Back in July, in the middle of the Pharaoh Phuck-up, after I was booted from the forums (and after it became clear that the forums were pretty much all we were gonna get for our membership fee), I took the advice of some sassy slut and contacted the Better Business Bureau.

I know that it's all in the CONtract that I had to sign in order to join in the first place (and hear that first mp3, which was the reason I joined - to hear the music), but I still think it's unfair business practice to ban people like that, especially when they're SO uneven about who they ban, and who they then let back in, and who they don't.

If they want to be hardcore about it like that, then fine. It's their website. But they should refund AT LEAST a significant portion of the membership fee...otherwise they're just showing that it's all about the money. Why would they want to charge you for something that they don't let you use otherwise?

I also object to the fact that they had a Flash ad with a NEW jingle (remember that "JOIN NOW" thing? I actually LIKED that), with statements that members would have access to the new jams...and then nothing. I mean shit, I'm not buying directly from them on the official releases anyway, so pre-ordering is certainly no benefit. It's more expensive through them and would take MUCH longer I'm sure (although my NEWS delivery was extremely fast, so obviously things have improved greatly).

Anyway...the other day in the mail, I got a print-out of a response sent to the BBB regarding my complaint via email from the NPGMC.

The transcript is as follows:

***




In response to complaint #xxx, Mr. Gadek's complaint is unfounded and without merit. Our website, www.npgmusicclub.com, is a members-only site with specific rules regarding the types of language which will be tolerated in our chatroom and message board forums. These rules are clearly posted in the membership agreement, which all members agree to before joining our site. This is clearly indicated at http://www.npgmusicclub.com/join,html.

Mr. Gadek has repeatedly violated the rules as stated in article IVb of the membership agreement, as copied below. Before being banned from the forums and chatroom (his membership to the rest of the site is still active), we explained to him on numerous occasions that disrespectful, inflammatory or hurtful language would not be tolerated. Section III and IV below outline our rights to ban or discontinue the membership of anyone who does not abide by the terms of the Member Agreement (a.k.a. CONtract - ed.):

"III.Termination of Service. Subject to the restrictions in a paid Club subscription agreement...", etc. etc. etc...(I added the et ceteras...y'all can go read the agreement if ya like!)

Mr. Gadek's language in the member communities was repeatedly inflammatory, vulgar, abusive and harassing to the NPGMusicClub and those who run it. We had deleted a multitude of such posts by Mr. Gadek before banning him from the forums.

He continues to use abusive and hurtful language about the club on another public Prince fan site, www.prince.org. (Look up any posts by theblueangel and it will be quite obvious.) We felt it was in the best interest of the club that we ban Mr. Gadek from the forums and chat areas of the website. He is free to use the many other areas of the site, as always.

Respectfully,
NPGMusicClub."

Thoughts?

jizzhole

What a bunch of shit. Oops. I was vulgar.

SupaFunkyOrgangrinderSexy said:

omg, you're on their purple shit list now!

Back in July, in the middle of the Pharaoh Phuck-up, after I was booted from the forums (and after it became clear that the forums were pretty much all we were gonna get for our membership fee), I took the advice of some sassy slut and contacted the Better Business Bureau.

I know that it's all in the CONtract that I had to sign in order to join in the first place (and hear that first mp3, which was the reason I joined - to hear the music), but I still think it's unfair business practice to ban people like that, especially when they're SO uneven about who they ban, and who they then let back in, and who they don't.

If they want to be hardcore about it like that, then fine. It's their website. But they should refund AT LEAST a significant portion of the membership fee...otherwise they're just showing that it's all about the money. Why would they want to charge you for something that they don't let you use otherwise?

I also object to the fact that they had a Flash ad with a NEW jingle (remember that "JOIN NOW" thing? I actually LIKED that), with statements that members would have access to the new jams...and then nothing. I mean shit, I'm not buying directly from them on the official releases anyway, so pre-ordering is certainly no benefit. It's more expensive through them and would take MUCH longer I'm sure (although my NEWS delivery was extremely fast, so obviously things have improved greatly).

Anyway...the other day in the mail, I got a print-out of a response sent to the BBB regarding my complaint via email from the NPGMC.

The transcript is as follows:

***




In response to complaint #xxx, Mr. Gadek's complaint is unfounded and without merit. Our website, www.npgmusicclub.com, is a members-only site with specific rules regarding the types of language which will be tolerated in our chatroom and message board forums. These rules are clearly posted in the membership agreement, which all members agree to before joining our site. This is clearly indicated at http://www.npgmusicclub.com/join,html.

Mr. Gadek has repeatedly violated the rules as stated in article IVb of the membership agreement, as copied below. Before being banned from the forums and chatroom (his membership to the rest of the site is still active), we explained to him on numerous occasions that disrespectful, inflammatory or hurtful language would not be tolerated. Section III and IV below outline our rights to ban or discontinue the membership of anyone who does not abide by the terms of the Member Agreement (a.k.a. CONtract - ed.):

"III.Termination of Service. Subject to the restrictions in a paid Club subscription agreement...", etc. etc. etc...(I added the et ceteras...y'all can go read the agreement if ya like!)

Mr. Gadek's language in the member communities was repeatedly inflammatory, vulgar, abusive and harassing to the NPGMusicClub and those who run it. We had deleted a multitude of such posts by Mr. Gadek before banning him from the forums.

He continues to use abusive and hurtful language about the club on another public Prince fan site, www.prince.org. (Look up any posts by theblueangel and it will be quite obvious.) We felt it was in the best interest of the club that we ban Mr. Gadek from the forums and chat areas of the website. He is free to use the many other areas of the site, as always.

Respectfully,
NPGMusicClub."

Thoughts?

I think you're going to lose this one. They've got you cornered.

But they should refund AT LEAST a significant portion of the membership fee...otherwise they're just showing that it's all about the money. Why would they want to charge you for something that they don't let you use otherwise?

I just looove the fact that They are reading my posts over here on the org. Sam, you short, short man. Hurt me!

I just looove the fact that They are reading my posts over here on the org. Sam, you short, short man. Hurt me!

Perhaps I should email the BBB and point outthatthe bastards only email me when they want something (like CDS back) and when I do get emails for other reasons its always days after teh event has happened (see Priority Seating or Chat events!!!)

I would have thought that the only way you're going to get some satisfaction on this issue is in relation to the "news" section. As they have stated that they no longer need to have a seperate section, as all news is posted on the message boards, they have effectively cut you off from the only section of the site that has a tangible value. I can't see them giving you any kind of refund, but even if you have been banned from participating in the boards, you should at least have access to view them in order to have access to the same information as other members.
Not that there has been anything worthwhile posted there since you got banned, but with the supposed upcoming tour there might be.

wyld1 said:

mmm, not quite. check it, like blue said:



it would be fair to at least compensate 'im for that, as opposed to lettin him on the remainder of the site for the full price.

gsh said:

Great point, and one that I did in fact mention in my original complaint...I'll have to see if I can dig that up somewhere...that was actually what prompted me to contact BBB in the first place. Right after they kicked me and others out of the forums, they took down the News sections completely and said that everything will be posted as a sticky in the forums...including concert dates, etc. - and yes, I should at the very least have ACCESS to that so I can read it, if not reply. How hard would that be? Or hey, here's a novel idea...put the fucking News section back up, and have someone maintain it for once. I know little Prince gets real agitated when people report on his activities, but then why charge people to be in an exclusive club devoted to your music and entice them with "being the first" to hear about stuff?

Another thing that cracks me up is the fact that they keep saying I'm banned from the chatroom, which is totally wrong. I've never been banned from the chatroom, as evidence by my bible study chat with PeePeeGraham a few weeks ago...so once again the club's communications are full of inacuraccies and half-truths. How shocking.

What is fair and what is the law are two totally different things. Refunds are not required by law. When you breach contract you are not entitled to your money back.

I heard that due to popularity, the Better Business Bureau has opened their own NPGMC forum.