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View Full Version : Letter of Frustration Where to Send help plz (long post)


10-22-2002, 04:10 PM
Hi all,



I always visit, read the threads and just love this site but do not post too often but I am really frustrated by Verant's lack of response on this matter and was wondeing if you could direct me in sending this letter (copy below)to the right place for the maximum effect.





Thanks All,



Lthiny Human Monk



Letter



Dear Verant,



As a paying customer with two (2) accounts, four (4) computers, an owner of every expansion available for Everquest, and with tentative plans to purchase POP and EQ2 as well as SWG I am deeply concerned and disturbed. My plans above were definite until recent events regarding the monk class changes and specifically your silence on the matter.



Even though I represent a minuscule portion of your client base I am confident, well I should say as least I was before this monk incident that Verant realizes one dissatisfied customer can have far reaching effects for a company.



For example, I have two accounts that I am seriously considering canceling not because of the change but because of your apparent disregard for our concerns and your lack of any response to your patron base on this issue. I have four children and four computers and one of my children plays and is looking to get his own account (Christmas list presently) my other three children dabble in EQ now and are starting to show some real interest (this could get expensive lol) and finally the wife just started playing a Necro on one of my accounts and hit 17 in a bout 5 days. So I am sure you see the potential future business just in my little family. In addition, I have RL friends that play and EQ guild mates and friends that are just as disturbed by your behavior and some, although not all are considering moving on to another game as well. Finally, I am sure you are aware of the many monks who are livid about this and most because of your lack of a response regarding the situation



Let me divulge some background information regarding my EQ monk and then myself.

I play a level 31 human monk that is well equipped for its level (not uber but well) and up to this point have really enjoyed the character. I usually team up with a shaman friend or solo, as my time is sporadic at best, limited and usually late at night. I do not use any parsing programs and do not get into analyzing every little issue of attack and defense and etc as I do that all day at work and EQ is relaxation for me but I am sharp enough to realize when something is not the same as it was. I have had no trouble soloing up to the point of the monk change although there has been down time binding wounds and waiting for mend to cycle (which is fine) etc.



However, after the recent change it appears I can still solo somewhat (the mobs I fight are blue) but there is a big difference in the amount of health I have after fighting the same mobs I have been fighting for two levels. Previously if I got and add I could handle it if mend cycled and I was a little lucky. Now I have to FD if I get any add. So the point is as a level 31 monk am I suppose to be able to solo or not as my schedule does not work well for groups and as of right now I am fighting in one of the more poplar dungeons in the game, CC and most of the time there are 2 to 5 people present when I am there and those higher than myself. What is the intent of this change please advise.



Now let me get to the real point of this letter and my main concern.



I am an engineer that works for a firm that builds large power plants. I directly deal with clients (customers) on a regular basis and I understand the delicate nature of addressing issues concerning only one aspect of a project which can effect the whole without identifying and calculating the consequences or benefits of that effect.



So when a client comes to me wanting a clarification or a change on an issue I have to confer with my colleagues and project management before I can usually give them a definitive answer. But frankly sirs if I just ignored them and did not respond to their phone calls, e-mails and or letters our firm would eventually be out of business.



So how do we handle that situation, well we practice one of the basic fundamentals of any business concern, we tell them what we can and assure them that we are looking into the situation and will have answer for them shortly. At times I also say yes we can accommodate that request because I know enough to realize that this will only effect what I am working on and will have no adverse effect as whole on the project.

On occasion we say sorry we cannot do that without adversely affecting this project.



But we never, never, never, just ignore their concerns. As a rather large business entity I believe that you need to get back to business 101 and realize that a customer’s concerns need to be addressed whether for good or bad.



I really did not address whether this change is good or bad as plenty of monk brothers and sisters have addressed that but really are addressing the more basic fundamental issue how you handle your customer service for existing faithful customers



I believe I can safely speak for the majority of the monk community in saying that your silence on this matter is disturbing to say the least and your recent addressing of the paladin and harmony issues is actually insulting and a total disregard for our feelings as a community. We can live with changes but cannot and will not tolerate being ignored. For your sake and ours please address our concerns and give us some update on this matter and treat as customers, which is what we deserve.



Regards,



Lthiny

Level 31

Human Monk




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10-22-2002, 04:43 PM
Think Developers corner has a link, sent my feedback some time ago.


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10-22-2002, 05:06 PM
Nicely put Shamata.



Saboo lvl 60 Monk




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10-22-2002, 05:09 PM
Right on my friend!

Well spoken!

Ding! Woot!



I totally agree with you.


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SkyKungfu
10-22-2002, 05:22 PM
Very well written. Unfortunately theres a huge chance that they will ignore this letter as well. However, one can always hope, so lets pray they say at least ANYTHING. And if they say "go to hell", still better than being ignored.



Sky


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10-22-2002, 07:36 PM
I guess i should have been more specific, is there an e-mail address that I could send my letter as I did see the dev comment link at EQ live.



Thanks all,

Lthiny


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10-22-2002, 09:51 PM
Thats the best letter of this genre i've encountered so far. WTG


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10-23-2002, 01:48 AM
I have not played my monk since the "nerf" went into effect. I did a non-technical/non-parsing experiment with mobs before and after. Yes, soloing is definitely not a very good option for the casual player who wishes to play a monk as far as my monk is concerned.



But I was very taken with your commentary on the lack of response to complaint. And generally when you get a response, unless you throw a tantrum, which I have in the past to get some Customer Service, you get a memo..and an arbitrary decision.



For instance, this evening I pulled out my old druid....just to get him to Sixty-First Level. I had spent several hours capping his level last night in preparation. I went and purchased VI's required expansion, installed it, killed two light blues in DSP...then went on into ME with the intent of doing a bit of solo in UP to get some exp into 61. The moment, I went into ME, I went LD...along with about, well, the whole zone.



I returned dead and no longer sixty one. After complaining to an actual admin gm...I received the memo-like response that no exp would be returned even if it was their unstable zone that caused the the link death in the first place. Yes, there is the “rule” that exp will not be returned because of loss of connection, but this was obivious a flaw in their system. The arbitrary and mechanical response I received was frustrating. I must agreee with you on your sentiment over VI's CS policies and responses.



I have been helped out by them several times in some very sticky situations as I said...but recently, they just seem to do as they wish with no concern as to explanation or even thinking of giving you a non-memo resonse.



They are obviously understaffed, and I do have some sense of pathos for them...but in the case of losing exp...along with everyone else in the ME zone over a PoP instability...and your concern about the silence over the monk "nerf," I am a bit steamed. I believe they need to expand their employment base to fit the amount of players...and return a bit of quality CS to those like yourself who have a great interest in the game and obviously indulge no little amount of money into it monthly and to all EQ players regardless.



A response to the entire monk and NON monk community...who have received nerfs is a must. I'm afraid to even begin or continue with one of my "solo" characters out of concern that they will be coerced into a more group oriented role...in other words nerfed.



Grouping is grand...and one of the joys of EQ...but sometimes...as you stated, casual players do not have the time to do so.



So, not to ramble on and on...I believe first off...WELL SPOKEN POST...cudos. Second, RESPONSE to player issues needs improvement. And finally, consideration of casual players who do not in fact have the time to always find a group in what is still, imho, a fun virtual world, needs to be held in respect. Thank you for a good post, and safe journeys to you and all players in game and out.



Sincerely,



Pema.




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10-23-2002, 02:13 AM
Really nicely written post.



I work in the IT department in one of the largest brewer companies in the world and i must say, not informing my customers or respond to them would put the company outta buisiness rather fast.



I think the main reason why most are upset is in fact not the fact that we are nerfed (dont get me wrong, it sucks) but the lack of information.

It would be nice to know how they think of the outcome and what there thoguhts are.

There are some really nice post in this thread showing they nerfed the very reason why alot of people started a monk in the first place. So basicly its saying, yeah we know you've played your char for the past 2 years but we dont give a shit. Delete him now because the reason you create him, you can no longer play him the way you always wanted.

Oh well, im not a whiner, but a response would be nice and would be good for business.









Brother Jatril Ironscale




60 Grandmaster




(<a target="new" href=http://www.magelo.com/eq_view_profile.html?num=22105>My Stuff</a>)</p>

Fopoodzo
10-23-2002, 03:12 AM
Nicely written, in many ways this is a casual gamer/soloing nerf more than a tanking nerf. (it wouldn't be so if they'd slightly improved damage along with reducing mitigation).







As for e-mail addresses:



avancouvering@soe.sony.com (absor's)



and I think eqmail@soe.sony.com


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10-23-2002, 03:19 AM
yup, this nerf hurts the casual player the hardest.



That's really no suprise, those who play the game the most have it the easiest, they always get to do things way before the casual player can.



Sleepers Tomb is just VIs way of saying F U casual players.



Now I know sleepers tomb has been revamped but from what I hear it's harder now than it was before, so those guilds trying to increase in power, have just had a rung in their ladder moved up a bit.



I totally agree with this letter and have cut and pasted it into a feedback email to VI.


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<TD ALIGN=LEFT VALIGN=CENTER>[B]<a href= http://www.magelo.com/eq_view_profile.html?num=31075>
Grandmaster Regor Dragonfist</a>
Brother of the Celestial Fist

<a href=http://pub52.ezboard.com/bcguardians>Imperial Guardian</a>
60th Level Monk of Mithaniel Marr[B]
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10-23-2002, 08:45 AM
All,



Thanks for your positve comments on the letter and most of all thanks for the e-mail address', I did send the letter to Verant. In addition please feel free to cut and paste any or all that you might want to send with your own e-mail to Verant.



Regards



Lthiny


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Kelwan
10-23-2002, 09:28 AM
I have to agree this is well written. I find myself in a very similar situation, even though my monk is somwhat higher, now lev 52. But I am also a casual player with limited time for EQ.



I have written my own letter to them, voicing my concern over their lack of communication.



I would advice anyone not happy with this situation to write their own letter, not copy and paste from someone else, to let VI know what you think. Keep it civil and adress the things that are important to you, as a customer



It may not lead to nothing, but it's better than ranting at this board, imho.



edit: why doesn't this board show the beautiful blue color of my signature?


<span style="color:blue;">Jondalar Fairfist (http://www.magelo.com/eq_view_profile.html?num=70469)</span>

<span style="color:yellow;">Random Acts on Morell-Thule</span></p>Edited by: <A HREF=http://pub35.ezboard.com/bmonklybusiness43508.showUserPublicProfile?gid=kel wan>Kelwan</A>* http://www.ezboard.com/ezgfx/gicons/black_lightning.gif at: 10/23/02 5:29:52 am

10-23-2002, 01:56 PM
Shamata



Your letter is well written and a great example to follow. I wish you luck in getting a response from a real live customer service rep. Customer service may be a priority in your business but I don't think VI holds itself to the same standards. Most likely so many people play this game and are signing up to play daily that they can afford to ignore unhappy customers. Can you tell I'm getting very discouraged about getting any response from them whatsoever? Even if they are unable to keep up with all the emails (likely) they could respond to us here, as a group, with a minumum of effort. Ah, well.


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10-25-2002, 09:47 AM
Hi all,



I did send my letter to the two places suggested and as of yet have not heard back. I was just curious though has anyone recived any response to a Sony/Verant e-mail.


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10-25-2002, 09:49 AM
Actaully I think I will start a new thread on this> Hopefully there is not one on this mind you just an e-mail response.



Lthiny


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