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The Nextdoor App - thoughts? ?

(135 Posts)
FannyCornforth Fri 25-Feb-22 06:30:20

Hello
Yesterday I downloaded the Nextdoor app, and did all the necessary doings.

It’s not the first time I’ve done it; the previous time it mildly freaked me out and I deleted it.

I feel quite uncomfortable with my full name being on show; and I’ve been inundated by men (only men) wanting to ‘connect’.

I’ve had a pleasant chat with a lady regarding my need for a cleaner, so that’s one positive.

What are your experiences with Nextdoor?
Thank you smilebrew

tanith Fri 25-Feb-22 07:07:01

I’ve been on Nextdoor for quite a while and found no problems . Nobody has tried to message me apart from a lady who bought an ebike I was selling. It’s great for local information. I think you can join using just your first name and an initial of your surname.

FannyCornforth Fri 25-Feb-22 07:14:29

Thank you tanith
I will see if I can alter my name.
Perhaps I live in a strange area!
Actually, some of the places nearby are rather strange

Charleygirl5 Fri 25-Feb-22 07:15:18

I find it useful for local tradesmen and to date only one has let me down.
I just remove the names from connect and to date only one has hassled me but he soon got the message.

Oldwoman70 Fri 25-Feb-22 07:43:27

I was put off joining when I realised not only my name would be seen but also my address! Has that changed now?

FannyCornforth Fri 25-Feb-22 07:44:57

What?! My address!
Thanks Oldwoman, I’m off to have another look now shock

tanith Fri 25-Feb-22 07:45:16

It does show your local area but never an address as far as I know.

Casdon Fri 25-Feb-22 07:52:10

I’m on it, your address is never shown, and it’s not linked to other accounts you hold. I find it useful. I just checked mine, the latest post is from Ofgen to tell you how to avoid scams from bogus energy companies.

Serendipity22 Fri 25-Feb-22 07:54:44

What is*Nextdoor App*. Ive not heard of this

smile

DiscoDancer1975 Fri 25-Feb-22 08:09:26

Serendipity22

What is*Nextdoor App*. Ive not heard of this

smile

Me neither....

Grandmadinosaur Fri 25-Feb-22 08:10:51

I’m on it. It just shows your local area. I’ve had no problems. Have successfully used it to get rid of furniture items.

Casdon Fri 25-Feb-22 08:19:09

It’s an app, for neighbourhoods (you only join your own) where you can get local tips for tradesmen etc., buy and sell items, and keep informed about local issues. It’s good if there are bad things happening because you find out quickly (eg sheds being broken into) and can prepare. It’s not a gossip site, it’s all practical information, on mine anyway.

Happygirl79 Fri 25-Feb-22 08:21:38

I fi d the app very useful
Neighbours can alert each other to any local scam merchants operating in the area for one thing

Doodledog Fri 25-Feb-22 08:27:24

Why does it matter if your real name is used? That’s to stop troll posts, I assume.

I downloaded it ages ago but deleted it son after. It’s all ads for things I don’t want (ultrasound service for pregnant cats, anyone?), or people saying ‘Hi, thanks for letting me join!’ which say nothing and clog up my inbox.

I also worry that it attracts people who don’t know how to keep themselves safe online. There are posts like ‘My name is Sylvia and I’m 87. When Stan, my husband, died in 2015 I moved to High Street, where I now live with my cat, Tiddles in the house with the blue door. I’d love to connect with people as I get a bit lonely on my own.’ Scary.

Any useful information is posted on the local Facebook page (found purses, lost dogs, recommendations for plumbers and so on), but in my experience NextDoor is pointless and open to abuse. For some reason people seem to think that it’s safer than other social media because it’s local but it’s really not.

BlueBelle Fri 25-Feb-22 08:27:37

I removed my account very quickly a long time ago for all the reasons already stated I don’t want my name and address out there I live in an area where I m known and I don’t want any small clues to give things away I too find often with these sites you get men messaging you had it happen a lot

I get all my local information good and bad on Fb ( local sites) without my name address etc being out there I know when there are fires/accidents crimes etc as well as events and other local happenings I also buy and sell on Fb selling sites with no problems except sometime people not turning up but that would happen any way
I feel much much safer

Scribbles Fri 25-Feb-22 08:29:50

I used to be on Streetlife and found it useful until they sold out to Nextdoor. Nextdoor insisted SL members re-register and full names and street addresses including house number were shown on screen. I promptly deregistered and haven't been back.
A couple of people I know who stayed with it tell me that ND management fairly quickly backed down over house numbers and only the street name was displayed and, more recently, added the option to display your first name with the first letter of the surname .
Apparently, Nextdoor are American and management were taken by surprise over how much more privacy conscious we Brits are compared to the average US-ian!

BlueBelle Fri 25-Feb-22 08:31:08

Next door has bed. Going for years serendipity it started off owned here but I believed it changed some years ago to an America ownership not sure if it’s still that
I won’t touch it with a barge pole although ithink if you live in a safe area where you know all your neighbours or a village it’s probably ok but I live in an area that has multi occupancy in parts and is described as deprived whatever that means

nadateturbe Fri 25-Feb-22 08:31:21

I am in our local Nextdoor. I only show my first name and no photo. Ours is very good for help in selling, finding tradespeople, offering help and advice and also making friends - walking, craft groups etc.

BlueBelle Fri 25-Feb-22 08:32:47

Sorry scribbles you post wasn’t there when I posted I said much the same as you

FannyCornforth Fri 25-Feb-22 08:37:32

Doodledog the reason that I’m not keen on my full name being on show is because I’m an ex-teacher, and kids love finding this sort of thing
In addition, I’m actually quite vulnerable myself as is my husband.

Also, in the past, a very dodgy neighbour used my husband’s business details and our address to open a credit account.

FannyCornforth Fri 25-Feb-22 08:40:14

I’m trying to edit my name, but I don’t know my password and even though I have successfully set one, it won’t accept it.
I’m a whisker away from deleting the app!

Sara1954 Fri 25-Feb-22 08:46:25

I don’t like it, there isn’t any anonymity as far as I can see.
I had a dreadful interfering woman ring me up because she reckoned our cat looked malnourished!
She made me feel awful, I thought afterwards, I should have given her the vets number, so that she could asked them if he was malnourished!
Bloody interfering old bag!

TerriBull Fri 25-Feb-22 08:47:35

I signed up for it when we moved, but haven't put out any personal details. I do read some of the posts which often come across as caring and helpful so in principle it sounds quite a good idea. I quite understand the caution up thread, I'm like that too, I'm held back by being naturally cautious in not wanting to reveal anything much about myself on public forum.

Serendipity22 Fri 25-Feb-22 08:48:00

Ahhh i see now, thank you. I use something similar but its through Facebook, regarding our village. Ppl post all manner of posts and sell items or give things away. I have given items away before i have taken them to the charity shop.

Its really excellent for posting about roads closes, burglary, accidents incidènts, items for sale, items free blah blah blah.

smilesmilesmile

LadyGracie Fri 25-Feb-22 08:48:05

I used my maiden name and short version of my Christian name. Only the local area is shown as my address.
I’ve used it so far to find reputable builders, to find a lost cat, to join a local womens circle and generally just to read about things happening in the local area.
I’ve only had one request to connect and ignored it.