It is a new system...give it time. I assume you can go back to a post and give rep points?
There have been more than a few posts in the past that I have thought, what a great post but didn't want to reply in a thread because it was just something I was reading up on but there are alot of people on here that will appreciate the advice and show it by applying a rep point rather than a post saying thanks.
The person that posts up will know that their advice was appreciated at least.