State of the hobby and grumblings.

[Colonel White]

I too have no problem in people making a bonus provided they have earned it. For me the company concerned must also be successful as well. Thats why I am glad my former work colleague for the RBS decided not to accept the bonus. I don't think any bonuses should be given out by he RBS until such time the state investment has benn fully repaid after the damage done by that other numpty . When I used to work for this bank I knew a lot of this was going on before it was available for public consumption. Thats the reason why I sold all my shares when I left becasue I had no cofidence in the then chairman.

[grant]

I too have no problem in people making a bonus provided they have earned it. For me the company concerned must also be successful as well. Thats why I am glad my former work colleague for the RBS decided not to accept the bonus. I don't think any bonuses should be given out by he RBS until such time the state investment has benn fully repaid after the damage done by that other numpty . When I used to work for this bank I knew a lot of this was going on before it was available for public consumption. Thats the reason why I sold all my shares when I left becasue I had no cofidence in the then chairman.

Nothing like a little insider trading to make your money a little bit heavier!

[Colonel White]

No not really just my opinion at the time of the then chairman and the decision to pay over the odds for a Dutch Bank. I was "hushed" by my then line manager by voicing my diapproval of this buy out when we had a staff meeting about this. If only more higher end managers did the same then the bank wouldn't have been in a mess like it is today.

Made completely no business sense at all THe shares themselves didn't actually crash as a result of this more like a steady decline as more city analysts came round to my line of thinking. First time I have actiually got anything right when it comes to wheeling and deeling in shares!

[Parus Ater]

All this is why I work in the Voluntary Sector.

[Invisible officer]

Today I had to visit my local gaming shop for a repalcement, a Sunday bought Dystopian model lacked a part. Of all the new models they got on Thursday only one had that part.

?? None would be reasonable, same with only one lacking it. But that way?

Well, I had never a problem to get missing parts from the makers for free, in the case of bolt action I was even allowed to keep some wrong US Para Infantry and Mortar in a British Para box. But would a better end control not be an even better customer service?

(And some bad bank managers get heavy punishments, now one lost his "Sir" But surely kept his Boni )

[Colonel White]

When something goes wrong as it does occasionally then It is a test of customer service to correct what was wrong. THe better companies will excell in this field. Most will give that little extra to keep you happy. I don't think it is enough just to replace the faulty or missing part these days as the customer normally would have had to go to lengths to bring the situation to someones attention normally at their expense whether it be a phone call or time spent on the Web etc. Some Wargame companies like Warlord are very good at this I would also include GW as well usually go that extra mile to put things right.
I was invloved in something similar a few weeks ago after we electrically tested a property for a customer. I got a phone call from the customer stating that the kitchen fitter has advised her that the water pipe wasn't bonded. I hate it when another trade tries to pick holes in another trades work. I sent our electricaian around who removed a few floor boards to show her the bonding. THis obviously put the customers mind at rest and whilst we didn't charge her for the visit , we will probably get more work from this customer in the future. As our actions restored her confidence in us

[Colonel White]

Finally got out £8000.00 tax repayment from the Inland Revenue . 3 Weeks it has taken since our accountant filed the return

[Big Al]

Have you seen this in the BBC magazine?

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-17274186

[Colonel White]

Its very interesting and one snippet is quite worrying. The 40% rise in pre tax profit is what I find most worrying. This shows despite the price hikes ( which are also commented on) people are still buying their stuff like thier is no tomorrow yet surprisingly enough the second hand market for GW figures is rather flat.

Its interesting that a former GW highflyer is attacking the company on its pricing policy, which really has never changed and was the same when he was there so a bit of sour grapes comes to mind

[mikeland]

Possibly the rise in pre-tax profit comes from two things. 1. They have restructured and reduced many stores to one man bands, so their operating costs will be down, and 2. The very large unit cost increae to customers, for a possibly cheaper product to produce, 'FineCast' resin. Could have boosted profits. So actual unit sales might not have increased but the profits could have.

Sadly this article fails to even give cursory mention to historical gaming.