Odd response[s] from Flying Saucer after web contact

Frater Mus

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Aug 8, 2006, 2:57:25 PM8/8/06

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Got an odd, unprofessional response back from FS after putting in a
web comment. Here's the story...

Wife and I ate at FS addison Sunday afternoon. Two sandwiches, two
beers, one soft drink. 20% tip.

I had some ideas to share with FS about some easy value-added stuff
they could do with their UFO beer-tasting club. Hey, if my customer
had suggestions I'd want to hear them.

So I pocketed a coaster that said to use the contact page at
www.beerknurd.com.

And I tried to enter the site with my Flash-less browser. No go.
It's Flash-mandatory. Grrrr.... So instead of telling them my UFO
suggestions I guessed the contact page's URL and told them how silly
it was to force customers to jump through hoops to get one's business
content.

Here are the responses:
http://www.mousetrap.net/~mouse/fs/fs1.txt
http://www.mousetrap.net/~mouse/fs/fs2.txt

Seems to be a strange way to deal with the public, particularly a
member of the public who is trying to help you get wider dissemination
of your business message.

Jeff Edwards

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Aug 8, 2006, 3:34:15 PM8/8/06

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Frater Mus <fsnntp2006...@spamgourmet.com> wrote in
news:slrnedhnks.2uk.n...@malkuth.mousetrap.net:

>
> Got an odd, unprofessional response back from FS after putting in a
> web comment. Here's the story...

Odd indeed, especially in light of you complimenting the establishment
in the first line. I wonder if the respondent is actually in any sort
of position of authority - it almost appears to be an IT person wounded
by you questioning the site.

I had a similarly disppointing response once from Joe's Crab Shack about
3 years ago. I wrote cautioning them that my wife had food poisoning so
they might want to look into it if they heard from other diners - no
threats, no requests, just a friendly message. They had a corporate
lawyer call and leave a very condescending and accusatory message on our
machine basically calling us liars. We have not eaten there since.

Flipside - not an eats place, but nonetheless - we had a miserable
experience at Seaworld SA a few weeks back. I wrote a pretty scathing
letter to the office there and promptly received an apology in reply and
an offer to send in our stubs for complimentary tickets good for the
rest of the year. These tickets will get used, and they will retain our
business.

Add to all this the word of mouth this creates. The person sending you
the replies you attached should be reprimanded.

-Jeff

SINNER

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Aug 8, 2006, 4:33:28 PM8/8/06

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* Frater Mus wrote in dfw.eats:

> Got an odd, unprofessional response back from FS after putting in a
> web comment. Here's the story...

That is simply un f'ing believable not to mention ther is no skip button,
waht a moron. I was tempted to respond ;)

I'd print it out and bring it into the bar and ask to see the manager.

--
David

tex...@gmail.com

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Aug 8, 2006, 5:44:12 PM8/8/06

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Jeff Edwards wrote:
> Frater Mus <fsnntp2006...@spamgourmet.com> wrote in
> news:slrnedhnks.2uk.n...@malkuth.mousetrap.net:
>
> >
> > Got an odd, unprofessional response back from FS after putting in a
> > web comment. Here's the story...
>
> Odd indeed, especially in light of you complimenting the establishment
> in the first line. I wonder if the respondent is actually in any sort
> of position of authority - it almost appears to be an IT person wounded
> by you questioning the site.

FYI the first response came from Shannon Wynne, the head honcho.
Assuming it wasn't someone else e-mailing from his address, I guess Mr.
Wynne can tick off as many potential customers as he wants.

Joe

Jeff Edwards

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Aug 8, 2006, 6:02:36 PM8/8/06

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tex...@gmail.com wrote in
news:1155073452.1...@h48g2000cwc.googlegroups.com:

I see - was not sure who the players were. If it was in fact Mr. Wynne,
that makes it even worse, in my opinion. I suppose he can indeed do as
he pleases, but these things have a funny way of coming back around
given a consistent enough pattern.

-Jeff

Frater Mus

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Aug 8, 2006, 6:35:42 PM8/8/06

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On 2006-08-08, <arcade...@gmail.com> wrote:
> * Frater Mus wrote in dfw.eats:
>
>> Got an odd, unprofessional response back from FS after putting in a
>> web comment. Here's the story...
>
> That is simply un f'ing believable not to mention ther is no skip button,
> waht a moron. I was tempted to respond ;)

I did make a screen shot that shows the lack of the skip button, but
didn't want to tangle with them further.

Frater Mus

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Aug 8, 2006, 6:44:56 PM8/8/06

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On 2006-08-08, <tex...@gmail.com> wrote:

> FYI the first response came from Shannon Wynne, the head honcho.

That's a little disconcerting.

I just googled the name, and based on the contents of some quotes I
found it does sound like his approach.

> Assuming it wasn't someone else e-mailing from his address, I guess Mr.
> Wynne can tick off as many potential customers as he wants.

Or *actual* customers, in my case. Before I was married I spent many
a night in the Addison (and former Arlington) locations. In my calmer
marital status now the wife and I hit Addison about 1x/month.

Heck I even have FS locations in my "things to do in Dallas" gps waypoints
file up on my website. I might have to rethink that bit...

silly...@gmail.com

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Aug 9, 2006, 12:25:41 AM8/9/06

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Frater Mus <fsnntp2006...@spamgourmet.com> wrote:

> Got an odd, unprofessional response back from FS after putting in a
> web comment. Here's the story...

Wow -- not only unprofessional, but way off the mark about the use of
Flash. The second response says "You must have Flash in order to view
overwhelming majority of Internet content." That's just plain wrong.

I installed and used a new system for around a month before I realized
that I had forgotten to install Flash -- I only noticed because my
wife was playing a game on another computer and I thought I'd check it
out (it was a Flash game, of course).

--

Steve Stringer
silly...@gmail.com

Mark Shaw

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Aug 9, 2006, 1:08:35 AM8/9/06

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Jeff Edwards <paranoi...@sbcglobal.net> wrote:
> tex...@gmail.com wrote in
> news:1155073452.1...@h48g2000cwc.googlegroups.com:

> >> Frater Mus <fsnntp2006...@spamgourmet.com> wrote in
> >> news:slrnedhnks.2uk.n...@malkuth.mousetrap.net:

> >> > Got an odd, unprofessional response back from FS after putting in a
> >> > web comment. Here's the story...
> >>
> >> Odd indeed, especially in light of you complimenting the
> >> establishment in the first line. I wonder if the respondent is
> >> actually in any sort of position of authority - it almost appears to
> >> be an IT person wounded by you questioning the site.
> >
> > FYI the first response came from Shannon Wynne, the head honcho.
> > Assuming it wasn't someone else e-mailing from his address, I guess
> > Mr. Wynne can tick off as many potential customers as he wants.

> I see - was not sure who the players were. If it was in fact Mr. Wynne,
> that makes it even worse, in my opinion. I suppose he can indeed do as
> he pleases, but these things have a funny way of coming back around
> given a consistent enough pattern.

Well, we'll see what he has to say to me. I was, while still
respectful, even more direct.

(I *loathe* flash-crap.)

--
Mark Shaw
========================================================================
"The most exciting phrase to hear in science, the one that heralds new
discoveries, is not 'Eureka!' but 'That's funny....'" - Isaac Asimov

Mark Shaw

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Aug 9, 2006, 7:45:16 AM8/9/06

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Mark Shaw <ms...@bangnetcom.com> wrote:

> Well, we'll see what he has to say to me. I was, while still
> respectful, even more direct.

Aaaaaaand here we go.

Comments : Are you people insane? Your website BLOWS. I wanted to get
a beer menu, and here I get stupid and noisy Flash-crap without even a
"skip" button. You get extra points off for the audio content.

I want information, not a cartoon insect. I have no idea whether a menu
is even available; at this point I don't care.

Response:

Hey pal, You sound like your friend. I'd go to Sherlock's if I were
you...see how you like it. Hey, your "skip" button is in the lower
right corner . Go someplace else.

-----

I guess I'll do just that. The one and only time I've been to FS,
the beer was served way too cold for style and the food was awful.

--
Mark Shaw
========================================================================
"Labor to keep alive in your breast that little spark of mnshaw@
celestial fire called conscience." - George Washington gmail.com

Randal

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Aug 9, 2006, 11:09:10 AM8/9/06

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Frater Mus wrote:
> Got an odd, unprofessional response back from FS after putting in a
> web comment. Here's the story...
>

You say in your first email that you won't go back to the Saucer
because of their WEBSITE! Haha. Get a grip man, we're talking about
reality here. Maybe Shannon's reply was a bit harsh but so was your
email and he called you out; you threatened to take your business
elsewhere because you won't get the damn flash plugin and he told you
to go ahead - it just strikes me as petty on both sides.

I could understand if the Saucer's *business* was web design, but they
are a beer bar - nothing more. I would not deny myself the
well-maintained selection and reasonable prices the Saucer has over
this - trust me I moved from Dallas to Colorado Springs where the most
one can hope for on tap at 99.9% of the places is Bud/Miller/Coors, Fat
Tire and a token Bristol like Laughing Lab.

Oh and the usual applies: I am in no way affiliated with the Saucer
except that my wife was only 33 beers away from 200 when we moved!
Yargh!

_Randal

dfw...@yahoo.com

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Aug 9, 2006, 12:17:05 PM8/9/06

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Frater Mus wrote:
> Got an odd, unprofessional response back from FS after putting in a
> web comment. Here's the story...

I noticed the 'skip' when visiting the site, but the trouble is that it
won't skip past the flash stuff. I only skips the animated intro
portion of the flash stuff.

While I wouldn't boycott a place based on their website, such a
response makes you wonder what kind of organization you are giving
business to...

Jeff Edwards wrote:
> it almost appears to be an IT person wounded by you questioning the site.

Wynne is probably not too technical with his computing. If he was, he
would realize that the 'skip' link is WITHIN the flash presentation.
This, in addition to the problem I stated above.

Who knows: maybe the animation is his wife's idea, his daughter created
the flash intro, and the hand/arm used in the intro is his brother's.
Highly unlikely, but some kind of personal connection to the flash
stuff would explain a little touchiness.

Jeff Edwards

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Aug 9, 2006, 1:01:04 PM8/9/06

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"Randal" <fran...@swbell.net> wrote in news:1155136150.738172.129970
@i42g2000cwa.googlegroups.com:

>
> Frater Mus wrote:
>> Got an odd, unprofessional response back from FS after putting in a
>> web comment. Here's the story...
>>
>
> You say in your first email that you won't go back to the Saucer
> because of their WEBSITE! Haha. Get a grip man, we're talking about
> reality here. Maybe Shannon's reply was a bit harsh but so was your
> email and he called you out; you threatened to take your business
> elsewhere because you won't get the damn flash plugin and he told you
> to go ahead - it just strikes me as petty on both sides.

There are two different applicable standards here. As a customer, he
complained about something. He was pointed and did threaten to take his
business elsewhere, but I did not find it rude. That would be the
standard to apply when complaining - direct, but not rude.

The standard to apply as a businessman reading the complaint is to take
seriously the fact that this issue may not be isolated and others may
share the view. The standard would also dictate not writing back in a
mocking tone and acting like a juvenile.

I could care less about the website, but I can promise you I will avoid
the Flying Saucer now. My new job is just down the road from one.
Thus, Shannon lost additional business based on his unprofessional
response. I'm just one guy, but perhaps there are others thinking the
same thing here.

-Jeff

Frater Mus

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Aug 9, 2006, 2:04:51 PM8/9/06

to

On 2006-08-09, <fran...@swbell.net> wrote:
>
> Frater Mus wrote:
>> Got an odd, unprofessional response back from FS after putting in a
>> web comment. Here's the story...
>>
>
> You say in your first email that you won't go back to the Saucer
> because of their WEBSITE!

The topic was whether or not I'd pony up for the UFO beer tasting club
or spend that money somewhere else. I have been drinking at FS for
years without being a member of UFO.

After seeing the site I decided against UFO. After reading their
reply I decided against FS.

> Maybe Shannon's reply was a bit harsh but so was your
> email

Maybe. But they did solicit my comments and I did provide them with
other opinions and with business reasons to avoid Flash-required
design.

I suppose I could have been gentler and more informative. Then
again, I am paying them rather than the other way 'round.

> and he called you out; you threatened to take your business
> elsewhere because you won't get the damn flash plugin and he told you
> to go ahead - it just strikes me as petty on both sides.

My point was that his site drives away viewers.

What I learned is that the company is willing to drive away customers.
It's not a big deal to me. I thought it was odd.

> I could understand if the Saucer's *business* was web design, but they
> are a beer bar - nothing more. I would not deny myself the

Their business is serving customers, I would think. Their coaster
specifically asked for site feedback, and the site made that very
difficult for non-Flash browsers.

--
Wrong does not cease to be wrong because the majority share in it. Tolstoy

Lucy

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Aug 10, 2006, 12:54:05 PM8/10/06

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<dfw...@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:1155140225....@p79g2000cwp.googlegroups.com...

I agree with the general consensus.. why give your business to a place that
treats a customer like they don't need it, or don't want it..
lucy

Lucy

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Aug 10, 2006, 1:14:12 PM8/10/06

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"Lucy" <m...@nosuch.invalid> wrote in message
news:NwJCg.5316$o27....@newssvr21.news.prodigy.com...

Sorry for posting twice on this, but a thought occurs.. someone should post
sweet mister shannon a link to this group and this thread, and encourage him
to get "the rest of the story".
lucy :)

ChairMan

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Aug 10, 2006, 2:39:33 PM8/10/06

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In news:EPJCg.5325$o27....@newssvr21.news.prodigy.com,
Lucy <m...@nosuch.invalid>spewed forth:

I've met Mr. wynne and can tell you he wouldn't care.
He thinks he can do no wrong.

SINNER

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Aug 10, 2006, 3:58:40 PM8/10/06

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* Mark Shaw wrote in dfw.eats:

> your "skip" button is in the lower
> right corner .

Yeah, same color as the BG, great design choice. WHo is the moron here?

-- David

Lucy

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Aug 10, 2006, 4:55:37 PM8/10/06

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"ChairMan" <wh...@fu.com> wrote in message
news:44db7d82$0$6580$9a6e...@unlimited.newshosting.com...

Chairman, that sounds about right.. what's the saying about a certain
organic matter floating to the top? <grins>
lucy

JC

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Aug 11, 2006, 12:04:47 AM8/11/06

to

Not sure that Sean Garnish would like to see those comments.

I believe he is the FS guy.

Mark Shaw

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Aug 11, 2006, 12:25:11 AM8/11/06

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Mark Shaw <ms...@bangnetcom.com> wrote:
> Mark Shaw <ms...@bangnetcom.com> wrote:

> > Well, we'll see what he has to say to me. I was, while still
> > respectful, even more direct.

> Aaaaaaand here we go.

> Comments : Are you people insane? Your website BLOWS. I wanted to get
> a beer menu, and here I get stupid and noisy Flash-crap without even a
> "skip" button. You get extra points off for the audio content.

> I want information, not a cartoon insect. I have no idea whether a menu
> is even available; at this point I don't care.

> Response:

> Hey pal, You sound like your friend. I'd go to Sherlock's if I were
> you...see how you like it. Hey, your "skip" button is in the lower
> right corner . Go someplace else.

And more today:

You're a complaining idiot. A crybaby, a spoiled child. We don't serve rude and simpering jerks. Print that you moron.

[This from sha...@anotherplanet.com]

My response:

Hey asshole, one response from you was enough. As far as serving me,
no thanks anyway - the pale ales you carry are kept too cold for
style.

Further email from you will be considered harassment.
[End]

I guess SOMEbody never got the memo about how to treat customers.

--
Mark Shaw
========================================================================
It's a very good thing there's nobody around to see my crafty little grin,
because I am utterly failing to conceal it. - Dora (Questionable Content)

Jamb...@narleans.net

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Aug 11, 2006, 9:26:53 AM8/11/06

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On Fri, 11 Aug 2006 04:25:11 +0000 (UTC), Mark Shaw
<ms...@bangnetcom.com> wrote:

I wonder when the last time Shannon Loser was visited by the Health
Inspector. Maybe that's about to change. Who knows? I'd love to
hear that moron use that line on the Health Inspector: "You're a
complaining idiot. A crybaby, a spoiled child. " Followed by his
front door being padlocked and the public notice going up.

Hey, Shannon. Read THIS you moron.