I sell my services as a tank. There’s always a demand. I basically just ask for all unneeded loot, specifically loot that’s not needed by the specs currently being played. This includes all BoEs. So far it’s a HUGE success.
Once in a while though, I’ll get a nasty or conniving customer. When this happens I typically just stop where I am in the run, reinstate my terms and either continue if all agree, or drop the group if not. Is there a better option I’m not seeing for dealing with dissatisfied customers?
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Well, I’d start with dropping the words “nasty” and “conniving” from the list of words I use about my customer base.
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I actually just drop the problem players. “Nasty” refers to the players that want to change the agreement mid run. “Conniving” players want to need on everything wether it’s their spec or not. I’ve learned to protect myself by getting all players to agree in chat to my terms. If anyone ninjas or steals, I’ve had them reported and my item/items returned.
Still, I’d like to come up with a better solution. I try to make my terms as transparent as possible. I’m beginning to think there’s no pleasing some people though.
Your one of the exact people I avoid. How about we start charging tanks or heals dps for hire? Enjoy the morons who pay for your service because many won’t.
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If people are willing to pay you… to each their own. But could then the healer charge for having to heal you everyone? The DPS charge for having to help kill things?
Is this a high lvl running low lvls through instances scenario? Or we talking all high lvl instances?
The drops and loot in the dungeon should be for anyone who is participating and helping the group proceed through the dungeon, which… is everyone in the group.
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I’m not asking for anyone’s opinion about what I do. I don’t care if they approve or not. I’m asking a purely customer service type of question.
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Be clear at the start of the dungeon, with all the participants actives. I can image some party leader in a hurry be willing to pay you, but other party member be alt-tab afk while waiting just to join to a deal he didn’t know about.
Nobody is going to pay for a DPS unless they are mental. Tank however… do what you gotta do, atleast OP isnt asking for a rediculous payment of 20g or something stupid. Its capitalism, supply and demand, don’t like it, roll a tank yourself.
As for OP’s original question, always people who disagree, doing all you can do already.
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Like I said, I protect myself by getting EVERYONE to agree before we head out. I don’t need anything from the dungeons I run, so I basically just do it for the money. I don’t force anyone to agree it’s a simple business arrangement.
To be fair, the BOEs (if this includes greens) in one dungeon are worth WAY more than 20g. Paying 20g and then doing greed rolls on BOEs would be a bargain in comparison.
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That’s just the gamble that comes with it. I’d rather loose the chance to roll on something, I probobly wouldent win, rather than loose gold out of my pocket.
It’s a personal choice. Not all players have to play the same way. If there are buyers for this seller then more power to him.
The only other suggestion is to be painfully polite when you greet people and lay out the terms. Kill em with kindness. Then if they get nasty, pull out the golden customer service tone and stay absurdly polite no matter how they behave. It will help grow your reputation so even if they slag you in trade chat, others know what you are like and everyone will just know the deal when running with you.
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Lol, when I was doing Test of Skulls I got on a team with a shammy who was paying dps to help.
So it does happen.
I thought the guy was nuts, I’d never pay dps for anything.
I saw someone in LFG looking to pay a healer 10g to run mara, so I’d say yes, that could happen if there’s a demand for it. If there is a lack of supply for the demand and people are willing, anything is possible.
Your customer service answer is that you should NEVER publicly admit that your customers are anything but perfect.
We all know they’re terrible. All customers are. Never admit it.
Your gameplay answer is that I can’t imagine agreeing to your terms, but hey, if you’ve got customers then good for you.
You report someone for needing on an item in a dungeon? Man…I’m glad I avoid tanks “selling services” at all costs.
But you’re posting on a public forum so you’re going to get people who disagree because honestly, it is a pathetic thing to do. The fact that people actually pay or agree to come along and not get greed loot is even more pathetic.
In purely customer service terms, you probably shouldn’t even have posted this, considering there are literally thousands of free customer service things you can look up if you’re indeed trying to maintain a business, virtual (fake) or not. Everyone can see your name and realm, and you’re calling people names, regardless generic. Any “customer” could be present on the forums.
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How is it pathetic? People need tanks. And a good tank is hard to come by.
I don’t sell tanking services, but every now and then someone offers 50 gold to tank their dungeon and I’m not raiding… sure, why not.
Capitalism!
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I’ve no shortage of customers. Most of them read my terms and either agree or disagree and there’s no problem. The problems happen when something valuable drops and then they want to change the rules. Since I make sure to get every single group members consent to the terms I lay out before the run ( screenshots help ) it’s not difficult to get what’s owed to me.
Still, I try to be respectful and responsible by answering any questions or concerns before a issue pops up. If something occurs mid-run I’ll stop, try to address the issue, and either continue on if the issue is resolved or abandon the run right there if it can’t be resolved.
You can never have too many customers. That much is true. There are bad ones though. Mostly, I just say “Thanks for your interest. Have a nice day.” Sometimes though, politeness isn’t enough, I’ll apologize, for not doing whatever it is they want and try to move on. Just being honest and upfront avoids most of the bad stuff. I just wish the politeness went both ways.
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Always be civil. If people are being a-holes mid-run and want to switch the agreement, politely decline. Running a business is about being civil. While 1 person sometimes hire you, 4 others are watching.
I don’t sell tanking runs anymore, but I used to heavily. And I’d get some trolls. Sometimes, however, you can’t win. There’s one time I remember - a hunter hired me and once we got to the dungeon, refused to pay because I was in “Arms” spec and not a “real tank”. I hearthed out, politely saying goodbye, laughed it off, and got a lot of nasty whispers. Ignored them, moved on, made money elsewhere.
Keep a cool head. Sometimes you cannot win. And that’s fine.
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