Nibbled News

Shoddy Tech Support Plagues Giantmatrix

 

Online software companies promise potential customers that their product is second to none and that their product 's technical support team will go out of its way to assist you should you experience problems with their products.

One company whose after sale technical support is sorely lacking is Giantmatrix (www.giantmatrix.com) whose product "Anti Tracks" offers consumers hours of software frustration, little or no product support and of course questionable marketing strategies.

In November of 2011 I purchased an  online version of Anti Tracks from Avangate the seller of the software. I received an email notification that once my order was confirmed I would receive the payment receipt and "detailed product licensing information" in separate emails.

The followup email I received informed me that I should register my product at the Avangate website (www.avangate.com) so that I would be able to view my order details, gain access to my online shopping history and "re-download licence keys/codes".

An email indicated the download site to obtain the program. No product codes were ever included with the emails. At the time I thought nothing of that fact and installed the program. That was my first major mistake.

The program loaded successfully and promised to protect my identity and personal information online. After I initiated the program two things happened which I did not expect:

1.  I was unable to access any website due to server failure.
2.  My computer crashed and I had to do a computer restore.

I had to perform a computer restore two more times after the initial software conflict. I had downloaded a copy of the program and placed it on a DVD for safekeeping. When I installed this copy the computer once again locked up. An onscreen error message informed me of an error occurring because a product cover page was missing.

I sent an email to the customer support team and told them my situation. I also told them that I had not received the licence keys or special codes in any email from them. I requested the product codes to unlock the product.

I received a short email telling me to go to another website and download another version of the program. No product codes were included at this time but the name of the program was listed a "Anti Tracks - complete version". I still do not know what that means.

Naively I followed their instruction, downloaded the program and hoped for the best. Again my web browsers were unable to access the Internet due to server errors. Two more times the program crashed my computer due to software complications.

I again contacted customer support and have  been waiting now for a reply for about two weeks. Apparently a customer has to purchase "download protection" from the company to avoid such frustrating situations. A reputable company should have to resort to this type of after sale customer extortion to ensure that their product will continue to function as promised.

 In the past week or so I wrote to the sales department at Avangate asking for a refund for the product. I also sent an email to Gianmatrix explaining my frustration with both their problem plagued product and shoddy technical support.

From this experience I have learned not to trust an online software company who requests that a customer purchase "download insurance portection" to guarantee them the right to have future downloads should their product fail to perform. 

This is definitely a situation of buyer beware. The best policy is to do your online research about those companies who toot their own product horns a little too briskly. 

Creative Ways to Manage U.S. Debt Crisis

"Expecting the world to treat you fairly because you are good is like expecting the bull not to charge because you are a vegetarian."  ---   Dennis Wholey

Many times in life doing the right thing, even for the right reason, has its hidden and not so hidden costs.

When you are a major world power like the United States and  abandon a policy of political isolationism in favor of global intervention the financial costs can and eventually do become astronomical.

When these costs threaten to disrupt a nation, split party loyalties and in effect bring a country to its financial knees creative solutions need to be  seriously considered in order to rectify the situation and put the accounting balances back into the black.

The following solutions may be considered to be totally radical and off the wall but when you are in a financial crunch and fiscal responsibility has been carelessly adhered to then these types of drastic solutions may  help alleviate financial dilemmas:

1. Issue war bonds to finance your way out of debt.
2. Legalize marijuana and create a taxable source of revenue.
3. Create state lottery funds to help ease financial burden.
4. Let oil companies foot their share of the debt from earnings.
5. Lessen military presence in global skirmishes.

 

War Bond Effort

War bonds helped support the effort in World War II. The general public shouldered their financial responsibility for the war effort at a time when money was scarce but national pride at its peak. This approach demands that an end to the fighting not drag on for years. A lengthy, drawn out war would not sit well with public sentiment.

 

Legal Marijuana Outlets

Rather than destroy the currently seized crops of illegally grown marijuana why not legalize its use, create govenment approved retail outlets and create a new source of income. The total proceeds would go towards national debt reduction.

 

Sell Lottery Tickets Nationwide

Who really needs to win $133 million in some of the major state run lotteries currently available? Why not encourage more lottery ticket spending, limit the amount that a person can win and then place the overages in a fund meant to lessen the current debt.

 

Oil Companies Assume Their Share

Place more of a financial burden on the wealthy oil companies who are reaping billions from any and all global skirmishes. Afterall, they do provide the fuel for the tanks, trucks , planes and assorted other vehicles utilized in combat.

 

Lessen Military Presence

This may be the most drastic and yet the most pragmatic way to cut the costs now associated with the current U.S. financial crisis. Let the military take a less aggressive role in global skirmishes and let the future participants in such conflicts do more of their share.

 

Final thoughts

These proposed solutions may seem off-the-wall but they also represent more realistic alternatives to having the country not pay its outstanding debt and suffer the crippling long and short term effects of bankruptcy and insolvency.

 

 

 

If You Must Steal Become A Robin Hood

"I must confess to such an abhorrence of fraud in business that I am always most unwilling to come to a conclusion that a fraud has been committed, and I have very strong views with regard to what is the legal definition of fraud. It seems to me that no recklessness of speculation, however great, and that no extortion, however enormous, is fraud. "

• Brett, L.J., Wilson v. Church (1879), L. R. 13 Ch. 51.

 

Jesse Willms, a reportedly intelligent and ambitious 24-year-old   millionaire entrepreneur, lives in a swanky $2.6 million "party house", drives a red Mazda 3 automobile, has been described by neighbors who wish to remain anonymous as being "a good kid who lives a party lifestyle".

The Sherwood Park Alberta Canada resident is also being sued by the United States Federal Trade Commission (FTC) for allegedly scamming consumers around the globe to the tune of $450 million. Many have proclaimed him to be a modern day version of the Robin Hood who lived in Sherwood Forest and robbed the rich to give to the poor.

The FTC claims that this modern day villain since 2007 has garnered more than $467 million from his websites companies online customers in Canada, the United States, Great Britain, Autralia and New Zealand.

This was done through web offers which gave consumers supposedly free trials of products like teeth whiteners and weight loss pills.

Consumers would agree to pay only the shipping and handling charges for the items but soon realized that their charge card accounts were being debited upwards of $70 for continuing monthly membership fees to many of Willm's owned companies.

If you have bought any of the following products and had charges you did not expect -

AcaiBurn
Max AcaiBurn
Pro AcaiBurn
Ultra AcaiBurn
Extreme AcaiBurn
AcaiBurn Plus
PureLift Cream
PureCleanse Max
PureCleanse Pro
PureCleanse Ultra
DazzleWhite Pro
Dazzel White
Credit Report America
Make Google Cash (makecashfastwithgoogle.com)
Earn Cash from Grants
WuYi Source Tea
EasyWeightLossTea

the company who sells them is:
Just Think Media / 1021018 Alberta Ltd

The FTC suit claims Willms uses deceptive advertising, false celebrity endorsements and other forms of product misrepresentation to market and sell his products.

His companies have failed to refund customers their money after they learned that their accounts were being tapped for a lot more than stated in the advertising copy.

He started many of his businesses as a teenager and has owned companies under a number of banners including JDW Media LLC, Just Think Media, e-Direct software, Swipe Auctions and a recently launched Tera Marketing Group (TMG).

Willms has reportedly donated more than $200 thousand to local and international charities and many people are describing him as a type of modern day Robin Hood. But the Robin Hood of folklore lived in the woods with his men and not in an expensive party residence geared towards an upscale active lifestyle. Besides, what percentage of the $450 million dollars is this charitable donation anyways?

The other RH also robbed from the rich and gave to the poor. Somewhere in the overall mistranslation of things Willms has apparently neglected to consult not only the history books but also his conscience about the definitions of right and wrong.

Sherwood Park Alberta is a prestigious area filled with lavish country estates, new moneyed millionaires and established family histories.

It is unfortunate that even in this lap of such economic plenty a low level bottom feeder can easily set up shop, establish an identity and then , without any qualm of conscience, proceed to fleece unsuspecting and trusting customers out of their hard earned cash.

Let Offshore Personnel Handle Complaints

Sign posted in a customer service department:

"Suppose we refund your money,
send you another one without charge,
close the store, and have the manager shot.
Would THAT be satisfactory?!" ---- Anon

I have been a long time customer at Sears throughout a number of years and have enjoyed quality products, service and selection and until a few days ago fair and honest treatment. A recent experience with a number of alleged "off shore" customer service employees have tended to persuade me to now think differently.

Monday of this week I placed a catalogue order for three medium sized lamp shades. My current shades have beome tattered and shabby and are probably seeking a speedy retirement. I bought the lamps at Sears a number of years ago and was fortunate to have visited the company's web site and obtained a product identification number.

I decided to play it safe and call the company's 800 number to place my order in case I entered incorrect information at the catalogue website. At times I place more trust in people than mechanical entry systems.

A customer service representative, Stephen, answered my telephone call and took down the relevant details of my future purchase: three dark blue medium sized table lampshades. I gave him the product identification number and the color code for the lamp.

Moments later he quoted me the total cost of the lamps and a delivery date that I thought was just too good to be true. I placed the order on a Monday and the sales associate was telling me that the lamps would be delivered to my residence in two days time! That was very good news indeed.

Before the call concluded he asked me to not hang up the receiver as there was a customer evaluation survey to follow. I told him that I would gladly answer such a survey after all the service had been excellent.

The short survey asked me to rate the person processing the order, his proficiency, the avalability of stock and the overall customer satisfaction with the service I had just received.Needless to say I gave the salesperson and the overall experience a top rating.

Wednesday finally arrived and as the five o'clock hour approached I decided to call the Sears Customer Service inquiry telephone number. A female associate answered the call and I told her that my lamps had not yet arrived and that the hours for delivery were quickly waning.

She apologized for the inconvenience I was experiencing and told me she would enter my order number on the catalogue computer to determine what might be causing the problem. Little did I know at the start of the call that she would heartily apologize a total of eight times for the situation I was experiencing.

A moment later she informed me that the lamps were scheduled to be delivered on Wednesday to my residence but that there might be a back order of such shades pending. I told her that the email I received confirmed that there were at least three such lamp shades in stock and that I was guaranteed the Wednesday delivery.

She once again assured me that she truly appreciated the situation I was facing but added that sometimes a guaranteed delivery date of three days time could evolve into a five to six day waiting period. Again she apologized for the inconvenience.

I asked if I could speak to her supervisor to help clarify the situation. She told me that it was early morning where she was located and that her immediate supervisor would not be in the office until later in the day.

I then asked her where she was located and she told me quite matter of factly, "off shore". She was nowhere near North America but that customer orders and complaints were processed at this location. Gee. imagine that.

I told her I thought it was downright devious that Sears would inject a customer service evaluation quiz at the end of the purchase process. Again she whole heartedly apologized for the delay.

At this stage of the game I can only hope that my lamps will be home delivered free of charge within the time period this customer associate promised.

There's Nothing Wrong With Doing Nothing

 

"A mother is the truest friend we have, when trials heavy and sudden, fall upon us; when adversity takes the place of prosperity; when friends who rejoice with us in our sunshine desert us; when trouble thickens around us, still will she cling to us, and endeavor by her kind precepts and counsels to dissipate the clouds of darkness, and cause peace to return to our hearts." - Washington Irving

These days it appears that many women who have chosen to become stay-at-home moms are ridiculed and harassed for making their decision to remain out of the work force. Many of their friends, family and mother-in-law(s) insist they get back into the active and lucrative employment market before it's too late.

Many of these women complain that their friends are all too eager for them to drop the concerned mom façade and get back into the job market where career fulfillment, personal development and financial rewards await them.

Friends and family continually harass them with questions regarding their day to day routines: don’t they ever get bored; what do they do all day; how do they keep their sanity; don’t they wish they were working at some type of job .

Women who have decided to be stay-at-home moms enjoy the freedom from stress and work deadlines that plague the rest of the working world. Granted that many women are often overwhelmed by the demands of taking care of a household and children.

But, many women relish the freedom and the opportunity to grow as a person and help their children develop as responsible adults in a home setting where mom is there to protect, support, nourish and guide them through the grinds and challenges of everyday life.

Many mother in laws can be unreasonable in their continuous demanding that their daughter-in-laws spread their wings, leave the familial nest and try to develop a career opportunity for themselves outside the family circle.

But essentially the women I spoke with recently declare vigorously that they are happy in their career choice and that their lives are that much more rewarding because they chose this life style for themselves.

Many women stated that they do not have to work because their husbands earn enough income to support their growing family. Considering the current job market with employment uncertainty and layoffs happening every day these women feel they should be applauded rather than criticized for their choices.

I have recently retired and wholeheartedly enjoy the new found sense of freedom that not having to work can offer a person. The internet and community college study-at-home courses offer stay-at-home people the chance to learn, grow, develop and enjoy their lives.

As the woman in the above video indicates it’s time to quit harping about and splitting hairs over the lifestyle she has chosen and focus more on the long term benefits to society her decision to raise her children will bestow to the community in the long term.

Misguided Teller's Acts Mars Firm's Image

 

"At some time in the life cycle of every organization, its ability to succeed in spite of itself runs out."

People today tend to wag their index fingers in disgust at the manner in which  airport security personnel take unfair advantage of travellers . The  position of power displayed by such personnel to detain, search and embarass folks publicly is well documented .

Not all such personnel are quite as zealous as others and the more despicable ones who flaunt their moments of power are well documented. They just want that chance to make their 15 seconds of fame and then they'll be on easy street. So they think.

This type of power play mentality is not restricted to those folks who carry weapons and badges and other symbols of authority. Sometimes the shield of authority is wielded freely by people in such mundane positions as tellers at cash advance outlets.

The other day I was out shopping and realized that my power bill payment deadline was rapidly approaching. One of these money lending outlets was in the neighborhood I was visiting and so I decided to drop by and purchase a money order to cover the expense. I had heard that these outlets were fast, friendly and convenient.

I entered this outlet around lunchtime hoping that there would be no lineup so I could transact my business quickly. The interior of the building was warm, clean and well organized. A single female customer was standing at the service desk and there was no customer service representative to be found. My kinda place I thought!

As I took my place at the head of the line the cashier (CSR) re entered the office area and approached the waiting customer. The customer and the cashier exchanged a few words and then suddenly the customer left the building in an agitated state of mind.

I approached the service desk and waited for the CSR to acknowledge the fact I was there and welcome me to the outlet. Thirty seconds elapsed and  she still did not smile, welcome me to the store or even ask how she could assist me. She too seemed to be in an agitated state of mind. She kept staring off into the distance.

At last I approached the customer service desk and said hello and told her that I wanted a money order to pay a bill. I told her that I was not a customer at the outlet but had friends who recommended the place to me.

She then proceeded to tell me the rules of engagement for this place. She asked me to produce two pieces of identification, give her a signature sample and told me that she would need to take a photograph of me.

It would also be necessary for me to sign a form stating that I was not an impostor pretending to be me and that I was not a crook.  If I did not comply with these requests she told me I would not be able to purchase the money order.

I tried to tell her that I did not need a loan, want to arrange a bill payment or have my taxes completed. I merely wanted to purchase a very simple money order. She became beligerent and argumentative. I had done nothing to raise her hackles and yet she treated a potential new customer as a hostile party.

I complied with her demands to show her my driver's license and give her a sample of my signature but I refused however to have her take my picture with the webcam attached to her desk top computer nearby. I had to sign a form indicating that I refused to allow her to take my picture.

Finally when all the formality had been handled she processed my order, handed me the money order and the correct amount of change and a customer receipt. A potential clash of personalities had thankfully been aborted.

Managers and owners of such outlets should perform employee evaluations not only based on performance but also on customer feedback. This shrew might have been an employee of the month in days gone by but right now she is a liability to any future profits for the company.

It is commendable that such an employee wants to ensure that her outlet is not ripped off by unscrupulous individuals. It is also distrubing to realize that this person places procedure and protocol over common sense and courtesy.