Constructive criticism vs. "The customer is always right"

[Wanker]

Hey folks, let's remember that the best way to keep the line of communication open with Pyro and HiTech is by discussing issues in an intelligent, mature fashion.

It's ok to voice a concern over something, and to suggest ways to make AH a better sim. I'm sure Pyro and HiTech appreciate that.

But, IMHO, it's not ok to badger them about something, and get all hostile about it. Some of you have this notion that "The customer is always right", no matter how rude and insulting that customer is. Well, I've got news for you. The customer is only always right when that customer is able to express their opinion without being degrading or disrespectful.

On Saturday, I saw HiTech speaking on the open channel, so I piped up and asked him when we could expect a new Russian plane. But he politely asked me to not ask him these type of questions when he was not speaking in blue. I could've gotten all bent out of shape and said "I'm a paying customer, dammit, so I'll ask you this question any damn time I want to!". Instead, I simply said, "Oh, sorry". "He replied "Np, thanks". End of discussion.

It's called respect, people. Let's try to remember that the folks at HTC are human beings, too.

Let's keep the discussions with HTC civil, or we're going to be seeing less and less input from them on this board.

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banana
308 (Polish) Squadron RAF "City of Cracow"
"On the whole, it is better to deserve honors and not have them than to have them and not deserve them"

[Kieren]

Let me give an example of what happens when you always listen to the customer...

I am a teacher in an elementary school in a small rural town. The power chain follows the regular mold; students, teachers, principal, superintendent, school board, public. In the end, the public has the final say in everything. Sounds great, right?

Not always. Let's say you have an influx of people outside of your community move in (as in, the big factory in town brings people from the west coast to your midwestern town). These new people tend to be very vocal about their desires and needs for their children (nothing wrong there). Still, the long-time residents have been quite happy with their system and resent the perceived intrusion. Things get hot, and quick.

Who gets caught in the middle? The schools, of course! There is no way to make everyone happy. Pick an issue. Should sex education be taught in schools? Half say yes, half say no. Should evolution be taught? Should there be prayer? Corporal punishment? Suspensions? Should grades be adjusted? Are tests biased? yadda yadda yadda...

The point is, no matter what is done someone will point out how wrong it is, and what should be done. The environment is now set for chaos. This doesn't happen because people aren't smart, it happens because people have different points of view, and have to a certain extent the power to enforce that POV, whether they directly conflict with everyone else's or not.

The correct course is for the leadership (administration) to research and develop plans for educational success, present them to the board and public, and do their best to implement the plan. Will it make everyone happy? No way. The reasonable members of the community will understand the direction and give it a chance. Some won't, and will appear at every board meeting screaming at the tops of their lungs.

Guess who gets ignored after a while?  

[This message has been edited by Kieren (edited 04-03-2000).]

[Ripsnort]

Screw you both!  My opinion is the only opinion that counts since I am the customer! Get used to it!

( MANOCK-IDEALISM OFF )


(BTW Kieren, talked to Mighty1 the other night and he said you were  the 'nicer' of you two, the way you kill folks, I'd have  to  disagree       )

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Ripsnort(-rip1-)
=CO=II/JG2~Richthofen~
Communications Officer
Aces High Training Corps
JG2 "Richthofen"
       
"Experience is a hard teacher because she
gives the test first, the lesson afterwards"



[This message has been edited by Ripsnort (edited 04-03-2000).]

[Vermillion]

 

On Saturday, I saw HiTech speaking on the open channel, so I piped up and asked him when we could expect a new Russian plane

Great Question banana   !!

And the rest of your post is right on too.

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Vermillion
**MOL**, Men of Leisure
Carpe Jugulum
"Real Men fly Radials, Nancy Boys fly Spitfires"

[Wanker]

<S> Kieren, I used to be a public school teacher(Band) myself! I lasted 5 years before I jumped ship for computers.

Your post brought back all kinds of memories of what it's like to be a teacher<*shudder*>.



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banana
308 (Polish) Squadron RAF "City of Cracow"
"On the whole, it is better to deserve honors and not have them than to have them and not deserve them"

[Westy]

 I try not to ask online questions at all. We have this place to do that and if it is a more pressing issue or request there is email. IMO, unless they ask how things are going and are looking for feedback while online then leave them be. Let them fly with us.
 Nothing could be more of a drag than to have them get the feeling of having to fly online as an unsavory part of the job or a chore.

-Westy

[AKDejaVu]

I try not to ask questions when HT isn't in blue, though I really like asking them when he is

I've also found that HT is more than willing to help you out regardless of his id coloring if things are presented correctly.  For example... I was having problems with choppy framerate and controls locking up.  I said as much on the open channel after augering for the second time with no control of the aircraft.  I didn't know HT was on at the time, but he contacted me on private channel and tried to help me with the problem.

Its that kind of concern for the customers that I apreciate.  It wasn't solicited nor was it demanded.  It was freely given.

As for everyone having demands as to what changes need to be made... keep up with the comments.  HTC needs to have something to put in the next update.

AKDejaVu

[Ghosth]

NO question about it I love it when HT fly's.
Blue or No blue I quickly learned not to ask
"when" questions. (even thinly veiled when questions   )

On the other hand, I have picked up a lot of details just by LISTENING!!! Someone else always has valid questions I hadn't thought off, or answers to problems my own squadmates have. ( Which makes me look good when I bring home the bacon btw)

But, the final real & best reason to have HT fly & keep him wanting to fly is simple.
As long as he's flying this sim too I know it's going to be the best that HE  CAN MAKE IT!

And thats good enough for me.

Rock on HTC

(What was that you said the other day Kieren about toliet paper in your teeth?  


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Maj Ghosth
XO 332nd Flying Mongrels

[Sorrow[S=A]]

If I had a dime every time I explained the rules of HT & Pyro's colour coding Q&A system I would play AH for free. I desist from asking questions when they are flying, and patiently explain the rules to those who do. It's just the way it is. Everyone who sees a person breaking ettiquitte (sp?) should pipe up and do the same.

[Fatty]

"the customer is always right" likely originated by someone patronizing a customer that was obviously quite wrong.  In fact the entire idea of customer service is built around breaking it to the customer gently that they are wrong, again, as usual.  

[K-KEN]

Having been in the Bodyshop business the last 20 years-or so......
The "Customer isn't always right".....
but a "customer is still a customer"
The line has to be drawn, to the customers side, but not crossed.  A business cannot be profitable, unless they understand that too!

K-KEN


 http://www.cutthroats.com/

 

[Pyro]

It depends, the customer is always right about what he thinks, but that doesn't necessarily mean we can make him happy about a particular thing.  We all have to sleep in the same bed and not everybody likes the same things.  We just have to try and operate with the greatest good in mind.



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Doug "Pyro" Balmos
HiTech Creations

Perfect plans, aren't.

[hblair]

 

Having been in the Bodyshop business the last 20 years-or so......

Now this man knows what he's talkin' about! Autobody is all I've ever done myself and I'm familiar with where KKEN is coming from...

"I want my car repaired RIGHT" <not a problem>

"I want my car back yesterday!"<we're still waiting on parts sir>

"I want you to 'throw in' repairing those dings on the other side" <Sorry sir, we can't do that>

"I want you to save my deductible" <sorry sir, we don't do that>

"I guess I'll just have to take my car somewhere else!!!" <cya!>  

Oh,the joys of dealing with the public...

[Hangtime]

The customer is rarely right.

The customer usually needs to be educated as to what IS right.

Then the moron can tell everybody else he's right.

 

Hang (who got a call today from a fargin NRL engineer <'customer'> who asked the sixty-four dollar question; "... is the red wire important??"

[Swager]

I never ask HT questions on-line, even when he is blue.  I'm having too much freakin fun to ask questions!!!      I figure he is too busy answering other question asked by you other muttonheads!       I do say HI though.

Oooooops!  I did ask him one question!  It went something like this, "Hey HT, why can't I shoot straight in your simulation?"  I got no answer.  That was back in November.  So I'm still waiting!  Someday he'll get around to it!   Cool!  

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Swager
-XO- II/JG2~Richthofen~
"Damn.....I can't believe I missed that shot!!!"
 
JG2 "Richthofen"

[This message has been edited by Swager (edited 04-03-2000).]