

If a student runs off with a product, the assignment is still active. They won't be able to request anything else until it's completed.

It's only fair right? If you are on the forum or reading blogs about EF, the word "free" can be found frequently when referencing the review program. Why wouldn't someone ask about it? Why wouldn't someone want to take advantage of that?

Just because they asked about the push assignments doesn't mean they intend to leave Eden high and dry and assuming such is not very friendly or welcoming.

All mentors should be willing to offer push assignments. less

I'm not sure how I feel about this. What Stormy said makes a lot of sense as far as push assignments being a gesture of goodwill on Eden's part. I also understand the OP's frustration spending a lot of time looking for available items. I think ultimately Mentors should follow Eden's guidelines for the program, and if that requires that push assignments be allowed, I think they should go along with that. less