{{{[Maybe not 'news', but interesting I guess... -Ben]

BBB Reliability Report
New Power Generation
7801 Audubon Rd
Chanhassen, MN 55317-8205

[b]General Information[/b]
Principal: Mr. Jerry Blackwell, Attorney
Phone Number: (800) 639-3865
Type-of-Business Classification: Shopping Services-Direct Marketing-Other Than Catalogues
Website Address: http://www.1-800-newfunk.com

[b]Customer Experience[/b]
The New Power Generation is a shopping club that offers the recordings of Prince and Prince-related merchandise. For a yearly membership fee, customers are offered a number of exclusive musical and purchasing opportunities. From June, 2001 to January, 2003 NPG had an unsatisfactory rating with the Better Business Bureau due to an unanswered complaint. In January, 2003, NPG responded to this complaint. }}}
In late 2002, a number of members complained that NPG was failing to honor its commitment to ship 4 Prince CD's during the calendar year. Some complainants alleged that the 4 CD's which were to be mailed were not the same as the CD's advertised to members and prospective members at the start of the year. At the time of these complaints, customers had received only one of the promised CD's.

The New Power Generation responded to these complaints by denying any allegations of false, misleading or deceiving practices relevant to NPG advertising, memberships or offerings. A 3-CD set which was mailed in late 2002, along with a special link through which members could download exclusive music, resolved all complaints of this nature.

Other complaints have involved customer service issues and difficulties some overseas customers experienced in downloading music from the NPG website. NPG states this has to do with spotty internet connections, and they remain committed to assisting members in every possible way to resolve such issues.

[b]Additional Information[/b]
Additional Doing-Business-As Names: N P G
New Funk
NPG Records Inc
Paisley Park Retail Company
Additional Addresses: PO Box 188, Chanhassen, MN 55317-0188
3601 W. 76th St., Minneapolis, MN 55435
Additional Phone Numbers: 800-639-3865
952-470-2466
952-646-0400
Additional TOB Classifications: Internet Marketing Services

[b]Company Management[/b]
Additional company management personnel include:
Customer Service Dept.

Report as of 03/31/2003
Copyright 2003 Better Business Bureau of Minnesota and North Dakota, Inc.

As a matter of policy, the Better Business Bureau does not endorse any product, service or company. BBB reports generally cover a three-year reporting period, and are provided solely to assist you in exercising your own best judgment. Information contained herein is believed reliable but not guaranteed as to accuracy. Reports are subject to change at any time.

The Better Business Bureau reports on members and non-members. Membership in the BBB is voluntary, and members must meet and maintain BBB standards. If a company is a member of this BBB, it is stated in this report.

"A 3-CD set which was mailed in late 2002, along with a special link through which members could download exclusive music, resolved all complaints of this nature"

LOL

This stuff is probably what kept Prince from doing anything with the club so far this year. We all lose because of a few fans and their bitching. Way to go...

jtgillia said:

I agree with you about Prince being more careful which he SHOULD be. I mean, I was really interested in hearing what was on LAST DECEMBER, XENOPHOBIA(since it actually had the title track and was my favorite song) and the BEST OF (cause I knew there would be some outtakes on it).

Ppl complained because they wanted 4 separate CDs which no one got. While I liked ONA and ONA Live Box set A LOT, it really didn't make up for what we paid for. I won't even mention Oakland not getting an aftershow even though most places did.

I hope Prince makes VERY clear now what we will be getting and stop changing his mind every five seconds. It would be nice if he put a list up and just let us pick which projects we want to buy or which songs we want from the Vault. Out of 1,000 supposed songs in the Vault, we haven't even gotten a 1/4 of them!!

I do realize its Prince's music and he has the right to do whatever he wants with it, but he has to also realize that he's SOLELY dependant on the money FANS give him and that we love his music so much that we would rather support him more than other artists.

I know this is just MY opinion, but obviously from this report, a lot of ppl share this opinion and shared it with the BBB.

Well, enough with my rant


Rudedog

jtgillia said:

What bullshit. You should be thanking those people for forcing the Club to get better and improve.

herb4 said:

I agree. If someone is screwing you out of your money, it doesn't matter if it's Prince or anyone else. I bet if people didn't complain there would have never been an xpectation and maybe even One nite alone live. I still don't think $100.00 is worth a half ass piano demo CD, that is more like a EP, a 3 CD set of live versions of songs that have already been released and a download of a tired mad house type album. Please don't anyone give me crap about sound checks and seating at concerts. It's so lame.

The allegation of a possible bait and switch were never addressed.

The allegations that people did not receive thier merchandise within the promised time period were not addressed.

The fact that not all members had access to these "downloads" had nothing to do with "spotty internet connections." It had to do with many many people on the mailing lists never getting the emails. This goes for the CNOTE songs as well.

The fact that they at least were trying to fulfill thier obligations with the shipments and put out some music for download shows promise for the upcoming year. They now know they can't get away with what they tried last year.

Of course, the fact that there is no way to effectivly communicate with the business is still something that needs addressing. They even took 7 months to respond to the BBB.

jtgillia said:

How many people filed complaints with the BBB after the Crystal Ball fiasco or better yet the NPG magazine? Prince doesn't care one bit about an organization that doesn't have ANY power. You read this part, right?




I mean how many people here contacted the BBB before signing up for the NPGMC?

lovemachine said:

I kick myself for not contacting the BBB over the NPG magazine fiasco. Prince should have been taught this lesson a long time ago. If he had, we wouldn't be talking about the current fiasco.

Let's not go here again - purleeze!

Here we go again with the speculation.

Ben said:

Agreed, dont really have an opinion but I thought the folks on the org would find it intriguing

It doesn't matter if u don't like the music he gives u. U can't say that just because u didn't like the cd, u want ur money back. U signed up 4 it so take the consequences.

The only thing I've learned from being an NPGMC member in 2002 ,who has had ONA piano, ONA Live, Xenophobia, Nagoya/Osaka/Copenhagen soundchecks,1+1+1 is 3 (Live)mp3 and Empty Room mp3, 9th row seating at Manchester and access to the soundcheck is that :-

NO MATTER HOW GOOD SOMETHING IS, THERE WILL ALWAYS (AND I MEAN ALWAYS) BE PEOPLE THAT WILL COMPLAIN.

Come on, criticise me.

Nope! I ain't gonna do it!

Dan said:

The one thing I have learned from being an NPGMC member is that just because I have received all items promised and am satisfied doesn't mean all members have received all the promised products and perks and don't have legitimate complaints.

Not every member has complained, you are one of those who are satisfied, but that doesn't mean other members have not been slighted and therefore complaints are always in order and shouldn't be looked down upon. in fact, most business welcome complaints so they are able to correct the problems and make their business enjoyable for more people, not just those who are satisfied.

While it is cool to get a report, do we really have to argue over this again??? Let the ones who are mad give the club up and let us who want it back live and let it go! There is more to the world the the npgmc.

LISTEN !!!


Join or do something else with your money !

It is that simple.

I was happy for what my $100 got !

If you were not ? Cool. Dont join .

muleFunk said:

Ditto!

don't like the Club, don't join in 2003...

rudedog said:

hee hee

Why is it that when people got something bad to say, they expect you to read and keep quiet but when you have something good to say, everyone gets upset? Us happy people can be happy and you unhappy people can be unhappy. I'm sorry that some of you weren't satisfied with the NPGMC. I really am. But I feel terrible now that I can't reach anyone. I have a room in Minnesota and noone to see. I say we have our own celebration! All of us can have our opinions and all of us can express them. That's what this is for. I got what I wanted and I loved every second of it, every note of it, and every damn groove of it all! What was that? AFTER SHOCK! Peace and love y'all!

I can understand the some might be disappointed with service from the NPG Music Club in the past. As for me, I have been a member from the beginning and have no complaints with it's services. In fact, I have been very pleased and satisfied. For me, the NPG Music Club is another outlet for PRINCE / related music and products, something most artists have not done. The club has set ground.

Sure there have been mistakes made but, please try to understand that it's still in it's infancy stage and I believe will only get better. I did have a misplaced "One Night Alone" box set. It was apparently sent out but never arrived to my home. I contacted the NPG Music Club via e-mail and they quickly resolved the matter and sent me a new box set.

I can't wait to join tonight April 18th!

Welcome 2 the Dawn.

p.s.
Thank you PRINCE for all that you give the fams!

doegx said:

Yes there is...But understand this. If one person didn't receive all the benefits promised, then we have a problem.
I didn't believe that what I got was worth $100.00 and I think Prince is only out to make a buck pushing this bull@#!* club thing. I love his music and have had the chance to sit down and talk to him personally about it. It's all about that dollar bill. He is so far detached from reality it ain't funny. He is aware that his mainstream success in the industry is over, so he operates by any means necessary.
If that means pushing half ass creative, leftover crap down the the throats of longtime supportive fams, well, whatever it takes. He will win in the end! That is the root of this business. We as fans and consumers have to use tact and sense before we make decisions on how and what we will spend our money on. He is working for the best interest of himself first. That my friends will never change. I will always be a Prince fan. But at what cost? The cost of common sense and responsibility. Act on what you feel. You can be a fam and give longtime support...but don't be stupid. And don't feel like you have too.

Joe Wood (Icon Magazine)

Man im sorry to sound rude... but some of you guys are full of shit.

I paid my $198AU membership for NPGMUSICCLUB.

I live in a country where P has only toured once and will probably never tour again.

All i got for my money was what everyone can now buy in stores for a quater of the price... but guess what???...
he has provided me with inspiration and the most incredible and innovative music ever.

Yeah im unhappy that i couldnt use my membership to get front row seats or a soundcheck... but i am willing to support him regardless. For the past and for the future.

Mama Lisa 0(+>

The crybabies, need 2 be put down 4 anap!!!

nesci said:

What A dumb thing to say!!!
People have a right to express their concern about the way they expect to be treated when they spend their hard earned money of what they expect will be a great venture!
If one person was not satified then what does that say?
To Bad? but I got mine? Please; Have a little sense.
What does it say about a person that would support a cause no matter what the outcome? Brainwashed!!!
If you had a bad experience with the club after spending $100 dollars and never received all that was promised, you'd be concerned too. And If you weren't? What does that say about you. Prince could sell you anything at any price!
Is there a limit that we would not go?

Think about it.

Joe Wood