Giveaway of the Day Forums » General discussion

1. CosmicSurfer
   Member

   To Giveawayoftheday... Happy Holidays.

   Sorry if I'm being vocal... But When something works, then Breaks for no apparent reason, it tends to piss people off.. I'm sure you understand..

   It's unfortunate that you, at Giveawayoftheday don't seem to be interested in making your business model more successful.

   The lack of REAL & LIVE Support is becoming glaringly noticeable to the regular users... We may not download everyday, but we do visit the site everyday... and we Do read the comments and reviews.

   True, the software is FREE... BUT this is the service being offered and for the one day ONLY it is the responsibility of GAOTD to make sure it works for everyone.. and in the Best interest of your own Business model, you should let yuor "Customers" be upset with the Software that they are evaluating for FREE, not the people providing the service at GAOTD... which is not free.. Our TIME is worth Money.. We give you our Time in return for the service you promise.

   If you can't provide this service, then your model is Broke.. Failed downloads lead to frustrations, especially from users that are loyal about checking everyday, looking (and waiting) for something that we can use... Only to find that there is a problem with the Activation routine.

   WE are already taking a chance on the software.. having to add to the anxiety with an Activation that won't work is pushing the "Stress Envelope"... and to add INSULT to INJURY.. to be ignored by GAOTD when a problem develops... That is UNACCEPTABLE...

   Almost everything being offered at this site is also offered though Freeware or Open Source.. We Have Alternatives... I'm sure that this is upsetting to not only your Customers, but also to your suppliers, who you promise to get the maximum attention.. (after all.. they are giving away free versions of their normally paid-for software for a reason)... and if we can't use it, we can't be happy with it, or pay for future updates, or tell our friends how wonderful it is.

   And your "Suppliers" also read the comments and reviews on this site... How long before they too question the service you offer... Promises only work for a limited time.. eventually you need to pay off.

   A Service offered that doesn't work is no longer needed.

   In the Digital World...Just as in the Brick & Mortar World... a Customer lost is hard to get back... and we tell our friends.. who tell their Friends... and so On.. And so on...

   Word of Mouth is King... Most Especially on the NET.

   CosmicSurfer

   Posted 6 months ago #

2. triphammer
   Member

   Blah.. blah.. blah... The regular users? You mean like you who joined us here in the forums yesterday? If you have an issue.. you can't just ask questions or start up a discussion? You have to rant on in your own special way?

   I don't see how it's GOTD's responsibility to make sure the software works for everyone. I don't see where they promise a service... I also don't see where they say they give support. I mean seriously.. GOTD can't count on the fact that some ppl will just never understand the complexity of installing software. For some ppl it's such a reach mentally... that most of us here can't comprehend how after all this time.. ppl still complain about the activation file not working.

   And when you talk of customers.. who is that actually? The developers? The sponsored ads? Yourself as the customer? What did you pay for? Feel like you got robbed, do ya? Your time is money? How much money did you lose typing out this gem that belongs in a letter to the staff via their contact page? My time is worth something to me too, and I had to wade through your diatribe here.

   Anyway thx for your time. So if time is indeed money... consider this opinion a freebie. Stick to the freeware sites and you won't feel like you got screwed.

   Posted 6 months ago #

3. BuBBy
   Administrator

   So in 20 words or less - what exactly is your problem?

   Today's giveaways seem to be quite popular there haven't been many problems at all (just from reading the comments).

   Of course software support isn't officially provided or promised.

   The lack of REAL & LIVE Support is becoming glaringly noticeable to the regular users...

   This "lack of REAL & LIVE Support" that you mention is provided by the regular users... for free.

   Support resources are best applied where they will do the most good. Are you offering to start helping other users? We could always do with some more people providing support.

   Word of Mouth is King...

   Only when the message is clear and relevant. Otherwise... just another rant.

   Posted 6 months ago # | Login to Send PM

4. FreewareFan
   Member

   Unbelievable .......

   /me shaking head, walking away............

   Posted 6 months ago #

5. CosmicSurfer
   Member

   1) The fact that I made my first post only yesterday, is not indicative about how long I have been a regular downloader at this site.. It is more indicative of How long I have had No issues to post about. FYI, I have been visiting this site DAILY almost since it's inception.

   2) I made Clear and detailed posts of my issues in another Thread ... Just do a search on "Fatal Error: Key is Invalid" and you will find, not only the thread I started, but also the threads of many others... many (but not all) complaining of the same issue.. and nowhere is there any help visible from Giveawayoftheday...and nowhere is there any idea of a fix forthcoming.

   3) I agree that Giveawayoftheday is not responsible for supporting the software they distribute... BUT they ARE responsible for the Activation routine that is the source of my issues.. The software doesn't have to work for everyone.. but their activation routine does. Software installation is NOT the issue... "ACTIVATION" IS !!!!

   How many time must I try before I give up. I'm only trying to get some help so I can remain a loyal user.

   4) TRUE... Volunteer moderators and other users make for a dedicated Help Base... BUT these people don't have access or knowledge of the actual code and routines.. they can't actively initiate any changes or repairs.. nor do they have all the answers or expertise to repair the problems. They are in fact ONLY dedicated volunteers. My Bitch is with the COMPANY, not it's surrogate volunteer work-force.

   This forum is on the giveawayoftheday website.. it's not on a Fan-site somewhere else.. The company has a duty to monitor it and provide assistance when the other users clearly can't. WHERE is the company?

   Timely action is REQUIRED on a site like this.. If the software you have been waiting for is available on only this ONE DAY, then you require immediate Help.. Nothing less is acceptable. Use it or Lose it. In the past few weeks I have lost the chance to get 3 programs I wanted.. and the only fault I can find is with Giveawayoftheday. Of Course this pisses-me off. Why come back for a service I can no longer benefit from???

   5) This website is NOT a Free service provided out of the generosity of some benevolent anonymous benefactor... It is a BUSINESS, trying to generate income from a unique business model.. and like all business models will Live or Die based on it's acceptance from it's customer base. Ignoring the basics of Customer Service and Tech Quality Control, is NOT the best way to grow a business.

   6) As for Me... as I said in my earlier post... There are a multitude of Free and Open Source alternatives.... If the company is not interested in helping its Customers with a legitimate issue, then I don't need to stay around for abuse.. or a service that will no longer work for me, after multiple attempts... It's like dangling a carrot in-front of a rabbit.. I can just never get the prize.

   And when the many programs that I have downloaded previously (without any problems) from this service expire.. well I guess I'll just uninstall them too... No Kudos from me.. No Commissions on Trials turned into paying customer.. (Yes!!! One year free software with no upgrades or tech support means that the software is only a Trial version.. a long trial, but still a Trial)... No referrals... No Benefit to the supplier companies.. No Benefit to Giveawayoftheday... Just a pissed-off customer with a big mouth, a negative experience, a keyboard and an 24/7 Internet connection.

   It was good while it lasted,
   Merry Merry, Happy Happy,
   Bye Bye
   CS

   Posted 6 months ago #

6. Lockett
   Member

   >CosmicSurfer

   What are you talking about? It's not activating right? It seems to work for everyone else - wait a minute, the site's been down frequently. Maybe that's the problem.

   Oh, and you call the software a "trial" because there's no tech support for it. If you buy a car without a warranty(highly unlikely, but I'm just making a point), does that make it a taxi?

   Also, please stop the random capitalization, it hurts my head.

   Posted 6 months ago #

7. Lockett
   Member

   Sorry, I didn't read your original thread. It seems that the games still have the "old" system, though.

   Posted 6 months ago #

8. CosmicSurfer
   Member

   I call it a Trial.. because you can't update it, and you don't get any Support from the publisher... That's a trial.. Unlike a paid version where you can update and get support.

   The only bonus is that it doesn't stop functioning like some Trials.. Lots of Trials will still work after the Trial period, but they turn off important attributes.. a software that you can't update is like a software where some functionality is turned-off... Ergo - a Trial.

   CS

   Posted 6 months ago #

9. BuBBy
   Administrator

   It was good while it lasted,
   Merry Merry, Happy Happy,
   Bye Bye
   CS

   That's a relief, I was worried you had left. ;)

   I was giving some thought, and considering your experience and the fact you have been around for such a long time - you are more than able to start helping others and solving problems.

   This overly negative outlook on everything, isn't good for anyone (so I've been told). Give being friendly, helpful and understanding a shot.

   If it makes you feel any better - activation works just fine for almost everybody (you are a statistical anomaly). If it wasn't you, it might be someone else - and you wouldn't wish that on another person, would you? (That would just be mean).

   Drink from the glass half full for a change.

   I realise this might not actually resolve your problem - but being nice about it, is better than trying to shoot everybody down.

   Something to take away and ponder - perhaps nobody "wants" to help you? Have you questioned yet, that your lack of progress in "your little matter" is a reflection more on yourself than the rest of the world?

   I don't believe there is anything to gain in dragging this out any longer. It's almost been a pleasure. I'm sure if any other "surrogate volunteers" decide to help you, they will let you know. Somehow.

   I won't keep you any further... time is money. I've cost you far too much already, and for that, I apologise. But on behalf of all the users - thanks for dropping dropping bye bye.

   Posted 6 months ago # | Login to Send PM

10. Lee
    Moderator

    I wish people like CosmicSurfer would read the the giveaway rules of the software and licencing.

    Terms and conditions

    Please note that the software you download and install during
    the Giveaway period comes with the following important limitations:
    1) No free technical support
    2) No free upgrades to future versions
    3) Strictly non-commercial usage (unless stated otherwise)

    If you don't like press the back button.

    Posted 6 months ago # | Login to Send PM

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