New OPs answering their own questions

Question

Edit: Nevermind. This was a newbie question based on misunderstanding how the site works. Skip to the last edit at the bottom for clarification.

Much of the time, new OPs leave a question, get a hint in a comment or discover the answer on their own, and then never return. Those questions litter the unanswered questions pool. However, I have come across a number of questions where a new OP asked a good question, then discovered a good answer on their own and made the effort to close the loop by posting their solution. However, they lacked the rep to do it formally, so they had to leave it as a comment or embed the answer in the question, itself. These end up as bloat in the unanswered question pool unnecessarily. I think it would be good to encourage new posters to come back with an answer when they are able and willing to do so (it's win-win).

So my question is about the best way to get their answer into an answer. My understanding is that you don't gain any rep from accepting your own answer but you could benefit from any upvotes the answer receives. If that is correct, then a solution where someone else moves the information into an answer would not help the OP jump-start their rep.

I've seen some posts here about how easy it is to gain 15 points so it isn't a hurdle. That misses the point in this case. That encourages the situation where the question remains apparently unanswered until some future time when the OP will come back to it and clean it up, which might never happen.

If the OP has provided a good answer in the wrong place, it doesn't seem right for a scavenger to spend a few seconds moving it and then reap the rewards for the answer. It also shouldn't be a burden on someone in a moderator role to have to do all the cleanup work.

Is there a mechanism whereby a new OP can have their answer moved into an answer and get the credit for any upvotes? Can another user do that on their behalf? For those concerned about the 15 rep threshold, put any upvotes in the bank until the OP acquires 15 points by conventional means.

Edit: Right after writing this question, I saw that the example which triggered my question seemed to have a magical solution. Someone with 11 rep posted the answer to their own question. Is there an existing mechanism whereby a new OP can post an answer and it gets reviewed and approved for inclusion similar to edits made by someone with under 2K rep?

Edit: I asked this question when I was a relative newcomer on the site and apparently misunderstood the rep requirements. I would delete this question except Robotnik posted an answer with good advice. To set the record straight, users with any rep can post an answer. The 15 rep requirement is just to use the "answer your own question" button, which facilitates posting the question and answer concurrently. Nothing prevents a new questioner from posting an answer if they choose to, and the problem of questioners posting answers in the wrong place is a matter of educating them (and Robotnik's answer covers that).

Answer 1

Here's what I do:

1. Leave a comment on the question. The OP is notified automatically, and you can @name one additional commenter to notify. Usually I say something like this:

Hi <name>, good to see you found a solution to your problem! If you wish, you can add it as an answer yourself. This way it helps future visitors to your question. Plus, you might earn some more rep points!

Or if it is a commenter:

Hi @<name>, the OP has confirmed that your suggestion has worked for them. Would you care to add it as an answer?

2. Add a Community Wiki answer. This way the question counts as answered (assuming one upvote), and you don't earn rep on it. Something like:

According to the OP/commenters this is what worked:

You have to blarg the snagglebeast BEFORE entering the temple. Otherwise it's too powerful.

3. Add your own answer. If you think there is more info needed than what the OP or commenters have said, add it yourself and embellish on their findings:

According to the OP/commenters, you have to blarg the snagglebeast BEFORE entering the temple. Otherwise it's too powerful.

The easiest way to accomplish this is to wait until nightfall. the Snagglebeast can't see in the dark.