The Players Corner Archive

I do know some individuals that are petty enough and motivated by using the "power" they glean by being a GM. That has been proven time and time again. There is no debate there.

I think you hear a lot of complaints/axe grinding/whining etc is because of the severe lack of people skills and customer support.

Wouldn't it seem logical to educate and retain a customer instead of saying "don't like it? leave then." Yes! That would be called community building. Customer Experience purpose is community building yet I see so many in that department actually doing the opposite. They customer destroy. Their comments fuel the fires that propel all these complaints. Their policies are riddled with inconsistencies. The management let's it go for some reason.

Go read David Whatley's website and get a grasp on the innerworkings of the mind there. I don't think it would take a leap of logic to understand why Simutronics is the way it is.

I don't buy into the number of "favortism" complaints either. I truly think most of the staff don't. I have seen a few cases, but that is normal in this human world we live in.

I am willing to forgive and forget, but all it would take would be the same from the staff. They need to start afresh. They need to let go of personal grudges and prejudice.

I am sure some of you think I have the same. I truly don't think I do. I just hate when people deny what they have done. I don't make up scenarios. I only tell you all what I have seen first hand and not some recycled "so and so told me this or that".

The "truth is out there". Geesh I feel like I am watching the X Files. The truth is the human condition. The sad thing is that the internet severely hampers this condition so that we can see the gentle eyes and real people behind them.

That is simply all I have ever wanted from staff at Simutronics. Treat people like people. They are not characters. They live and breath just like you and I.

Hiway

reg

quote:

---

Wouldn't it seem logical to educate and retain a customer instead of saying "don't like it? leave then." Yes!

---

I think it depends on the customer. I'm sure everyone has seen or at least heard of one of those nightmare customers from hell in mall or fast food place. The ones that get stares from everyone around and can cause others to walk out.

Are those customers worth keeping? How about the ones that carefully check their burger to make sure that the minimum amount of ketchup shown in the picture is actually on their sandwhich, or they will stand their for half an hour demanding it come free?

Some customers really aren't worth keeping. Others, having been loyal and friendly customers for years, might get a break if they do it once.

The customer that leaves just before the police arrive once a month, if they step over the line, will swiftly be stomped on. The one who's been friendly and sweet for 5 years may get a concerned representitive.

Some aren't worth it. Some are. The trick is telling the difference.
reg

There is no trick. Treat people nicely and they will treat you the same back. Don't assume, don't read minds, don't insinuate. Just be nice.

I can't even begin to count the amount of backpeddling GM's do after they find out they are wrong. They never state it, and even when the customer is right they always make you feel wrong.

You coat the fact with sugar and say thank you please and welcome and they will still hold it against you for finding them erroneous.

Hiway reg

quote:

---

Originally posted by Hiway:
Treat people nicely and they will treat you the same back.

---

In a perfect world, that would be true. Unfortunately, sometimes no matter how nice you are to someone, they'll still jump on your back and accuse you of everything from satanism to racism if you don't give them exactly what they want. That's just how some people are.
reg

You can nicely ban someone even.

Hiway reg

quote:

---

Originally posted by Hiway:
Doesn't hurt to try it though NOI. It doesn't also hurt to just be nice to your customers. Nothing justifies treating them like dirt. You can nicely ban someone even

---

I've had some problems with feedback before, mostly because they used to take forever but they've never treated me like dirt. On the contrary, Daecir was nothing short of cordial and polite. I think diplomacy is the best you can do when someone is sending a really heated or moronic feedback. We've all seen some examples of heated ones (just glance back at the ones Edge posted). The responses weren't nearly that bad.

I've also been treated like a 12 year old kid before when I assisted. Was I annoyed? Yep, sure. I even filed a complaint through feedback. I bet some others filed complaints too against that Sage from the looks of these boards. I'm sure he was a nice person, but he was a lousy customer service rep. And now he works DEV, a big relief. So you see, our complaints are heard.. just not in the way you'd like them to be heard though.

Bianca reg

quote:

---

Originally posted by Hiway:
Doesn't hurt to try it though NOI. It doesn't also hurt to just be nice to your customers. Nothing justifies treating them like dirt.

You can nicely ban someone even.

Hiway

---

I've worked in the CS business since I was 16. And I'm damn good at it. I'm just saying that sometimes no matter how nice you are, it doesn't mean crap.

I'm not nice here because I don't have to be. You all are not my customers. <shrug>

And I do agree that there are some GS staff out there who need attitude checks. I've had an assist before where the attitude of the GH pissed me off hardcore. Some of them just aren't meant to be customer service reps.

But I don't believe there are any conspiracy theories or that any GM is "out to get me" or anyone else. Sorry, but I just don't think it's true. If you're a pain in the arse and you constantly cause problems.. then BIG SURPRISE you're going to get warnings and get locked out. I don't see why that's so unreasonable.

The thing is this: most people who are trouble-makers don't think that they are. So of course they think that everyone is out to get them and that they're being unfairly punished. reg

quote:

---

Originally posted by Specto:
I think it depends on the customer. I'm sure everyone has seen or at least heard of one of those nightmare customers from hell in mall or fast food place. The ones that get stares from everyone around and can cause others to walk out.

---

Enter the boulder crowd, the thieves<who i don't mind so much>, the item thieves,<who i do> the snerts, the pukes, the little trashbags of hate who have nothing to do but ruin everyone else's fun in the name of "But this is what _I_ like to do!!!"... but think of it another way... the place is full of them, and they drive out the other clean cut, somewhat cheery, 'normal' people who have been coming there for years...

quote:

---

Are those customers worth keeping?

---

quote:

---

How about the ones that carefully check their burger to make sure that the minimum amount of ketchup shown in the picture is actually on their sandwhich, or they will stand their for half an hour demanding it come free?

---

I'm at a loss as to how i can make this fit into the GS equation, heh, i'll pass...

quote:

---

Some customers really aren't worth keeping. Others, having been loyal and friendly customers for years, might get a break if they do it once.

---

It's the other way around really... those who have been loyal for years are the ones weeded out, IF they don't pay more... These new people try the game, quickly get hooked, quickly go premium or plat, and are quickly favored, immagine if mcdonalds had a big mac... and for 3 times the cost... a big, juicy, mouthwatering bigmac that looks JUST like the one in the picture, and EVERYONE bought that one (90 percent anyway) and you come in, asking for the same normal bigmac you've been ordering for years...

Eventually they'll make that thing taste so horrible, you'll either pay for the good one, or leave, <or complain> and that is when you're told 'leave, we won't miss you' because it's true... 10 bucks isn't much, compared to the people getting raped for 'premium' services.

quote:

---

The customer that leaves just before the police arrive once a month, if they step over the line, will swiftly be stomped on. The one who's been friendly and sweet for 5 years may get a concerned representitive.

Some aren't worth it. Some are. The trick is telling the difference.

---

Same thing... those who pay more, are worth more, no matter what... Remember when plat came out? and it was said how those who applied for it now, would be 'guaranteed this low price for at LEAST 2 years'... i forget how long ago that was, maybe it was 2 years or so, and they decided to reorganize the structure...

They could've charged more, and i'm sure the plat players would've paid... or they could charge a lot less, and think about it... The plat players already have established 'elders', they have their own little caste system... And now they have to pay less for it!... Sure, some might be mad that all these 'new' people will be coming in.
But soon, their established dominance will win over, and they'll be happy, since they pay less for what they enjoy..

Look at the new players... especially the premies.. An extra 10 bucks, and i get to try out this nifty 'plat' stuff!... Oh boy! I like it!... Encourages them to tell their friends, more stay, more play... just be nice to the elders so they don't kick your ass, no slapping or being snerty to them... everything will be fine!... So they are happy too..

And $imu rakes in the money, smiling all the way, and those with enough money to pay for it are happy.

It's kind of like... it's kind of like... god, i don't know how to describe it... It's like having drunken monkeys on acid hanging off the ceiling... no wait, that was denis leary on children... It's like there's a caste system, just like real life..

Us 'poor' players, or those who refuse to pay, are kept in ghettos, and treated like dirt <basic>
Those 'poor' people, who've struggled a little harder, and can pay more, are afforded certain benefits, places above the lower people, and a friendlier staff <premium>
And those on top of the pile, reap maximum benefits, pay maximum fees, and enjoy it all the same, because they are placed ABOVE everyone else <platinum>

The only thing that truly saddens me, is that any of these people could have their 'priceless' addiction sucked away in a heartbeat, and dangled in front of them like a heroin addict and a hypodermic....

Enough ranting... but does anyone else think that if this was a public company, 'we the people' wouldn't have staged an uprising, or maybe a few rich people, and taken the place over for everyone else?

think about it...

[Edit for several mistakes, first time spacing out quotes and stuff]

[This message has been edited by Urgoyle (edited 12-13-2001).] reg

So you get all flavors of upset because you think they're out to get you - and you post here, and everyone thinks you're a total whacko moron with no life...when in fact, they ARE out to get you! It was all planned the day your parents created you in your mother's womb! Long before that actually, they had to pick the parents first, and they arranged for yours to meet and have sex.

Feels good knowing the real truth about things don't it? All better now? Good!

Now can we PLEASE find something more interesting to gripe about? This whole conspiracy thing is getting very old, and you're all boring me, and I come here to be entertained. That's your job. Just ask those blue winged demons next time you notice one on your shoulder.

R
reg

Or ordering us 'to entertain you' since 'it's our job'...

Says right next to your name 'Representative'...

Why don't you go moderate some board or something, and stop griping about us? That's your job, we come here to talk amongst ourselves, and that's what we do. reg

Everyone can settle down now. Here's a nice cool ginger ale for you Roberta.

I will repeat. I do not think there is any sort of conspiracy.

Hiway reg

I think Roberta thinks she was being funny.

That's just a guess.

CrystalTears brought up a good point that I repeated in another topic about this. High Matintenance Customers and Consipiracy Theory pretty much go hand in hand.

So yes, if you cause waves, there ARE GMs and SIMUTRONICS staff that will make your life miserable. Here's the important part of that:

***Even if you don't think you were doing anything wrong***

All that has to happen, is you get on the WRONG GMs bad side...

So its not like people say "Hey, I think I'll be a troublemaker today for the hell of it and see what Simutronics will do to me"...They make a post that voices their opinion, even a bad one about how they run their business, and they are instantly the devil...

That is where that customer/addict line is broken. They don't listen to opinions that are not glorifying them in the 'highest'...They scold those people that dish out grief...they do not see the actions/opinions of players for what they are and not what they perceive them as..

Sorry if this is terribly boring to talk about, but if just ONE staff member bothers to see a real hard-core thought on how they run their business, it helps.

reg

"In certain situations, the overall pattern of behavior on an account or a set of linked
accounts may be determined to be disruptive or abusive, even if no one single act clearly violates any specific policy. In such cases, Simutronics reserves the right to determine what patterns of behavior are defined as "high-maintenance" or "disruptive" and may take action against the account(s), ranging from a simple request to moderate the high-maintenance behavior, to total lockout of all linked accounts."

So if one day you decide to scroll in the town central, then the next day you spam on their bulletin boards, then the next day you start swearing in the middle of a hunt, and then after that you flame someone on the boards, you start becoming their HMC flavor of the month and they keep their eyes on your every move.

So yes, "conspiracy theory" and high-maintenance go hand in hand. You do enough little annoying things in the name of Simu and you're gonna get picked on. reg

quote:

---

Originally posted by CrystalTears:
Taken from their Terms and Conditions policy.

"In certain situations, the overall pattern of behavior on an account or a set of linked
accounts may be determined to be disruptive or abusive, even if no one single act clearly violates any specific policy. In such cases, Simutronics reserves the right to determine what patterns of behavior are defined as "high-maintenance" or "disruptive" and may take action against the account(s), ranging from a simple request to moderate the high-maintenance behavior, to total lockout of all linked accounts."

So if one day you decide to scroll in the town central, then the next day you spam on their bulletin boards, then the next day you start swearing in the middle of a hunt, and then after that you flame someone on the boards, you start becoming their HMC flavor of the month and they keep their eyes on your every move.

So yes, "conspiracy theory" and high-maintenance go hand in hand. You do enough little annoying things in the name of Simu and you're gonna get picked on.

---

I bet this includes behavior in other products as well. Once marked as a problem in one product, someone has to know about this or connect the dots when you become a problem in another.

~ S.D. ~
reg

And if you feel one GM is being unfair, write to feedback about it or the product manager. But the key is to write a polite letter with all the facts. All too often people write about their lockouts and they are rude, obnoxious and leave out all the things that put them in a bad light. I see it all over the boards here and I've seen it on the official boards. Usually the truth seems to come out eventually. You might not get a response, but enough bad feedback on a particular GM with proof of their behavior WILL make a difference. reg

Write a mean and nasty complaint letter about how a staff member pisses you off, get a polite 'well, we're sorry you feel this way' autoreply, and a mark on your record, and the GM probably sees the letter...

Write a friendly, concise, well thought out complaint.... watch it be forwarded to the recycle bin so fast yer eyes will spin.... It seems they only really RESPOND to the nasty letters, so they can say 'Well, look how nice we were to this guy, and he was a total dick!' in the future, if you make good points, you almost never get a reply..

Or if you do write out a long, and thought out letter to feedback, with maybe, oh, 4-6 questions in it... you wait 2 weeks for a reply, and the absolute lowliest question on order of importance is answered, usually in a 1-5 word sentence... 'no' 'it's not that way' 'yes' 'perhaps in the future' 'we'll think about it' etc. etc.

reg

quote:

---

Originally posted by Urgoyle:
Feedback seems to work like this... now for all your friggin' nitpickers <or rather, just 'R'>, it might be different... but this is how it LOOKS...

Write a mean and nasty complaint letter about how a staff member pisses you off, get a polite 'well, we're sorry you feel this way' autoreply, and a mark on your record, and the GM probably sees the letter...

Write a friendly, concise, well thought out complaint.... watch it be forwarded to the recycle bin so fast yer eyes will spin.... It seems they only really RESPOND to the nasty letters, so they can say 'Well, look how nice we were to this guy, and he was a total dick!' in the future, if you make good points, you almost never get a reply..

Or if you do write out a long, and thought out letter to feedback, with maybe, oh, 4-6 questions in it... you wait 2 weeks for a reply, and the absolute lowliest question on order of importance is answered, usually in a 1-5 word sentence... 'no' 'it's not that way' 'yes' 'perhaps in the future' 'we'll think about it' etc. etc.

---

I haven't written feedback that often and when I did, I never got a response. Just because they didn't respond to me doesn't mean that nothing was done. If fifty people write negative feedback about a certain GM, they're not going to ignore it.

I do know that there's a new guy in feedback since August I believe (he posted on the boards about it) and he's seriously trying to turn it around and get rid of the "black hole" reputation that feedback has. reg