“People say the customer is always right, but you know what – they’re not. Sometimes they are wrong and they need to be told so.” – Michael O’Leary
I need to preface this by saying that the views expressed in this blog are mine and mine alone. I work retail in both lives. I joke that it’s amazing that I don’t drink more. More than once I have had to explain to a customer exclusions on something or how a special/deal/sale works. And when I explain these situations I normally do it by simply READING the back of the coupon or item that the customer has handed to me. More often than I care to recall, I have actually been told “Well who’s expected to read that?” and I smile and chuckle when in reality what I want to do is jump over the cash wrap, grab them by the throat and scream “YOU, YOU ARE EXPECTED TO READ THAT”.
I have recently noticed an epidemic of this inability to read going through SecondLife. I don’t know if it’s always been there, if it’s gotten worse, or if it’s just starting to annoy me more lately. But I have just gotten sick of it. Yes, one of the perks of joining a group in world for a store is that you sometimes get special items not available to the general public. Another major function of the group is to spread information. Now, I am sure like a lot of people, I have disabled notices for a majority of my groups so my IMs do not cap as quickly. But, having done that, it is my responsibility as a consumer, as a resident of Second Life, to go through those notices that I have turned off to seek the information I need and/or want. If I can not find the information there, I then get into the group chat (if I am able) and I ask or I nc the owner/contact person and ask. I also let them know that I checked the notices/blog before I contact them. To me there is very few things in SL as annoying or disrespectful as people who do not take those steps.
Now I’m sure two out of the three people who are reading this post will roll their eyes and go “Disrespectful Bella? Really?”. Yes, disrespectful. Designers/managers/owners take the time to write up notecards of information. Each time someone does not do THEIR part and look for said information, you are in fact stealing time away from someone else. I feel that when I am online, I am on call to help the customers and help the store (like most managers). I am more than happy to stop what I am doing for a few moments to help a customer who genuinely needs help. Lord knows I have received the same customer service from other stores…after I have used all avenues I know of to try to find the information myself. But what I do NOT appreciate is when people approach me or approach ANYONE in SL and expect them to drop what they are doing cause they are too lazy to simply check past notices, do a simple google search, check a blog or what not. And it’s cause they are just that…LAZY. Now if the person is brand new to SL of course, I will not get annoyed and I MORE than happy to help and show them the little tricks of the grid. But more often than not I notice the people who do this are well over 2000 days old. They are also the people who feel because they spent X number of linden at a store they deserve to have their asses kissed, information spoon fed to them and basically have you take the role of servant to them in SL.
And I am not specifically talking about the store I work at. I am noticing it in other groups as well. It’s also the way it’s done…demanding. Especially when they don’t bother to read and it’s everyone else’s fault they missed an event, a hunt, a group gift and normally get huffy with “Well I haven’t been on SL in a bit” — Really, welcome back to the grid, hope everything is ok in your RL – group notices last two weeks. As a blogger it is my job to check the notices for the groups when I have notices turned off. I do it every single time I log into SL. Yes, it takes me a few minutes, but it’s something I have to do. It’s part of my job as a resident of SL to keep myself informed. If you are uninformed, if you don’t take the time to read (especially that little box that pops up when there is a group joining fee asking ARE YOU SURE YOU WANT TO JOIN THIS GROUP IT COSTS XX AMOUNT OF LINDEN), then that is on you. It is not the designers fault, it is not the managers fault. It is not anyone’s fault but YOURS.
I may be overreacting to this, but it is something that really really pisses me off. I refuse to coddle these people, I refuse to apologize for not babying them. My answer will always be “check the notices” cause that takes less time out of my day, my enjoyment of SL than opening an im, finding the nc in my inventory. I spent the time to give you the information in the first place. I shouldn’t have to do it again…nor should anyone.
ALL THESE ITEMS ARE LIMITED EDITION HALLOWEEN ITEMS FROM PURPLEMOON CREATIONS. THEY ARE AVAILABLE AT THE MAIN STORE IN MULTIPLE LOCATIONS UNTIL OCT. 31st, 2015. THESE ARE AVAILABLE TO EVERYONE AND JOINING THE GROUP IS NOT REQUIRED. THE GROUP FEE FOR PURPLEMOON CREATIONS IS 2500L UNTIL NOVEMBER 1st DUE TO LIMITED EDITION GROUP GIFTS BEING RELEASED AND A SPECIAL GROUP ONLY HUNT. THE GROUP FEE WILL REVERT BACK TO 50L ON NOVEMBER 1st. THERE IS NO REFUND ON THE GROUP FEE!
** Denotes I’m Special Copies**
Picture #1
Headpiece – Headpiece Part 1 – taken from Black Widow – PurpleMoon Creations
Mask – Taken from Black Widow – PurpleMoon Creations
Hair – Healy in Black – Tableau Vivant
Lipstick – Volume – Fire – MUA
Jewelry – Belladonna Set – Maxi Gossamer
Outfit – A Midsummer’s Nights Dream in Black – PurpleMoon Creations**
Shoes – Croco Boots – PurpleMoon Creations
Pose – Storm 003 – Wicca’s Wardrobe
Picture #2
Hair – Upshaw Hair in Black – Tableau Vivant
Makeup – Autumn (Full Set) – MUA
Jewelry – Celeste Heirloom Special Edition – Lazuri
Dress – Aquaria Halloween Special Edition – PurpleMoon Creations**
Poses – Di’s Opera
Furniture – from Bug Juice Series – Mariposa**
Picture #3
Hair – Salome in Pitch – LeLutka
Makeup – Robot (Full Set) – MUA
Jewelry – Lasya Set – Lazuri
Dress – Hedy Halloween Special Edition – PurpleMoon Creations**
Poses – Di’s Opera
Furniture – from Bug Juice Series – Mariposa
Picture #4
Hair – Magdalen in Pitch – LeLutka
Makeup – Fatality (With Eyebrows) – MUA
Jewelry – Esmerelda (earrings/necklace) – Maxi Gossamer
Dress – Baroque Halloween Special Edition – PurpleMoon Creations**
Pose – Del May
Picture #5
Hairbase – Cornrows Hairbase Black – booN
Hair – MMK375 – booN
Makeup – Spooky Makeup Cracked Face – PurpleMoon Creations
Lipstick – Volume 1 – Fire – MUA
Jewelry – Enchanted Red Ruby – Lazuri
Dress – Prestige Special Halloween Edition – PurpleMoon Creations **
Shoes – Deadly Pumps (for Maitreya) – Reign
Pose – DelMay
Furniture – from Bug Juice Series – Mariposa
La Vita Bella 