Wow, I Want to Be in This Business
Chuckoblog has the details on how you, too, can rake in $120 million a month and provide zero customer service.
A few years ago, this collection of scam artists company started charging monthly fees for access. They started at $5; and now it’s $15. Please don’t tell me the economy isn’t good when 8 million people can throw $180 a year at an online video game.
what is it they say again about a fool and his money? not so sure about the broader economic implications though…
anybody need a secret cloak?…cheap
Comment by Eric — January 21, 2007 @ 8:01 pm
While the loss is regretable, the fact that “his friend” (oh, how often I read that on the boards) was using a plug-in/add-on opened himself up to the problem. This is nothing new back in the days of Ever
crackQuest, there were continual reports of people having things hacked due to third party add-ons…some of which were “OK” by EQ’s point of view. As an ancient player…add-ons have proven to be trouble … let the USER beware. And, if you read the terms and conditions (that you have to agree to at the beginning of each session) if the problem comes from an add-on … you my friend are SOL…so to speak! ….Comment by WD — January 22, 2007 @ 4:46 pm
#2, I don’t disagree with what you said. What I don’t get is the deliberate non-repsonsiveness of a company raking in 120 mil a month.
Comment by TBlumer — January 22, 2007 @ 5:29 pm
TBlumer: I somewhat agree with your assesment of non-responsiveness. The letter his “friend” received is a far cry from the early Sony (Everquest)letters that basically said “Gee, dummy-your fault. I think (for what it’s worth) there’s a level of checking that was done. To go futher a lot of logs would have to be opened, etc. My suggestion to anyone in this situation (and one of my WoW guildmates had a similar problem) is to NOT give up. Go back with a rational re-statement of the problem and keep at it. Don’t threaten (having 10 friends ready to quit will not help at all), but keep plugging away at the issues. Any player at level 57 is bound to have screen shots, etc…that can prove what WAS there. The first letters received may be the infamous “cut and paste” but eventually they will dig deeper into what happened. With the number of letters they receive (many of which are, frankly, frauds) - it is up to the player to continue to push.
I look at it as no different than dealing with (cellphone company who shall not be named) trying to get out of the contract because THEY changed the rules.
Having said all that … let me say this - I find your blog an essential part of my day!! Bravo!!!
Comment by WD — January 22, 2007 @ 6:10 pm
#4, Good thoughts on handle the situation, and appreciate the nice words.
Comment by TBlumer — January 22, 2007 @ 9:33 pm
WD, those are indeed good suggestions, and my friend understands that as a result of using the addons, or being infiltrated bye a keylogger, he is SOL. The point of my post was not indignant self or “friend” pity (please explain the use of quotes around my friend), but that a company which pulls in that much money every month should be able to provide at least “adequate” customer service. This form letter could have been provided approximately 1 minute after his trouble ticket was submitted. Instead, it took months, and he received an advertisement for the expansion in his “screw you” form letter.
Comment by Chucko — January 24, 2007 @ 1:13 pm
BTW, not many players that I know, and I know quite a few, take screenshots of their inventory and gear “just in case.”
I played EQ as well… WoW is definitely an improvement on that POS! :)
Comment by Chucko — January 24, 2007 @ 1:18 pm
Chucko ~
You are right. I was headed down my own wrong bear trail, and missed where YOU were going with your comments. And, I have to agree that inc “tacky” (to say the least!). Now the problem becomes how to personalize what is acknowledged as a customer service problem.
He should continue to push them … as has been shown before, they only push back so long. Yes, it’s a pain, but I think the end result might be worth it. When that new German law takes effect banning violent games (even PLAYING them is a punishable offence) Blizzard will lose a chunk of players and will need to work harder at keeping the ones they have …right? (probably not :(
I didn’t know any players either that took pictures “just in case” … but almost eveyone I knew (myself included ((blush)) had brag pics for emails and such … One in my guild continually sent them to his Mother and Grandmother… I’m not even going to start with what THAT says ….
Comment by WD — January 24, 2007 @ 3:49 pm
Hehehehe… very nice! I do have screens, mostly of boss kills and memorable moments. Unfortunately, not so much of gear, as I hadn’t geared up to the point where I would be able to brag. :)
There’s a German law going into effect banning violent games? That is truly amazing.
Anyway, sparing BizzyBlog a lengthy discussion on WoW and it’s finer and lesser points, thanks for responding and take care!
Comment by Chucko — January 25, 2007 @ 9:15 am
Here’s an article in the same vein from Curse Gaming, one of the largest addon sites. Just a little something to chew on.
Comment by Chucko — January 25, 2007 @ 11:03 am