Dreamscape Town Meeting - September 30th, 2000
Original article by MoonGlow, courtesy of the Virtual Planet newspaper.
The following is an edited transcript of today's town meeting.
Michael (Avaterra): Hello you all.
Caretaker Spidey: Huggggggggggs. everyone.
Ange: hugggggz Ziggy
Caretaker Spidey: Hugggggggggs M Ange. Huggggggggs
Ange: DD LOL yes Breeze
Caretaker Kashmir: I will Aces
Caretaker Spidey: ROTF,L Dae
Caretaker Kashmir: not yet Zip
Caretaker Kashmir: btw guys, everyone go see the new locales?
Caretaker Kashmir: go to CC teleporter go up one
Michael (Avaterra): Caretaker Rabbit's baby was born yesterday -- for obvious reasons, he cannot be here. he is still recovering.
Caretaker Spidey: a baby rabbit
Michael (Avaterra): a baby girl
Ange: a baby toddler
Caretaker Kashmir: community center teleporter
Ange: yeah right Gal
Caretaker Kashmir: yes, big little girl
Michael (Avaterra): 10 pounds 4 oz, 21 inches.
Caretaker Spidey: she made two of me.. when I was a baby
Caretaker Kashmir: yes what Michael said and yes ouch
Michael (Avaterra): So ... I think I should talk about the billing situation before we start.
Michael (Avaterra): Over the past weeks we have noticed that quite a few accounts failed billing. This means the attempts to charge the credit cards failed...
Michael (Avaterra): We have started to close accounts that have not passed billing -- the affected members have received an email with details ... and instructions on how tore-active these accounts. It is important that you make sure we have your correct email address.
Michael (Avaterra): If the email address that you used to sign up an account does not exist anymore, please update your contact information.
Ange: www.vzones.com/accounts to update your information
Michael (Avaterra): It is the only way we can reach you -- and it is your responsibility to keep this information up-to-date.
Caretaker Kashmir: the account manager is on my URL if you want to check
Michael (Avaterra): On a side note ... we are having a small problem with email to support@avaterra.com. If you send a letter to this address,
Caretaker Spidey: I also have the account manager on my URL.. if you need it
Michael (Avaterra): you will receive a "not delivery" system message. Please ignore that one ... your emails do go through, there is no need to re-send them.
Michael (Avaterra): Also, support@avaterra.com is your only contact address for billing issues. Please do not write to individual Avaterra staff members ... and inworld staff, (acolytes, caretakers) cannot assist you.
Ange: The turn around time on the responses is about 24 hours, give or take a couple hours, if you do not receive a response, please resend you email.
Michael (Avaterra): If your card has been billed and you still receive a notification, you can provide a copy of the bank/ccompany statement - and we will open your accounts almost instantly. If you have not been billed, you can back-pay for your account and reactive it very quickly.
Michael (Avaterra): If you have not received a notification yet but you discover that you haven't been billed in the past months, please contact support@avaterra.com and provide your account information.
Michael (Avaterra): This way your account will not be closed -- support will tell you what to do.
Michael (Avaterra): If you have not been billed and do not contact us, it is more than likely that your account will be closed in the near future. Again, you can prevent this just by working with us.
Ange: European members......we have a work around......
Ange: You will need to open a new trial account, email us with the account name, the old account name we will then merge the old with the new, with no data loss
Ange: this gets your account back on track, and billing properly
Caretaker Spidey: Oh that's great news Ange
Ange: www.vzones.com/join
Ange: Please use New Account Merge as your heading do not log into the new account, and do not create any avatars.
Ange: Unfortunately None Nightshade
Ange: guys, if you have questions, please wait for Kash to open the list I can not answer these all individually right now.
Ange: New Account Merge should be heading on your email
Sweet Pea: hello everyone
Caretaker Spidey: Sweet Pea
Michael (Avaterra): Hello!
Sweet Pea: i was one who had one of my accounts cancelled
Sweet Pea: i think it was because i lost my credit card and new one was issued.
Sweet Pea: i understand it is our responsibilityto update you with email addy but in my case, i don't understand why someone didn't simply email me to tell me card deduction had failed.
Sweet Pea: that's what my isp does and i respond immediately with correct info
Sweet Pea: instead, my account was cancelled and i received no email from you, my email address info is correct
Sweet Pea: can u respond michael?
Michael (Avaterra): You did not receive an email notification when your account was closed?
Sweet Pea: no
Ange: Sweet Pea, I can not answer why you did not get an email, it's possible it was missed.
Michael (Avaterra): have you contacted customer suppor with your account details?
Sweet Pea: yes sir. can u answer why you couldn't email me to notify of credit card problem?
Michael (Avaterra): If you haven't received a response yet, they should get back to you shortly.
Michael (Avaterra): We have tried this with a portion of the members - and we were completely ignored.
Sweet Pea: erm why?
Michael (Avaterra): Plus, only a few members keep their contact information updated.
Sweet Pea: i'm sorry but i find this response unacceptable.
Sweet Pea: but i should have figured you'd respond this way
Sweet Pea: bye
Michael (Avaterra): The records show that an email to you went out.
SHADOWESS: Hi i was just wondering when paypal would be avilable for uk members, and also why are the coffins sooo expensive, i thought we were getting them in the vendo<sigh> i for one can't afford $35 <sigh> it has ruined my halloween
Michael (Avaterra): There will be coffins in vendos, as well. diferent style - but there will be coffins.
SHADOWESS: and paypal for uk members? and will the coffins be able to open and clsoe? and wot do u mean by different style?
Michael (Avaterra): PayPal announced they will be processing international orders in the very near future.
SHADOWESS: so that could b like in 2 yrs time then
Michael (Avaterra): We didn't think it would take them so long, either.
SHADOWESS: so anyway back to the coffins, what will b different about the coffins
Michael (Avaterra): Did you consider buying it through one of the third party
SHADOWESS: that r in the vendos
Michael (Avaterra): services that I have seen offered?
SHADOWESS: well buying a coffin threw someone else, lets see, i'm not made of tks or money
Michael (Avaterra): It will look different -- not the same one that is in the AvatarWares list.
SHADOWESS: will it open and close? will it be big of a small little hand held thing?
Michael (Avaterra): Okay, I understand that - was looking at alternatives until the PayPal situation is resolved.
Michael (Avaterra): It will be big, too.
SHADOWESS: atleast thats one good thing i have heard today it will b a big coffin
Caretaker Kashmir: its not quite halloween guys
Michael (Avaterra): It will not be a standing one - but the vendo ones will still make great decoration.
Caretaker Kashmir: let us surprise you a little one please
SHADOWESS: i will leave with one final note
Caretaker Kashmir: little bit
SHADOWESS: why not give comfirmation to people who may have the accounts cancelled?
Caretaker Kashmir: they receive emails to the address they have listed in the account manager
Michael (Avaterra): The account manager provides the "next billing" date.
SHADOWESS: i think it is very unfair and avaterra needs to sort itself out, b4 members leave of there own free will.
SHADOWESS: and then they loose out
SHADOWESS: bye<wave> and thank you for ur time
Michael (Avaterra): This isn't directed at anyone in particular, but on a personal note I'd like to mention something .... many, if not most, members were aware of the fact that their accounts were not billed.
Michael (Avaterra): One of my alts were advised to sign up a few accounts beause "they don't charge you".
Michael (Avaterra): So ... to quite a few members it should not be a surprise that the company is back-billing. It is about financial survival. (end of personal comment - my apologies if that was considered unacceptable as well)
Lazzy: hi there
Caretaker Spidey: Lazzy
Lazzy: first i just sent that email and it says it cant be found?
Caretaker Kashmir: ignore that Lazzy
Lazzy: why
Caretaker Kashmir: its a bug
Lazzy: does that mean they got it
Caretaker Kashmir: they did yes
Ange: as long as you email support@avaterra.com
Lazzy: ok 2nd about the billing it is ur guys job to bill us and get ur money
Lazzy: not for us to tell u when to take as we do our share by giveing email address and stuff and paying when u take it
Lazzy: it is ur job not ours to tell u when to take it
Caretaker Kashmir: agreed Lazzy, they are trying to fix it
Lazzy: and if my account were closed cause u all cant do u job i will sure u that i will be on phone with lawer
Michael (Avaterra): We weren't aware of the situation untilnjust recently. The current management
Lazzy: if they are trying to fix it they shouldnt close accounts
Michael (Avaterra): had nothing to do with billing previously -nwe are now trying to fix it, and get things back on track.
Lazzy: ok but now
Michael (Avaterra): I agree that this should have been taken care of earlier, and
Lazzy: why close our accounts when they messed up not us
Michael (Avaterra): that it is the company's fault that it was neglected when it started to happen.
Michael (Avaterra): The ones that have been closed are only temporarily closed and can be re-activated very fast.
Lazzy: i mean come if u go to the store and look at a recipt that they gave and see they didnt make u pay for something are u going to go back and pay for it.
Caretaker Kashmir: I would Lazzy
Michael (Avaterra): I do that. But then, I am beginning to see that I am too naive.
Caretaker Kashmir: stores cant run if they give everything away for free
Lazzy: yeah and what about us like myself that u didnt take the money from do we just sit here and wait for u to drop us like that
Caretaker Kashmir: you can email support now and make arrangements and they won't cancel your account
Michael (Avaterra): No, you should contact support so that we know you are willing to work on a solution.
Lazzy: but the thing is we are paying for it and they messed it up not me so that means someone was not doing there JOB. if i go to work and dont do my job i gert fired
Michael (Avaterra): Actually... not trying to be smart ... but you weren't paying, you were only willing to pay.
Michael (Avaterra): But I see your point, and I don't argue it.
Lazzy: yeah right but come on u know ur self it is not my JOB TO TELL U WHEN to bill me
Michael (Avaterra): Like I said, none of us was in charge if any billing before. We are not confronted with
Lazzy: It say u will be billed on whatever date
Michael (Avaterra): what I would call a major mess - and we are fixing it so that it won't happen in the future.
Michael (Avaterra): erm..
Lazzy: so why cant u just fix it and forget what u messed up and didnt bill us for
Michael (Avaterra): we are now confronted... is what I meant to say. ' We are fixing it, but we cannot afford not to charge for the past months.
Michael (Avaterra): If we could, without having to close the worlds, we would -- but we cannot.
Lazzy: oh i will pay thats not what i am saying, what i am saying is that u messed up not us and now u all want to close our accounts when we didnt know.
Lazzy: i only was told this today and if my account was closed for something i didnt know about i would be one mad avi
Lazzy: thanx thats all i got to say.
Michael (Avaterra): Legally... Visa/MasterCard/Amex rules state, if a customer is aware of not being billed on a recurring basis, the consumer is responsible to maintain that record and the merchant can and is able to back bill up to 6 months.. and or cancel subscriptions, enforcing customer to reactivate their accounts, subscriptions, etc.
Michael (Avaterra): I just wanted to add this to the discussion ... as food for thought.
Perfect Angel: hi
Caretaker Spidey: PerfectAngel
Perfect Angel: i am not here to say anything about the billing
Caretaker Kashmir: guys, I have alot on this list of people to get down
Perfect Angel: but about the locales
Caretaker Kashmir: if you can please be fair to everyone and limit your time I would appreciate it
Perfect Angel: the vmart locals are all muddled around
Perfect Angel: i had an acolyte asking me where the globes were
Perfect Angel: will the doors ever be renamed?
Michael (Avaterra): Yes
Perfect Angel: and the halloween house
Michael (Avaterra): Spidey and Kashmir both volunteered to take care of V-Mart and maintain it.
Perfect Angel: will that reopen
Caretaker Spidey: we did this?
Caretaker Kashmir: boy
Michael (Avaterra): They meant to volunteer, is what I meant.
Caretaker Kashmir: I gotta stay awake online
Perfect Angel: ok
Michael (Avaterra): They were just too shy to admit it,
Caretaker Spidey: shy.. yeah. that's us
Perfect Angel: the halloween house then?
Caretaker Spidey: <cough>
Caretaker Kashmir: mansion will open in october
Perfect Angel: oh good
Caretaker Kashmir: right after I recover from volunteering
Perfect Angel: lol
Perfect Angel: ok
Perfect Angel: thx alot
Caretaker Spidey: ROTF,L NightShade
Caretaker Spidey: ROTFLMAO!!!!!!! Tayla
Caretaker Spidey: Zip
Michael (Avaterra): Hi!
Caretaker Kashmir: middle of October sometime for the mansion
Zipmans Too - Golden Knight: i have never not responded to one of you emails
Caretaker Kashmir: phoey, proggie died again
Caretaker Spidey: it is prolly in shock from volunteering. Kash
Zipmans Too - Golden Knight: be fair just send out emails telling kolf ther is a prob with accounds give them a chance
Zipmans Too - Golden Knight: Hi all
Zipmans Too - Golden Knight: Dose Avatara and you not care if you run members off?
Zipmans Too - Golden Knight: 1 .Closing accounts with out even a word in not good management, you could send a email first telling of the impending closure and give folks a chance to fix the prob first.
Zipmans Too - Golden Knight: I host five days a week if this is the way we are going to be treated what incentive to folks have to try to create fun in DREAMSCAPE.
Michael (Avaterra): May I answer bluntly?
Michael (Avaterra): You asked me if we don't care if we run members off. When you noticed that you weren't billed, did you not care that if we don't get the money, we will have to close down teh worlds? Okay.
Zipmans Too - Golden Knight: i was being billed for two accounts
Michael (Avaterra): Maybe I am naive again ... or poor enough to check my bank statements carefully
Ange: Would you have known if you were overbilled?
Zipmans Too - Golden Knight: and have been paing for one account that was closed some time ago
Caretaker Spidey: there she goes again
Zipmans Too - Golden Knight: you got my money for nothing
Zipmans Too - Golden Knight: ok next subject
Zipmans Too - Golden Knight: 2. Are we going to continue to be subjected to cussing in public and the acolytes not do any thing about it.
Zipmans Too - Golden Knight: Are they going to enforce the TOS or not.
Zipmans Too - Golden Knight: my mother saw it the other night and I was just ghosting through a local. I was showing her around trying to get her to open a account. She said no thank you after seeing that nothing was done.
Zipmans Too - Golden Knight: if you cuss you should be muted
Zipmans Too - Golden Knight: if enough folks get muted the cussing will stop.
Michael (Avaterra): The cursing ... it is difficult to answer in general. It mostly depends on the
Caretaker Spidey: w/b Kash
Michael (Avaterra): context and on what is said exactly.
Michael (Avaterra): There is also the problem with people having different standards and ethics. While most of us don't have a problem with an occasional "fuck", and while it has become somewhat accepted in the society of these days, it is highly offending to others.
Zipmans Too - Golden Knight: no it is not exceptable by any standard of deasney
Michael (Avaterra): (I meant the word, ghosties! If someone, however, curses repeatedly and ignores warnings from acolytes, then it becomes a problem and it will be dealt with.
Caretaker Spidey: geeez.. 50 avies just paged acos.. <VBG>
Zipmans Too - Golden Knight: ther should be no warning that is what i am getting at
Michael (Avaterra): Your standards are not necessarily the standards of anyone else.
Zipmans Too - Golden Knight: you cuss you get muted perod
Michael (Avaterra): Well, your first complaint was that we closed accounts without warning for
Zipmans Too - Golden Knight: my standards will not be her
Michael (Avaterra): not paying for months ... and the second complaint is that we warn before we mute avatars?
Zipmans Too - Golden Knight: I love this place and have the utmost respect for the Acolytes that is why I have a feeling they are or were instructed to be more lenient with cussing.
Zipmans Too - Golden Knight: Please fix the problem and then let the public in general know what managements position is on this.
Zipmans Too - Golden Knight: thanks
Michael (Avaterra): They were not instructed to be tolerate cursing -- they have the freedom to judge situations individually.
Zipmans Too - Golden Knight: ghostis say any thing goes now or what
Michael (Avaterra): This is not a G rated service (at this time). The members we have recently banned for harassment and unacceptable language do not think so.
Zipmans Too - Golden Knight: well that dose not help my mother seeing this
Michael (Avaterra): If anything, I think we have been enforcing the TOS more strictly.
Zipmans Too - Golden Knight: not the other night. please help us michael
Michael (Avaterra): I wasn't there, so I cannot comment on the particular situation you are
Michael (Avaterra): referring to.
Caretaker Kashmir: Zip, if you have an issue with how a particular aco handled something email Spidey
Caretaker Spidey: Zip. please email me
Zipmans Too - Golden Knight: you cant ingor the first time you see in no it is a general problum thanks
Michael (Avaterra): Hi!
Demonessa Caliçë: Hi all
Caretaker Kashmir: whew thought I was crashing again
Demonessa Caliçë: lol wasnt sure what was going on there
Caretaker Kashmir: throw more ascii in there next time Calice
Demonessa Caliçë: My question lies with the billing problem, obviously. I am, as you can see, one of the unfortunate ones to have had their account closed, and have done all that has been asked of me to rectify it.
Demonessa Caliçë: However, what concerns me is this
Demonessa Caliçë: I have recently moved RW and I dont have my statements to hand to prove to you what payments have been collected and which havent also being in the UK, and not having a fax machine, once I receive my back statements which I have on order, but which will take two weeks
Demonessa Caliçë: this is going to take some time to rectify
Demonessa Caliçë: I would also like to reiterate what has already been stated
Demonessa Caliçë: That it is common courtesy to have informed us all BEFORE closing the accounts, even if for a period of only 2 weeks or so to enable us to sort out any problems and look into exactly what has happened with our payments
Demonessa Caliçë: As you are aware Michael, in fact probably everyone
Demonessa Caliçë: My account was closed recently, NOT due to a fault of my own
Demonessa Caliçë: In my email to support after discovering my account was yet again closed I asked if payments due could be collected from my credit card, I was informed today this could not be due to precious credit card problems
Demonessa Caliçë: I have no problems with my credit card
Michael (Avaterra): The first account you are referring to was not closed because of billing issues, but
Demonessa Caliçë: and as far as my memory takes me, I have been paying my account
Michael (Avaterra): because of TOS violations -- not by you, but by someone associated with that account.
Demonessa Caliçë: Yes I understand that Michael and I also understand that this was sorted but not being able to get my account back now, and having it taken away from me yet again in less than a month is not keeping me happy
Demonessa Caliçë: Also I would just like to say I cannot speak for all whos accounts have been closed but
Ange: We announced a work around for outside of the US members that can not pay by paypal
Demonessa Caliçë: The amount that I have supposedly not paid is more than I am able to pay outright anyway and Im sure there are others in the same position
Demonessa Caliçë: if however, I have paid as I believe I have this is not a problem for me But what about the people who havent been billed and who owe figures of upto $140
Demonessa Caliçë: I realise that these issues are not lying directly with anyone here But obviously Im sure you appreciate how everyone is feeling about this
Caretaker Spidey: may I say something here...
Demonessa Caliçë: And how people would be concerned if they are unable to clear the back payments not collected
Michael (Avaterra): Well.. if someone owes us $140 ... it means they didn't have to
Demonessa Caliçë: in one lump sum
Michael (Avaterra): pay the very $140 in the past few months.
Michael (Avaterra): I understand the difference between having tonpay 10/20 bucks a month and 140 at once (although technically there is no
Caretaker Spidey: if you had not been billed in all that time.. to owe that much..
Michael (Avaterra): difference) -- if there are issues of that kind, I would guess it is possible to
Caretaker Spidey: you couldn't have believed your account was free
Michael (Avaterra): make arranagements with customer support.
Michael (Avaterra): But that would have to be requested through email,
Demonessa Caliçë: Could you maybe check into this please Michael?
Demonessa Caliçë: Also Spidey
Michael (Avaterra): depends on the individual situation - and is not guaranteed.
Demonessa Caliçë: I would like to say in reply I am supposedly owing since December 99, however I dont believe this to be so
Caretaker Spidey: please check all your records..
Demonessa Caliçë: also, there are children whos accounts have been closed who do not have cards of their own
Demonessa Caliçë: and do not have access to statements
Demonessa Caliçë: You really need to think about this a little more
Demonessa Caliçë: Again
Ange: Then they should talk to who is paying their account and have them send in the statement
Demonessa Caliçë: I realise this is not directed at anyone here personally But I think the way this has been handledis more than disrespectful especially to those who have been here for a long period of time and have put a lot into this world
Demonessa Caliçë: The very least we were owed here is a warning the account was going not taking it and telling us after
Caretaker Spidey: Calice.. they were not aware of this problem
Demonessa Caliçë: they were aware of it to have taken the accounts Spidey, and then email everyone
Demonessa Caliçë: Im sure to have waited a few weeks would not have done any damage
Michael (Avaterra): actually, it would have.
Demonessa Caliçë: Thats all I have to say, but if you could check into the payment thing Michael I would be appreciative
Demonessa Caliçë: Thank you for your time, its sad things like this have happened DS used to be such a wonderful place
Demonessa Caliçë: Hugggggggggggggz all
Michael (Avaterra): Hi!
Night§hade: hey all
Caretaker Spidey: NS
Night§hade: okies ... i will try to make this quick for ya
Night§hade: in reponse to Zips comments..... i was multitasking as usual onsreen and a number of esps i said S**T on screen by accident
Night§hade: aco rick pointed it out for which i apologised on screen
Night§hade: lol if someone just gets muted for an honest mistake would cause a lot more ppl to be angry
Night§hade: anyways all i am saying is that i can be an honest mistake
Michael (Avaterra): I think I can say that you would not get muted for saying "shit" -- unless you spammed the screen with it.
Michael (Avaterra): It really is one of these words that have become acceptable in the
Night§hade: well i have said worse but only in esp
Caretaker Kashmir: gee, I haven't heard this much cussing since I last poofed
Michael (Avaterra): past 10-15 years.
Night§hade: anyways .....
Night§hade: My concern is regarding communication .. or the lack thereof...
Night§hade: As you are probably aware there was quite a lot of ppl more than dissapointed...(me included) when the coffins came out in avatarwares...
Night§hade: we all believed that we had been mislead and thought coffins were coming out in vendos... It would have caused a lot less frustration if something had been posted to say that there would be vendo coffins too
Michael (Avaterra): I think I should explain it .. and although I hate to admit it, it is entirely my fault.
Michael (Avaterra): Cuz, who is mainly in charge of AvatarWares, sent an email with a list of items for the next avatarWares cataloge ... wlel, I did not respond to that email, and she assumed (rightly so) that I would have no objections. Neither her nor Robert
Caretaker Spidey: argh.. earthlink stinks
Michael (Avaterra): knew that I had previously promised that the coffin would be in a DS vendo.
Caretaker Kashmir: why yes, yes it does
Michael (Avaterra): By the time I did notice, some people had already paid for the coffin. So that is what happened - and like I said, I'm the one to blame. the other coffin artwork we have will be in a vendo, though -- it is not exactly what I had in mind, and what I promised, but I hope it still works for most of you. my apologies.
Caretaker Spidey: Michael. NS crashed
Michael (Avaterra): Oh.
Caretaker Spidey: I was just told in ESP there she goes
Caretaker Kashmir: yep she must have our ISP
Michael (Avaterra): is VP publishing the transcript?
Caretaker Spidey: no problem Starlight
Caretaker Spidey: Grace
Michael (Avaterra): Hi!
Grace: hiyas
Caretaker Spidey: NS is back
Grace: Sorry but I too am going to say somthing about the billing<sigh> I didn't know until today about it and I often look my credit card receipts <g>
Grace: I haven't received notification either
Grace: Can you again clarify how we go about sorting it out please and my credit is good
Ange: Email Support
Michael (Avaterra): The best way is to send an email to support@avaterra.com.
Ange: with your account name, and the last bill date you see on your account manager
Ange: they will contact you and let you know how to pay
Grace: okay and what happens if we have to open new account because of this, does that mean that we can get two avatars on again?
Ange: Also, if you're european, please state that in your email no
Grace: I why not?
Ange: your old account will be merged with the new account
Grace: okay understand that
Ange: When you email support, then when your payment is received you will be directed to create a trial account once the trial account is created, the old will be merged with the new
Grace: okay and how long will that take?
Ange: this should get the billing for your account back on track, and prevent this from happening again
Ange: responses are running right around 24 hours
Grace: the reason I ask is that I am coming over to America next week for 3 weeks and will not be using my e-mail address that you have so don't want to find out my account is closed
Ange: If you email today or tomorrow
Grace: My main avi has been here since 1995 and I don't wish to lose her now
Ange: the issue should be settled within 24 to 48 hours
Grace: okay, well lets hope so
Grace: I have to say I can understand why you did it the way you did, but it is not good relations
Grace: thanks for your time and patience
Night§hade: wb
Caretaker Spidey: w/b. NS
Night§hade: <cursing at ISP <frown>>
Michael (Avaterra): Hi again!
Caretaker Spidey: you on Earthlink too?
Night§hade: i just wanna hear you say it was your fault
Michael (Avaterra): I did answer your question .... it will be in tomorrow's VP.
Michael (Avaterra): Okay..
Caretaker Kashmir: ROFL
Night§hade: i know
Michael (Avaterra): here
Caretaker Spidey: ROTF,L
Michael (Avaterra): It was my, and only my, fault that the open coffin is only available through AvatarWares.
Michael (Avaterra): I shall stand in the corner for half a day and feel bad.
Night§hade: how about a week <g>
Night§hade: adn can we watch <s>
Caretaker Spidey: only a week?
Night§hade: questions from ghosties
Caretaker Kashmir: stick him in a corner in vmart
Caretaker Spidey: a month would be good after the volunteering <WEG>
Night§hade: with a dunces cap
Michael (Avaterra): You are asking me to park publicly?
Night§hade: muted and unghostable <g>
Caretaker Spidey: we will just ghost ya
Michael (Avaterra): One of these pesky Acolytes would force ghost my feline butt.
Night§hade: and public floging seems to be the acceptable method of punishment <g>
Michael (Avaterra): Floging...<sigh>
Caretaker Kashmir: if you were not violating the parking guidelines I think they would leave you
Caretaker Kashmir: no flogging
Caretaker Spidey: spearing is better <WEG>
Michael (Avaterra): Could you really harm this helpless and innocent kitty?
Caretaker Kashmir: that is reserved for my game players
Night§hade: so can we have some whips plz <g>
Ange: excuse me a moment, afk
Caretaker Kashmir: I have messed up text
Night§hade: in response to your question Michael ... YES
Michael (Avaterra): No, whips are for adult worlds only.
Caretaker Kashmir: he just called himself innocent
Caretaker Spidey: he's dilusional Kash
Caretaker Kashmir: ah
Caretaker Kashmir: go back to my little this then list
Night§hade: okies well i have a prob with this billing thing to .. you should notify ppl in advance and save them and you the paperwork of sorting it all out after
Night§hade: you have cut them off one final thing
Night§hade: With regards to the Prize Draws Being Dropped
Night§hade: We have been informed that suggestions will be taken.. for a replacement to a Draw .. Please see my URL and follow link for Prize Draw for more information.
Night§hade: Thanks all .. have fun you guys .. and huggs all round
Caretaker Spidey: SC
Sexy Critter: My question has to do with the multi avi program
Michael (Avaterra): It is amazing how many people question my innocence. This does worry me.
Sexy Critter: who do we write to for it?
Ange: no question Michael, there is no innocence
Caretaker Kashmir: support@avaterra.com
Michael (Avaterra): support@avaterra.com subject: DUAL AVIE FOR DS
Sexy Critter: ok ghosted wants me to ask if you have cut everyone off already that will be cut off?
Caretaker Kashmir: no they haven't so if you see your account has an issue please email support
Sexy Critter: oh and I would like to know if I can pay my DS account thru PayPal, I need to cancel my credit cards
Ange: unfortunately, no........paypal is just set up for the backbilling right now
Sexy Critter: how can we check on our accounts status?
Caretaker Kashmir: you can pay by check though
Caretaker Kashmir: click on me
Sexy Critter: ok
Ange: www.vzones.com/accounts
Caretaker Kashmir: will take you to the account manager
Ange: or click Kash
Caretaker Kashmir: yes it is Zip
Ange: <G>
Sexy Critter: thanks everyone
Caretaker Spidey: Mike
mikey29: hi all
Caretaker Kashmir: DOH
mikey29: my question is this i am new to the world
mikey29: so i want to know if first u will be taking checks online as payment???
Michael (Avaterra): there for the coffin
Caretaker Spidey: ROTFLMAO!!!!!!!
Michael (Avaterra): I will wear it for a week
Caretaker Spidey: ooops
Ange: wb noobie
Caretaker Kashmir: that locale secure?
Caretaker Spidey: very secure
Caretaker Kashmir: checks online Mikey?
Michael (Avaterra): Regardless of PayPal, we are currently looking into ways to
mikey29: second i am at roulette alot and there is one person who swears awhole lot there
Michael (Avaterra): revamp the billing process - it is entirely possible that we will
Caretaker Kashmir: is it BK?
Caretaker Spidey: it was the shock of seeing M in that lovely hat
mikey29: and he has been reported and nothing done
Michael (Avaterra): be accepting online cheques in the future - and also provide more options.
mikey29: yes checks online
mikey29: anyone gonna respond ?
Caretaker Kashmir: that answer your Q Mikey?
Caretaker Kashmir: lemme scroll and get the answer
Caretaker Kashmir: they are working on it <g>
Ange: Have you reported the swearing to an Aco?
mikey29: i also asked about the swearing
Caretaker Kashmir: did you page on the swearing?
mikey29: yes sevaral tmes
Caretaker Spidey: sorry.. I missed the question..
Caretaker Kashmir: he had cussing at roulette Spidey and he paged
Caretaker Spidey: please email me.. spidey@electracat.com tell me all the circumstances.. please
mikey29: several times it was reported and nuttin done as the acos baby certain ones :X ok thanx spidey
Caretaker Spidey: thanx
Ange: Everyone, you can Fax or email your statements...... to Fax use this number (501) 793-6423
Caretaker Spidey: Karen
Michael (Avaterra): Hi!
K@ren too: greetings all
Michael (Avaterra): don't have the pricing list handy.
K@ren too: is any news yet on when we gets custom head paintings
Michael (Avaterra): In roughly 4 weeks.
K@ren too: and wot is dat thing on ya dunce cap ?
Caretaker Kashmir: something wicked ugly
Michael (Avaterra): It's a fool ...
K@ren too: thanks u all dream well
Caretaker Spidey: MB
Motherbird-Golden Knight: Greetings
Michael (Avaterra): I pay dearly for the coffin mistake.
Michael (Avaterra): Hello!
Motherbird-Golden Knight: ohh he is looking repentant
Michael (Avaterra): TT, please read the rules of the credit companies.
Motherbird-Golden Knight: I have a quick statement
Michael (Avaterra): I quoted them earlier.
Motherbird-Golden Knight: may be redundant
Motherbird-Golden Knight: I do not disagree with the cleaning up of the billings issues Staff
Motherbird-Golden Knight: In fact.. I applaud the efforts to make things more professional I do however.. think things could have been handled a little differently so as not to upset people so much maybe some advance notice
Motherbird-Golden Knight: or a short town meeting just for future referenence
Motherbird-Golden Knight: the question I have is this.... more a suggestion
Motherbird-Golden Knight: I feel like some of this could have been avoided if we had in world support again are there any plans to restore that in the future?
Motherbird-Golden Knight: give people a resource that is handy you Dunceness.
Ange: Lindy and I spent approximately 10 hours a week in here per week so that's 20 hours per week
Ange: We may have had one visitor per week between the 2 of us
Motherbird-Golden Knight: and how long was the IW service in place Ang?
Ange: Since November of last year
Motherbird-Golden Knight: I wonder if its a training issue to get people used to the fact that its an option
Motherbird-Golden Knight: well.. all I am saying is i do not disagree with the cleaning up of the billing issues
Motherbird-Golden Knight: anything that improves customer service
Caretaker Kashmir: MB, I was here inworld for 14 hours yesterday
Motherbird-Golden Knight: and betters community.... gets my vote
Caretaker Kashmir: so anyone who had a question could come to me and many did
Motherbird-Golden Knight: okay.. but.. Michael said earlier not to esp you..or IW staff with these issues Kash
Caretaker Kashmir: that was today
Motherbird-Golden Knight: ohh okay like I said.. I do not disagree.. In fact i applaud the effort to be more professional
Caretaker Spidey: well.. all we can do is direct members to send an email to support@avaterra.com
Motherbird-Golden Knight: I do think .. it could have been handled a little differently.. so not to shock members.. and cause knee jerk reactions and I personally feel..
Motherbird-Golden Knight: a well advertized customer service center inworld is a huge need and needs to be looked at again
Motherbird-Golden Knight: thanks for listening
Caretaker Kashmir: okay guys
Michael (Avaterra): thanks
Caretaker Kashmir: we are going to do just two more today
Ange: we will consider it later, but right now, from experience it's a waste of resources
Caretaker Kashmir: anyone that is left may email me with their questions and I will pass them along
Caretaker Kashmir: kashmir@electracat.com
Caretaker Kashmir: I apologize for this but well some of us are up very very late at night like the cat with the goofy hat and he could use the sleep
Darcy: thanks
Caretaker Spidey: Darcy
Darcy: greetings all
Caretaker Kashmir: Beanie queen will be last
Darcy: My ratava is in Europe -- I don't understand why you can't just get the payment from our credit cards now, back to March, or whatever? you still have my permission...
Darcy: I would prefer this.
Michael (Avaterra): Hello!
Ange: There is no way to manually back bill on the credit cards
Darcy: I see -- I don't know how to do that either
Ange: Plus, there is a failure somewhere, either our end, or yours.....that is preventing your card from authorizing
Ange: Which is why.......you are creating new acounts
Darcy: How will I know how much I owe you exactly? When do I start the trial thing? email first or what? Do we have to be outworld when you do the merge, and if so, how do we know..?
Ange: to get the billing back on track
Caretaker Kashmir: email first Darcy
Ange: good question.....
Ange: Email us.....give us the account names....old and new do not log into either account
Ange: you can not be in world for the merge this is a must do
Ange: once you email us........do not log in
Darcy: wait 24 hours, resend ..
Ange: once the merge is completed you will get an email telling you it is safe yes
Darcy: fine, thanks <grin> and where is the payment?
Ange: not sure I understand that question
Darcy: I have to pay for these last months, don't I
Darcy: where does the payment fit in in this process?
Ange: once we get an alternative pay service, or paypal takes international billing will contact you about the payment
Darcy: ah.. so you are saving my avis with this, so to speak?
Ange: yes
Darcy: sigh... thanks, Ange
Darcy: And I have been asked in a Delphi forum: "Has the VZones Community Forum been closed because of the disappearance of Avaterra management?"
Darcy: Could you please say a word about the re-opening of the form and the case of the missing management, too?
Ange: Michael......request to translate that in german
Michael (Avaterra): The forums..
Caretaker Kashmir: missing management?
Michael (Avaterra): There have been too many "hack attempts" on our public forums,
Caretaker Kashmir: who misplaced Michael?
Darcy: Kash, it has been posted that David Andrews left
Michael (Avaterra): so we decided to temporarily close them down until we have a solution, and
Caretaker Kashmir: oh
Michael (Avaterra): until we see if there is a way to get some help from Delphi.
Michael (Avaterra): No, closing the forum has nothing to do with the content ... internet is
Darcy: Delphi seems to claim they get no response from Avaterra.
Darcy: Why not open a new one, if anything is deleted anyway?
Michael (Avaterra): very transparent and it is not possible to censor anyone. I have always said this and
Michael (Avaterra): can assure you that everyone else agrees with that view -- that is why the frequent accusations and rumours do not really make sense.
Darcy: yes, Garion you have to open a trial acct as European
Michael (Avaterra): We tried that once -- did not work.
Darcy: I wasn't asking about content..?
Michael (Avaterra): Let me scroll..
Darcy: Are you sure there is someone to work with Delphi on the forum thing?
Michael (Avaterra): Oh! No. David Andrews has nothing to do with the forums.
Ange: I have contacted Delphi numerous times
Michael (Avaterra): why would we close the forums because someone, regardless of who it is, leaves the company?
Darcy: I think many are afraid (again) that the worlds will vanish
Caretaker Kashmir: she has I have heard her cuss about it
Darcy: and this cancellation act fits into it, after closing the form and all
Ange: The forums were closed for *hacking* nothing more, nothing less
Michael (Avaterra): It is no more or less likely that the worlds will vanish ....
Darcy: okies, I got that is it true that Robert replaces DA? true, too
Michael (Avaterra): No. The world's future does not necessarily depend on a particular company.
Darcy: How will we hear future news about this part of Avaterra?
Michael (Avaterra): But the future of the world(s) does depend on the revenue the worlds create -- if there is no money, there won't be worlds. That is the reason why we are straightening out the billing issues. So, it is actually a good sign.
Michael (Avaterra): We will set up a web site for announcements and communications. there are also the newspaper that we will send announcements to.
Darcy: a good sign? lol, Maikl!
Darcy: okies, I was here to ask, not to comment
Darcy: thank you very much for the answers
Michael (Avaterra): well,
Darcy: and keep that hat
Michael (Avaterra): what I mean is:
Michael (Avaterra): If the future of the world was uncertain, I don't think anyone would want to fix the billing situation. Of course one could speculate that we are trying to "milk" the worlds before they close down -- but that isn't the case.
Michael (Avaterra): I understand the uncertainity in light of some of the changes, however, other than giving you my word that we do not intend to close the worlds, I cannot provide any "proofs".
Darcy: thank you again dream well, all
Caretaker Kashmir: dream well Darcy
CBeanie Queen GK: hiyas
Michael (Avaterra): Hi!
Beanie Queen GK: ok.. It is to my understanding that after October we will not be able to have Lockables that are non chest looking correct?
Michael (Avaterra): yes, this is correct.
Beanie Queen GK: Ok that means bags etc right?
Caretaker Kashmir: items that are not containers in nature beanie
Caretaker Kashmir: the bags are containers
Beanie Queen GK: so we can have lockable bags?
Beanie Queen GK: and lockable coffins if we'd like?
Michael (Avaterra): No avatarwares items.
Caretaker Kashmir: if the bag has an open and closed chore state
Caretaker Kashmir: yes but not coffins
Beanie Queen GK: ok then... Why
Caretaker Kashmir: why the container rule?
Beanie Queen GK: Can you make and sell avatar ware items and restrict us from having the same or alike items iw? if we want them in vendo or for event items?
Beanie Queen GK: Just trying to understand this rule..is all
Caretaker Kashmir: how fair would that be to others tho
Beanie Queen GK: How fair is it to make and sell them and us not be able to have them iw?
Caretaker Kashmir: that paid lets say $35 for a lockable coffin
Beanie Queen GK: I'm not saying the exact same thing
Beanie Queen GK: But something similar
Caretaker Kashmir: the coffin is the only non anime they sell am I correct there? or am I mistaken, I haven't really looked in a bit okay, excepting the heads too
Beanie Queen GK: and the head to if i'm not mistaken
Beanie Queen GK: the spy headB yep correct
Caretaker Kashmir: heads are not usually allowed for events so that's different
Beanie Queen GK: So the coffin still we be able to be ordered until the next month right?
Caretaker Kashmir: yes will be up a while
Beanie Queen GK: ok...
Caretaker Kashmir: but the anime art has been specifically designated for avatarwares
Beanie Queen GK: yes I understand this..
Caretaker Kashmir: Jem, I am gonna slap ya silly
Beanie Queen GK: this is how it looks to me...that the coffin was a mistake on michaels part, so there is no legit answer to my question
Beanie Queen GK: Just it wont happen again..
Caretaker Kashmir: we don't have enough dunce caps for it to happen again
Caretaker Spidey: ROTF,L
Beanie Queen GK: rofl!
Caretaker Spidey: plus it looks a bit tight on his head ... could be a blood flow issue
Beanie Queen GK: I just dont think that it is fair to anyone that items were restricted from having iw other than if we buy it from avatar wares should be permitted period
Beanie Queen GK: roflmao! spidey
Beanie Queen GK: but thats all I have to say
Beanie Queen GK: Thanks Kash
Caretaker Kashmir: anyone that still has a question or an issue please email me kashmir@electracat.com and I will get it answered/taken care of oh yes; no you will not have new shoes
Caretaker Kashmir: k, that covers it
Michael (Avaterra): Thanks everyone for coming.
Caretaker Spidey: Huggggggggggggggs.. everyone.