Dunno. It never has so far.
Organisers don't ignore the forum because it's too negative. They ignore the forum because it's not seen as important or relevant to their business. And they may be right to do so, as the feedback on this place is a very very small and unrepresentative sample of their customer base.
Actually, I kind of assume no-one reads this stuff anyway.
See.... I can actually see Rocky's point here.
If it was that bad, you should complain - both verbally, getting your money back, and by sending them an email to follow up. If nothing else, it's cathartic.
By all means, whinge on here too - that's where I disagree with HippyRocky - but also send a complaint along.
I remember dancing there about 10+ years ago, and Lindyloo was wandering around in, basically, a bikini, doing the same.
Made the event worthwhile
And no, I don't want Dave Bradley to wear a bikini.
See, thing is, if you want to go again, then if you don't complain and it's as bad next time, the organisers can say "well, no-one complained before"...
I agree Ceroc could do more to enforce and publicize the ban, and I also agree that it's up to the event organisers to have a word with anyone doing aerials. But it may be helpful for a punter to point out aerialists to the organisers, as the organisers are busy people and may simply have missed seeing them.
I totally agree. This thread typifies the mind-set that the original thread was trying to escape from. Let's stay focused on the happy.
You are right though Pete, negative feedback is important, but only if it goes to the right place; the event organiser. It may be that your idea is easy to accommodate and the event is improved in the future, not only for you, but for everyone.
Apart from focusing on the happy, the idea also skates on very thin ice regarding the forum rules on naming and shaming too.
Last edited by StokeBloke; 2nd-June-2011 at 02:28 AM. Reason: FORgot
Sheesh, sometimes people just want to blow off a bit of steam and know that the people at the other end understand what they're talking about. Sometimes they're after hearing whether anyone else felt the same or if it was just them.
I can't see me using it, but if you really find it that offensive, don't read it f.Fs!
Whatever happened to free speech?
I really don't think there is a 'free speech' issue here.
I tend to agree that a thread devoted to negative reviews is a step in the wrong direction. I had read Rocky & Stokebloke's posts as such, not that people should not be allowed to post negative stuff about events they've attended.
As an organizer myself, I read the reviews in here and on Facebook, and find the bad as useful as the good, but I prefer a more balanced approach.
To clarify, once more, this forum welcomes all discussions (good & bad) about events and organizers as well as all aspects of the dancing world, and if the title of the thread had been "My review of The boat last Sunday" for example, it would have been a discussion about that event, with dancers agreeing or not about the topic.
The concern is that this thread might become a flag pole for everyone to post negative reviews about events, rather than a more balanced perspective.
My personal views is that everyone should post more reviews along the week-ender aftermath threads, with the good, the bad, etc... That way forumites would be able to form a proper opinion on whether an event would be suitable for them. Few events are so bad, that they only have negative features.
Franck.
There's an A.P.P. for that!
Actually, I agree with you Franck. I should have used the quotes - it was the repeated request to have the thread pulled and only focus on the positive that I was referring to in my comment on free speech. I'd already suggested further up renaming the thread. I'm all for balanced discussion.
But we didn't have a thread for that till this one came along. Posting something on the "was last night amazing for you" thread feels wrong. Maybe I should have started one when I had a less than glowing review to post, but I didn't.
I think that's the issue, maybe starting a new thread is too scary to most people, but it's really simple, click on new thread, give it a meaningful title and make your point. If people want to talk about it, they will, if nobody's interested, you'll find out quickly!
Whilst the forum went through a quiet period recently, it is easy to forget how negative things had become for a while, and how discouraging things were for all organizers. the "Was last night amazing for you too?" thread was started to compensate for all the negative, as most people would post only when something had gone wrong. That thread was very successful in reversing the trend, to the point where it appears forumites want more 'critical' reviews again. All good, but I would rather this was done on a thread by thread basis.
There are two constructive ways to address a failing at an event:
- Write a full review of the event (including the good, bad, ugly, amazing).
- Start a thread discussing the specific issue, but not necessarily the specific venue i.e. "How should event organizers deal with overcrowding?"
Either of the above would have helped with the 'letting off steam' aspect and the 'constructive criticism' aspirations.
Franck.
There's an A.P.P. for that!
I dont think we a separate thread for every class or dance
but how about a new thread
How was for you
This is a discussion forum and one of the biggest talking points is surely what makes a good or bad night.
Sometimes, we just need reassurance that it was not just 'us', that suffered the 'problem' before going to the powers that be and making a complaint!
I do appreciate that 'most' of the time, the reason people don't enjoy an evening, is down to them and how they feel about themselves that night and that's why I think its good to have this outlet, it can put things into perspective.
If it turns out that no one else had the same problem, then its clear to the organisers and the other readers, that it wasn't a 'general' problem
Also, as with some of the posts at the top, its nice when we've had a complaint, i.e. the floor at Hammersmith and it gets reported back, that it's now been sorted!
I understand that the organisers wouldn't want to see their venue talked about in a negative sense but as a paying punter, if the organiser is providing a poor quality of service and charging for it, then I think its fair game.
Of course the organiser will also have the chance to, offer an excuse, explanation, apology and/or a promise to try to rectify things in the future.
AFAIC, when an organiser does this, instead if simply ignoring they usually come through looking good.
We're not stupid, we 'can' understand when unexpected things happen and they turn out to have been out of the control of the organiser. What's not acceptable is when a known problem happens time and time again and nothing appears to be done about it.
MODERATOR AT YOUR SERVICE
"If you're going to do something tonight, that you know you'll be sorry for in the morning, plan a lie in." Lorraine
I'd have to say that this comment is contrary to the many Ceroc and independent organisers I have spoken to over the years. A lot (almost all, in fact) of them stalk, but don't post.
I think Lory makes a good point here that sometimes you do wonder if it's just you with the issue and want to test the water with other forumites to see if anyone else agrees that you have a genuine reason to complain.
Hmm, I find this very strange.
I know if I was an organiser, I'd make it my business to read what people have to say about my event (and the competition), good or bad.
A good organiser 'should' be bothered by what their punters think of the experience they have.
Even if its just a minority who give the feedback.
And that's why the posts were 'moved' out of that thread and into this separate thread, so as not to contaminate the feel good factor of that thread.
I've heard that some people who've given direct feedback, have been met with a hostile and defensive responseYou are right though Pete, negative feedback is important, but only if it goes to the right place; the event organiser.
Or, simply 'no reply' at all, to an complaint made via email
I would be reluctant to withdraw this thread, unless the 'opposing' thread, "was last night amazing for you?", was also withdrawn and both were replaced with a single thread, "How was last night for you?", where people would be encouraged to write 'balanced' reviews
MODERATOR AT YOUR SERVICE
"If you're going to do something tonight, that you know you'll be sorry for in the morning, plan a lie in." Lorraine
MODERATOR AT YOUR SERVICE
"If you're going to do something tonight, that you know you'll be sorry for in the morning, plan a lie in." Lorraine
Personally I went quietly. There seemed to be enough people who were happy with the way things were. However, if someone asks me directly "are you and Essie going to be at ___________?" I will happily tell them that we won't be, and if they ask, of course I will tell them why. I also understand that their experience may be different to mine.
One man's meat is another man's poison and all that.....
OK, lets not talk specifics but you were a fully paying punter?
You had a genuine complaint? (Flooring? Lack of fans, aircon? Price of drinks? Rude staff?)
And there was no other underlying reason that you might have had a problem with this organiser?
If it were me, I'd firstly like to know if I were the only one who felt like this, so I might ask here.
And secondly, had anyone else broached the subject with the organiser before?
And lastly, if I then took it up with them and got a bad response or none at all, I'd make damn sure that other people knew that I'd tried but to no avail, before I went quietly!
MODERATOR AT YOUR SERVICE
"If you're going to do something tonight, that you know you'll be sorry for in the morning, plan a lie in." Lorraine
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