This is the response received by numerous complaining members from the "NPGMC" via the Better Business Bureau. The comments made it bold type are my own.

This letter serves as a New Power Generation Music Club’s (NPGMC) response to the above referenced complaints. Per your correspondence, we understand that you will forward our response to the complaining members. Given that the NPGMC’s current “unsatisfactory” rating on the BBB website was based solely on an “unanswered complaint,” we trust that the rating will be changed to reflect that NPGMC did, in afact, respond to all of the current complaints within the agreed upon time established in my letter dated %$%$% and your discussions with my colleague, %%$%$$.

This response was written by a lawfirm representing Prince & the NPGMC, not the NPGMC itself. Are we to assume that this law firm handles all of the NPGMC's customer service inquiries? Additionally, it should be noted that several inquiries sent to the club went entirely unanswered, & a response of any kind was received only after a complaint was filed with the BBB. Again, from a law firm representing the club & not the club itself. Finally, there is considerably more at issue here than the NPGMC's "unanswered complaint."

NPGMC denies any allegations of false, misleading or deceptive practices relevant to NPGMC advertising, memberships or offerings. Contrary to the recent complaints, since its inception in February 2001, NPGMC has provided thousands of satisfied Prince fans with premiere and direct access to Prince’s music, concerts, special events and merchandise for a nominal membership fee of $100.00. NPGMC has also been forthright and truthful about the benefits and limitations of the membership on its website, the primary and official vehicle for communication with potential and current members.

Come on, laugh with me. Don't be shy!

NPGMC thus disagrees with any claims that it has been deceptive or failed to fulfill its membership promises. At most, the current complaints represent simple differences in interpretation of words, uninformed assumptions and/or misunderstandings about expectations held by the complaining members, not deceptive business practices by NPGMC.

Any "uninformed assumptions and/or misunderstandings about expectations" and "differences in interpretation of words" are ENTIRELY the fault of the NPGMC. What is there to misinterpret? Members were told that they would be receiving ONA, Xenophobia, The Very Best of and The Last December as part of their 2002 membership. Were we not?

In order to have a context for analyzing the recent complaints, we offer this brief background about NPGMC.

Yes take a look at the club's long & storied history, shall we? After all, it is as old as time itself & requires so much in depth analysis to see that they fucked us over with love in their hearts & only the best intentions.

At Prince’s discretion, each year’s membership includes different and unique benefits. For example, in 2001, members received access to 12 monthly downloads of songs. This year, in 2002, Prince decided to move to a calendar year membership and to offer a total of 4 CDs mailed directly to NPGMC members, worldwide, including the first ever “live” release by Prince, a 3 CD box set entitled One Night Alone…Live, which was recently sent to domestic members and is being sent to members abroad next week.

A calendar year membership? 'Tis curious then, that in a NPGMC press release announcing the Las Vegas concert (& dated December 4th) mention is still made of the availability of a $7.77 monthly membership fee. Is this not false advertising? Or at least miscommunication? It's certainly not the fault of members, as we do not write NPGMC press releases.[b]

In addition, one of the most significant membership privileges each year (which many fans value the most) is the premier access to concerts and related special events.

[b]"Many fans" is not all fans. Making such sweeping generalizations is a dangerous business.

Relevant to the concert perks, each NPGMC member received:
*Access to purchase any 2002 concert tickets two days before the general public.
*VIP seating at the concert (within the first fifteen rows).
*Admittance to the pre-concert sound check.
*VIP access to the concert after-party.

Each NPGMC member? How many of you had reported the cancelation of sound checks, aftershows & difficulty getting access of any kind to after-parties throughout the course of the ONA tour? Additionally, it can be argued that MANY performers offer similar benefits to their fans FREE of charge.

Moreover, this year, NPGMC members were the only ones who were entitled to confirmed tickets for the seven night Xenophobia concert celebration that took place at Prince’s own Paisley Park studios in Chanhassen, which included hundreds of hours of exclusive live performances with a variety of highly talented musicians.

I'm sure Chanhassen is lovely, yet it is not the home of the vast majority of club members & attending this event required considerable additionale expenses that certainly were not among the club's benefits.

Again, this privilege alone is worth more than $100 to Prince fans and most NPGMC members.

And again, sweeping generalizations are not wise. I am a Prince fan & yet I managed to see quite a few concerts with similar benefits this year that I did not need to pay for.

In fact, many members join solely for the access to the premiere concert tickets, and other special offerings like the sound checks, where NPGMC members have the opportunity to interact with Prince in an intimate group with other members, make song requests for the concert, and listen to Prince practice.

Actually, this member joined solely for the music she was told she'd be getting. Did Prince play any songs requested by members? Did he interact with you intimately, or were there some big burly men at his side at all times?

That’s a totally “exclusive” opportunity that is never available to anyone other than NPGMC members.

On the contrary, several reports on this site have noted that non-members were granted access to the sound checks in several cities. Never say never.[b]

Finally, only NPGMC members are granted access to the exclusive section of the website and certain NPG merchandise.

[b]Much of which is also sold on Prince's tour to anyone with $$$$. Is it still "exclusive?"

The complaining members seem to primarily take issue with NPGMC and the One Night Alone…Live release because 1) they believe that the 4 CD commitment meant 4 separate and individually shipped CDs, 2) they believed that the 4 CDs should have been sent earlier in the membership year, 3) the 3 CD set will be sold to the general public and the retail price for the 3CD set is less than the $100 membership fee, and 4) the music on the CDs is not “new” or “exclusive.”

1)Because that's what we were told 2)I couldn't have cared less as long as I got them, although getting them on a quarterly basis would have been nice 3)When you say something is exclusive, there's no other way to intepret it - it means for a select few & yes, it is retailing cheaper than what members paid for it, and 4)it's not.

In an effort to clear up any assumptions and misunderstandings, we have responded to each issue in turn. First, NPGMC never represented on the website, the primary communication vehicle to NPGMC members, that the music benefit would 4 separate, individually shipped CDs. The NPGMC website stated “Each 2002 member will receive at least 4 new Prince CDs in the mail from Paisley Park b4 the end of 2002.”

Their "primary communication vehicle" seems to have crashed.

There was one advertisement in this year’s tour book that referenced certain CDs that may be accessible through NPGMC

Wait, I thought that they said that "NPGMC denies any allegations of false, misleading or deceptive practices relevant to NPGMC advertising, memberships or offerings." I guess they can sort of say they didn't advertise falsely that "often."

but there was no firm commitment to offer those particular CDs.

[b]Nor was there any firm commitment that they were not what we were getting! When you go so far as to advertise that members would be receiving four specific items and do not deliver those items, that is indeed false advertising.

Ultimately, Prince decided to release the 3 CD set to NPGMC members based on part on a belief that it would be more appealing to NPGMC members, given that many fans over the years have requested “live” recordings and that this is the first time Prince actually did so.

Is it really the "first" time?

NPGMC said it would provide members with 4 CDs during the calendar year and that was done. There was no misrepresentation or breach.

And my mother can beat up your mother.

Second, NPGMC never made any representations about when CDs would be sent to members, only that the 2002 members would receive 4 CDs during the calendar year. Although NPGMC may have wanted to release the 3 CD set earlier in the year to NPGMC members, it was not possible for production and distribution reasons. The intent of NPGMC has always been to ensure that NPGMC members get releases before everyone else. That happened this year, even though the gap in distribution for NPGMC members and the general public is smaller than originally envisioned.

Then why not postpone the commercial release, as they so clearly have the best interest of members in mind at all times?

Retail sales of the the 3 CD set are not set to begin until mid-December.

Third, NPGMC has never represented that releases to NPGMC members would never be released anywhere else. Because that is not a commitment that NPGMC ever made to its members, there is no standing to complain that the One Night Alone…Live 3 CD set is also being sold in retail stores.

"Exclusive" & "new" have very clear meanings. Otherwise, while they deny they made such a promise here, why would they make sure that they cover their butts in the paragraphs that follow & claim that they did provide "new" & "exclusive" music?

Moreover, although the 3 CD set does retail for less than the NPGMC membership fee, members receive much more than just the 4 CDs for their $100. As stated above, the value of the concert benefits alone exceeds $100 for most fans and NPGMC members.

In reality, the only things all members were guaranteed was the four CDs. Any and all other "benefits" depended entirely on geography, cost additional money or depended on such unreliable considerations like Prince's whim "Shall this be an "after-show" or "after-party?" "My left nostril feels funny, shall I not have a sound check tonight?"

Fourth and finally, the complaining members claim that the music on the 2002 membership CDs is not “new” or “exclusive” as advertised by NPGMC. Apparently, the complaining members are interpreting “new” and “exclusive” as “never before heard” or “never to be released anywhere else.”

It'd be interesting to hear this lawyer's interpretation of "new" & "exclusive."

That interpretation was never communicated to potential or current NPGMC members, nor was it Prince’s intent relevant to the CDs privilege of NPGMC membership. It is solely within Prince’s purview to decide which music he releases to NPGMC members each year. While the complaining members apparently disagree, the CDs that were released in 2002 are “new” and “exclusive” as they were never released before

[b]Half of ONA was released to 2001 members. Never released before? Hmmmm.

and the “live” release is altogether unprecedented.

"Altogether unprecendented?" As a matter of fact, it can be argued that Prince did release live recordings before. Nothing Compares to U on the Hits CD was live, was it not? As was 4 The Tears in Your Eyes. And a great deal of the Purple Rain CD was also recorded "live."

Moreover, the separate One Night Alone piano CD, which was shipped earlier in the the year was only made available to NPGMC members. Prince and NPGMC have kept their commitment with respect to providing “new” and “exclusive” music to its members.

Reasonable people can disagree and interpret words and their meanings very differently. To the extent that the ### complaining NPGMC members have interpreted NPGMC promotions contrary to the intended meaning, we apologize and in an effort to resolve these matters will re-examine the language on the website and in any other promotional materials for possible ways to clarify the message.

And what good does this do for members you screwed over THIS year?

It is important, however, to note that deception was not the intent and NPGMC takes issue with allegations of that nature. The NPGMC membership sign-in explicitly states:
“By clicking continue below u agree 2 the Club Membership Agreement. U also understand that all 2002 memberships will end at the end of 2002 and u will have to renew in January 2003 if u wish to continue.

And how many times has this been revised? Something tells me that if it had always read that membership ends at the end of 2002, people wouldn't have been so shocked when they found that out only a couple months ago.


WARNING: There are no returns or refunds.”
Therefore, it would be inappropriate and unfair to other members to offer a refund to these complaining members.

But it was not inappropriate & unfair to claim we were getting four specific CDs, take our money, & change your tune? NPGMC cannot, in good conscience, deny that a great many people saw that advertisement & joined the 2002 version of the club, fully expecting to receive the four specifically advertised titles.

Please feel free to contact me to further discuss this matter.

Don't worry, I will.
[This message was edited Fri Dec 13 14:47:28 PST 2002 by mediadarling]

mediadarling said:

Hundreds of hours? Even if they performed 10 hours per night you would get one hundred, let alone hundreds.

Yeah, it was $250..

Does that mean we should expect Xenophobia?

Yeah, I wondered this myself. I don't remember hundreds of hours. In fact, the concerts by Prince himself were relatively short most nights by his stardards. Not that I'm complaining, but they shouldn't lie.

And I don't remember being able to vote on which songs were played.

Funny how they're really clear and forward now that their ass is in a sling.

"Per your correspondence, we understand that you will forward our response to the complaining members. Given that the NPGMC’s current “unsatisfactory” rating on the BBB website was based solely on an “unanswered complaint,” we trust that the rating will be changed to reflect that NPGMC did, in afact, respond to all of the current complaints within the agreed upon time established in my letter dated %$%$% and your discussions with my colleague, %%$%$$."

NPGMC never sent a reply to me, neither their attorney. What I'm taking from this response is that they're too lazy to even cut & paste the email to someone. But as the initial BBB complaint proves, they have a history of ignoring people.

"premier access to concerts and related special events. Relevant to the concert perks, each NPGMC member received:
*Access to purchase any 2002 concert tickets two days before the general public.
*VIP seating at the concert (within the first fifteen rows).
*Admittance to the pre-concert sound check.
*VIP access to the concert after-party."

Premier as in crashing servers? Premier as in several rows of non members in front of us at the shows? I also like how they left out that at most shows there was no aftershow. If their system of offering premier access worked even 85% of the time, they would have a legitimate reply. But look over this board at how many mishaps people had and you will see we paid for a priviledge that didnt work.

"Moreover, this year, NPGMC members were the only ones who were entitled to confirmed tickets for the seven night Xenophobia concert celebration that took place at Prince’s own Paisley Park studios in Chanhassen, which included hundreds of hours of exclusive live performances with a variety of highly talented musicians. Again, this privilege alone is worth more than $100 to Prince fans and most NPGMC members. In fact, many members join solely for the access to the premiere concert tickets, and other special offerings like the sound checks, where NPGMC members have the opportunity to interact with Prince in an intimate group with other members, make song requests for the concert, and listen to Prince practice. That’s a totally “exclusive” opportunity that is never available to anyone other than NPGMC members. Finally, only NPGMC members are granted access to the exclusive section of the website and certain NPG merchandise."

I like how they left out the $250 per ticket fee. "Entitled to confirmed tickets...". If this "privilege" of buying something is worth $100, then why dont they just tack that on to the ticket price, and not make the rest of the member pay for it when most of us cant even make it out there for a week?

"make song requests for the concert..."
OMG! no comment on that one...

"Finally, only NPGMC members are granted access to the exclusive section of the website and certain NPG merchandise."

Did they mention how many items are in this super secret exclusive section? Or that they are usually out of stock? No.

"Fourth and finally, the complaining members claim that the music on the 2002 membership CDs is not “new” or “exclusive” as advertised by NPGMC. Apparently, the complaining members are interpreting “new” and “exclusive” as “never before heard” or “never to be released anywhere else.” That interpretation was never communicated to potential or current NPGMC members, nor was it Prince’s intent relevant to the CDs privilege of NPGMC membership. It is solely within Prince’s purview to decide which music he releases to NPGMC members each year. While the complaining members apparently disagree, the CDs that were released in 2002 are “new” and “exclusive” as they were never released before and the “live” release is altogether unprecedented. Moreover, the separate One Night Alone piano CD, which was shipped earlier in the the year was only made available to NPGMC members. Prince and NPGMC have kept their commitment with respect to providing “new” and “exclusive” music to its members."

Im sorry, but the site did mention new and exclusive in reference to the music, throughout the year. This wording was gradually removed and replaced when it became obvious that would never happen. If the terms werent in reference to the music, what in the hell were they in reference to?

Reports of the box set in retail descibe it as including the ONA studio album, which makes their last comment a complete lie.

Perhaps NPGMC needs to look up the meaning of the word exclusive, instead of arguing that we interpereted the word wrong. There are only so many meanings to it, get real.

And in the last sentence they are practically confirming that they did have a commitment to provide new and exclusive music.

"To the extent that the ### complaining NPGMC members have interpreted NPGMC promotions contrary to the intended meaning, we apologize and in an effort to resolve these matters will re-examine the language on the website and in any other promotional materials for possible ways to clarify the message."

I guess this is better than nothing, that they at least realize if they dont start making their offerings clear and concise, people will continue complaining.

Looks like they've got their house in order, well from their
own point of view anyway.

But perhaps this action of complaining to the BBB which
some people did has made them aware that people feel like
they're not being taken seriously.

Well, if anything, I think they will be more clear in their
communication from now on.

For instance, judging from this communique I don't think
they're gonna advertise year 3 with a bunch of album titles
for upcoming projects anymore

Which is just fine. Given the nature of year 2, one at least
has an inkling of what year 3 might be like. Meaning there
might once again be 'at least 4 cds', which we will now take
in a whole other way than we did at the start of year 2.

I'm not even that worried about being screwed out of $100,-
anymore. A lot of people seem to think membership worth it
and a lot of people think it isn't.

So we're always going to be divided on that one. For what
it's worth, there are some cool songs on the box set and I
will probably join again next year.

Since I'm addicted to complaining it will give me something
to flame throughout the year.

And just in case we'll finally get the Xenophobia studio
album, that will be a welcome bonus

ok 2 all complainers .your complaining has reached the npgmc club.and they know a lot off u were unhappy.
so they will see they don't make that mistake again in 2003.

so can we now stop it please.
you are all acting like it was the most terible thing that happend.
it was still the best year .we got something good in return.
(ofcorse u can always keep complaining u don't like the live album).makes my wonder why u go 2 his concerts .
it was a long trip .but after all it was all worth it.
so the year is over .so u can also stop whinning about it.

eye 'm gonna join 2003 .because untill now the 2 years have been good 4 me.
and now we probely want get no c.d's no more because otherwise people like u start all over again.

One thing that can be considered admirable about this reply is the complete absence of Princebonics. That's about it.

well...

I'm glad that they mentioned the club WAS "exclusive", with "at least" 4 "NEW" cd's "throughout" the year.

At least they are not LYING about THAT!

But...


They interpet these words in such a sad, sad, sad way...


Cuz according to this letter:

"The complaining members seem to primarily take issue with NPGMC and the One Night Alone…Live release because 1) they believe that the 4 CD commitment meant 4 separate and individually shipped CDs, 2) they believed that the 4 CDs should have been sent earlier in the membership year, 3) the 3 CD set will be sold to the general public and the retail price for the 3CD set is less than the $100 membership fee, and 4) the music on the CDs is not “new” or “exclusive.”


"Exclusive" all of a sudden doesn't seem to equal "members only" . It seems that SOMETIMES it does ... and sometimes it doesn't... whenever THEY "feel like it", shall we say? Ohhh when you SELL a promise at the beginning of the year it is no problem to break it and then just sell baked air, right? That is not a reasonable intepretation and NOT a practice based on GOOD FAITH.

Further..."at least 4 NEW cd's" all of a sudden means nothing more than 4 seperate discs and not albums, according to this letter. If that would be a reasonable interpretation they could have also send us 4 copies of ONA and leave it with that! Or better yet: 4 NEW cd-recordables, since those are also cd's right? AND also NEW...sooo. That's a nice w3ay of saying "fuck you"to the "complaining members"... yes... if THAT would be the most reasonable interpretation,

but it ISN'T... because every soul on this earth that knows the word "cd" KNOWS that when an ARTIST talks about a NEW cd... he MEANS a NEW ALBUM.

yes...

and all of a sudden, according to this letter, "throughout the year" doesn't mean that they had to send out the cd's regularly during the entire year. According to this letter "throughout" could indeed mean just one freaking DISC (sold half last year already) send at the beginning and 3 freaking more, in a "box-set"(thus 1 album) at the VERY END of the year. Just before, or even after the release to the general public.

And yes the ONA live set will be SOLD to the general public for much, much, MUCH less than it is being SOLD on a false promise, false advertising and misleading practices ALL YEAR LONG


By the music club from PRINCE


NOT from the 100$ paying members.


I say this letter makes their situation much, much worse than it already is. And I haven't even discuussed all the rest of it.

Hi folks,

I've been reading these threads and trying to work out what's gone so badly wrong over the last couple of years - I was a Prince fan in the 80s/early 90s and recently rediscovered his music. I enjoy the CDs we have received this year, but I still feel that the way this issue has unfolded has left a bad taste in a lot of peoples' mouths.

I now think it may be because we've got to know Prince a little too well. For a long time he was such an inaccessible figure with rare interviews and regular delays on album releases, but the mystique around him was part of his appeal (certainly for me) - we waited eagerly for those releases and scoured the magazines and TV schedules for any mention of what he might be up to.

Since the problems with the record company and the whole 'slave' thing, I think Prince wanted to use the club to cut out the record company, but unwittingly made it easier to get to know him and how he works. This would have worked out fine if he'd been more careful, but there are many NPGMC members who feel that they have been ripped off. If it had been a record company ripping us off then we could have put it down to the evil ways of the industry but this is Prince's club, and it feels like it's him who has ripped me off.

I have the same sick feeling you get when you've just bought a second-hand car and on the way home you start noticing things which are wrong and thinking you've been ripped off. The wise person will tell me that I should have looked at the car more carefully before buying it - and they're right. That doesn't stop you feeling sick about it though.

It's a shame really - in the eighties I could believe whatever I liked about Prince because I didn't have any information to the contrary. Now the only thing I have to go on is my direct experience of him through his club.

Just my two cents...

Al


PS If soulpower is out there, are you still so certain there will be more music after ONA Live?

soulpower said (in article : http://www.prince.org/msg...&tid=27472)

who are the other 'numerous' complaining members that have received it?...tom hasn't..he was one of the people that we know actually filed a complaint...

I wouldnt be surprised if the club ends. Then the complainers wouldnt have to worry about it anymore. Maybe Prince will say something about the club tonite on Leno.

Thanks for posting the response from the NPGMC.

vgallo6 said:

I hope not.

vgallo6 said:

I am not hoping for the club to end. I am not hoping for a refund.

I was unhappy with the way the club worded its offerings vs what they actually provided and the stability/reliablilty of their service, as well as the lack of communication.

If several people writing letters of complaints results in people not feeling ripped off again next year, thats cool with me.

It's just sad that they didn't feel the need to reply to their customers until the BBB became involved..

By the time I got to the end of Member Complaints thread - I was lost.

I have been a member of the Music Club since day one - I have NO complaints. Previous to this, I was a member of Controversy, I had NO complaints.

I don't think a lot of you realise how lucky you are that PRINCE takes such an active role with his "fams". I thought the tours were great. I think the downloads were brilliant and I have no complaints about the music content of the CD's we have been sent of One Night Alone - they are excellent.

I am sure that you will find more people agree with me than they do with the complainers.

I am a VERY HAPPY Music Club member - Roll on NPG Music Club 2003 - I am a VERY satisfied member of the PRINCE "fam" group.

What cracks me up is that you'd probably complain even if you did get the CD's promised in the back of the tour program ! I know I would !!

The Best of "Symbol" - New music ? No. And even if it was out-takes from "Symbol" albums, would you really want it ? I wouldn't. The albums were bad enough !

Last December - What would this be ? An extended "Beautiful Experience" style version ? I certainly wouldn't count that as a whole album ! OK song, but please !!

Madrid 2 Chicago - Shit title track, Breathe is OK. But at least this would be an Album of new (apart from 2 tracks!) music !

Xenaphobia - I'd like to have this one !

Basically 2 albums worth having, still not the 4, and I'd rather have ONA than any of these anyway.

Congrats on pasting the full letter - made fascinating reading and I totally agree with your comments.

They may have addressed the complaints (albeit under duress) but it is a crying shame they have to justify the situation in such a poor way.

At the end of the day, if you were lucky enough to be in a city he toured, that had a soundcheck and an aftershow, i'm sure you will go away happy.

If, however, as you say, if you saw him but there was no soundcheck, no afterSHOW, then i imagine you will be pretty disappointed - not to say confused by the way we got a second copy of the ONA CD as some sort of bizarre 'bonus' in the recent box set.

I really hope 2003 works out better, even though the membership runs out after a mere 10 months...

The guy who compares the NPGMC with Controversy is way off - Controversy was only really a subscription to the magazine (which was always delivered) access to Eileen was also easy (she always responded personally) and she even used to take phone calls on certain days so you could talk to her personally. With the NPGMC you're lucky if they are civil, let alone helpful.

spud80 said:

Me too!

I don't really wanna call anyone a "complainer"...I just don't agree with those who wanna shut the club down.

And another thing... ONA's going for a fair amount of money on ebay, isn't it ? Not that I've looked.
So, even if you are happy, you can sell your extra copy and get most of your money back anyway !!

Tom said:[quote]

vgallo6 said:

you mean it's a crying shame that they can't even do that.



-
yeah!!
[This message was edited Fri Dec 13 6:39:31 PST 2002 by Abrazo]

well count me as a satisfied NPGMC member.

i agree the club has some room for improvement but i am quite proud of them this year for fulfilling their contract with us. in no way do i feel that the NPGMC is out to 'screw' us

i think i'll write a letter to the BBB expressing my satisfaction

james said:

yopu aren't even allowed to sell your copy. Rememeber after the club release in May of ONA people were trying to sell their copy and the NPG police watched the autions t prevent that from happening?

You know why they did that and based on what?

Because the club was supposed to be for members only and because the club memebrships agreement explicitly says that you, as a member, can ONLY use their "content"for private, personal non commercial use. Therefore no public and commercial auctions of club material is allowed.

But when rumours started they wanted to release ONA to the general public things got fucked up. They were basically trying to do the same thing they were prohibiting the members to do. well no way, exclusivity works BOTH ways.

Nevertheless after that they decided to do NOTHING for the rest of the year and sell the remaining ONA Live to the gneral public with ONA piano as well.

That's a complete breach of contract and misleading advertising from their side. Totally and completely unreasonable and unfair, since they have never ever offered any explanation or justification for their behaviour that goes against the spirit and the literal wordings of the agreement. Tho'they (and especially Prince) will of course neveradmit that. Oh no!!! Can Prince actually do something wrong???!!!

XxAxX said:

Great idea!!!

XxAxX said:

you are trying so hard., it's admirable.

LaVisHh said:

I agree! I feel the satisfied customers FAR FAR out weigh the not so satisfied customers...so all of us Happy campers NEED to let the NPGMC know how we feel! We need to let the music club now it's appreciated! don't let them ruin this for all of us. If your happy with the club, write to them and let them know. Sure you can include possible improvements or other suggestions but let them know you support the endevor!

I'd like to be optimistic about this year's membership, but it's difficult. I paid $178 Singapore dollars eight months ago and I have not received anything. Nothing. Really, please pro-club people, can you do your maths on this one?

When I receive something it will be the equivalent of $44.50 per CD. New CDs in this country are about $20. Multi-CD sets are usually less per CD. I would not pay $133.50 for a 3CD Prince set from a record stop. Full stop. That is daylight robbery. I would pay $121.50 for three original CDs of Madhouse 8, 16 and The Family, but that is because due to deletion they are EXCLUSIVE. It was exclusive CDs that we were expecting, and Prince had already set the precedent of exclusive CDs through his past, deleted, Paisley Park catalog. Few people here would have avoided purchasing Madhouse 15 years ago if they new how difficult it would be to find now. That is the kind of exclusivity I for one was expecting for this money.

In terms of my understanding in this club, I will have paid $178 for one single exclusive CD. And one copy at that.

Prince ,through his company has ripped many, if not most, of the members off. I hear some people have received their ONA Live and think that all now is good. How can they be so happy to have paid more than the general public for non-exclusive CDs, no matter what the quality? Prince IS a musician but he is a crap businessman. Unfortunately for him, the moment he accepts our money directly, he's entered into a business relationship. And the moment he fucks that relationship up, he'd better get ready for our wrath. It is only $100, but it is $100 given in good faith, and it is $100 given in business and not in terms of the sweetest solo of Joy In Repetition he can muster.

sabaisabai said:

realy that might be too difficult you know. It's really THIS or THAT with prince and some of his "positive"fans. You are either in OR out the club. And if you are in, you are either happy or not.

Apparently only the happy campers are being really screwed by the non happy ones who feel screwed by Prince. You know why"because "the complainers RUIN it for the non-complainers". It's always ythe complainers fault who blames the one and only and first one Prince. Prince can do NO wrong, he is untoucable. Nice club right??
We are all so "nice" for eachother. we all wish the best for each and every one of us...

yeah right!
you are being "thanked"for this crap Prince.
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[This message was edited Fri Dec 13 8:01:47 PST 2002 by Abrazo]

I think it is good that there are channels that one can use to get changes made.
We now know that NPGMC has at least heard the complaints in DETAIL.
I expect they will have much more clarity in the description of club benefits next year.
I also think they now realize they are dealing with adults in the real world (such as it is).
Maybe that is why the site is down...to clarify things for the future.
I hope all will find a degree of saisfaction in what had been described as a hopeless situation by some.

I also hope and trust that mediadarling has only good intentions and is seeking improvements for all...not vengeance.

And I hope our music-maker is not too down over this because I will always believe that he did not set out to disceive anyone

And OH YEAH...Abrazo Melody
... LaVishH

SensualMelody said: