GPA changes (for the worst)

[ZephyrWasHOT!!]

So, the other day, I got an e-mail from GPA about their "changes"....all of which I think are lame.

And, of course, they're raising the price from $6.95 to $9.95.

So, I'll be done with GPA.

Then, today, when trying to check something really quick, I got a notice that my account was "blocked", because I had "used too many computers to access my account."

Excuse me?

If I pay for an account, someone please tell me what business is it of theirs how and where I access it?

And....I have ONLY accessed it through my laptop.

So I wrote a note saying "please don't do that again. My IP address is dynamic."

They responded "we don't track IP addresses....it's your browser that we track. You can only use ONE browser on two "unique" computers."

Well, you know what that did....sent me up in the boughs.

Who do these jerkoffs think they are, dictating where I can access the account that I PAID FOR? What if I want to check GPA from the convention floor on an I-Phone? Or at an internet cafe? Or at a hotel kiosk?

Hmmm...?

I won't be able to, because GPA has decided I can't access the account I PAID FOR. I HAVE NOT given out my account info to anyone (although I've discussed it.)

And, apparently, I can only "remove" ONE computer from the "list" (whatever THAT is) of the computers "using" my account....and once I do that TWICE in a month, I'll be LOCKED OUT of my account!!!

EXCUSE ME????

The SECOND....the very SECOND....that I cannot log into my account from ANYWHERE, I'll be on the phone filing a chargeback with my CC company. You do not lock me out of an account that I PAID FOR, and should have the right to use ANYWHERE I DAMN WELL PLEASE.

Now, granted, I understand that they're trying to combat people giving out their logins to others....I get it....THIS IS NOT THE WAY TO DO IT.

So, I sent them a SCATHING e-mail in reply....and, as soon as the $6.95 plan is up, I'm out.

Stuff like this just ticks me off to no end.

[Drift]

Companies like these need to seriously think before implementing stuff like this.

Before making big decisions that affect the way they do business and run things with those that subscribe to them, they should really do large scale surveys to gauge user reactions to their ideas.

I know that in the end it is their decision but it is really in their best interests to ask subscribers what they think can be done to make their service run smoother.

In the end, if more people think like Zeph in terms of being *SQUEE* off at service changes, they lose out.

Less subscriptions = less revenue.

Idiots.

If it were a couple guys in a basement running this just because they wanted to know the info, you know it would run smoother because they care what they are doing but you know this is a purely monetary decision. How can we get as much as possible with as little effort?

Money isn't everything fools!

[whovianone]

The SECOND....the very SECOND....that I cannot log into my account from ANYWHERE, I'll be on the phone filing a chargeback with my CC company. You do not lock me out of an account that I PAID FOR, and should have the right to use ANYWHERE I DAMN WELL PLEASE.

Now, granted, I understand that they're trying to combat people giving out their logins to others....I get it....THIS IS NOT THE WAY TO DO IT.

This boils down to two very basic, very simple and uncomplicated, and very important Customer Service point.

"Never do anything drastic to your customers that affect how they use your service or products in any way that is negative."

and....

"If you make someone incredibly happy, they tell on average 8 people. If you tick someone off for no reason but your own, they tell on average 250 people."

Especially with a service that is on the internet, that 250 people that hear about a bad experience by "word of mouth" turns into potentially 1000's per person that you are affecting who might want or need your service.

This is a pretty incompetent change.

[whovianone]

It's (on the surface) just greedy but worse it's based on paranoia.

Now I know that's just ONE point, but he thought it was so important, it was worth mentioning twice.


(Can anyone tell me where I got that from? )

[Squirrel]

but its for your safety

[xodacia81]

Give em hell, man

[BettyBoop2]

Z (or anyone),

Do you ahve an idea how to unscribe from GPA????

I'd like out as well

-the boop

[GGSAE]

Z (or anyone),

Do you ahve an idea how to unscribe from GPA????

I'd like out as well

-the boop

Just email them.

[X-O HoboJoe]

Z (or anyone),

Do you ahve an idea how to unscribe from GPA????

I'd like out as well

-the boop

Just email them.

And block them from whatever card/account you were paying them from. Otherwise, they might go another month or two before they get you off the books.

[ZephyrWasHOT!!]

The response:

Dear *****,

thank you for your recent feedback. I understand that our recently introduced security checks have caused you some grief in accessing your account. While we have not had any other users send us feedback on this, I appreciate the annoyance this has caused you - it is certainly not our intention to restrict legitimate users and use of our service.

I can assure you that we are continually monitoring our system and our security processes and it may be that this current system (as per your experience) is not one we will implement in the end.

In the meantime I have instructed my IT staff to turn off the security check on your account.

On the final note of your message:
"And these changes....lame. And the bumping up to $9.95/month? Lame. The information hasn't been worth that. "

If you still feel this strongly about the value of our service, then the last thing I wish is for you to continue using something that is not returning you value for money. As explained in Andy's previous email to you, please advise if you wish for us to cancel your subscription and refund your most recent charge.

Again, my apologies on the negative experience you have had with our service. If you would like to discuss the matter further, please do not hesitate to contact me directly and I will be more than happy to call you at your convenience (please be aware of time differences as we are based in Australia).

Kind regards

George Pantela
Principal/Strategic Direction

Notice what he did? Instead of trying to make me happy, he offered me "hush money" to "go away."

Super lame.

"We'll be happy to refund your money. We aren't interested in making our customers with complaints happy by actually ADDRESSING the problem, we're just interested in having them go away."

[gavster]

The SECOND....the very SECOND....that I cannot log into my account from ANYWHERE, I'll be on the phone filing a chargeback with my CC company. You do not lock me out of an account that I PAID FOR, and should have the right to use ANYWHERE I DAMN WELL PLEASE.

Now, granted, I understand that they're trying to combat people giving out their logins to others....I get it....THIS IS NOT THE WAY TO DO IT.

This boils down to two very basic, very simple and uncomplicated, and very important Customer Service point.

"Never do anything drastic to your customers that affect how they use your service or products in any way that is negative."

and....

"If you make someone incredibly happy, they tell on average 8 people. If you tick someone off for no reason but your own, they tell on average 250 people."

Especially with a service that is on the internet, that 250 people that hear about a bad experience by "word of mouth" turns into potentially 1000's per person that you are affecting who might want or need your service.

This is a pretty incompetent change.

Greedy fecking arses, are they that concerned or paranoid that a minuscule proportion of their subscribers might be fiddling them, get a grip people. This will only cause a chasm of bad will, resulting in mass cancelation of subscribers. And raising their prices in these tough economic times is beyond belief. For most people the service they offer is luxury not an essential monthly outgoing. A 40% increase, they must be using to much fuel to procure their information.

My motto in business is, "Always try to surpass the customers expectations and you will not go wrong".

[nutflush76]

They responded "we don't track IP addresses....it's your browser that we track. You can only use ONE browser on two "unique" computers."

So what if I want to use the site at home, At work, on my laptop, and on my Iphone?

[Unblessed]

They responded "we don't track IP addresses....it's your browser that we track. You can only use ONE browser on two "unique" computers."

So what if I want to use the site at home, At work, on my laptop, and on my Iphone?

Off to cancel my subscription now. I want to check it from home, work, or where ever I need to when on the go.

As.sclowns.


Good thing I made my own spreadsheets and tables from their data on those first few days.

[Unblessed]

Thank you, your subscription for futurepayID #XXXXXXX has been cancelled. You will shortly receive an email from WorldPay verifying the cancellation of your recurring payment.

Vote with your pocketbook.


Now to write my own scripts to gather data.

[Mike J]

They actually mention the limitation in the end user agreement. Not that I care for those guys, but if you read the agreement it was in there.

Either way, price hike = garbage

[ZephyrWasHOT!!]

They actually mention the limitation in the end user agreement. Not that I care for those guys, but if you read the agreement it was in there.

Oh yeah? And when was that added.....?

[Mike J]

I can't remember exactly, guessing a couple months back.

[superman-prime]

ugg thats crap i use 3 or more computers all the time my laptop my desktop and my parents in the city and sometimes others to acess any of my accounts that is crap to say the least

[ZephyrWasHOT!!]

I can't remember exactly, guessing a couple months back.

Yeah. Kinda what I thought (since I've been a member LONGER than that. )

[ZephyrWasHOT!!]

EVEN STILL, this isn't something you bury in the fine print of a user agreement.