Reachability

[Musicmanboggs]

I've just spent hours I couldn't afford trying to find help with a problem I
have with your product. I now have to wait God knows how long for a fellow
user to help. I've stopped doing business with EVERYONE who practices this
"run the customer in circles-leave us alone-business model." AOL sunk it's
own ship by doing this. I am the growing trend in customer behavior. We're
sick of this. Your stock is going down because of this. All of my stuff is HP
because I like HP and they can be reached when I need them. Unfortunately
they use Microsoft. I have a lot of computers to replace, but I swear to you
I'm gonna start switching to Macs! I'm already looking into Linux and other
systems. You guys better change or you're gonna be the next AOL.

----------------
This post is a suggestion for Microsoft, and Microsoft responds to the
suggestions with the most votes. To vote for this suggestion, click the "I
Agree" button in the message pane. If you do not see the button, follow this
link to open the suggestion in the Microsoft Web-based Newsreader and then
click "I Agree" in the message pane.

http://www.microsoft.com/office/com...e95291fbe&dg=microsoft.public.outlook.general

 

[Sue Mosher [MVP-Outlook]]

Even though Microsoft has a suggestion feature on this community forum, what you posted sounds more like a rant than a suggestion. I've always found Microsoft quite accessible when I needed instant gratification and used one of the phone numbers on the Microsoft.com web site, whether to get a hotfix or to ask a licensing question.

Many people find the answer to their issue by searching these forums and the Microsoft knowledgebase. If you don't like the search interface that Microsoft provides, you can also get access to the same forum posts at http://www.googlegroups.com

Also, often a question goes unanswered because the user didn't post enough information for the question to be comprehensible. Details like the Outlook version, mail configuration, and steps to reproduce a problem are essential.

--
Sue Mosher, Outlook MVP
Author of Configuring Microsoft Outlook 2003

and Microsoft Outlook Programming - Jumpstart for
Administrators, Power Users, and Developers

 

[Roady [MVP]]

It's not that hard really. Practically all pages have a Contact Us link;
http://support.microsoft.com/contactussupport/

It even has a telephone number.

--
Robert Sparnaaij [MVP-Outlook]
Coauthor, Configuring Microsoft Outlook 2003


-----
I've just spent hours I couldn't afford trying to find help with a problem I
have with your product. I now have to wait God knows how long for a fellow
user to help. I've stopped doing business with EVERYONE who practices this
"run the customer in circles-leave us alone-business model." AOL sunk it's
own ship by doing this. I am the growing trend in customer behavior. We're
sick of this. Your stock is going down because of this. All of my stuff is
HP
because I like HP and they can be reached when I need them. Unfortunately
they use Microsoft. I have a lot of computers to replace, but I swear to you
I'm gonna start switching to Macs! I'm already looking into Linux and other
systems. You guys better change or you're gonna be the next AOL.

 

[Musicmanboggs]

Hi Susie, this is exactly the kind of condescending, cleverly worded smart
alec response I expected. Thank you for taking so much time to belittle me
instead of..oh...I don't know...change my mind or help...you know? something
constructive? Now I can sleep better knowing that YOU don't have a problem.
Are you talking about the phone numbers that charge $35 to help me? Or maybe
the email option that costs...$35 to help me? Are you talking about the
Customer Support links that run you in circles right back to the $35 options?
I'm happy for your instant gratification Susie, but my "rant" that you have
taken the time to respond to with your sarcastic condescending wit IS a
suggestion. "Make it easier for me to get help with YOUR product or I'll buy
someone elses!" Bye Susie....

 

[Sue Mosher [MVP-Outlook]]

So, let's see. I provided at least two constructive suggestions (my 2nd and 3rd paragraphs) that could help turn up a solution to your problem, and that makes me condescending and sarcastic. If you choose to ignore them, that's fine with me. But I think you're going to have a hard time getting any assistance -- free or paid -- with that kind of attitude.
--
Sue Mosher, Outlook MVP
Author of Configuring Microsoft Outlook 2003

and Microsoft Outlook Programming - Jumpstart for
Administrators, Power Users, and Developers

 

[Roady [MVP]]

But he did gave you "credit" for making a product which you didn't make...

"Make it easier for me to get help with YOUR product"

--
Robert Sparnaaij [MVP-Outlook]
Coauthor, Configuring Microsoft Outlook 2003


-----
So, let's see. I provided at least two constructive suggestions (my 2nd and
3rd paragraphs) that could help turn up a solution to your problem, and that
makes me condescending and sarcastic. If you choose to ignore them, that's
fine with me. But I think you're going to have a hard time getting any
assistance -- free or paid -- with that kind of attitude.
--
Sue Mosher, Outlook MVP
Author of Configuring Microsoft Outlook 2003

and Microsoft Outlook Programming - Jumpstart for
Administrators, Power Users, and Developers

 

[Musicmanboggs]

Susie? Are you out of puberty yet? Your original opening paragraph to me
referred to me as "ranting." Where I come from that's called a "smartass
remark" and it shows how poor your people skills are. In other words little
girl, you "pissed me off with YOUR attitude," and now look what you've
started. For your information, you mouthy twit, i'm on the phone as a result
of "Roady [MVP]'s" CONSTRUCTIVE SUGGESTION! NOW....i'm RANTING.....

 

[Musicmanboggs]

Thanks Roady...been on the phone for a while now...hopefully we'll get it
fixed.

 

[Brian Tillman]

Hi Susie, this is exactly the kind of condescending, cleverly worded
smart alec response I expected. Thank you for taking so much time to
belittle me instead of..oh...I don't know...change my mind or
help...you know? something constructive?

Since you didn't post any issues with Outlook, how could you expect anyone
to help you? I suppose someone might be able to suggest a good
anger-management therapist if they knew where you lived, and that might
help.

Now I can sleep better
knowing that YOU don't have a problem. Are you talking about the
phone numbers that charge $35 to help me? Or maybe the email option
that costs...$35 to help me? Are you talking about the Customer
Support links that run you in circles right back to the $35 options?

When you have trouble with your automobile, so you expect the mechanic to
help you without you paying him? I thought not. Why do you believe
software is any different?

I'm happy for your instant gratification Susie, but my "rant" that
you have taken the time to respond to with your sarcastic
condescending wit IS a suggestion. "Make it easier for me to get help
with YOUR product or I'll buy someone elses!" Bye Susie....

It IS easy to get help. Call the number and pay the $35. It can't GET any
easier.

 

[Brian Tillman]

Susie? Are you out of puberty yet? Your original opening paragraph to
me referred to me as "ranting." Where I come from that's called a
"smartass remark"

Albeit true. You were ranting.

 

[Milly Staples [MVP - Outlook]]

Wow, what an attitude - I suggest you think before you type. FYI, Sue
Mosher is not "a little girl" (strike one), is past puberty (strike two) and
your use of epithets is really not appreciated by anyone reading this forum
(strike three.)

So, guess you have not tried perusing the archives of this and other Outlook
groups to gauge the amount of useful and helpful information Ms. Mosher has
provided for the last ten years? However, you blunder in here, insult one
of the most helpful people on the forum and expect someone to take you
seriously? Sorry, pal, but you just bought yourself a ticket to Plonkville.

And I doubt that anyone will be willing to assist you again until you
control your temper, learn some manners, and stop name calling;

--
Milly Staples [MVP - Outlook]

Post all replies to the group to keep the discussion intact. All
unsolicited mail sent to my personal account will be deleted without
reading.

After furious head scratching, Musicmanboggs asked:

| Susie? Are you out of puberty yet? Your original opening paragraph to
| me referred to me as "ranting." Where I come from that's called a
| "smartass remark" and it shows how poor your people skills are. In
| other words little girl, you "pissed me off with YOUR attitude," and
| now look what you've started. For your information, you mouthy twit,
| i'm on the phone as a result of "Roady [MVP]'s" CONSTRUCTIVE
| SUGGESTION! NOW....i'm RANTING.....
|
| "Sue Mosher [MVP-Outlook]" wrote:
|
|| So, let's see. I provided at least two constructive suggestions (my
|| 2nd and 3rd paragraphs) that could help turn up a solution to your
|| problem, and that makes me condescending and sarcastic. If you
|| choose to ignore them, that's fine with me. But I think you're going
|| to have a hard time getting any assistance -- free or paid -- with
|| that kind of attitude. --
|| Sue Mosher, Outlook MVP
|| Author of Configuring Microsoft Outlook 2003
||
|| and Microsoft Outlook Programming - Jumpstart for
|| Administrators, Power Users, and Developers
||
||
|| message ||| Hi Susie, this is exactly the kind of condescending, cleverly
||| worded smart alec response I expected. Thank you for taking so much
||| time to belittle me instead of..oh...I don't know...change my mind
||| or help...you know? something constructive? Now I can sleep better
||| knowing that YOU don't have a problem. Are you talking about the
||| phone numbers that charge $35 to help me? Or maybe the email option
||| that costs...$35 to help me? Are you talking about the Customer
||| Support links that run you in circles right back to the $35
||| options? I'm happy for your instant gratification Susie, but my
||| "rant" that you have taken the time to respond to with your
||| sarcastic condescending wit IS a suggestion. "Make it easier for me
||| to get help with YOUR product or I'll buy someone elses!" Bye
||| Susie....
|||
||| "Sue Mosher [MVP-Outlook]" wrote:
|||
|||| Even though Microsoft has a suggestion feature on this community
|||| forum, what you posted sounds more like a rant than a suggestion.
|||| I've always found Microsoft quite accessible when I needed instant
|||| gratification and used one of the phone numbers on the
|||| Microsoft.com web site, whether to get a hotfix or to ask a
|||| licensing question.
||||
|||| Many people find the answer to their issue by searching these
|||| forums and the Microsoft knowledgebase. If you don't like the
|||| search interface that Microsoft provides, you can also get access
|||| to the same forum posts at http://www.googlegroups.com
||||
|||| Also, often a question goes unanswered because the user didn't
|||| post enough information for the question to be comprehensible.
|||| Details like the Outlook version, mail configuration, and steps to
|||| reproduce a problem are essential.
||||
|||| message ||||| I've just spent hours I couldn't afford trying to find help with
||||| a problem I have with your product. I now have to wait God knows
||||| how long for a fellow user to help. I've stopped doing business
||||| with EVERYONE who practices this "run the customer in
||||| circles-leave us alone-business model." AOL sunk it's own ship by
||||| doing this. I am the growing trend in customer behavior. We're
||||| sick of this. Your stock is going down because of this. All of my
||||| stuff is HP because I like HP and they can be reached when I need
||||| them. Unfortunately they use Microsoft. I have a lot of computers
||||| to replace, but I swear to you I'm gonna start switching to Macs!
||||| I'm already looking into Linux and other systems. You guys better
||||| change or you're gonna be the next AOL.
|||||
||||| ----------------
||||| This post is a suggestion for Microsoft, and Microsoft responds
||||| to the suggestions with the most votes. To vote for this
||||| suggestion, click the "I Agree" button in the message pane. If
||||| you do not see the button, follow this link to open the
||||| suggestion in the Microsoft Web-based Newsreader and then click
||||| "I Agree" in the message pane.
|||||
|||||
http://www.microsoft.com/office/com...e95291fbe&dg=microsoft.public.outlook.general

 

[Musicmanboggs]

Milly...Your liittle Susie started the "epithet" session. My "original
remarks" were to Microsoft, not her, not you, not Roady, not
Brian...Microsoft. She responded to me with a smartass opening and I fired
back. "Strike One" (very original by the way) I spent hours puddling around
the archives with time I couldn't afford and never found anything addressing
my issue. "Strike Two." I didn't "blunder in" and insult her, she started it
with HER attitude, refer to "Strike One." When someone fires off at you out
of nowhere when you've just spent a whole day trying to find answers in a
merry-go-round, ya loose yer temper a bit and HER manners are what started
this crap. "Strike Three." As far as name calling, if it looks like a duck,
quacks like a duck..."Strike...you tell me Milly...Four?"

Roady...I responded to you with a "thank you" for suggesting the phone
number. I gave you "credit" for that in my response to the one that started
this. Then you come on and throw your two cents in as a co-smartass to Susie.
I take back the thank you and by the way, your phone guy spent a real long
time NOT figuring the problem out. I was also corresponding with you on
another thread trying to give you info on how to help me but you went away
and got busy joining in on this crap, so I guess I'll leave you alone on the
other thread, this is obviously more your style.

"Tillman"....start by
READING...WHAT...I...TYPE...BEFORE...YOU...SMART...OFF...."albeit true, you
are ranting..." I'd alread acknowledged that one. Strike One (that's
"Millyspeak" for strike one). The "issue" on THIS thread was the fact that I
couldn't find help without an unrealistic amount of trouble. The Outlook
issue was on another thread. Of course...my helper took off to be a
co-smartass and stir the pot on THIS thread. Wordin' it out with a pack of
cyber bullies is actually good anger management, thanks for the help...Tilly.
When I take my car to a mechanic and pay him for his work, if I get home and
it wasn't done right, am I supposed to pay him again..Tilly? No..software's
the same Tilly, I BUY it, and when it doesn't work, I expect NOT to have to
BUY it AGAIN. Other software & hardware companies have after-the-sale
assistance that doesn't cost another $35 rocket boy, you're right it CAN'T
get any easier than that.

Susie...you keep working on your people skills. Milly...you keep worshipping
Susie for all the work SHE'S doing pissing off customers. Roady...keep
wasting your time kissing Susie's hiney instead helping customers.
Tilly...choose you metaphors more wisely rocket boy, and read before you
respond. Thanks for the anger management folks. I'm feeling much better now.
You guys are loads of fun. Did I tell you I figured the problem out on my own
while I was dickin' around with you guys? C Ya....

 

[Brian Tillman]

When I take my car to a
mechanic and pay him for his work, if I get home and it wasn't done
right, am I supposed to pay him again..Tilly? No..software's the same
Tilly, I BUY it, and when it doesn't work, I expect NOT to have to
BUY it AGAIN. Other software & hardware companies have after-the-sale
assistance that doesn't cost another $35 rocket boy, you're right it
CAN'T get any easier than that.

Read your warranty. There is no charge to contact Microsoft for a new
license. Check your facts before posting.

By the way, you did not buy software. You bought a license to use it.

 

[Roady [MVP]]

"I was also corresponding with you on another thread trying to give you info
on how to help me but you went away"
LOL, yeah, it was in the middle of the night for me (we don't all live in
your time zone) so I had to take off to get some sleep.

"I take back the thank you"
I can't say that I lay awake because of it.

--
Robert Sparnaaij [MVP-Outlook]
Coauthor, Configuring Microsoft Outlook 2003


-----
Milly...Your liittle Susie started the "epithet" session. My "original
remarks" were to Microsoft, not her, not you, not Roady, not
Brian...Microsoft. She responded to me with a smartass opening and I fired
back. "Strike One" (very original by the way) I spent hours puddling around
the archives with time I couldn't afford and never found anything addressing
my issue. "Strike Two." I didn't "blunder in" and insult her, she started it
with HER attitude, refer to "Strike One." When someone fires off at you out
of nowhere when you've just spent a whole day trying to find answers in a
merry-go-round, ya loose yer temper a bit and HER manners are what started
this crap. "Strike Three." As far as name calling, if it looks like a duck,
quacks like a duck..."Strike...you tell me Milly...Four?"

Roady...I responded to you with a "thank you" for suggesting the phone
number. I gave you "credit" for that in my response to the one that started
this. Then you come on and throw your two cents in as a co-smartass to
Susie.
I take back the thank you and by the way, your phone guy spent a real long
time NOT figuring the problem out. I was also corresponding with you on
another thread trying to give you info on how to help me but you went away
and got busy joining in on this crap, so I guess I'll leave you alone on the
other thread, this is obviously more your style.

"Tillman"....start by
READING...WHAT...I...TYPE...BEFORE...YOU...SMART...OFF...."albeit true, you
are ranting..." I'd alread acknowledged that one. Strike One (that's
"Millyspeak" for strike one). The "issue" on THIS thread was the fact that I
couldn't find help without an unrealistic amount of trouble. The Outlook
issue was on another thread. Of course...my helper took off to be a
co-smartass and stir the pot on THIS thread. Wordin' it out with a pack of
cyber bullies is actually good anger management, thanks for the
help...Tilly.
When I take my car to a mechanic and pay him for his work, if I get home and
it wasn't done right, am I supposed to pay him again..Tilly? No..software's
the same Tilly, I BUY it, and when it doesn't work, I expect NOT to have to
BUY it AGAIN. Other software & hardware companies have after-the-sale
assistance that doesn't cost another $35 rocket boy, you're right it CAN'T
get any easier than that.

Susie...you keep working on your people skills. Milly...you keep worshipping
Susie for all the work SHE'S doing pissing off customers. Roady...keep
wasting your time kissing Susie's hiney instead helping customers.
Tilly...choose you metaphors more wisely rocket boy, and read before you
respond. Thanks for the anger management folks. I'm feeling much better now.
You guys are loads of fun. Did I tell you I figured the problem out on my
own
while I was dickin' around with you guys? C Ya....

 

[Musicmanboggs]

No Tilly, you READ before your post. I'm not trying to contact them for a NEW
LICENSE. I'm trying to get help with an existing one without hours of
searching of paying $35 a pop. And yes Tilly, since you want to start mincing
words, you're finally right. Everybody knows that little technicality. But
"buying the license" means buying a license to something that works, and
getting help when it don't. Got a life, gotta go, but you guys are so much
fun....C ya later.

 

[Musicmanboggs]

Nice try Roady, I was watching both threads. You left the one I was waiting
for you on to chime in to this fight that, A: shouldn't even be a fight, and
B: wasn't yours to get into. And I didn't think that someone who would leave
helping me on one thread, to bash me on another one that was not their
concern would worry about a retracted thank you. But just like Tilly, you're
a blast to talk to. I love free entertainment, but...gotta go. C you and
Tilly later cuz I know you just can't live without me now.

"I was also corresponding with you on another thread trying to give you info
on how to help me but you went away"
LOL, yeah, it was in the middle of the night for me (we don't all live in
your time zone) so I had to take off to get some sleep.

"I take back the thank you"
I can't say that I lay awake because of it.

--
Robert Sparnaaij [MVP-Outlook]
Coauthor, Configuring Microsoft Outlook 2003


-----
Milly...Your liittle Susie started the "epithet" session. My "original
remarks" were to Microsoft, not her, not you, not Roady, not
Brian...Microsoft. She responded to me with a smartass opening and I fired
back. "Strike One" (very original by the way) I spent hours puddling around
the archives with time I couldn't afford and never found anything addressing
my issue. "Strike Two." I didn't "blunder in" and insult her, she started it
with HER attitude, refer to "Strike One." When someone fires off at you out
of nowhere when you've just spent a whole day trying to find answers in a
merry-go-round, ya loose yer temper a bit and HER manners are what started
this crap. "Strike Three." As far as name calling, if it looks like a duck,
quacks like a duck..."Strike...you tell me Milly...Four?"

Roady...I responded to you with a "thank you" for suggesting the phone
number. I gave you "credit" for that in my response to the one that started
this. Then you come on and throw your two cents in as a co-smartass to
Susie.
I take back the thank you and by the way, your phone guy spent a real long
time NOT figuring the problem out. I was also corresponding with you on
another thread trying to give you info on how to help me but you went away
and got busy joining in on this crap, so I guess I'll leave you alone on the
other thread, this is obviously more your style.

"Tillman"....start by
READING...WHAT...I...TYPE...BEFORE...YOU...SMART...OFF...."albeit true, you
are ranting..." I'd alread acknowledged that one. Strike One (that's
"Millyspeak" for strike one). The "issue" on THIS thread was the fact that I
couldn't find help without an unrealistic amount of trouble. The Outlook
issue was on another thread. Of course...my helper took off to be a
co-smartass and stir the pot on THIS thread. Wordin' it out with a pack of
cyber bullies is actually good anger management, thanks for the
help...Tilly.
When I take my car to a mechanic and pay him for his work, if I get home and
it wasn't done right, am I supposed to pay him again..Tilly? No..software's
the same Tilly, I BUY it, and when it doesn't work, I expect NOT to have to
BUY it AGAIN. Other software & hardware companies have after-the-sale
assistance that doesn't cost another $35 rocket boy, you're right it CAN'T
get any easier than that.

Susie...you keep working on your people skills. Milly...you keep worshipping
Susie for all the work SHE'S doing pissing off customers. Roady...keep
wasting your time kissing Susie's hiney instead helping customers.
Tilly...choose you metaphors more wisely rocket boy, and read before you
respond. Thanks for the anger management folks. I'm feeling much better now.
You guys are loads of fun. Did I tell you I figured the problem out on my
own
while I was dickin' around with you guys? C Ya....