Amazement....

[dawninglight]

I have just been reading the amazing number of complaints here and have to say I agree with sadfan99, we had an amazing weekend!!

I cannot thank the showmasters crew enough for giving us so many hours of fun.

 

There were a few glitches at times, but the crew were helpful and polite and did everything they could to assist us. There were new crew members, and perhaps there could have been more, but remember Showmasters is dependant on people actually wanting to crew.

It is not an easy job and even less so at such a busy event and they are human beings after all not robots.

The rest of my post is not directed at those who had a genuine problem, and went to SM staff, and spoke to them about it at the time. Nor is it directed at those making genuine helpful suggestions or offering thoughts on how things might be made even better (and, yes, I do like some of them and hope SM implement them). SO if this is you, please don't take offence.

 

We were there from Friday night right through until close on Sunday, and every interaction we had with crew members was a positive one. If a crew member didn't know something they would be upfront and say so, sometimes they could tell us who might be able to help, othertimes when they couldn't we used our own initiative and went and found someone else.

Perhaps some complainers would have had a better time if they had followed suit. After all I doubt anyone of the crew members (except perhaps for TooTall) knows everything, nor should they be expected too.

I have no doubt that some of the new crew members felt overwhelmed at times, but is it any wonder with the number of attendees there were ( and some of the ridiculous requests and questions we heard being asked). Their experience will only grow over time.

 

With regard to those people who are saying there is a need for better crew briefings and communication, I have no doubt each one was told what to do in their own area, BUT you have to remember that often a crew member is moved to another area to deal with queue surges and and the like and then has to just do the best they can in that situation.

With regard to communication, that too is not easy in this situation, and I watched many a crew member running to deliver a message or find something out....To be honest and to sum up how I feel...Give them a break guys!! They are human beings, no one is perfect and no one can be expected to know how to deal with or how to react to the 1001 things that can crop up over a weekend like this.

 

I did have complaints myself about the weekend. These complaints though had nothing to do with Showmasters themselves, crew members, photographers, picture quality, queue management, event size or anything else. They are all about attendees!

 

I saw people verbally abuse crew members (to the point where if one man had not decided to walk when he did I was about to step in as the poor crew member did not know how to deal with the tirade of verbal abuse she was recieving and looked close to to tears).

 

People in auto lines arguing when they were told no posed photos and holding the queue up for a considerable length of time, despite being asked to move on by a crew member. At the end of the day does it really matter who makes the decision of no posed photos, be it guest, their managment, or the SM crew.

Why can people not just accept that the decision has been made at that time to not allow posed pics and just move on... live with it...some you win some you loose.

Yes, I know that sometimes they may have been allowed earlier in the day or later in the day, but you have to accept that LFCC is not a static show, it is live and changing all throughout the day, because it is composed of people and those changes occur because it is decided by people who know far more than attendees, that, that is the best thing to do at the time, whatever the reason!

 

The chaos that ensued around the photo collection table had nothing to do with SM crew.

That was caused by attendees who would not wait in turn to look at the pics and find theirs.

They pushed and shoved and although the pics were laid out well so you could see them, they still manhandled other peoples pics! They refused to move back, to stop touching, to wait until all the pics were laid out. There was one point when crew were laying out pics as quicly as possible and another crew member was opening pacs and going through them one by one so we could shout when we saw ourseles. They could not have done more. Where as attendees could have been politer, waited in line more, stopped the pushing and shoving and been a little quieter so that the crew member working so hard to makes sure people got their pics could here people shout! At one point a rather large person elbowed my daughter out of the way and right out of the group, thus separating us. This was not the fault of SM though, just a rude, ignorant *** who could not wait.

If people had showed manners and consideration, there would be no need for people to be making the comments they have been.

 

The pics are sent out to be processed, because after many, many events SM know that is the easiest and best way of handling it. They should not be expected to have to justify this to attendees.

The times given for pic collection are always approx' so you cannot stress when that time overruns.

S*** happens as they say!

Put on your big girl pants and trust that when they say if you can't wait it will be posted to you, that this will actually happen.

 

I had to leave without my Robert Knepper pic as I couldn't find it before close, and the crew member that was around at the time didn't have any of the little slips for me to fill in. I am sad, and I know it will take awhile for me to receive it, given the vast number of pics SM staff have to match up and send out, but I know that once I contact them, and explain, and give them my details, my pic will eventally arrive. I have had to leave pics before and SM have never let me down on this.

 

Accidents do happen and problems do occcur, but to complain about how long it might take to reach you, or that you might not get the right one, before it even happens is ridiculous!

 

The photographers themselves do a great job to get through everyone as it is, and as for some people not being happy with their pics, well no one ever likes every photo of themselves, I dont always like mine, but most times it is not down to the job the photographer has done. One last note on this...If you go to a studio, you take whatever photograher the studio allocates to your shoot (unless you have paid an exhorbitant price) and you don't get offered a choice of backgrounds! You take what you get! Why do people expect SM (who charge a hell of a lot less than a studio, when you take into account you get the guest in your pic too) to be any different.

I would also say that it is made very clear that your photo op is not a guest encounter. It is clear that it is a pic, not time for a chat. Everyone in that queue wants their pic as well. To try and turn it into anything else is unfair. If a guest does not want to hug you or to sit or stand or whatever then that is their choice. Accept it and you will have a much better experience.

 

So many of the complaints floating around could have been dealt with at the time. You may not have had the response from the 1st crew member you wanted, but how many of you followed it up at the time? If you have an issue with a shop assistant do you walk out of the shop chuntering loudly and rudely or do you ask to speak to a member of management, who may be able to help you? I know which option I take.

SM cannot help you if you do not speak up at the time, and if you feel a crew member has been rude to you or your problem has not been dealt with then ask for or go find someone else who can deal with it.

 

If a rule, such as no posed pics, no photos at all, or no personalisations are in force then just accept it. You may not like it, but you can be sure it has been done for a reason. Just go with the flow and you will have a much better time.

 

No one would ever say that any event is perfect in it's people or organisation, it can't be, not when so many members of the public are involved. They are after all the unknown factor. However I do know that SM will do all they can to help you and to make your event an enjoyable one, if you speak up at the time!

Helpful feedback and suggestions are great to anyone. The negativity, and rudeness in some cases I have seen expressed since I picked up the laptop are the opposite. They offer nothing and deserve to recieve nothing. Those who politely offer helpful suggestions and comments will be the ones listened too and rightly so (wtg mods who have quickly marked invis or edited some of them).

 

Events like this are so much of what you make them. Reading the forum gives you and idea of what to expect, so does the LFCC webpage. Follow the rules, guidelines, and take advice from experienced con goers if you are new....as they say...It's not rocket science.

 

SO often I feel SM are put into a no win situation by people, and I hope that Jason and all the crew realise that many of us had a fantastic time Thank you guys, you are fantastic and I cant wait for the next time.

[Dan2593]

Blah blah blah

 

People will always complain

I had a great time too! You'll find the reason not everybody is saying they had a great time is because people only say anything when they complain.

Edited July 11, 2011 by Dan2593

[keithporter23]

^^^^^what DawningLight said.....

 

SM did a fab job, considering they put up with the 'great unwashed' public (and oh my god, were alot of them unwashed!!).

 

Thank you SM for a great weekend, once again.

Edited July 11, 2011 by keithporter23

[Kuato_Lives]

I had an awesome time, this has been my favourite LFCC yet.

[Not_Pennys_Ship]

Thanks for starting this thread because I had a positive weekend.

 

I've posted my thoughts and views on other threads within this sub-forum.

[Orangepeel]

I do agree but I think it is a little unfair to paint everyone who had a problem with the same brush.

Most of the crew were lovely I had an issue that when I asked about Alex Kingston the girl went off and talked to another crew member about her personal life, I went over to them. They blanked me for about 10 minutes before another lovely Crew member answered my question. Sometimes it felt like they were better then us in some aspects that is what upset me.

 

But most of them were lovely and I was there for Alex and I had a wonderful time with that so the way the crew acted didn't really mess my weekend up but I just felt it was a little rude.

[CosmicAvatar]

Hear, hear!

[Count Fooku]

I have to say I'm surprised at just how much grumbling there has been on here. It was clearly a much busier event than previous years but I didn't really feel like it was out of control at any point (compared to say the LFACC headlined by the Heroes guests a few years ago).

 

Personally I found I was able to do everything I wanted to by about mid morning. Given that included getting autographs from two of the three headline guests and a knight of the realm I didn't think that was too bad at all!

 

Maybe my experience was slightly different from others on here because I didn't want to meet Karen Gillan and didn't get any photoshoots. My only interactions with the crew came when I was giving them money and taking VTs from them, all of which were very easy.

 

Not saying other people don't have legitimate issues but I can't say I was one of them, as far as I'm concerned it was a very good event!

[DavidB]

You just have to remember that there were 10s of thousands of attendees, which is a huge number compared to those on here. People are often more inclined to give feedback if it's negative anyway. It's all looked at in perspective.

[lams9999]

Indeed, it's easier to complain than to thank. So once again, thank you for a brilliant event! It was epic, very tiring but in the end I managed to meet everyone I wanted to see, get more than 20 nice photo-shoots and approximately the same amount of autographs. I needed to take a day off today to get some rest and scan all these pictures lol but this week-end was worth every minute.

 

Thanks again to everyone : staff, crew, guests and also most of the attendees!

[pinkstarbuck]

i think a lot of the complaints stem from people that have never attended a convention before and not quite knowing what to expect. I saw an awful lot of attendees ignoring crew requests and being generally rude and ignorant and there really was no need for it!

[The Dork Lord]

I too have been amazed by the amount of selfish moaning and whining going on here. LFCC was bigger and better this year than it has ever been, and all some people can do is complain. A big thank you to all the guests and crew for a great convention!

[nasreen77]

Thanks for starting this thread.

I've crewed a few of these shows now and this one was by far one of the busiest.. it can be daunting and sometimes intimidating to have to deal with that many people.

 

I'm not condoning rude behaviour from crew as I don't think it's hard to be nice to people, but it seems that as with most things, people seem to have been very quick to complain.. so it's nice to get some thanks.

I actually met a lovely lady yesterday who wanted me to let everyone know how grateful she was to the crew for volunteering their time (which equates to around 11 hours a day for those on full days) to help the show run. I thought that was really nice.

[MinkyKnights]

Some people have a great time with no problems. Others have a mostly great time with a few problems. A few have a rubbish time and nothing but problems. All experiences are worth relaying. Just because everything went right for one person, it doesn't mean that another person for whom it didn't is a "complainer", "whinger" or "whiner".

 

Everything doesn't always have to be black and white. Categorising people and their opinions as 'positive' or 'negative' based on their experiences of events just makes them easy to dismiss. And if you dismiss negative, you have to dismiss positive, as it's all coming from the same place: attendees out to have a good time. The key is to listen to what's being said and avoid trying to prove people wrong just because your experience was different (especially if it doesn't even involve the same crew, guest or area).

 

I'm pleased for people who had a glorious, trouble-free day. I sympathise, and in some cases empathise, with those who didn't. People spend hundreds of pounds at these events. Feedback of all kinds is important. A company who is willing to take praise needs to be willing to hear complaints. For the most part, Showmasters are. I'm not always 100 per cent happy with the outcome (if any), but at least I know I've been heard/read. As long as people aren't rude or aggressive, this whole thing works just fine.

[DavidB]

Constructive feedback is certainly welcomed. The event was highly successful but not perfect. Events over the years have developed and improved because of feedback, so let's just allow everyone their say in a reasonable manner, and we'll all benefit in future. SM certainly take things on board.

[MrT]

Showmaster rule

[ClockworkOwen18]

Some people have a great time with no problems. Others have a mostly great time with a few problems. A few have a rubbish time and nothing but problems. All experiences are worth relaying. Just because everything went right for one person, it doesn't mean that another person for whom it didn't is a "complainer", "whinger" or "whiner".

 

Everything doesn't always have to be black and white. Categorising people and their opinions as 'positive' or 'negative' based on their experiences of events just makes them easy to dismiss. And if you dismiss negative, you have to dismiss positive, as it's all coming from the same place: attendees out to have a good time. The key is to listen to what's being said and avoid trying to prove people wrong just because your experience was different (especially if it doesn't even involve the same crew, guest or area).

 

I'm pleased for people who had a glorious, trouble-free day. I sympathise, and in some cases empathise, with those who didn't. People spend hundreds of pounds at these events. Feedback of all kinds is important. A company who is willing to take praise needs to be willing to hear complaints. For the most part, Showmasters are. I'm not always 100 per cent happy with the outcome (if any), but at least I know I've been heard/read. As long as people aren't rude or aggressive, this whole thing works just fine.

 

My sentiments exactly.

[hiddendreams100]

I have to say i agree with Dawninglight on this one, I had an amazing time!!!! and have been shocked at the amount of complaints i have read.

From what i have read I don't think the original poster was in trying to 'paint everyone with the same brush' (sorry, don't know how to do the quote thing) or belittle anyone's genuine complaints, just bring a little balance into the equation.

There is always going to be complaints, with an event this size, mistakes and problems happen but these should be brought up to to people at the events, you may get a resolution that makes your experience better, for the money people spend, they should have a good time!!

There's a saying that "you can please all of the people, some of the time, and some of the people, All of the time, but you can't please all the people, all of the time?"

That is always going to be the way, especially with a huge event like this one, and i believe Showmasters are normally quite good at listening to both the positive and the negative and using it to change things for the better.

[Evie_Nitram]

I had to leave without my Robert Knepper pic as I couldn't find it before close, and the crew member that was around at the time didn't have any of the little slips for me to fill in. I am sad, and I know it will take awhile for me to receive it, given the vast number of pics SM staff have to match up and send out, but I know that once I contact them, and explain, and give them my details, my pic will eventally arrive. I have had to leave pics before and SM have never let me down on this.

 

I am playing the matching game, of matching descriptions to photos later today, so if you want to leave your description here, and then send your address (and your description again!) to the showmasters e-mail address, we can get that sorted out for you.

[TerraHawk]

Some people have a great time with no problems. Others have a mostly great time with a few problems. A few have a rubbish time and nothing but problems. All experiences are worth relaying. Just because everything went right for one person, it doesn't mean that another person for whom it didn't is a "complainer", "whinger" or "whiner".

 

Everything doesn't always have to be black and white. Categorising people and their opinions as 'positive' or 'negative' based on their experiences of events just makes them easy to dismiss. And if you dismiss negative, you have to dismiss positive, as it's all coming from the same place: attendees out to have a good time. The key is to listen to what's being said and avoid trying to prove people wrong just because your experience was different (especially if it doesn't even involve the same crew, guest or area).

 

I think the event went remarkable smoothly, considering the numbers attending that was quite an acheivement. Yes I have a few things to gripe about - one that was was expensive waste, and one that meant I could have spent more money about had I known, but all in all it was a most enjoyable weekend.

 

Not sure I'd do a Friday again, it threw my senses leaving there at 9pm and it still being light so it seemed like an afternoon when I normally leave!

[Dent_1]

Some people have a great time with no problems. Others have a mostly great time with a few problems. A few have a rubbish time and nothing but problems. All experiences are worth relaying. Just because everything went right for one person, it doesn't mean that another person for whom it didn't is a "complainer", "whinger" or "whiner".

 

Everything doesn't always have to be black and white. Categorising people and their opinions as 'positive' or 'negative' based on their experiences of events just makes them easy to dismiss. And if you dismiss negative, you have to dismiss positive, as it's all coming from the same place: attendees out to have a good time. The key is to listen to what's being said and avoid trying to prove people wrong just because your experience was different (especially if it doesn't even involve the same crew, guest or area).

 

I'm pleased for people who had a glorious, trouble-free day. I sympathise, and in some cases empathise, with those who didn't. People spend hundreds of pounds at these events. Feedback of all kinds is important. A company who is willing to take praise needs to be willing to hear complaints. For the most part, Showmasters are. I'm not always 100 per cent happy with the outcome (if any), but at least I know I've been heard/read. As long as people aren't rude or aggressive, this whole thing works just fine.

 

This^ ! Talk about hitting the nail on the head. Best post I've read regarding this event.

 

 

I started the 'Crew Member - Some Feedback' thread which has since been locked, unfortunately I think because people were throwing out unfair gross generalisations about crew in general to the point Jason felt the need to clarify that a few bad apples don't spoil the bunch. I was mid-way through writing a reply stating as much before it got locked. To any mods, I'm going to post it here because I agree entirely with Jason and I think my post is balanced, isn't stoking the fire and is quite relevant to the current conversation:

 

Edit by QS: I will move that part of your post to the original topic.

 

I agree your post is balanced, but as you have seen even the most balanced post will get some reactions that Jason was trying to stop. I most certainly don't want it to disappear completely, one can tell you put a lot of thought in this. Hopefully this solution is okay with you.

Edited July 11, 2011 by Queen_Sindel

[A007]

Some people have a great time with no problems. Others have a mostly great time with a few problems. A few have a rubbish time and nothing but problems. All experiences are worth relaying. Just because everything went right for one person, it doesn't mean that another person for whom it didn't is a "complainer", "whinger" or "whiner".

 

Everything doesn't always have to be black and white. Categorising people and their opinions as 'positive' or 'negative' based on their experiences of events just makes them easy to dismiss. And if you dismiss negative, you have to dismiss positive, as it's all coming from the same place: attendees out to have a good time. The key is to listen to what's being said and avoid trying to prove people wrong just because your experience was different (especially if it doesn't even involve the same crew, guest or area).

 

I'm pleased for people who had a glorious, trouble-free day. I sympathise, and in some cases empathise, with those who didn't. People spend hundreds of pounds at these events. Feedback of all kinds is important. A company who is willing to take praise needs to be willing to hear complaints. For the most part, Showmasters are. I'm not always 100 per cent happy with the outcome (if any), but at least I know I've been heard/read. As long as people aren't rude or aggressive, this whole thing works just fine.

 

Good post.

[Dent_1]

Some people have a great time with no problems. Others have a mostly great time with a few problems. A few have a rubbish time and nothing but problems. All experiences are worth relaying. Just because everything went right for one person, it doesn't mean that another person for whom it didn't is a "complainer", "whinger" or "whiner".

 

Everything doesn't always have to be black and white. Categorising people and their opinions as 'positive' or 'negative' based on their experiences of events just makes them easy to dismiss. And if you dismiss negative, you have to dismiss positive, as it's all coming from the same place: attendees out to have a good time. The key is to listen to what's being said and avoid trying to prove people wrong just because your experience was different (especially if it doesn't even involve the same crew, guest or area).

 

I'm pleased for people who had a glorious, trouble-free day. I sympathise, and in some cases empathise, with those who didn't. People spend hundreds of pounds at these events. Feedback of all kinds is important. A company who is willing to take praise needs to be willing to hear complaints. For the most part, Showmasters are. I'm not always 100 per cent happy with the outcome (if any), but at least I know I've been heard/read. As long as people aren't rude or aggressive, this whole thing works just fine.

 

This^ ! Talk about hitting the nail on the head. Best post I've read regarding this event.

 

 

I started the 'Crew Member - Some Feedback' thread which has since been locked, unfortunately I think because people were throwing out unfair gross generalisations about crew in general to the point Jason felt the need to clarify that a few bad apples don't spoil the bunch. I was mid-way through writing a reply stating as much before it got locked. To any mods, I'm going to post it here because I agree entirely with Jason and I think my post is balanced, isn't stoking the fire and is quite relevant to the current conversation:

 

Edit by QS: I will move that part of your post to the original topic.

 

I agree your post is balanced, but as you have seen even the most balanced post will get some reactions that Jason was trying to stop. I most certainly don't want it to disappear completely, one can tell you put a lot of thought in this. Hopefully this solution is okay with you.

 

Hi Queen Sindel. No, don't mind at all, a judicious bit of editing on your part. As much as I disliked certain crew interactions this weekend I would never dream of tarring every crew member with the same brush. Thankyou for incorporating my comment back into my original topic, it was a nice way for to cap it off as it had unfortunately been derailed somewhat with unfair vagueness and generalisations.

 

Seeing as crew members are unpaid volunteers I can only extend my admiration and thanks to those who give up their free time and especially to those who put in real effort to provide a good experience and make these events run smoothly.

 

I've copied the end of my response back into this thread as I think its relevant (re: the concept of "complaining" on a forum) I hope you don't mind:

 

"I came away with everything I had intended to get and I wouldn't allow these issues/problems to spoil my weekend even if there were a few bumps along the way. All I have provided [on the forums] is [what I feel is] accurate and concise feedback. I appreciate as the show grows there will always be new teething problems as the logistics get harder and harder to manage but feedback is a gift, and posters shouldn't get slammed [by other forum members] for simply telling what happened.

 

I want to finish by saying once more that MinkyKnights is bang on. Even with the problems I had this weekend, the situation is NOT black and white. I had a great weekend and enjoyed myself very much indeed. The talk I went to was very entertaing and the guests I saw were a credit to themselves, both a real pleasure to meet. Despite some problems I will still attend future Showmaster events and wish them every success with making the experience grow. I gave certainly had fun at thier events, including this one(!) and thank them profusely for giving me the opportunity to meet some of my idols."

 

Cheers!

Edited July 11, 2011 by Dent_1

[Queen_Sindel]

I've copied the end of my response back into this thread as I think its relevant (re: the concept of "complaining" on a forum) I hope you don't mind:

 

Oops, sorry - of course that is fine. That part was supposed to stay in here anyway. Three windows open was apparently one too much.

[Stenun]

This is the internet.

Lots of people use it primarily to complain anonymously.