<comicallymissesthepoint>Wow, they had specialist games nights?</comicallymissesthepoint>Originally Posted by Xarius
In any case, I don't agree with his behaviour and while I think reporting it might be a little extreme, it certainly seems like another reason to not go back to the store if all if your "I'm busy, could do without being judged about being tight for cash and my mates aren't really into it any more" message got that response.
Nah, I wouldn't worry about it mate. Doesn't seem to really be that bad, just someone who could elarn a thing or two about contacting people/customers on the internet, particularly when he's representing a company.
The one thing I don't get is the number of times he claims that you're "complaining" about this and that. He's the one who contacted you, asked for a reason, then kept pushing the subject.
Oops, read the rest of my post buddy. What I was trying to say (and failing, it seems!) is that it's not a new idea in an essential services/products industry (like in my own given example), but kind of odd when the product in question is a "luxury". A hobby. I would feel weird if a movie theatre with my contact details, for instance, asked why I haven't seen any movies for ages, but if I were a builder who bought timber every day from a trade centre as per my own job, then stopped, I wouldn't find it odd.
And a soft drink that can turn you into a Largazoid?
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depends how you read it I guess, It looks more like the following to me.
"Hey I know you well enough to have your Facebook so thought I'd make a light hearted comment asking why we haven't seen you?"
"because your store is crap"
"I disagree. and i take offense to that when we put a fair bit of effort in to it"
"stop harassing me man!"
Well, I found him not particularly angry either. You were honest, and people tend to take this harsh. Seriously, I'm a man who always states his honest opinion, not something wrapped in bubblewrap or coated in sugar, and even people you believed that they could stand a personal opinion often cannot.
You mentioned disliking the pressure to buy, this isvery ambiguous since they are indoctrinated to sell stuff to you, quite aggressively. Similarly the comment on selling stuff to kids, it is their business model and while you have good reason to dislike (so do I), he might be the wrong person to hear this.
Stating that you dislike the atmosphere, because it was awful is honest (Like I said, I would've done the same probably) but of course he is one of the people who creates this atmosphere. It's like saying to Dave Grohl: "Hey Dave! Foo Fighter's last album sucked hard, but you're a great man nevertheless!" ... He would be offended most likely, and this staffer had a similar experience with your message, I'd assume.
I do not know this store, but the amount of events sounds quite good, heck even a Specialist Games night! As he seems to be the organizer and you're basically saying that playing there sucks (again, I can fully understand you, I'd never play in a GW either) and the events are meh... well, apply the Foo Fighter example once more, he is quite likely to be offended by that.
He also says in the very end that the store failed, so I guess he and the other staff members got pressure from higher places to sell more, because they didn't reach their target amount. Hearing that neither you nor any of your group are going to this GW store anymore, for which reasons whatsoever, doesn't brighten that of course.
After all, it reads a bit unfortunate, from both parties. But I have to say I understand his reaction (mostly, because I had a friend who got freakingly angry and unreasonable when I asked him if he thinks before he opens his mouth (the answer was really obvious, he even shouted it at me in rage 2 minutes later)), it fits my experiences quite well.
Last edited by Morkash; 01-03-2012 at 10:40. Reason: Grammar. Lots o' grammar.
Look upon us and Despair, for we are the End, the Decay of all things, the horror of rot and the blessing of plague.
In any sort of circumstance, as a representative of a company they should not engage in communication with customers in such a manner. It's very unprofessional. Period.
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Seems like he took things a little bit personal.
I feel sorry for the poor GW bloke. Your messages to him were quite hurtful. Consider the fact that, as he works for GW, all criticism of GW the company and the shop would be taken as criticism of him too. You basically told him you have huge problems with him, your group no longer want to be around him, you think he is pushy, you think he creates an awful atmosphere and he's just not cool anymore. No wonder he reacted the way he did. You could report him, but that would be somewhat spiteful.
Last edited by ted1138; 01-03-2012 at 12:42.
I disagree. Why on earth should he take personal offence if you say something about the company. I told a mate who works at tesco I think it's horrible how they put smaller business out of competition, guess what? We're still mates, he laughed and agreed, but what can you do?
Criticism of his store, however is a different thing, but still, he should have asked why the OP felt that way, and could have disagreed, corrected and took on board any genuine criticism. I know he'd have to be incredibly patient to do all 3, but a small example "Yar, don't like the way it's run anymore, we cant game on saturdays" reply "Oh really? that ..... was a one off, you're more than welcome to come down most saturdays and game. Hell, bring a friend, its a bit quiet at the moment and we miss you." to which the OP could say "Oh, awesome, cheers." or "I dont know, but I'll see what people are up to."
As it is, it went more like this:
"Hai hater, y u no lyke us no more?"
"reasons, blah blah blah, mentions store and company, fairly civil tone."
"wtf, thou shalt not offend GEE DUBZ gaarrrggghhh".
If I was the OP, I really wouldnt be worried about some comments off a guy on £12k a year :/
Well that is because that is how GW works, you are brain washed to think you are part of the company and by extension any criticism is taken personally by the staffI disagree. Why on earth should he take personal offence if you say something about the company. I told a mate who works at tesco I think it's horrible how they put smaller business out of competition, guess what? We're still mates, he laughed and agreed, but what can you do?
Criticism of his store, however is a different thing, but still, he should have asked why the OP felt that way, and could have disagreed, corrected and took on board any genuine criticism. I know he'd have to be incredibly patient to do all 3, but a small example "Yar, don't like the way it's run anymore, we cant game on saturdays
As it is, it went more like this:
"Hai hater, y u no lyke us no more?"
"reasons, blah blah blah, mentions store and company, fairly civil tone."
"wtf, thou shalt not offend GEE DUBZ gaarrrggghhh".
If I was the OP, I really wouldnt be worried about some comments off a guy on £12k a year :/
"You have respect, you don't lose your teeth" - Wanderlei "The Axemurderer" Silva
I know that... I was just wondering why a third party, another player, felt the need to make this assumption aswell
I would say more so that because he combines his hobby with work, he actually takes pride in what he does. A tesco employee, for example, will not care if you like his store or not. A GW employee will be invested in where he works and be upset when you say you don't like it.
Its not brainwashing to want to do a good job.
Except, as mentioned several times, they weren't facebook friends. All you need to find and message someone on facebook is their name. A nonfacebook friend aquantince randomly contacting him and openeing with insults (even potentially lighthearted ones, though as the extent of their connection was getting along okay in the store they probably weren't on the level of trading frendly insults in regular life) is a weird and counterproductive way to regain buisness.
I think a few of your comments could easily be misconstrued as direct jabs at his management ability of the store. He obviously contacted you with the intention of a bit of banter and an attempt at getting you back, it quickly turned into a "this is why GW has changed and I don't like it". He obviously took offence, tried to reason with you, made a pretty poor job of it and dug himself deeper into it.
It can't be easy to run events and please everyone but he has to accept criticism better than that.
Perhaps the guy is just a bit fed up of only kids coming in and is trying to reach out to the veterans so he has someone closer to his interests coming in
I definitely think there's a difference between working hard and doing a good job (and potentially taking offence if someone offends that specific store) and lapping up everything gw do because you work there, or worse, dont work there. Saying "I like your store, but with the current prices, I just cant justify it" should not get the "OMFG WTF DOOD? HOW DARE U DIS IS MAIII STTIIRRRRR -.-" Response.
That is entirely true. His responce was not justified. This doesn't mean that GW staff are brainwashed though. Just that a member of staff has taken his job too seriously and gone too far.
I run an indie, and if someone told me they didn't like stuff in my store, I'd be upset by it. I imagine my employee would be too, even though its not his store, because he works there and puts effort in. He is invested in the well-being of the store, the atmosphere there, etc.
I can count on 0 fingers the number of people in stores that know my full name and would be able to find me on Facebook. But given the general anti games workshop sentiment on this forum I guess it's taken at face value that the guy is pretty much stalked and hounded about why they haven't seen him. I really do wonder if this is the right place to start renewing my interest in the hobby if most of the people involved seem to hate it.
The GW General Discussion forum tends to be where the general company discussion/rants are located - spend some time in the other areas (Modelling, Painting and Terrain, project logs, even the Game-specific areas) and you'll find a lot of people who love working with the models and have some very interesting discussions about all aspects.
For what it's worth, I found the OP's facebook comment describing the issue to be a little lacking in diplomacy, the original reply could have been worded so that it was clear up front that it was an issue with the general company policies rather than the store/staff directly, because when I read it (even knowing how the OP wanted it to be taken) I found it to come across as an attack on the store/person first (things like 'the atmosphere is awful' don't tend to have many other ways to be taken), followed (too late) with an 'it's not meant for you' pull back at the end. Which is too late usually as the wrong message has already been given.
I get what you where trying to say. My reaction applied to any product, even your mentioned example. Sorry if I wasn't clear enough.
You would be upset if someone told you he/her doesn't like company XY miniatures? Or did I misunderstand?
Last edited by Max Jet; 01-03-2012 at 19:59.
Well, considering the OP said
in his initial response, I think it was far more personal than "I don't like company XY Miniatures." Especially because it appears from the GW employee's response that he handles the events and the "atmosphere" personally. I know if I ran a store's events and somebody said "there was little interest in running cool events" it would sound personal.the atmosphere in the shop was awful for the last few months before we all stopped coming. There was little interest in running cool events etc. and more just on getting the kids in
Completely agree with the majority of this.
This guys response means he took it too seriously, not that staff in general are brainwashed. Although I think a lot of them would have a similar response, as a large majority of them seem to have this insult vs gw = insult to me. Which brings me onto my second point...
I was going to mention earlier, as I've heard you refer to your store before. If someone said "I dont like the atmosphere in your store", you could be offended, or inquisitive as to why, or ignore it based on one comment from a single gamer vs the community in your store as a large who do enjoy it. All these are pretty normal responses.
However, if someone, one of your regulars maybe, or someone you only see every few weeks, said "God damn it. I hate privateer press with a passion. Their models suck, their rules are pernickity and god damn player community is atrocious." Leaves you with the option of saying something like "Haha... I know what you mean, but a lot of people enjoy it. How about trying Malifaux/flames of war/warhammer?".
Whereas, I dont think "OMG. Get out mah store. How dare you!! 4 of my customers like privateer press and I earn £300 a month off their custom! OUT OUT!!!" would qualify as a normal response. Indies are better suited to this in all fairness, as you can offer a lot of variety in both wargames and other games. A similar comment in a gw store cannot have such an amicable response as I mentionned earlier, as their models are all pretty similar, and similarly priced, the rules are pretty similar, which isnt very deep, and they cant tell you to try XX game, because they dont have the option. Rant over.
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