Bye bye Pocketbook - Page 8

OphReader · 02-27-2011, 07:08 PM

I am speaking german so I understand his message, but I'm not sure if I get it if you know what I mean. I mean what kind of reaction is that, retreating from a forum, that has never been an officially forum really , but has been used that way by PB, just because of the feeling of "personal insult"? WTF?! Does that mean the official channel to PB has just dried out, just because the guy who is assigned to deal with customers does not like the job anymore because he feels insulted?

I am regretting that I have spent my money to PB, it is far, far away of being a professional company and I do not think that a usable SDK is ever been released or that a FW will be released, that deals with the wishes of the paying customers. And I am really sorry for that, because the PB readers could really be good, I like the hardware, but dealing with this BS FW is just annoying and I am really getting angry more and more, the more time that flies by.

troll05 · 02-27-2011, 07:42 PM

I also was slightly confused about the last part with reducing his time here. The last two months ha was online once a week, sometimes twice and then only giving some statements, rarely answering to questions, so what will be in the future? Fork is only active in the german part (AFAIK), so who will take care of PB Intl. forum?
I can imagine the last time was kind of a vicious circle to him: stress -> lack of time -> angry customers -> more stress -> angry answers ->....
And then a simple insult on PB turns into a personal affront and he explodes. I sincerely hope he calms down a bit in the next days and resumes this part of his job!
I know my post may be part of his decision, but as it was only thinking loud I will not refrain or excuse for it, this is something he has to endur as a "Sales manager"

Metal Mick · 02-27-2011, 08:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by troll05

<snip>
I can imagine the last time was kind of a vicious circle to him: stress -> lack of time -> angry customers -> more stress -> angry answers ->....
And then a simple insult on PB turns into a personal affront and he explodes. I sincerely hope he calms down a bit in the next days and resumes this part of his job!
I know my post may be part of his decision, but as it was only thinking loud I will not refrain or excuse for it, this is something he has to endur as a "Sales manager"

Hi troll05, et al,

I am unsure if you - or other posters in this thread - have anything to apologize for. I've reread the postings that led to this blowup, and I don't see a personal attack on on mtravellerh. Strong words were said against the PocketBook entity, and with justification.

OphReader's thoughts are probably fairly close to the mark. I certainly would find it stressful defending a company publicly, if said company has so many angry and disappointed customers as PB now has. I do not complain about the firmware on my 302, nor the promises made - I knew what I was buying into. Though - and I will say it again as a warning to other purchasers - sending a faulty, incorrect product half-way around the world and then expecting me to foot the bill for returning it is an insulting and immoral way to behave. It says a great deal about PB's approach to quality, customer service, and its marketing strategy.

I feel for those purchasers who paid a huge sum for their devices, and trusted the words issued on this forum from PB representatives. They have been cruelly let down over and over again. Even a few weeks ago in posting #52 of this thread, it sounded like the same old story - hints of things that may come, but again without deadlines, and to date, without substance.

Regards,

adbosch · 02-28-2011, 01:31 AM

I honestly regret this decision of mtravelerh, who I somehow and in spite of all respected very much. But I'm afraid it reflects his position of being between hammer and anvil all the time.

I'm also afraid this might be the beginning of the end of the PB company itself. Their ambitions are way beyond their possibilities and means. Somewhere down the road they lost it and got dollar signs in their eyes, thus losing sight of their most important assets: quality, support, etc.

I hope there will be some kind of relaunch of the original deal: focus on a single or perhaps two devices, which will be developed in close touch with the user public. And not to much fancy stuff, no tablets, no internet (e-ink wasn't meant to be fast), but 'simply' an extremely configurable, cute and sexy ereader. Like they did for the original PB360.

Yemeth · 02-28-2011, 03:35 AM

This is really turning into an soap opera...

If you work with customers you need to have much thicker skin, especially if the people behind you are inept.

And the childish "I hope some are happy" comment is really just childish. It is about the money the customer spent and his expectations, not about the poor, bruised ego of the company employees.

As someone who worked for years as a customer service agent I really know what it is to be screamed at, but even if the customer is not right you should (and can) take the time to explain to him and to *show* him that it is about his satisfaction (and a working product). But, walk the walk, not talk the talk...

Thinking of soap operas, I am really missing some hot latin babes, but you cannot have everything...

K-Thom · 02-28-2011, 10:13 AM

Quote:

I'm also afraid this might be the beginning of the end of the PB company itself.

This would be jumping to conclusions. But it may very well mean the end of "Mobilread feat. the official Pocketbook board" sonner or later. And I have to say, about time.

Pocketbook is a worldwide operating company, claiming to become the third largest in Europe. The least I do expect is a professionally managed and staffed support team. On their very own web sites, mind you!
Imagine Amazon, Apple or Sony running their support on MR? Yeah, sure. This is but one indication how professionally PB Global actually is being run.

I also read the posts from the beginning. Harsh words against Pocketbook for sure, but never ever any personal insult (IMHO), especially against mtravellerh. So I do respect his decision, but I've got my problems with the way how he steps back. Or why.

While this is indeed up to him, it sure doesn't help irritated Pockeboot customers one bit.

HarryT · 03-01-2011, 11:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by K-Thom

I also read the posts from the beginning. Harsh words against Pocketbook for sure, but never ever any personal insult (IMHO), especially against mtravellerh. So I do respect his decision, but I've got my problems with the way how he steps back. Or why.

While this is indeed up to him, it sure doesn't help irritated Pockeboot customers one bit.

Hang on a minute. You suggested that he step down. He's done so, and now you're complaining about it?

K-Thom · 03-01-2011, 05:10 PM

No no no, HarryT. I suggested that he should consider stepping down from "one of both positions".

Personally I would have approved more he left PB behind than MR. That was his decision. Seriously again. As I understand it from his post on the German board in Feb 2010 he didn't take that job out of (financial) necessity but because it appealed to him, because he liked what PB was doing.

Now the tone has become harsher, and it's seemingly not much fun right now. His reaction? To say the least, quite emotional.
Were I a close friend I would have directly advised him to drop the job at PB and enjoy his life in Luxembourg and as a respected mod at MR. I'm not, so I called it "one of both positions". He came to the wrong conclusion IMHO.

Metal Mick · 03-02-2011, 04:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by K-Thom

No no no, HarryT...Were I a close friend I would have directly advised him to drop the job at PB and enjoy his life in Luxembourg and as a respected mod at MR. I'm not, so I called it "one of both positions". He came to the wrong conclusion IMHO.

Hi K- Thom, et al,

I must confess, I originally took your words the wrong way as well as Harry T.

I presumed there was either a typo or a language issue, with the intent being to drop one position, or both positions. Thanks for explaining, things are clearer now.

(Were it me making a recommendation, I would have phrased it "...either position", or "one of the positions".

)

Cheers,

Billi · 03-02-2011, 06:25 AM

No! There's no need for blaming misinterpretation or language problems.

Without any judgement: K-Thom, you have been the one "der das Fass zum Überlaufen gebracht hat" (the straw to break the camel's back) and I think only you could have done so.
But of course it wasn't your "fault" - most of us here filled this barrel, some more, some less (I myself have two or three posts I'm not proud about, the content yes, but not the exact wording), and the "guys from Kiew" didn't do anything to empty the barrel.

cfrizz · 03-02-2011, 06:28 AM

With a close friend like you, who would need enemies?

A choice between a voluntary position vs a paycheck & you would tell him to ditch the paycheck?

I DON'T THINK SO! I would dump you as a friend instead!

Quote:

Originally Posted by K-Thom

Were I a close friend I would have directly advised him to drop the job at PB and enjoy his life in Luxembourg and as a respected mod at MR. I'm not, so I called it "one of both positions". He came to the wrong conclusion IMHO.

K-Thom · 03-02-2011, 07:41 AM

If you're doing the paycheck position just for fun, and it isn't fun anymore, I would definitely tell you to drop it, as your friend.

Quote:

Without any judgement: K-Thom, you have been the one "der das Fass zum Überlaufen gebracht hat" (the straw to break the camel's back) and I think only you could have done so.

I just confronted mtravellerh with his very own behavoiur and suggested to consider his own position. Don't behead the messenger.

rkomar · 03-02-2011, 02:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by K-Thom

I just confronted mtravellerh with his very own behavoiur and suggested to consider his own position. Don't behead the messenger.

Although he has (I hope) a paid position, mtravellerh is also just a messenger. He has no control over what PB does in Ukraine, and can only pass on what they tell him. So, please take your own advice about messengers.

I do agree with your sentiment about telling a friend to drop a job that's painful to him, though.

marty63 · 03-02-2011, 03:22 PM

And make public unfinished firmware? Without notice? In my opinion acts about unwilling withdrawal.

joepie · 03-02-2011, 03:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by K-Thom

<snip>

Don't behead the messenger.

Ok, I'll take the bait... Whose messenger are you?

02-28-2011, 01:31 AM	#109
adbosch Addict Posts: 299 Karma: 511516 Join Date: Jun 2004 Device: Kobo Forma; Pocketbook Color 633	I honestly regret this decision of mtravelerh, who I somehow and in spite of all respected very much. But I'm afraid it reflects his position of being between hammer and anvil all the time. I'm also afraid this might be the beginning of the end of the PB company itself. Their ambitions are way beyond their possibilities and means. Somewhere down the road they lost it and got dollar signs in their eyes, thus losing sight of their most important assets: quality, support, etc. I hope there will be some kind of relaunch of the original deal: focus on a single or perhaps two devices, which will be developed in close touch with the user public. And not to much fancy stuff, no tablets, no internet (e-ink wasn't meant to be fast), but 'simply' an extremely configurable, cute and sexy ereader. Like they did for the original PB360. Last edited by adbosch; 02-28-2011 at 01:57 AM.

03-01-2011, 05:10 PM	#113
K-Thom The one and only Posts: 3,302 Karma: 535819 Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Berlin, Germany Device: yup!	No no no, HarryT. I suggested that he should consider stepping down from "one of both positions". Personally I would have approved more he left PB behind than MR. That was his decision. Seriously again. As I understand it from his post on the German board in Feb 2010 he didn't take that job out of (financial) necessity but because it appealed to him, because he liked what PB was doing. Now the tone has become harsher, and it's seemingly not much fun right now. His reaction? To say the least, quite emotional. Were I a close friend I would have directly advised him to drop the job at PB and enjoy his life in Luxembourg and as a respected mod at MR. I'm not, so I called it "one of both positions". He came to the wrong conclusion IMHO. Last edited by K-Thom; 03-01-2011 at 05:12 PM.

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02-27-2011, 07:08 PM	#106
OphReader Connoisseur Posts: 83 Karma: 10 Join Date: Nov 2010 Device: 902	I am speaking german so I understand his message, but I'm not sure if I get it if you know what I mean. I mean what kind of reaction is that, retreating from a forum, that has never been an officially forum really , but has been used that way by PB, just because of the feeling of "personal insult"? WTF?! Does that mean the official channel to PB has just dried out, just because the guy who is assigned to deal with customers does not like the job anymore because he feels insulted? I am regretting that I have spent my money to PB, it is far, far away of being a professional company and I do not think that a usable SDK is ever been released or that a FW will be released, that deals with the wishes of the paying customers. And I am really sorry for that, because the PB readers could really be good, I like the hardware, but dealing with this BS FW is just annoying and I am really getting angry more and more, the more time that flies by.

02-27-2011, 07:42 PM	#107
troll05 Harmless idiot Posts: 3,411 Karma: 2154829 Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Zuhause Device: PB622, Nexus7, Sony PRS 350, Tolino und nur noch wenig toter Baum:(	I also was slightly confused about the last part with reducing his time here. The last two months ha was online once a week, sometimes twice and then only giving some statements, rarely answering to questions, so what will be in the future? Fork is only active in the german part (AFAIK), so who will take care of PB Intl. forum? I can imagine the last time was kind of a vicious circle to him: stress -> lack of time -> angry customers -> more stress -> angry answers ->.... And then a simple insult on PB turns into a personal affront and he explodes. I sincerely hope he calms down a bit in the next days and resumes this part of his job! I know my post may be part of his decision, but as it was only thinking loud I will not refrain or excuse for it, this is something he has to endur as a "Sales manager"

02-28-2011, 03:35 AM	#110
Yemeth Junior Member Posts: 9 Karma: 10 Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Croatia Device: PocketBook 602	This is really turning into an soap opera... If you work with customers you need to have much thicker skin, especially if the people behind you are inept. And the childish "I hope some are happy" comment is really just childish. It is about the money the customer spent and his expectations, not about the poor, bruised ego of the company employees. As someone who worked for years as a customer service agent I really know what it is to be screamed at, but even if the customer is not right you should (and can) take the time to explain to him and to show him that it is about his satisfaction (and a working product). But, walk the walk, not talk the talk... Thinking of soap operas, I am really missing some hot latin babes, but you cannot have everything...

03-02-2011, 06:25 AM	#115
Billi Wizard Posts: 3,388 Karma: 14190103 Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Berlin Device: Cybook, iRex, PB, Onyx	No! There's no need for blaming misinterpretation or language problems. Without any judgement: K-Thom, you have been the one "der das Fass zum Überlaufen gebracht hat" (the straw to break the camel's back) and I think only you could have done so. But of course it wasn't your "fault" - most of us here filled this barrel, some more, some less (I myself have two or three posts I'm not proud about, the content yes, but not the exact wording), and the "guys from Kiew" didn't do anything to empty the barrel.

03-02-2011, 03:22 PM	#119
marty63 Enthusiast Posts: 48 Karma: 104 Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Prague, Czechia Device: PocketBook Pro 902	And make public unfinished firmware? Without notice? In my opinion acts about unwilling withdrawal.

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