[softball]

Originally Posted by connor

I think you misrepresented a number of things in your post. But two important ones:

1) After you filled out the contact form, you got a reply from Jay in less than 24 hours.

2) After you filled out the form, you were told that the submission was received, thanks for registering, and that you would be contacted by email at a later time. So yeah, you got confirmation that what you submitted was received. In fact, here's what it said:

"SUBMISSION RECEIVED: THANK YOU!

On behalf of Cybernet Expo and our Registration Sponsor High Def Riches, thank you for registering for the 2008 Cybernet Expo show in San Francisco!

We have received the registration information you have submitted, and will be contacting you soon via the email address you supplied."

Because we process payments manually at the moment, you don't get the email confirmation immediately. You get the one on the screen for starters and then when the payment is processed, THEN you get the email receipt. I get that you want instant gratification with that email receipt, but there is a good reason why we process payments manually at the moment. But who knows, that could change in the future. So far you're the only one complaining.

As for phone numbers... Gonzo, why don't you publish your phone number on your contact form? You have advertisers, right? How Bush League! I guess I don't see a problem with this... lots of online companies operate this way. Lots of very well respected companies. I'll take the suggestion under advisement though but, to be honest, have no plans to change that right now.

Now Rhetorical, I wonder if your own business stands up to similar scrutiny? I don't know you, so please enlighten me... what is your business? What do you do in this industry? I'd kind of interested in checking out your products and services, maybe I can repay your kind suggestions for improvement?

I have customer service numbers. Both 800 and standard exchange numbers. they operator 24/7. No need to get your knickers in a twist because I was pointing out what I thought was a weakness from my point of view. A contact number where a real person answers the phone is still the gold standard of business. Instant processing is the lifeblood of the net. Anything else pisses people off and I am sure you have been in that position, hunting through a website looking for a number and maybe, just maybe it is buried under a bunch of faq's, online "help" or any other amounts of stuff that just deflect you from talking to a real person which you, as a customer, are looking for at that time. Especially in retail. It is a good subject for discussion. Should websites have customer service numbers?

edit: and btw, this was never meant to be a pissing, bitching thread. Its just business and a discussion of such. Sheesh, it amazes me how these things can spiral when people jump on various bandwagons.