I sent the following to NPGMC in the vain hope that they may send something other than an automated response:

As a member for nearly two years now, I would like to make some observations about the club. It has come to my attention that a large number of paying members are dis-satisfied with the level of service they are receiving. I am not going to talk about CD releases etc. as I know that this is out of the clubs control as well as live concerts which are never going to satisfy everyone.
My main concern is that it seems that answers to fam questions appear automated and impersonal which is causing many fams to question there loyalty to the club. As an 'organic' organisation it surprises me that there is not a more human relationship between yourselves and members. Maybe if we new the names and faces of those behind the scenes we would feel less detached from the club. Maybe this is contractually impossible, but if so, why not tell us instead of leaving members feeling disenfranchised.
Secondly, I personally, and probably others, are frustrated by the lack of updates on the site. I find myself logging on daily to find that there is nothing to report. OK, there may not always be something to say, but there are not enough other resources on the site to keep me occupied until there is news to report.
I would imagine that you have received other mails of this nature and hope that these comments are taken in good faith as intended. I am loyal to the club and to Prince and will continue to support both.
Yours Faithfully,

So, how long do you think it will be before I get a response? Answers on a postcard...

the answers don't look AutoMated but, then again they may APPEAR 2 address the answers rather Quick & AbruptLy...

Why is it that people have no problem voicing complaints, but are highly unlikely to voice praise? I wonder.

Oreochld32 said:

People voicing and/or emailing complaints - be they legitimate or a little overreative - to the club aside, I have sent the club a few emails over the past year or so that were *completely* praise (and not of the buttkissing, slobbering kind that verges on scary or the bizarre, and I think we all know what I'm meaning by that .) My emails were merely sincere, heartfelt notes of appreciation regarding the Club, Prince and his music in general, etc. One was in direct regards to this past Celebration.

I never got any sort of response for two of the emails, not even a one word "thanks" so that I would know they were even received or read by anybody. The 3rd one, the one email that meant the most to me and was difficult for me write and I worked so hard on to express myself the best I could, I got a short (5 words, total) response thanking me for joining the club. THAT WAS IT. It didn't even include the standard "High" salutation or the usual closing or anything. I almost felt as thought I'd said something in my email that offended them, though I honestly couldn't figure out what that could've been.

My purpose in sending the emails I did was not to 'get a response', but it would have been nice if they'd at least let me know my emails were RECEIVED. And I'd be lying if I said it didn't make me feel a bit bad to not even be responded to when one those emails were written so much from my heart, and one contained a direct question to them (which they ignored and didn't answer). Especially when I take into consideration that the Club seems to be able to respond to certain members EVERY TIME those individuals write to them (which seem to be a very often). Why do some members merit being responded to while others are ignored? I wonder.

So I only speak for myself, but I know I probably won't bother to write and "voice my praise" to the Club again. They don't seem to care enough to at least be polite and acknowledge when people write them emails of a "praising" nature.
[This message was edited Wed Nov 13 17:07:52 PST 2002 by TheVioletFemme]