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I am constantly annoyed at how basic customer service is dying in america. It is on its last, gasping breaths. You go to a store and the sales staff don't help you, at the checkout counter the cashier doesn't make eye contact and practically throws your change (or credit card) back at you. There's no hello, thank you, or come again. I hate when I get an automated system that says,"in order to serve you better". If they really wanted to serve me better, I would be talking to a person not chosing selection #5.
But Paizo is different. They think of me. I don't mean they think like a gamer (which they do), I don't mean they produce great product (which they do), and I don't mean that they make sure the afformentioned product is affordable (which they do). I mean they think of ME. Dax Thura. They seek my input on product they create based off my suggestions. Sure they have some great ideas on their own, but even in those they ask what I think.
I don't know if its true, but they make me feel like I matter. That is a great philosophy. I wonder if it is their mission statement. In any case, I am loving it. I am loving them.
PS. Do they ever sleep? I've seen posts from them at all hours of the day and night all over these boards.
CEO
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I am constantly annoyed at how basic customer service is dying in america. It is on its last, gasping breaths. You go to a store and the sales staff don't help you, at the checkout counter the cashier doesn't make eye contact and practically throws your change (or credit card) back at you. There's no hello, thank you, or come again. I hate when I get an automated system that says,"in order to serve you better". If they really wanted to serve me better, I would be talking to a person not chosing selection #5.
But Paizo is different. They think of me. I don't mean they think like a gamer (which they do), I don't mean they produce great product (which they do), and I don't mean that they make sure the afformentioned product is affordable (which they do). I mean they think of ME. Dax Thura. They seek my input on product they create based off my suggestions. Sure they have some great ideas on their own, but even in those they ask what I think.
I don't know if its true, but they make me feel like I matter. That is a great philosophy. I wonder if it is their mission statement. In any case, I am loving it. I am loving them.PS. Do they ever sleep? I've seen posts from them at all hours of the day and night all over these boards.
The answer, no, we never sleep. Being skin jobs, we don't need to sleep, so we spend all of our time creating RPG products.
Secondly, we care about all of our customers. Thanks for taking the time to post. It makes working those long 24-hour days that much more enjoyable. :)
-Lisa
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You see Dax, the truth is that all the responses posted here from "Paizo Staff" are actually the work of the PMG, a powerful AI that has been ruling our planet in secret for many years now. It simply poses as a humble website guru for its own amusement. Why do you think its "company position" is titled Lord of All Code.....?
Now, of course, the Paizo staff really do exist. However, I have it on good authority that they are prisoners in the Paizo offices, forced to work gruelling hours to churn out this awesome RPG we all know and love. It's how the PMG controls us.
RPG Superstar 2014 Top 16
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Amen! My loyalty to the Paizo brand is due in large part not just due to the quality of the products you produce, but also to the excellent communication and service you provide. There's a reason I keep my subscriptions going, and it's not because I have the time to run all of the Adventure Paths that show up every month!
Skin jobs, eh?
They Evolved
They Rebelled
There Are Many Copies
And They Have a Plan...Sounds about right.
I immediately thought of NEXUS-6 Physical-A models...
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I immediately thought of NEXUS-6 Physical-A models...
Ditto. BSG, you stole that term!
(This image is on my browser home page.)
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Dax,
You're wrong about Paizo. The CEO would never do something as menial as reply to someone's post here on the Boards.
And they just love taking money from our bank accounts. I kid you not, only 5 minutes ago I got an email saying they we're about to take $28 from my checking! And then maybe, maybe they'll consider sending me the new AP volume and a new novel. Of course, products I won't actually get time to read, mind you, but they send 'em no matter what.
And Lisa went to St. Olaf! And, as everyone of us from Carleton knows, St Olaf is, you know, not as cool as Carleton.
I am constantly annoyed at how basic customer service is dying in america. It is on its last, gasping breaths. You go to a store and the sales staff don't help you, at the checkout counter the cashier doesn't make eye contact and practically throws your change (or credit card) back at you. There's no hello, thank you, or come again.
That's the price we pay for cheap goods. Places like Walmart drive out locally owned stores where the clerk's income and livelihood are dependent on your business. The clerk at most stores barely makes minimum wage, has no benefits, and is not effected by whether you come back or not.
Working on commission sometimes gives a bit better service, but does lead to very pushy salesmen. See every jewelry store in a mall.
But yes, Paizo rocks the house.
Dax,
You're wrong about Paizo. The CEO would never do something as menial as reply to someone's post here on the Boards.
And they just love taking money from our bank accounts. I kid you not, only 5 minutes ago I got an email saying they we're about to take $28 from my checking! And then maybe, maybe they'll consider sending me the new AP volume and a new novel. Of course, products I won't actually get time to read, mind you, but they send 'em no matter what.
And Lisa went to St. Olaf! And, as everyone of us from Carleton knows, St Olaf is, you know, not as cool as Carleton.
I just ignore all of the colleges in Northfield, although there is a pretty nice state park down there. ;)
EDIT: And on topic, Paizo iz the fawesome!
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And Lisa went to St. Olaf! And, as everyone of us from Carleton knows, St Olaf is, you know, not as cool as Carleton.
A Carl? Is the reading level high enough at Carleton that you can read our products? I thought all Carls just spent time smoking pot on the Arb. :)
Seriously though, even though St. Olaf and Carleton have some good natured ribbing with each other, I have many friends who went to Carleton and I have respect for that college.
-Lisa
And people seriously question what philosophy had done for us. :D
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Paizo has my business because:
1. PDFs which I can run on my computer, replacement computer, smart phone, replacement smart phone, and Ipad, and not have to worry about it being DRM'd to death. Piracy is bad/illegal/immoral; putting so many restrictions on electronic media that customers can't use it is bad business. (I won't go into not having any PDFs, and pulling the ones you do have.)
2. Appropriately priced PDFs. And $10 PDFs for the hardcovers are a steal.
3. Whatever issues in the past, Paizo staffers have worked incredibly hard to get materials out more timely.
4. Being respectful of the OGL. Several companies have games derived from the OGL but want to impose restrictions on other publishers. As a consumer, I truly appreciate Paizo making everything crunchy OGL, which means as a consumer I have access to a lot more third party material.
5. As was stated above, Paizo listens to customers both as to what products they want and game design issues. Playtests, titles (Advanced Races Guide over Ultimate Races, Skull and Shackles over Skull and Bones), and sometimes even the FAQs get updates.
6. The PFRD. They could let others publish it, and some do a fine job, but Paizo understands the customers want an official source. Also, it lets people see the rules without having to spend money. (I do think the Golarion specific stuff could be placed here, like the feats from the ISWG, but since Paizo lets others post the rules for free, there isn't too much to complain about.)
7. Paizo realizes that while the highest proffits are usually generic hardbacks, campaign info, and those glorious AP's and modules are required to continue to publish a fantasy RPG.
8. Paper minis or metal minis or plastic minis.
9. Golarion. What I like about Golarion needs its own list.
10. No must have gimmicks. In other words, no setting changing and/or mechanic changing "super-events."
11. I don't play in it (yet), but the PFS makes more sense to me then the living campaigns of times past.
12. Generally high quality in all respects, and the infrequent dud is at least a learning experience and not repeated.
13. Paizo's subscription model.
Is the reading level high enough at Carleton that you can read our products?You're thinking of Macalester!
;)
Is the ability to read even needed at Macalester? ;)
Yeah, Paizo does have some wicked awesome customer service and visibly involved staff on the forums as well. I appreciate and respect the work that they all put forth as a company as well as individuals.
Paizo has my business because:
...
10. No must have gimmicks. In other words, no setting changing and/or mechanic changing "super-events."
I just got out of an abusive relationship with a certain miniature war game company that changes the core of the game every six months to keep people buying their products. I have to say I am excited to become a Paizo customer.
Your PDF sales are brilliant. I'll pay for the hardcovers, but other players are perfectly happy paying for a $10 PDF. It's a great price point. I hope it helps you reach new customers so you never have to turn to gouging your existing ones.
Thanks!
To the OP,
As someone who works in retail sales, I gotta say you must have never shopped at Boscov's Department Store. I feel our particular store is very good at everything you list in your troubles with sales people. (I would absolutely never throw someone's change or Credit Card back at them)... although curiously, some customers, don't seem to care to hand me their particular form of legal tender... anyway... apples/oranges. :)
If you have shopped (or even heard of) Boscov's... then it must not have been the one at the Susquehanna Valley Mall in Selinsgrove, PA. :)
We are pretty awesome there.
Sorry you've had bad sales experiences elsewhere.
And I absolutely agree with all of the great comments/remarks you give to Paizo. They are pretty AWESOME too.
~Dean
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Minstrel, I will allow that Boscov's Department Store in general and your store at the Susquehanna Valley Mall in Selinsgrove, PA in particular is not one of 'those' places, but I'd bet you have first hand experiance as to what I was talking about. I figure all of us have.
Secondly, we care about all of our customers. Thanks for taking the time to post. It makes working those long 24-hour days that much more enjoyable. :)
-Lisa
Everyone says that, Lisa. The difference is, like Boscov's, Paizo makes me feel it.
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The answer, no, we never sleep. Being skin jobs, we don't need to sleep, so we spend all of our time creating RPG products.
Secondly, we care about all of our customers. Thanks for taking the time to post. It makes working those long 24-hour days that much more enjoyable. :)
-Lisa
So say we all.
Paizo's service, quality, and responsiveness has engendered a loyalty in a company I haven't felt for several years.
The answer, no, we never sleep. Being skin jobs, we don't need to sleep, so we spend all of our time creating RPG products.
Secondly, we care about all of our customers. Thanks for taking the time to post. It makes working those long 24-hour days that much more enjoyable. :)
-Lisa
The floggings WILL continue until morale improves. :-)
I too, agree with all the sentiments expressed here already.
Let me add to this list, one of the things that I value immensely from Paizo:
Reliability and familiarity.
When I pick up a new book from Paizo, I know EXACTLY what to expect in terms of quality, format, and layout. Their brand is consistent. There's no low quality "filler" products with them.
Though I might know what to expect in this department, they still manage to surprise me with other things - and in good ways.
I was so disappointed when DDM minis were canceled. While they were in regular production, I often wondered why somebody else couldn't do "minis" - but better.
Well, who picks up the torch and carries us forward? You got it - Lisa Stevens and Co.! When Pathfinder Battles was announced, I was so overjoyed, not only for the new minis, but for Paizo, too. It spoke volumes to me. And that's only a single example of what I'm talking about...
I'm not usually a "fan-boy" type, but I really dig the way they do the things they do. They have definitely earned my respect and trust.
I wish them nothing but happiness, health, and prosperity for their future. Cheers to Paizo!
I am constantly annoyed at how basic customer service is dying in america. It is on its last, gasping breaths. You go to a store and the sales staff don't help you, at the checkout counter the cashier doesn't make eye contact and practically throws your change (or credit card) back at you. There's no hello, thank you, or come again.That's the price we pay for cheap goods. Places like Walmart drive out locally owned stores where the clerk's income and livelihood are dependent on your business. The clerk at most stores barely makes minimum wage, has no benefits, and is not effected by whether you come back or not.
Working on commission sometimes gives a bit better service, but does lead to very pushy salesmen. See every jewelry store in a mall.
But yes, Paizo rocks the house.
Try all stores in the mall. I used to work in a tea store in the mall and they wanted us to be that same level of pushy. Over tea! Now don't get me wrong, I love tea and I could sell the product easy, but I don't think tea should be "pushed." And their idea of commission was 2%...
Anyway, enough griping about crappy mall jobs. Paizo and Pathfinder both kick ass.
And Lisa went to St. Olaf! And, as everyone of us from Carleton knows, St Olaf is, you know, not as cool as Carleton.A Carl? Is the reading level high enough at Carleton that you can read our products? I thought all Carls just spent time smoking pot on the Arb. :)
Seriously though, even though St. Olaf and Carleton have some good natured ribbing with each other, I have many friends who went to Carleton and I have respect for that college.
-Lisa
Any love and/or hate for the Gusties? :-)
We've always tried to have a rivalry with St. Olaf, but it's been near impossible getting any reciprocation on that with Carleton's proximity.
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And Lisa went to St. Olaf! And, as everyone of us from Carleton knows, St Olaf is, you know, not as cool as Carleton.A Carl? Is the reading level high enough at Carleton that you can read our products? I thought all Carls just spent time smoking pot on the Arb. :)
Seriously though, even though St. Olaf and Carleton have some good natured ribbing with each other, I have many friends who went to Carleton and I have respect for that college.
-Lisa
Any love and/or hate for the Gusties? :-)
We've always tried to have a rivalry with St. Olaf, but it's been near impossible getting any reciprocation on that with Carleton's proximity.
Nope. Gustavus is just too far away to be a rival. Besides, Carlton used to always take up tables at the Rubenstein downtown. And that was just unforgivable!
-Lisa
And Lisa went to St. Olaf! And, as everyone of us from Carleton knows, St Olaf is, you know, not as cool as Carleton.A Carl? Is the reading level high enough at Carleton that you can read our products? I thought all Carls just spent time smoking pot on the Arb. :)
Seriously though, even though St. Olaf and Carleton have some good natured ribbing with each other, I have many friends who went to Carleton and I have respect for that college.
-Lisa
Any love and/or hate for the Gusties? :-)
We've always tried to have a rivalry with St. Olaf, but it's been near impossible getting any reciprocation on that with Carleton's proximity.
Nope. Gustavus is just too far away to be a rival. Besides, Carlton used to always take up tables at the Rubenstein downtown. And that was just unforgivable!
-Lisa
The closest I came to any of these schools was cutting through the skyway at St. Thomas on my way downtown from MCTC.
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One of my advisees a couple years ago was really interested in Gustavus Adolphus -- ultimately chose Bowdoin as his Early Decision school, got accepted.
I've always said that Macalester is the Awesomestness (outside of academics) because of their mascot. Greatest mascot in all of American sports, pro or amatuer. Not even close.
And Lisa, for the record, St Olaf is stronger than its current US News ranking; some internal politics of how they put their lists together always seem to give St Olaf and a couple other the short end of the stick. (And don't get me started on how US News treats Reed and Sarah Lawrence!)