Droid Engineer Archive
Thread: These must not have been the droids I was looking for...
Page 1 of 1
DaeMong
Fri Apr 15, 2005 9:53 am
#1
Hey all, this is GnomeAd posting under my alt account. Just wanted to drop in and say goodbye.
I tried to visit the forum this morning only to discover that my main account wasn't working. After a quick visit to the billing page I discovered that it had been cancelled. I then realized that the credit card I had set up to monthly bill on had, as they all do, expired. When I had received the new card in the mail and activated it, it never occurred to me to change the billing info on my station account. The other companies that I had set up to auto deduct from that account had all sent me emails or snail mails reminding me to update my info several months before, so I just assumed that I had done SOE at around the same time.
I've been playing this game for almost two years now. I pre-purchased JtL and had even just pre-purchased RotW. I was a beta member of JtL and am even a member of the CU Alpha team for DEs. Just a few days ago I even signed a new NDA for beta testing RotW. I mention all this just to illustrate the fact that SOE obviously has my e-mail address. I got my beta letter from them (twice even) just 5 days ago. The fact that they could not even be bothered to send me a reminder that the card I had used for my subscription was about to expire was just the last straw. If putting in place a simple automated script to perform this is too much trouble for SOE, they obviously care very little for me as a customer.
Please don't misunderstand my reasons for leaving. I'm not unhappy with the CU. I'm actually quite pleased with it. I think that once they get all the bugs ironed out and the balance issues addressed, SWG will be one of the best MMOs on the market. My issue with SOE is now and has been almost since the beginning with their brand of customer service.
I'm in the service industry as well. I deal directly with customers on an ongoing basis. In fact, my office is even located on the premises of my biggest client. I set high standards for myself when it comes to customer service. The customer, while not always right, is still the most important thing in my professional life. If my customers are not happy, my job is to make them happy. Hopefully by selling them more services. 
I also expect the businesses that I deal with to at least perform the bare minimum of customer service. If I contact them with a problem, I at least expect them to acknowledge that I'm unhappy with their service and, if they can't address my issues, at least explain to me that while they won't be addressing my issue, for one reason or another, they are still concerned with the fact that I, their customer, am unhappy with their service. This is SOEs weakness. They don't do this. Ever. I understand that they are a large company, but some of the other businesses I deal with in my personal and professional life have customer bases that make SOE look puny in comparison. They still manage to at least staff their customer support divisions with enough of an effort to meet the minimum requirements listed above. If they don't, I move on. Period. If a company doesn't want my business that badly, I just find someone who does. So I'm going.
I also expect the businesses that I deal with to at least perform the bare minimum of customer service. If I contact them with a problem, I at least expect them to acknowledge that I'm unhappy with their service and, if they can't address my issues, at least explain to me that while they won't be addressing my issue, for one reason or another, they are still concerned with the fact that I, their customer, am unhappy with their service. This is SOEs weakness. They don't do this. Ever. I understand that they are a large company, but some of the other businesses I deal with in my personal and professional life have customer bases that make SOE look puny in comparison. They still manage to at least staff their customer support divisions with enough of an effort to meet the minimum requirements listed above. If they don't, I move on. Period. If a company doesn't want my business that badly, I just find someone who does. So I'm going.Jenden, Drashk, Jav, TK, Arden, and all the other DEs I have had the priveledge to be associated with over nearly the last two years, I have sincerely enjoyed your company. While I have disagreed with most of you at one time or another, I have always had the utmost respect for your dedication to this game and to the DE profession. I hope that your endeavors to make this the best game on the market (and DEs the greatest profession) succeed.
I've been getting e-mails from MxO on a regular basis. They seem quite interesting, so who knows, I might see you there soon TK. If anyone would like to contact me, I have a gmail account set up with the name GnomeAd.
Best Regards
GnomeAd
GnomeAd
DarthRoe
Fri Apr 15, 2005 9:59 am
#2
Sorry to see you go, that whole expired credit card thing has happened to me too. Very frustrating.
I'm leaving at the end of my subscription in a few weeks, but it does have to do with the CU and other recent DE kicks in the teeth. Maybe I'll see you around in another game...
I'm leaving at the end of my subscription in a few weeks, but it does have to do with the CU and other recent DE kicks in the teeth. Maybe I'll see you around in another game...
ArdenStarmariner
Fri Apr 15, 2005 10:38 am
#3
May the wind always fill your sails, sun shine on your face, and the salty breezes lift your spirits in whatever ocean you travel. 
Straker_Atrella
Fri Apr 15, 2005 10:39 am
#5
Dang Gnome, sad to see you go man. We didn't always agree, but I always respected your opinion and paid close attention to what you are saying.
I agree with what you are saying though. What SOE can't seem to realise is that while "bells and whistles" in the game may attract new people, longer players (like you and I,) talking about the game to friends and co-workers can attract far more. No matter how great the game is, we are very unlikely to do that in a game that I feel like I don't matter. Customer service is important.
Take it easy man, may your droids never rust.
RasalTheWise
Fri Apr 15, 2005 10:50 am
#6
Cheers, Gnome. You've been a prominent member of our community, and it's sad to see you leave. As you well know, the door is always open should you decide to try SWG again.
Corran950
Fri Apr 15, 2005 11:13 am
#7
sorry to hear your going, I never got to know all the old timers in this profession well. It really sucks that SWG and its players get treated like we do. Anyway /salute may all your dreams be of craftable battle droids.
Message Edited by Corran950 on 04-15-2005 11:14 AM
- Rebel Pilot 4/4/4/3
TheRealTK421
Fri Apr 15, 2005 3:10 pm
#8
Only if you're on "Proxy"....and I've not logged there a lot due to lack of time and CU testing.
DaeMong wrote:
I've been getting e-mails from MxO on a regular basis. They seem quite interesting, so who knows, I might see you there soon TK.
Best Regards
GnomeAd
I wish you well on your travels. It's always disheartening to hear a respected, veteran DE putting away his tools.
You'll be missed.
/bow
Most Respectfully,
Drashk
Fri Apr 15, 2005 5:17 pm
#9
Its always a sad day when one of the more vocal vetran Droid Engineers decides to leave our little nitch of mechanical goodness. I wish you the best of luck in all of your endevours.
Many thanks for all of the help you have provided, not only in testing the CU, but throughout the last 2 years as a solid member of this community.
/bow2
Gron_DM
Fri Apr 15, 2005 9:23 pm
#11
May the force be with you.
And the droids too.
Cya gnomead, maybe in the next SW mmo? 
Page 1 of 1