Greeter_Canuck
Members
22
June 2003
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Well as many of you know me I have been working for THERE as Greeter_Canuck since early last year. Today I got informed that the company is cutting back in staff and myself and other inworld CSR folks have been let go... Unfortunately we were not informed who got to keep their jobs only that seniority does not play any factor in this decision nor does job performance.
This brings great sadness to me because I considered many of you friends even though I was sometimes too busy to chit-chat like I would have liked to. Mainly too busy because I put everything into this job and always went above and beyond my call of duty to help folks.
Tonight will be my last day as well as several other Greeters. The sad part is I just bought a new car yesterday and now let go without notice kinda hurts 
So let me bring this to a close and wish you all well in your future paths where ever that may be and if anyone wishs to keep in touch I welcome your emails to john@online-solutions.org
Kindest Regards,
John R. Marshe
(Ex Greeter_Canuck)
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River
Members
29
Feb. 2003
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Jan. 07 2004, 5:21 pm |
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Well guys it's been fun.. Most of the time it's even been a blast. And I'm sad to say goodbye as well.
I worked since the middle of last year hosting events in There and I met a lot of absolutely wonderful people that I'll miss very much. I hope you enjoyed this time as much as I have and that you willl all continue to have fun in there.
With the risk of sounding like I'm accepting an oscar instead of being laid off here I would also like to thank all the great people who welcomed me into the community when I was new and made me want to create my own fun in there.
Tonight's my last night as an event host but after that I'm sure I'll pop in to say "hi" every now and then as well as do some asskicking in my buggy 
I wish you all the best of times and lots of love to go around.
If you haven't had enough of me yet I can still be reached most hours in the spots below:
AIM: Allgo12
MSN: danwestin523@hotmail.com
ICQ: 177437930
email: danwestin@bredband.net
home: < http://allgoodnames.no-ip.info/ >
Goodnight and goodbye 
-River/Dan
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greeter_july
Members
1
Jan. 2004
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My time is up as well. I have truly enjoyed There with all of you and I just hope I've been a help when when you needed it and brought a smile to everyone who I had contact with. For all of you I told to contact me anytime with your questions, I'm sorry I won't be able to be your point of contact but I know there are many in the community that are willing and able to help you!
To all my fellow employees, I wish you the best! You are one crazy, fun bunch of peeps....Nucky, I'll miss you the most those events we hosted, the high 5's we shared when we accomplished our goals and the IM's we kept going to support each other were awesome.....
Goodluck to everyone and peace out!
'bow 'wave 'tu
Greeter_July
Kitty
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mackie
Members
678
Feb. 2003
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Heh.... they can stop paying my hiney but I'm still a partying FOOL!!! 
 I will continue with my schedule til I do find something cos ya know what??? There is FUN and I love it!
See ya in there!
Mackie 
Lifeinthere.com
Real News for a Virtual World
So... wheres that "I don't work here" shirt in auctions?   Bamaboo, you are whack... straight and true! Good thing I love you! Pass the popcorn please!
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lostangel
Members
1
Sep. 2003
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'hugs to Canuck and to River..
I feel sort of lost here trying to think of the right words to say. I, too, was just hired on in December as a Live Event Host by THERE. My work avie's name is Xia.
I got a call today that I, too, am cut from the roster as are many others. 
It's hard to not be selfish and feel sorry for myself, but then I think about others that have been there forever and a day and shaped THERE to be the wonderful community that it is, and I really feel sick inside for them.  
Xia will NOT be dead...nor Lostangel, and I am planning on sticking it out w/ THERE and continue to meet the NICEST people on the net and have a ball doing it! 
So if you see an event hosted by either avie, come by and say hi! Hopefully, things will turn around and the community as a whole will continue to ROCK out in THERE, and have a blast to make it the wonderful place that it is and will continue to be.
If you want to contact me, you are welcome, so please do.  Here's my info:
Email: lostangel_us@hotmail.com
AIM : XiaTHERE
ICQ: 16268061
Yahoo:lostangel_us@yahoo.com
MSN: lostangel_us@hotmail.com
Well, thats it for now... Later guys!!
'hugs & 'blowkisses... I wish that I could have had a chance to serve the community better and A LOT longer  Maybe some other day, eh?
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mackie
Members
678
Feb. 2003
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HEY girl... what are July and I chopped LIVER?!?!?! where are our hugs!?! ROFLMAO!!
Love ya girl and we'll always have BINGO!!!!
see ya later!
Mackie:) Bamaboo, you are whack... straight and true! Good thing I love you! Pass the popcorn please!
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Galilee
Members
27
Sep. 2003
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Sorry to see all of you go. I wish you all the best in whatever you do next.
Interesting that they are cutting down CSR staff.....
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Catlyn
Members
3
Aug. 2003
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Jan. 07 2004, 7:15 pm |
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Wow this is pretty astonishing! Especially the part where they say that neither performance nor seniority were factors in who stayed and who left.
I'm really sorry to hear this news -- and really hope you all stick around and continue to be There ...
Oh btw ... '''hugs to Mackie and July
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Virtual_Vikki
Members
113
Aug. 2003
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I am glad you all were so nice to let us know here that you are leaving. Otherwise I would not have had a clue.
I am very upset about this myself.  Perhaps livid would be the right word!  Why now when you are needed the most (as the masses start to enter There) would they be letting all of you go? I understand you probably can't answer that question...
At this point There should be hiring MORE people not laying more people off!
I will miss you all very much in the There. You all made There a much better place to be in.
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Innie
Members
28
July 2003
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Oh my!!! Bad There, bad bad There! 
I am gonna miss you guys soooooooo much! I do hope that There really does let you keep your avies. I know oh too many people that have been "let go" to only get home and have their avies turned off, so that they can never log into There again, unless they purchase a new one.
I do hope you get to keep all your stuff, and your avies.
You will be sorely missed! Canuck, I never did get to hang out with you as much as I wanted. BIG GIANT HUGS TO YOU.
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Rickpa
Members
3
Jan. 2004
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This really saddens me.
You people are what makes There great.
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Catlyn
Members
3
Aug. 2003
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Jan. 07 2004, 7:42 pm |
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The news just keeps getting worse and worse -- we just heard from Josie2, and she's also on the list of hosts who've been laid off.
There is not ever going to be the same.
'''sad
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cristiano
Members
22
Feb. 2003
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Not that I would play There these days if someone paid me, but I am still sad to see that they are cutting back on people who have put a tremendous amount of work into helping to make player's experiences worthwhile. During the time I spent in There, I met a lot of the people that have been cut, and I am sorry to hear about this. Thank you for the time that you put into making There a better environment for everyone.
Cristiano
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TopCat
Members
48
Jan. 2004
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DAMN! I always bother greeter canuck when i'm bored.
NOW what do i do?  TopCat - Really Really Mean, because he was abused as a child..
Employee Stalking winners and info can be found here
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BigMike
Members
49
Feb. 2003
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Its a shame to see all these CRS's and others go.... I will you guys especailly july and Mackie You 2 know how to reach me so dont be strangers...
Really sad...
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Pillz
Members
34
Aug. 2003
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I am just.... Sorry I need to go find a corner
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iSpy
Members
10
July 2003
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Sorry to see you all go you all will be missed. But that is life. 
iSpy aka  iSpy There's Spy :Þ
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Iron_Ace
Members
1
Jan. 2004
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I got the axe too. I've been a greeter/tour guide for a year (fired 3-4 days after my 1 year anni with the company actually). The ones that are staying are not happy either, I hope I can speak for them since they cannot speak for themselves.
People are not happy about the way things happened, it could have been better. My biggest disappointment is the great community fostering uniqueness that There brought to the online world is basically dead. Tom's departure for reasons we have not even been told was a big sign I think.
Have fun in There while it lasts, I really enjoyed exploring its many touches and attention to detail.
Iron Ace out...
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iSpy
Members
10
July 2003
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ok if thay go so will I as a "protest" And I am not Joking at all. So is some of you in this with me on this? lets Protest and lets see now how There puts the user 1st This is not a good move There if you need help and call There it can some times take A long time to get help one time I was on the phone for 1 1/2 hr O_O now with the firing (and yes I say firing) it will take longer to get help. If there keeps this up and not fixs the bugs There will be gone by may. There stop adding stuff and just fix the bugs. by adding more you just add more and more bugs. and if you have to let some of the hosts and greeters go give thim 2 weeks. (in my book if you let some one go just like that it is called a fireing) not cool at all.
this mybe my GOOD BYE! iSpy There's Spy :Þ
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oli
Members
84
June 2003
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I don't know what to say to all of you that have lost your jobs. I am lousy at saying goodbyes but I just wanted to post something here... to acknowledge that you all are saying your goodbyes to the rest of the community.... your community.... our community.
I think I have met all of you at least once, some more. And I really mean this when I say I have so much appreciated all your help, and your patience, and your upbeat, wonderful attitudes whenever I've seen any of you.
I'm sure I'm not alone when I say that I really appreciate all you've done to help us and for your dedication to this There world and to trying to help it be fun for all of us.
I wish you each the very best in whatever comes your way and I hope that cliche holds true now.... the one that goes something like a "blessing in disguise".
((((((((((((((((((((((((((Greeter_Canuck+Greeter_July+River+Xia+Mackie+IronAce and anyone else I forgot))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))) hugs to all of you.
oli
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Daemona
Members
994
Feb. 2003
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I am neither shocked nor surprised about this. I am saddened by how it played out. They could have been decent and given you guys two weeks notice like normal companies do.
But come on guys let's dry the tears. As far as I know nobody has been banned from playing right? Everyone can still play as a normal avatar?
Growing pains HURT, but we can only move forward if we can make necessary sacrifices even if they do suck at the time. I am just trying to keep an optimistic outlook here. To do otherwise is to entertain thoughts of the end of There, and I am just not ready to hang up my hat just yet.
I am not understanding why everyone is saying good bye. Have the laid off employees been told not to come in world and play with us? I hope not. If so then that's a whole other kettle of fish.
Yes, let's allow ourselves to feel the loss of days gone past, but let's try not to lose sight of the future. Yes, these employees contributed immeasurably to our community, but the regular members have contributed just as much if not more. Let's pull together and support one another in our various endeavors.
I think many of us are in shock. Once we get our bearings let's come together stronger than ever before to take this game into 2004 and make it even better. I don't have all the answers but I'm sure if we put our heads together we can come up with something brilliant and lasting.
So I'm sending out a great big hug to everyone who got let go today and everyone who came to love them in this game. But please don't think for one minute that any of you have nothing left to contribute just because There laid you off. Please consider coming back to us and continue being our friends. As much as we pestered or bugged you it was all out of love. You are welcome among us regardless of your employment status. You were already in our hearts, come be a part of our community as one of us now. Sin like you mean it!
"I love the life but I never sold my soul" {Kid Rock}
http://www.angelfire.com/rpg2/mafioso/pics.html
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Orixx
Members
8
Dec. 2003
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that sucks... I'm Sorry Canuck, about your car delimma.. It will work out. With your experience with this game, you can probably find a good job soon.
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Greeter_Canuck
Members
22
June 2003
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Daemona,
I won't speak for everyone but you know THERE wasn't a game for us.. It wasn't paid in T$ ... It was our main source of INCOME.. For myself at least logging into THERE on my play avie is painful.. Knowing that I should be getting paid and doing my job like I have been for 7 months... Knowing that my rent is getting paid, my credit cards getting paid, my christmas franklin blues getting paid etc etc...
Its not as easy as it sounds to just pickup and move on within THERE for us.. Atleast not for me...
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Galilee
Members
27
Sep. 2003
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I feel for you Canuck. How could they let such dedicated and hard workers go without any notice? If this is a sign of things to come from There, then who knows how bad they will screw us paying customers over.
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ravioli
Members
5
Dec. 2003
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Jan. 08 2004, 3:04 am |
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i have to agree with Daemona here, it is not cool to lose ya job in this way but honestly if you was only in there to make money and thats gone and you dont want to play no more then why bother?
i know thats kinda rude to say it this way but if they was paying for basically gm support like eq or sumthin and it was your main income then wo mang :P
i also dont think chat logs and this post should be made it seems more like there bashing and that its over....when its not. seems like a goodbye but is more like a screw you to a job for firing you.
sorry, i know im a ass
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Greeter_Canuck
Members
22
June 2003
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ravioli,
How much do you pay rent?
What is your car payment?
What is your insurance payment?
How many credit cards do you pay?
Any student loans?
Life insurance?
Any kids?
To some people THERE was just a game.. Yes a game.. a community online... What you dont seem to understand is that to many of us THERE was our fulltime jobs that paid all our bills...
Hell yeah I am going to bash THERE.. They lied to us.. Flat out! They lied to us at the worst time of year and AFTER we spent our money they told us the truth.. Your JOB is gone...
Can we take any legal action? Nope, not a bit.. How can we seek justice? Bashing I guess if thats what you want to call it.. I personally call it INFORMING MEMBERS OF INFORMATION YOU NEED TO KNOW!!! Big difference... HUGE difference..
Paying members need to know that they lost customer service that THEY PAID FOR!!!
Paying members need to know that the company they paid is having major internal problems with not only lack of direction but also lack of funds!!!
Tomorrow I have a meeting with my first manager before Levi_Jones was hired who I believe was a core source of the problems THERE has seen over the past few months...
I am requesting that THERE give ALL of us EMPLOYEES some sort of severance package because they were dishonest with us.. Two weeks notice should have been used.. If not they should have given us two weeks pay..
The only way I can see a person not understanding that is if the person never had a real job with real responsabilities..
My next step is if THERE doesn't do anything to offer us EMPLOYEES something to help us get by till we find another job (such as 2 weeks pay) then I will be taking all the info I have on the dishonesty of the company to their sponsors. Grant it they probably have contracts with the sponsors in writing but I doubt they will want the sponsor's investigating them with a possibility of refusing to renew their contracts.
Now look over on There.com forums.. Do you see any topics started by THERE saying they had some problems and had to fire more than half their staff? Nope! You dont see that! Because it does not exsist!
I'll come out looking like the bad guy here maybe but you know what? I do not care! Because I have not only myself in interest but also the members and SOME of those members will thank me later!
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ravioli
Members
5
Dec. 2003
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i understand where your coming from here ..that is a terrible way to fire all the people, but i was kinda shocked reading this because i figured they paid in there bucks or sumthing.
for one if i had all your responsabilities of car payment, rent, student loans and kids ...i would not have a there job as my main income, btw im very much a bum.
i could of told u when tom was takin out, fired, left whatever that you should prob not have this as your main income.
your not looking like a bad guy really your just sticking up for what you beleive in but im tryin to see this from both sides, id think there would be losing money if they paid helpers the way they do, ive talked to a helper maybe twice.
i can see this thread goin into a flame war or sumthing, not meaning to attack anyone just stating my thoughts on it 
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Numtini
Members
1
Jan. 2004
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| Quote (Greeter_Canuck @ Jan. 08 2004, 3:24 am) | |
Someone at THERE has never heard of the EA/UO and AOL lawsuits and the fair labor standards act. You can't replace employees with volunteers. It's not legal. Even if not requested, for-profit businesses are required to pay minimum wage. You cannot volunteer labor to a for-profit business, it's been used too many times historically to rip off workers with claims that it will lead to a full time job, with claims that unpaid overtime was volunteering, etc.
Unless event hosting and newbie helping rewards come to T$9203.05/hour, which is minimum wage converted into T$. And I'm not sure how exactly that would work.
It does sound to me like the in game staff was way too big and There is obviously not doing well financially and the virtual world market is littered with failures. And honestly, while some individuals shined, as a whole, the customer service staff don't seem to have done very much. That's poor management more than anything else though.
But Levi blew it big time when he said they were being replaced with players. That's not asking for a lawsuit, that's begging for it.
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No_Doubt_Chik
Members
349
Sep. 2003
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Canuck and July and all the others, I'm so sorry to hear about this. I hope things work out for ya'll in the future. Here's a little pic of my memories with a couple of you. Thanx for the good time and you will be missed.
And Canuck, I'm sure Tobius would want to say goodbye to you too but since he won't be back for another month I thought I'd say it for him. G'day mate.
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Marcy_D
Members
53
May 2003
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Get wise folks....There terminating en masse Customer Service is a definate herald of a Company Sale...believe it! Marcy_D
"It is not our abilities that show who we truly are, it is our choices" ~ Professor Dumbledore
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MarcusD
Members
10
Nov. 2003
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| Quote (Marcy_D @ Jan. 08 2004, 9:07 am) | | Get wise folks....There terminating en masse Customer Service is a definate herald of a Company Sale...believe it! |
I believe it!
If it is true that the layoffs were across all departments and even some VP's, then the only way it makes sense is There is being sold!! 
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_Jackson
Members
95
Nov. 2003
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