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Post by Sir Trevor on Apr 19, 2011 16:23:02 GMT -5
Well, the website can't be updated until Larry gives the webmaster the info, and the approval to make the changes. Since he is down in Florida right now, and apparently waist deep in legal issues, I don't think having the website updated is high on his priority list. Even in good years, the website has never been a high priority. Took them forever to get a really good webmaster. And I think sending him the info is more of an afterthought, than a priority. As good as Larry is at dealing with people, and putting stuff together, he is still kind of 'old school' when it comes to the advertising and promotion end. So new media, like the web isn't really his thing. Not saying that to knock the guy. I know of a lot of successful local businesses that are the same way. They might have a website, but it is hardly, if ever updated.
I am sure, once May rolls around, and Larry and Cindy are actually back in Ohio, info will start to trickle out to us as to what is going on and who is gonna be there. Same as it's always been.
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Bosha
Mercenary
The Fruitie Patutie wench
Posts: 162
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Post by Bosha on Apr 19, 2011 20:55:37 GMT -5
The case is on "inactive" status, which means it is on hold till the bankruptcy court gets done. It's a bit different than a case being "closed." I say we wait to get the official word from Larry on what will happen this year. But, until then, I'm getting my stuff ready!! Keep your fingers crossed
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Nyneve of the Oakes
Mercenary
"Everything in the Universe has rhythm. Everything dances." - Maya Angelou
Posts: 221
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Post by Nyneve of the Oakes on Apr 19, 2011 21:46:03 GMT -5
Well, the website can't be updated until Larry gives the webmaster the info, and the approval to make the changes. Since he is down in Florida right now, and apparently waist deep in legal issues, I don't think having the website updated is high on his priority list. Even in good years, the website has never been a high priority. Took them forever to get a really good webmaster. And I think sending him the info is more of an afterthought, than a priority. As good as Larry is at dealing with people, and putting stuff together, he is still kind of 'old school' when it comes to the advertising and promotion end. So new media, like the web isn't really his thing. Not saying that to knock the guy. I know of a lot of successful local businesses that are the same way. They might have a website, but it is hardly, if ever updated. I am sure, once May rolls around, and Larry and Cindy are actually back in Ohio, info will start to trickle out to us as to what is going on and who is gonna be there. Same as it's always been. Exactly the reason GLMF never does as well as it could. Everybody is always so quick to help Larry make excuses for being a very poor manager. If Larry cared enough to start updating early...the "real" word about GLMF could be spread much earlier. And the "real" word would be positive, not negative. It's seems to me that Larry, even after all these years, has not learned from his past mistakes. It's like a child who is spoiled and never made to realize consequences...they never learn the lesson. And it's not just the website. It's the communication (or lack thereof) to vendors, and performers, who need to plan their LIVES, not just plan GLMF. It's a lack of respect for those individuals who truly can make the Faire successful (or unsuccessful) every year. And his staff continues to make excuses for him every year...and one day it will catch up to him...one day when his staff is tired of it, and the vendors and artisans are tired of waiting around to hear from him and have the opportunity to move on to bigger and better things for themselves. I only continue to hope that Larry opens his eyes and sees these things...but my hope seems to get weaker every year... *steps back into the forest shadows*
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Post by guest on Apr 19, 2011 21:54:21 GMT -5
so if everyone here has such negative things to say, why go? ive never had a negative experience at this fair and love coming very much. but alot of you have very negative things to say. so why do you keep going? no offense, im just curious is all.
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Post by guest on Apr 19, 2011 22:09:37 GMT -5
Hey, I've never been to this board before! All my years at GLMF and i never knew this existed!
I just was wondering, you know, with all the legal stuff going, what all of the complaining is about? I mean, in some of the threads here on these boards i see people saying how much they love the faire and whatever, but then i come across some of the same people saying bad stuff. it'ds got me confused. I guess i'm just saying that i don't think it's right to complain about it one place and love it another, i mean, c'mon, pick a side. lol. I've seen some truly magical things, and my daughter and i have expirienced some even moremagical things, I love this faire and always will. Just because i'm not privy to all the inside knowledge doesn't mean i'm gonna bad mouth the owner. i beleive that we'll know when we're supposed to. just like the rest of the general public.
*steps back into the real world*
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Post by Sir Trevor on Apr 20, 2011 4:41:44 GMT -5
The reason for the seemingly contradictory views is similar to that of sports fans. GLMF fans (like Browns fans, or Steelers fans, or Indians fans, etc) love faire so much that they become very invested in it. So when things don't appear to be going in the direction they think it should they worry it will hurt it's chances to succeed. They care so much, that they pay very close attention to the day-to-day happenings in the off season. They learn the ins-and-outs of how things work. And when they don't hear occasional bits of news, they start to dwell on worst-case-scenarios because they don't have any good stuff to satisfy their desire.
Much like a real family though. Which may be critical, demanding, and even berate a member they don't think is doing right, or living up to their potential. If attacked by an outsider, the family will band together to defend that member.
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Post by Capt. Morgan on Apr 20, 2011 10:28:51 GMT -5
Let’s just get one thing straight here folks…I LOVE THE FAIRE. I love the friends I’ve made, the friends I will make, the entertainers, the vendors, and the atmosphere…That is a TOTALLY SEPARATE ISSUE from poor customer service and a lack of communication…No, I do not have to accept all of that to prove I love the Faire and to call my loyalty to the Faire in question because I do have issue with what should be a professionally run part of the Faire is ludicrous. We’re talking customer relations/satisfaction…part of any business.
I am a Production Manager. I manage a department. I manage people and I am responsible for visitors/patrons having a pleasant experience when they come to the Museum. I’ve gone through training and I get evaluated on my performance. If I am found lacking in doing my job, there are consequences. I use Gantt Charts, Time Management Spread Sheets and daily/weekly meetings to keep things on track and on time. Projects are in planning/staging phases months in advance while I am actively working on a current project. I know what’s expected of me. I know what work is involved in producing a show and I do it repeatedly throughout the year, not just a few months every year so it’s not like I’m totally clueless.
As far as the Web Site is concerned, the only time I see they manage to update anything on time is to get pre-season tickets sales in full swing and that happens just in time for Christmas. Next comes Valentine’s Day or St. Patrick’s Day or Mothers Day or Fathers Day or any other holiday they can get people to pre-buy tickets. If they can push pre-season ticket sales then is it so difficult to include a banner that informs people to “Check back soon for updates on the 2011 Season”? I highly doubt a Webmaster has to wait for Larry or any other of TPTB to tell them that and it should just be SOP to have generic info ready.
If he is down in FLA “hip deep in legal issues” then the Website should be the place to assure loyal patrons that the Faire will continue. Updating the dates for 2011 is a good start. Hard to stop that “train” from running if you’ve posted dates on the Site or in any Ren. based magazine. Larry has volunteers who clean the Faire Site for him…talk about dedication to the Faire! I’m sure there are those who could also help with all that “new fangled” technology in regards to promoting the Faire and keeping the Website current.
Go to the “Buy Tickets” and it still states: “We will begin mailing tickets out in mid-January.” Well, we know this isn’t true. Would they accept me saying “I’ll pay you for the tickets when I receive them.”? Not likely.
Anybody ever go to a store where something is advertized as being available but then you are told it’s not or the price has changed even though the signs are still up? Did you like it? Did you think it was good customer service? If you can’t fulfill a promise, then it’s better to say nothing at all or leave it at: “You will have your tickets in time before faire” as one posted response informed. (which could mean July 8th but hey, it would be before Faire!) And unless something has changed from last year, there is no mention regarding the sale (or non-sale) of alcoholic beverages. Last year it miffed several first time visitors. Good PR? Not really…
It’s sad that it all gets summarized as you put it Trev: “Same as it’s always been”. I still love Faire and will go to enjoy those aspects I listed earlier but do I feel like a valued customer and that my concerns and opinions matter? No…The only thing that matters is my money.
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Nyneve of the Oakes
Mercenary
"Everything in the Universe has rhythm. Everything dances." - Maya Angelou
Posts: 221
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Post by Nyneve of the Oakes on Apr 20, 2011 10:58:00 GMT -5
Hey, I've never been to this board before! All my years at GLMF and i never knew this existed! I just was wondering, you know, with all the legal stuff going, what all of the complaining is about? I mean, in some of the threads here on these boards i see people saying how much they love the faire and whatever, but then i come across some of the same people saying bad stuff. it'ds got me confused. I guess i'm just saying that i don't think it's right to complain about it one place and love it another, i mean, c'mon, pick a side. lol. I've seen some truly magical things, and my daughter and i have expirienced some even moremagical things, I love this faire and always will. Just because i'm not privy to all the inside knowledge doesn't mean i'm gonna bad mouth the owner. i beleive that we'll know when we're supposed to. just like the rest of the general public. *steps back into the real world* @guest - We should not have to PROVE how much we love Faire by accepting bad customer service. But we do anyway. And we do because we DO love Faire. And we drink the Kool-aid that is served to us and we show up every weekend of every year. We suck it up because we have come to "accept" the bad behavior... But what about when it comes to lack of customer service to the General Public ("GP")? We Regulars know to expect that when there is a Holiday Sale on tickets in November, or February, or March, that we won't actually receive them by the holiday to give them as gifts and will likely have to wait until June until they arrive. The GP Do NOT know this. Do you think those people will all be rushing to come back year after year after such an experience? I think not. IMHO I think it's a big reason why he struggles each year. People typically don't like to be treated like trash (nor do they deserve to be treated as such). Yes, he has legal issues, and issues with blah blah blah... but that's no excuse for POOR CUSTOMER SERVICE. That's my gripe. It's not the vendors, or the actors, or what's being offered each year...IT'S THE BAD BUSINESS.
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Nyneve of the Oakes
Mercenary
"Everything in the Universe has rhythm. Everything dances." - Maya Angelou
Posts: 221
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Post by Nyneve of the Oakes on Apr 20, 2011 11:01:47 GMT -5
@morgan - Methinks you and I were typing at the same time - Great minds! ;D I just had mine "on hold" for about 20 min. before I was able to get back to my desk and hit the "Post" button...
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Post by Capt. Morgan on Apr 20, 2011 11:19:15 GMT -5
Sales without Customer Service is like stuffing money into a pocket full of holes. ~ David Tooman
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Post by grouser on Apr 20, 2011 11:20:52 GMT -5
<snip> But what about when it comes to lack of customer service to the General Public ("GP")? We Regulars know to expect that when there is a Holiday Sale on tickets in November, or February, or March, that we won't actually receive them by the holiday to give them as gifts and will likely have to wait until June until they arrive. The GP Do NOT know this. Do you think those people will all be rushing to come back year after year after such an experience? I think not. <snip> Yeah, that's pretty much my situation right there. I've only been to the faire once (towards the end of last season) and was looking forward to going back this year as well as giving some gift tickets to some folks who I thought might enjoy it. I've coasted into April on the assurances of Lady Catherine/Hank/Sir Trevor but I'm afraid my patience has run out. I'm sorry but it didn't even take this long to buy my house. I'm pretty much done with it. It's in the hands of my credit card company now.
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Post by Captian Rae on Apr 20, 2011 11:33:00 GMT -5
They have an office there; I have been in it. Do they use it? And do they not have staff working for them that is not in the cast? It would help us, the patrons, to have someone to talk to at the office and not on the web.
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Post by Sir Michael on Apr 20, 2011 12:35:15 GMT -5
Greetings All Just wanted to say I have been going to Faire for 6 years now...I know they can do things better, but Larry has always given us a good faire. I understand that there is some legal dealings going on which may be some of the cause that info is not comming out as fast as we like. There have been posts by staff...if you ordered tickets, and have your reciept, you can then request to be put at the top of the list. Tickets will be comming. Let's all try to give the faire the support it needs and realize that Larry is not out there to screw with us. Clean-up is starting in a week, the cast is being picked as we speak, the theme has been picked for this year, things are going forward. Remember there is no such things as a bad faire, just some that are better than others. Let's try to be positive!!!!! Sir Michael, Princess Emma and Lady Joanne
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Post by Sir Michael on Apr 20, 2011 12:39:16 GMT -5
Once again,the GLMF offices are closed for the winter,so every ticket order is processed on online through a specific carrier,when we have have SEVERE problems with that carrier and our webmail it has a trickle down effect on our ability to get the orders out.Wish I could give you some type of time line as to when you will receive your order,but,I cant. I can tell you Cindy and I are working non stop to get orders processed along with the other chores we do to get ready for the 2011 season and you will have have your tickets in time before fair. Also,if you need them immediately,for gifts or whatever,you can email me with your confirmation number,amount and address to bretthall@windstream.net and I will expedite them to the top of the list. You can also email me with any questions you might have. Thank you for your patience and understanding. Brett Hall.
heres the contact info for Brett Hall...in reference to the tickets from another post
Sir Michael
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Nyneve of the Oakes
Mercenary
"Everything in the Universe has rhythm. Everything dances." - Maya Angelou
Posts: 221
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Post by Nyneve of the Oakes on Apr 20, 2011 13:03:22 GMT -5
Sir Michael...that information is certainly appreciated by those of us on the Forum who are able to get it. HOWEVER...is that info also being conveyed to the General Public or those who are not on the Forum? When Joe Public goes online and buys tickets, how is he to know that he needs to specially request the tickets in time for a certain event? NOBODY here is saying the Faire is bad. Just that customer service is a major issue that is in dire need of improvement.
OK - I've said my peace. *stepping off soap box* In the meantime...79 days, 20 hours, 53 minutes and 32 seconds left!!! HUZZAH!
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