The revolt! How to continue to make a difference.

There are many calling for another boycott, but this will accomplish little if anything. If you want to get something done here is what we need to do.
1. We give them a time frame to respond. I suggest 24 hours and have drafted a letter to put on their fb. It outlines what we will do if they continue to ignore us. I am waiting for some feedback from the other reps before posting publicly.
2. We need to write on EVERY single mm friend we have wall something like this "I would strongly encourage you to not buy diamonds. There is a strike against MM gaining media attention. See mmuff.com " this is what I sent out but please take a creative licence with it. The idea is to have them not spend $, get their attention, and direct them to mmuff.com. Please post any suggestions on different wording below.
3. EMAIL EMAIL EMAIL! I will start a list of new sites and their email addresses along with sample letters. You, the supporter, will only need to copy the list of email addresses in the to box, paste letter and sign it, then send. I can assure you if each news source received our letter only 100 times it would get their attention. 2 minutes of your time would make a huge impact!

Please respond with ANY feedback, suggestions, whatever. I will update you soon. Thank you!

Was this fb post reviewed and agreed upon by Reps?

I'm in! I think a week is plenty of time for them to come up with something and we still have nothing! Wondering where we would be if we were allowed to receive the Skype call? Just saying!

Just to clarify, was this FB post reviewed with the Reps before posting. I expect that some Reps may agree, but was consensus reached PRIOR to posting?

Yes, it was edited by Queen V and I also spoke with Lorias71.

Yes, I think their initial response was too slow, but I, at least, didn't submit my suggestions until Thursday night I think it was. They've only had one business day to contend with crafting a response and they have to interrupt their existing project plan to put emergency fixes in place to satisfy the masses... that takes time to fully iron out and they're probably trying to do that before issuing a statement so they can give us a time frame. They've already seen an explosively negative response no matter what they try to do, and that list from that create change page was really, really massive from a programming standpoint. I hope people aren't expecting a line-item reply to that because you're quite simply not gonna get one. From their standpoint that would cause even more pandemonium because they will inevitably have to veto quite a bit of it.

That's why, although I was one of the 15, I couldn't support or participate in that create change page/list. It reads like a ransom letter LOL...

Soozicle wrote:Yes, I think their initial response was too slow, but I, at least, didn't submit my suggestions until Thursday night I think it was. They've only had one business day to contend with crafting a response and they have to interrupt their existing project plan to put emergency fixes in place to satisfy the masses... that takes time to fully iron out and they're probably trying to do that before issuing a statement so they can give us a time frame. They've already seen an explosively negative response no matter what they try to do, and that list from that create change page was really, really massive from a programming standpoint. I hope people aren't expecting a line-item reply to that because you're quite simply not gonna get one. From their standpoint that would cause even more pandemonium because they will inevitably have to veto quite a bit of it.

That's why, although I was one of the 15, I couldn't support or participate in that create change page/list. It reads like a ransom letter LOL...

I agree with a lot that you have said. I want to first point out they we are merely asking for communication not line by line answers. A simple response that they are currently working on it and plan to have x amount of answers in x amount of time frame would be better than NOTHING. Also, the team working on the emergency fixes would be completely different then the team communicating with us. People should also understand that these "emergency fixes" can take 2-3 weeks, but this does not we should be ignored during that time. I agree the list was massive, but we are trying to take all input. They should be able to address a few concerns at a time. I also think it is good not ALL 15 reps are doing the exact same thing. I think you have everyone's best interest at heart to just approaching from a different direction. It is not a ransom letter, but a list of questions. Just my opinion.

Is it too late for me to ask for a pony? lol...sorry but must agree that "list" is extensive.

Kristi927 wrote:

Soozicle wrote:...

I agree with a lot that you have said. I want to first point out they we are merely asking for communication not line by line answers. A simple response that they are currently working on it and plan to have x amount of answers in x amount of time frame would be better than NOTHING. Also, the team working on the emergency fixes would be completely different then the team communicating with us. People should also understand that these "emergency fixes" can take 2-3 weeks, but this does not we should be ignored during that time. I agree the list was massive, but we are trying to take all input. They should be able to address a few concerns at a time. I also think it is good not ALL 15 reps are doing the exact same thing. I think you have everyone's best interest at heart to just approaching from a different direction. It is not a ransom letter, but a list of questions. Just my opinion.

Just remember, Inga I'm sure was inundated with messages from people that weren't in the 15. They have to sift through that, and then their marketing staff has to work with management, who has to work with their programming supervisors, all to decide what to implement, how to implement it, and figure out how long that will actually take the programmers to write, test, and publish before they can even issue a safe time-frame to the users. It has to filter down to their techs and then filter back up. Seeing this type of process on a daily basis professionally, it is not a quick process even when in the same conference room much less on different continents... well that and programmers really do not respond well when all they get is negative feedback. We've been told before it would take someone two hours to comment out a single line of code. You really just can't piss off your IT folks

I just implore you to have a bit more patience. I'm sure after the week they had they couldn't bear to work all weekend, too, and that's what it would've taken to come to some kind of cohesive response to those requests. Whether or not you mean to, making the company think that all the fans are just demanding and insensitive to their processes will do is make things worse for everyone. We need to approach this in more of a "how can we help you help us" spirit. Catch more flies with honey, you know... when I submitted my suggestions I even thanked them for fixing the visiting-after-updating issue.

However, if you do still wish to post these kinds of things to their FB page please be mindful that you don't appear to be representing a bigger part of the fanbase than you really are. I know a lot of people who feel like people are just badgering them at this point.

They've just posted on fb.

This communication, its tone, demands, threats and ultimatums were inappropriate and not in anyones best interest.

To say "we merely...." is a total disconnect from the language and approach.

Regardless of how anyone feels about the conference call (yes,no) or the list (too long, too short) - this is style of communication is not productive - it is damaging.

One of the refrains to those who have issues with the idea of Reps, has been "how can it hurt?".

Well, this is an example of how. This communicatin, tarnishes us all.

Well it worked didn't it. I didn't threaten to kill them, just inform the media of their practices if they did not make a statement. I personally am jumping for joy that they have given us time frames and they are reasonable! I am anxious to hear what they have to say

I repeat it is completely inappropriate and reflects badly on everyone.

It had no effect whatsoever on their latest communication. Corporations and professional PR people do not work that way.

And make no mistake, the unprofessional, shoot from the hip, amatuerish responses and moves from GI are over. They have brought in their best Marketing and PR folks. They have brought in their big guns - it is very clear from what we are seeing on the FB page and in the media.

You should count your blessings that they simply ignorged this misstep and did not refuse to communicate further.

Are you familiar with the phrases 'hubris before the fall', fancy way to say give someone enough rope and they will hang themselves - GI will leap at the chance.

Since this was so offensive to you and no longer relevant I have removed my comment from fb and here. I am not looking to make any enemies or be demeaning toward anyone. Just trying to help.