I'm happier than ever, at least that's my endeavor

Currently, Chronicles and Legends is running The Great Gatsby shopping event, and it's grand--any fans of the forties or dieselpunk can find items that, while from the 1920s-1930s, might work really well in their builds, too. But that's not the point of this entry.



Let's talk about %Percent, and Ms. Plato Novo instead.



I really liked this entire set. Even biting my nails, wondering how I'm going to save enough Lindens for Fantasy Faire upcoming, I really wanted this set. So, last night before I left, I made a splurge purchase--the Burled Wood side of three items (because I felt they'd go better in upcoming builds).



And, as much as I love copper, I decided to go with the brass table lamp and fan from the other side. I had decided against the chandelier--though, in going back to grab pictures for this image, I decided to pick that up as well--but what I really wanted was that mirror.



Yes, I know. Getting a mirror that actually "reflects" in Second Life requires photo editing. I get that. But look at it. It's so pretty.

But...there was a problem. This was the notecard I sent the maker:

Hello, Plato! I really wanted to buy the set tonight, but I'm getting an odd message from the mirror:

[21:18] %DeMille Wall Mirror (multi) *MESH* Vendor: Sorry Emilly Orr , it seems that I am missing the Materials Enabled.

I thought somehow, I was caught on decor, so I cammed in very close, made sure I was fixed clearly on the vendor, and:

[21:19] %DeMille Wall Mirror (multi) *MESH* Vendor: Sorry Emilly Orr , it seems that I am missing the Materials Enabled.

So...I have no idea what's going on? But whatever is is, cannot buy the mirror.

I'll check back, but please, get this fixed when you can? I know I'm not the only one who wants that gorgeous thing.

Thanks in advance,

Em

Now, all I expected was a note in return at some point, saying the vendor had been fixed. If I hadn't heard anything back, I would have checked back in a day or so. Instead...I got this:

[08:53] Plato Novo: (Saved Sun Apr 10 22:41:29 2022) Hello! Thank you for writing! I went and checked, and you were correct - the wall mirror vendor wasn't working correctly. Completely my fault, and I'm so sorry!
[08:53] Plato Novo: (Saved Sun Apr 10 22:41:56 2022) It refunded you each time you tried, but I'm sending you the item now. Please let me know if you have any questions, and thank you for letting me know! :)

And she sent me the mirror.

Friends. Just fixing the vendor would have been enough. And trust me, I do not expect to be handed gifts when something goes wrong. But if I may be so bold, this is exactly how an issue should be addressed, and it was a beautiful way to handle it on her end.

Designers of things are people, too, and people can make mistakes. Especially this time of year--and I noticed when grabbing her main store's link from her profile, and saw all the event groups she's in--when there can be multiple overlapping (or near overlapping) events. Always be polite, approach the issue with respect, do NOT yell, and be professional.

And nine times out of ten, you will get that same level of respect in return.

(And seriously, people? You could do worse than to wander her profile anyway--she has some great links. She's a fan of the Virtual Hotel Chelsea, which to this day is a great venue for fans of live music and live poetry, where people can also rent rooms to mingle with fellow Bohemian souls. She also co-owns Virtual Soho, which I've seen a bit of, and adore--I may never make it to New York, as the farthest I've ever been east in the US is Wyoming--but I adore tributes to the city that's made so deep an impact on so many.)

double-crossed, glossed over in my pathos

So, this is going to be another one of those store-name-preserved/other names anonymized, because there were just too many references to the actual owner of BRII Underground Wear to edit out.

[10:54] Txxxxx Yxxx: I bought 3 underground gift cards for prizes but can't transfer them to the winners?????
[10:56] Txxxxx Yxxx: I guess I just lost my money sigh

Meet today's hapless protagonist, Ms. T. This was how she opened up her question--by already deciding she'd been cheated.

[10:57] bxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: you need to buy the cards as a gift foir each of the winners,
[10:57] Nxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: send a note card to Brianna , she will help you
[10:57] axxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: right
[10:57] Mxxxx Exxxxxxx: what happened?
[10:58] Mxxxx Exxxxxxx: just logged on
[10:58] Txxxxx Yxxx: that makes no sense

Why not? If there was only one single maker of all gift cards on the grid, then you'd expect them to behave the same way, always, but there are several manufacturers of gift cards, and they all have their own rules.

[10:58] Emilly Shatner-Orr (emilly.orr): Drop a notecard to Brianna, yeah. She'll sort it.
[10:58] Txxxxx Yxxx: I don't know now the winners before hand

That's why you buy the cards after the winners are announced.

[10:58] axxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: well if you buy it for gift you have to send it to the person it is for not you
[10:58] Txxxxx Yxxx: I didn't buy as a gift

And there's your problem.

[10:59] bxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: so you dont buy the cards until after you know who the winners are..
[10:59] axxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: right and that is why you cannot give them to the other peoople
[10:59] Txxxxx Yxxx: I don't buy gift cards for myself
[10:59] Emilly Shatner-Orr (emilly.orr): But that's why you buy them once you know
[10:59] axxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: ok but when you buy them for another person they get it not you
[10:59] Emilly Shatner-Orr (emilly.orr): Right
[10:59] Txxxxx Yxxx: its a contest how do I know

I want to think she's kidding, she can't be this dim, but considering the rest of this conversation...

[10:59] axxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: no transfer on it
[11:00] Emilly Shatner-Orr (emilly.orr): You have to specify the person you're gifting the card to
[11:00] axxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: you wait until they win
[11:00] Emilly Shatner-Orr (emilly.orr): That
[11:00] Txxxxx Yxxx: well I have 3 gift cards I will never use so lost money

What is so difficult about "send a notecard to Brianna, she'll fix it"? Why can't she just calm down and wait a bit?

[11:00] Emilly Shatner-Orr (emilly.orr): Drop a notecard to Brianna
[11:00] axxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: jot the names down when you know them and then get it for them

Yes. Exactly. THAT.

[11:00] axxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: you don't wear Brii clothing ?
[11:01] Txxxxx Yxxx: if you were in a contest and won would you want to wait?
[11:01] axxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: so, do you know who won ?
[11:01] Emilly Shatner-Orr (emilly.orr): Yes, if it meant getting a card. Every contest I've ever entered that gives a gift card gives it after the winner's announced
[11:01] axxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: exactly
[11:01] Txxxxx Yxxx: no I do not know who won

Then WHY ARE YOU BUYING GIFT CARDS?!?

[11:01] Emilly Shatner-Orr (emilly.orr): Example: I won a minor prize in the Fallen Gods and Goddesses contest. I got it about a week after the contest closed.

(And let me just say, I have never won even a runners-up prize for Fallen, but this year...And that will tickle me completely for a good two or three years to come.)

[11:01] axxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: i agree send a note
[11:02] Emilly Shatner-Orr (emilly.orr): That was *fine*, because that's one guy sending out all the gifts.
[11:02] Emilly Shatner-Orr (emilly.orr): People will understand.
[11:02] Txxxxx Yxxx: but I get gift cards other place with no restrictions This also helps the owner

Where? Where do you buy these no-restriction gift cards? Citation needed.

[11:02] axxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: ?
[11:02] Emilly Shatner-Orr (emilly.orr): Well, not every place that sells gift cards is the same
[11:02] Emilly Shatner-Orr (emilly.orr): This is how Brianna runs hers. Contact her.
[11:02] txxxxxxxxx Rxxxdxxxx: what we talking about? Is there a GC contest?
[11:03] Emilly Shatner-Orr (emilly.orr): Not as far as I know through the store
[11:03] Txxxxx Yxxx: I just found that out won't be back here at all

Again, don't assume you have no eggs for breakfast until you actually go out to the henhouse. Honestly.

[11:03] Emilly Shatner-Orr (emilly.orr) sighs
[11:03] axxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: oh dear
[11:03] Emilly Shatner-Orr (emilly.orr): Okay, so you bought three gift cards, and, because you have to wait a few hours, you're not going to let the designer fix things?
[11:04] Emilly Shatner-Orr (emilly.orr): Are your winners haranguing you in IMs?
[11:04] axxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: it is your error Miss Traxx but if you contact Brii she may help you
[11:04] Txxxxx Yxxx: no

Then what IS the problem??

[11:04] Txxxxx Yxxx: I will contact her and yes it is my erroer
[11:04] Emilly Shatner-Orr (emilly.orr): So, if they're not giving you grief, breathe, realize it will likely easily be solved, *if you contact Brianna Passiflora*.

I mean, how much more obvious do we have to make it?

[11:04] axxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: she is great just explain
[11:05] Emilly Shatner-Orr (emilly.orr): That's all you need to do.
[11:05] Txxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: Sorry, I just read this all ... a gift card is pretty much bey definition "no copy" and "no modify" ... so I would also expect that it is "transfer" ... it makes no sense to me when it isn't ...

Outside of very specific instances, like gacha vouchers for fur mods? I've never seen a transferable gift card from go. Where are these people shopping?

Then I got an IM from another group member.

[11:05] axxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: do you think she understand it ?
[11:05] Emilly Shatner-Orr (emilly.orr): I'm honestly not sure
[11:05] axxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: perhaps she is just upset
[11:05] Emilly Shatner-Orr (emilly.orr): I don't know how much more clear we can be
[11:05] Emilly Shatner-Orr (emilly.orr): Oh, we know she's upset
[11:05] axxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: we do
[11:05] axxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: we can't so getting Brii to explain is the best option
[11:06] Emilly Shatner-Orr (emilly.orr) nods
[11:06] axxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: poor thing

And back to main:

[11:06] axxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: you do not buy a gift card for yourself why would you so the person you want to have it must use their name to gift it
[11:06] axxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: simple as that

For the most part, correct.

IMs again:

[11:06] Emilly Shatner-Orr (emilly.orr): I'm just trying to figure out where she shops that gives transferable gift cards. There are places that make the cards transferable *once* you rez them from inventory, but not until then?
[11:06] Emilly Shatner-Orr (emilly.orr): So...lots of huh
[11:07] axxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: no where

Yeah.

And main chat:

[11:08] Txxxxx Yxxx: I agree [Txxx]
[11:08] Emilly Shatner-Orr (emilly.orr): [Txxxx]: Some gift cards are. Some aren't. There's a lot of vouchers for furry avatars, for instance, that are no-trans in the box, but if you rez them out to unpack them, you get a no-copy/trans version from the box, and then that box is empty.
[11:08] axxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: ok [Txxx] and who would you "transfer" it to ?
[11:08] axxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: remember it is a gift ...card
[11:09] Txxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: because I buy a gift card in rl also myself and then at the right moment and location I present it?
[11:09] axxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: sure especially if you were GIVEN IT
[11:09] Emilly Shatner-Orr (emilly.orr): Because even if you got a no-copy/trans version, if you wanted to give it away for a prize, or a gift, or something, you would still lose that object.
[11:10] Emilly Shatner-Orr (emilly.orr): Not every system offers easily transferable cards.
[11:10] axxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: correct Emily
[11:10] Txxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: okay, so it is more a technical problem?
[11:10] axxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: pretty much yes [Txxx]
[11:10] Txxxxx Yxxx: giving gift cards helps the merchat
[11:10] Emilly Shatner-Orr (emilly.orr): No, not really. BRII cards work in the system they're from.
[11:11] Txxxxx Yxxx: Brings other people to the store
[11:11] Emilly Shatner-Orr (emilly.orr): It's just a misunderstanding as to how that works.
[11:11] axxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: the technical part is that they were not sent to the person she wanted to get it , she got it
[11:11] Emilly Shatner-Orr (emilly.orr): The technical part is, she didn't specify a person to give the card to, she just bought it for herself

And from IMs again:

[11:12] axxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: ok......wow
[11:12] axxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: omg she has been in SL for 12 years !!!!
[11:12] Emilly Shatner-Orr (emilly.orr): This is baffling
[11:13] axxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: she is mad at herself but doesn't own it
[11:13] axxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: we told her how it is used so that is all we can do
[11:13] axxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: i send gifts from there all the time
[11:13] Emilly Shatner-Orr (emilly.orr) nods

And back to main, part trois:

[11:16] axxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: ok so that is the tricky part

It really is.

And the last bit from IMs:

[11:20] axxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: oh wow she has been in SL for 10 years
[11:20] axxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: no 12
[11:21] Emilly Shatner-Orr (emilly.orr): You'd think she would have picked up something in that amount of time.
[11:27] axxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: still no she continues to argue it so looks like Brii is her best bet

Yeah. No clue if she'll actually contact Brii. I hope she does. It sounds like a very silly thing to get that upset over.

But, big wide world, takes all kinds, maybe someone kicked her puppy before she logged in this morning. Who knows?

the blur and the noise of the screaming can blind and distract you

Oh, boy, here we go again.

[11:29] txxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: very disappointed in [name of store]. I have bought much and like th cloths ,but most recently bout many items and did not receive nor hear back. I sent post cards with items , I went to the redeliver still nothing. Unless theres a good reason it appears customer service is not the priority.

We hear this so damned often at this point, it's draining.

[11:30] Dxxx Txxxx: there is a good reason
[11:30] Exxxx Cxxxxxxxx: here we go again...she has a child...she's taking care of her child in RL.
[11:30] rxxxx Txxx: she is not in sl at the moment
[11:30] Cxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: Just click the redelivery
[11:30] Dxxx Txxxx: yepp
[11:30] Exxxxxxxxxx Mxxxx: She may need to put a notice on the front of her profile.

She has. It's right there.

[11:31] jxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: yes i think she does
[11:31] Dxxx Txxxx: she has always been so kind and generous w us and ppl just dont wanna be ptient
[11:31] jxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: i had no idea

Not our problem, because someone complains about the designer being gone at least twice a week. If you don't pay attention in group chat, that's on you.

[11:31] Emilly Orr: Customer service is a priority, you just need to contact a CSR.
[11:31] Cxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: if you have your transaction info, put it in a notecard to [bxxxxxdxxxx]
[11:31] Emilly Orr: The one she lists on her profile is [Bxxxxxxxxx Wxxxxxx]
[11:32] Emilly Orr:

"In case of Missing items in your inventory or failed deliveries, please do the following:
Teleport to the REDELIVERY TERMINAL at MAIN STORE and get your item delivered inmediately!
If this didn't work, please try this:
Clear cache: Edit Preferences Network Clear cache. Then Apply, ok, and restart sl."

[11:32] Emilly Orr: Also from her profile.
[11:32] Kxxxxx Cxxxxx: do not clear cache!
[11:33] Kxxxxx Cxxxxx: it just makes computer slower that is for corrupted inventory or textures

I'd like to see evidence of that. Every single time my inventory doesn't load, my Favorites bar disappears, I clear my caches and presto, everything comes back perfect.

[11:33] Ixxxx Bxxxxxxxx: Yes, she needs to put current info on her profile. Direct people to those who can take care of customers instead of saying to contact her when she apparently doesn't have the time. Can't always blame the customers when they are doing what they thought they needed to do.
[11:33] Emilly Orr: [Bxxxxxxxxx Wxxxxxx]
[11:33] Exxxx Cxxxxxxxx: She's taking care of a child in RL
[11:34] Emilly Orr: Is the direct person.
[11:34] Exxxx Cxxxxxxxx: RL is more important
[11:34] Emilly Orr: Which is the name on her profile.
[11:34] Cxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: She has always told ppl to contact [Bxxxxxxxxx]
[11:35] Ixxxx Bxxxxxxxx: Be clear, I wasn't the one complaining. But I am saying that it sounds like this customer did what she thought she needed to do based on what is written about these issues on [Pxxxxx]'s profile.

I don't think she did, though, as I point out below.

[11:35] Ixxxx Bxxxxxxxx: [Pxxxxx] should update her profile and tell people these things are going on and what to do in the meantime.
[11:36] Emilly Orr: But it's obvious she didn't, because she tried to contact [Pxxxxx], instead of [Bxxxxxxxxx].
[11:37] txxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: yes i did i did all those things mentioned and nothing i will contact [bxxxxxxxxxx] with my not card thanks all for input

Her admission she didn't contact the manager for this store in the first place.

[11:37] Pxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxx: It does say on [pxxxxx]s profile to drop her a note with her transcation info and she will try and resend [11:38] txxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: yes i sent a notecard with all tranactions
[11:38] Emilly Orr: You're welcome, [Rxxxxxx].
[11:38] Pxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxx: [Rxxxxxxx] I would contact [Bxxxxxxxxx]
[11:38] Ixxxx Bxxxxxxxx: Because it doesn't say to contact [Bxxxxxxxxx]. It says "Misdeliveries: Try Redelivery Terminal at the Landing Point if it fails, drop me a note with your transaction info and I will resend asap. Check my Pick #02 for more help" and pick #2 says "In case of Missing items in your inventory or failed deliveries, please do the following:
Teleport to the REDELIVERY TERMINAL at MAIN STORE and get your item delivered inmediately!
If this didn't work, please try this:
Clear cache: Edit Preferences Network Clear cache. Then Apply, ok, and restart sl.
If your items are still missing, send me a notecard including your transaction information, name of the item and Your Name. The item will be deliver as soon as possible." which she says she did. O'm not trying to start an argument, just simply stating that her info needs updating in order to avoid this kind of problem.

I already said that earlier. And explained the issue. Which is on her profile.

[11:39] Emilly Orr: It does say to contact [Bxxxxxxxxx]. FIRST PAGE OF HER PROFILE.
[11:39] Emilly Orr: "➊ Manager and Support: [Bxxxxxxxxx Wxxxxxx]"
[11:39] Emilly Orr: That's on her SL bio page.
[11:40] Emilly Orr: ABOVE the section you quoted.

Can she...not read? Is that it?

[11:40] Ixxxx Bxxxxxxxx: And I am sure if it had said to contact [Bxxxxxxxxx] for delivery issues, she would have. But instead she followed the directions and shouldn't have been bitched at for it. Pretty simple.
[11:41] Emilly Orr doesn't think she contacted [Bxxxxxxxxx] first.
[11:41] Emilly Orr: That's the only point I'm making.
[11:41] txxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: yes it does but does not say to contact this person just saying first sorry
[11:41] Pxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxx: right both then tells her to drop a notecard to herself....so really what is the right answer.?
[11:41] Emilly Orr: What do you think "Manager and Support" means, [Rxxxxxxx]?
[11:42] txxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: it does say to drop a nc to herself
[11:42] Emilly Orr: AFTER telling you who's managing things.
[11:42] txxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: emly kma Im only trying to get help not get bitched at ok thank you
[11:42] Emilly Orr: Fine.

And it's "Emilly".

[11:42] jxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: can i get someone a cuppa tea ?
[11:42] txxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: be nice rule 1

For me, at this point? This is nice.

[11:42] jxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: with a cooky ?
[11:42] Ixxxx Bxxxxxxxx: bingo
[11:43] txxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: ok ty thats really nice try to get help and get this ok thaks
[11:45] txxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: ➋ Misdeliveries: Try Redelivery Terminal at the Landing Point if it fails, drop me a note with your transaction info and I will resend asap. Check my Pick #02 for more help
[11:45] Emilly Orr: Look at the line above that.

I mean, my gods, how many times do I have to say it?

[11:45] Cxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: well no matter what, there's only two people that can help you and they aren't online - the other 20k of us can't do a thing.

Ultimately, that's what it comes down to, in the end.

[11:46] txxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: again emly kma bitch

It's still "Emilly", thanks.

[11:47] Emilly Orr: Still trying to make the one point.
[11:48] txxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: nope your dust puffffffffffffffffffff
[11:48] Emilly Orr laughs. Noted.

Ultimately, I get the feeling she's still clueless. And that, no one can help with. Ignorance can be turned around, but stupidity goes straight to the bone.