Movie Poop Shoot. 3rd Installment of MSCL DVD article.

andrewgd · Post by **andrewgd** » Oct 30th 2002, 2:32 pm

http://www.moviepoopshoot.com/news/oct02/162.html

Jason R · Post by **Jason R** » Oct 30th 2002, 2:41 pm

It is not really as clear as the first 2 articles, but I think that there was just so much going on, that it adequately summarizes things.

Incidentally, Ross Rojek had "no comment" on my allegations or actions.

Post by **Natasha (candygirl)** » Oct 30th 2002, 2:46 pm

I agree - there double charges were only minimally mentioned. You would think that he would want to explain that people were double charged over the summer and still haven't received refunds despite AU's promises (and threats of cancellation if the CC companies became involved).

The other thing that was not properly portrayed was the betrayal we felt ("emotions were running high" and only in reference to the bigwigs, not us) at learning how "exclusive" the set is and the fact that people are cancelling their AU orders because they can get them for half as much as amazon or any of the other vendors.

And what about the payment and waivers for the Bedford Falls footage?

"After a tense period of uncertainty, word eventually came the MY SO-CALLED LIFE DVDs were back on track."

I think this guy wants a happy ending to his story so much that he is glossing over the angst going on.

pgh kenny · Post by **pgh kenny** » Oct 30th 2002, 3:34 pm

I'm torn - I do think the article does a good job of covering what went on, but the tone seems to be that of "another universe apologist". For example:

"Ross replied to several of the threads, congenially responding amidst the ire" - D. Miner, My So Called DVD Part III

That doesn't seem to accurately characterize what went on here:

"Yes I'm aware that we suck. And in the event I ever forget it, there is always plenty of people to remind me." - R. Rojek, MSCL.com DVD Forum

Congenial? Ha!

Jason R · Post by **Jason R** » Oct 30th 2002, 3:39 pm

I would hardly call his posts congenial. And the article does not mention that he has been MIA for 2 1/2 weeks.

I think part 1 and 2 spoiled me. Part 3 was to part 1 what Godfather III was to The Godfather.

Post by **Natasha (candygirl)** » Oct 30th 2002, 3:42 pm

I think that he was trying so hard to maintain a neutral, professional tone that he ended up not providing an accurate picture of how many hundreds of customers have an obsessive unnatural (albeit legitimate and well deserved) hatred of Ross and AU.

I understand what Jason is saying about how much content the guy was covering, but I also think that it only takes a sentence or two to add that people are PISSED because they don't have their money back and that the customer service at AU is abyssmal (in addition to the accounting department that is backed up like a bad toilet). And only one additional sentence wuld be required to state that this is an unacceptable way to do business. Oops, forgot about that neutral professional tone thing.

Post by **Natasha (candygirl)** » Oct 30th 2002, 3:43 pm

Jason Rosenfeld wrote:I think part 1 and 2 spoiled me. Part 3 was to part 1 what Godfather III was to The Godfather.

The perfect analogy! I was ready for him to go in for the kill in part 3 and then it was so anti-climactic.

pgh kenny · Post by **pgh kenny** » Oct 30th 2002, 3:54 pm

Writing a balanced article is tough, and the author is a good writer... however, there is definately a slant in Part III...

"There are still unanswered questions and concerns in the eyes of some customers" - D. Miner, My So Called DVD Part III

That is not really an accurate reflection of reality... first of all "in the eyes of some customers" makes it seem like emotional or opinion type of thing. Second, I would call waiting more than 2 weeks for a company to process a cancellation request more than just an "unaswered question and concern". Finally, we are talking about more than just "some" customers. There is a certain threshold that has to be reached for someone to be motivated enough to register and then post on a BB. The large number of people that have registered here to talk about the misdeeds of an online retailer is rarely achieved for "niche" products. For each one of us that posts frequently, there are probably five people in the same situation that haven't publically posted.

Jason R · Post by **Jason R** » Oct 30th 2002, 3:57 pm

I gave him access to double bill data. It is a shame that he chose to ignore it. Or if he didn't ignore it, it certainly got short shrift.

I mean there are about 1,000 people waiting for double bill or cancellation refunds. That is "some customers?" That is more like 27% of all customers.

To me, that is a big deal.

Post by **Natasha (candygirl)** » Oct 30th 2002, 4:10 pm

pgh_kenny wrote:we are talking about more than just "some" customers. There is a certain threshold that has to be reached for someone to be motivated enough to register and then post on a BB. The large number of people that have registered here to talk about the misdeeds of an online retailer is rarely achieved for "niche" products. For each one of us that posts frequently, there are probably five people in the same situation that haven't publically posted.

Exactly - the silent majority! Most people DO lurk before registering, so when you look at the days when our poor forum was creaking and groaning under the strain of 72 users all online at the same time (and most of them were "guests"), you can see that there are a couple HUNDRED people who finally became so annoyed with AU that they registered at this forum for the sole purpose of venting. So how many disgruntled unregistered customers are still out there?

The numbers: members 503-742 all registered within the last month and most of them have posted a few times. That's over 200 new people who are complaining. Add that to all the people who have been complaining since this summer and I think that qualifies as more than "some customers" who have "questions and concerns."

Post by **Natasha (candygirl)** » Oct 30th 2002, 4:12 pm

Jason Rosenfeld wrote:I mean there are about 1,000 people waiting for double bill or cancellation refunds. That is "some customers?" That is more like 27% of all customers.

To me, that is a big deal.

And regardless of how many total customers they have, 1000 angry customers waiting for their money is about 1000 too many - completely unacceptable.

Fedup · Post by **Fedup** » Oct 30th 2002, 4:27 pm

While reading the article, originally I was irate, it seemed all lopsided, from Ross' twisted point of view, but then Jason's side came through as well. Although this statement from Ross really makes me want to so some serious damage...

"I'm going to do the best I can, make as many people as satisfied as I can, and finish the project. That means everyone will get any outstanding credit owed, get the DVD set they ordered, get the bonus stuff we've told them they will get, plus other stuff we're adding on as a 'we're sorry'. Anyone who cancels, will get their credit and can order the set from anyone else they wish."

phelix · Post by **phelix** » Oct 30th 2002, 4:39 pm

My sentiments concerning the article can be summed up in one sentence:

Ross should thank Derek Miner for the free publicity, and the net increase in orders that will result from it.

Jason R · Post by **Jason R** » Oct 30th 2002, 4:42 pm

Phelix,
the article definitely let him off easy. However, don't forget that this is not the first, nor the last, news outlet to carry the story.

And the story isn't over. Not by a long shot. You reap what you sow.

andrewgd · Post by **andrewgd** » Oct 30th 2002, 4:53 pm

Jason Rosenfeld wrote:And the story isn't over. Not by a long shot. You reap what you sow.

He hee, that makes me giddy.

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