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January 2010_june_july_2009.qxd 02/02/2010 8:33 AM Page 33 Is This a Case Paranormal Fraud? 33 Is This a Case of More Deceptive Business Practices? by Dreamsinger There have been some interesting complaints going around lately about TAPS ParaMag. This recently came to my attention from the SyFy forum. Several times in the past I had seen people post complaints about not getting all the issues they paid for. Well, I thought that had been resolved, but from what I’m reading, many are still getting shorted as noted in this review of the magazine. In a discussion on a forum I was part of with the new editor, Scotty Roberts, there were some good things that came out of it, as well as some bad. Mr. Roberts, who’s been editor for two weeks, says that they’re working hard to correct the poor practices the magazine has made in the past. That is a good thing. But at this point it is only words. He also stated that he contacted a couple of people on that forum who professional managers who are worth their Otherwise you do nothing more than make a had expressed their grievances about not weight in salt would not make statements such negative impression as outlined, and you appear receiving the magazine as promised, and was as that made by Mr. Roberts. to be an excuse maker instead of a professional working to correct that problem. That too is a Another thing that concerned me was his manager. good thing, and hopefully he follows through. statement about only being editor for two weeks All in all, I’d recommend to those who But then there’s the bad. and to give him time to correct things. Well, have complaints and have not received what On the issue of people not getting their people don’t care how long you’ve been in was promised to file for resolution through the issues as promised, Mr. Roberts replied to a charge. They’ve been screwed, they’re angry, Better Business Bureau. I’m sure Mr. Roberts poster that they were working hard to get things and they want to hear what what’s going to be would rather you contact the magazine than to back on track and that everyone would receive done to fix the problem. This is one thing Mr. do this, but considering that Mr. Roberts has no what they paid for, so what’s the problem. Well, Roberts never divulged. All he said was great track record and has already exhibited the first part of what he said is good. But the things were going to happen with the magazine unprofessional managerial behavior, along with “What’s the problem,” statement is highly and that the problem was being remedied, but it the track record this business has already unprofessional and is skirting the issue that will take time. That’s not a professional shown, I highly recommend going the route of TAPS ParaMag did not fulfill it’s obligations to response and is again, poor customer relations. the Better Business Bureau since they are a it’s customers. From the subscription page of Customers don’t care if there are great things to unbiased, third party arbitrator who looks out TAPS ParaMag (at the time of this article), come or not. What they do care about is what for both parties involved. “Join THE SEARCH FOR ANSWERS and stay are you going to do to fix the problem. They up on the latest developments by ordering here want to here specifically what is being done, not for one year of TAPS PARAMAG to get the just that the magazine is working hard to correct Seacoast UFO claim mag delivered to your door every other month.” the problem. A professional manager would debunked A professional and ethical manager would have have announced what they were doing to fix the never said “So what’s the problem.” They problem, as well as giving out information on would know the problem was failure of TAPS how unsatisfied customers could contact the Nashuatelegraph.com ParaMag to deliver it’s end of the deal, and that magazine in order to get that prompt resolution. the “So what’s the problem,” is poor customer Also, a professional manager would not be PORTSMOUTH HERALD - The truth relations. What they would have done is to state trying to pump up the image of the company in is out there ... on Gosling Road.On Dec. 9, the first part, but then apologize for the past this forum. Angry customers don’t care about 2009, a Bestway trash compactor fell onto its behavior of the business and publicly announce great things to come, and to announce how great side while on Commerce Way, next to the a way for customers to contact the magazine for things will be only grows that anger as they Market Basket Plaza off Lafayette Road, immediate resolution. With what he said it gives think things like, “yeah right, you’re just going trapping its driver inside. The truck struck a the impression that the failure of the publication to screw more people”, and, “who cares if you utility pole during the accident, causing it to to make good on its commitment is irrelevant promise great things if we don’t get the snap in half and balance on top of the vehicle, and that customers should be happy that they product.” To me, Mr. Roberts seems to want a while live wires fell around it. With help from are getting all the issues they paid for. My clean slate and that the past performance of the the Portsmouth Fire Department, a potentially business professors would say that’s total company shouldn’t reflect upon him. I guess deadly situation was averted as the driver was hogwash and highly unprofessional since the what Mr. Roberts doesn’t understand is that’s brought to safety. magazine failed to live up to its end of the deal. not how business works. Professional managers Portsmouth Herald photographer Deb I wonder how Mr. Roberts would feel about a who accept such a position know that they’re Cram caught the rescue on video, but did she business that treated him in such a manner? I walking into a firestorm, and know that they also catch something else, something out of this know in my case if I order something from a now carry the burden of the failures of the prior world? company and it’s suppose to be delivered on a manager. While it is true that his performance After the video of the rescue was posted routine basis; let’s say every other month just as should not be based on the prior managers on Seacoastonline.com, via YouTube, viewers this magazine, and then skip me over for six performance, it is also true that he has accepted began to comment about a strange floating months at which time they suddenly dump all of the position and all burdens from the prior pyramid seen in the distance, approximately 35 what should have been delivered in that time manager, therefore, stop making excuses and if seconds into the video. frame, I am not going to be happy because that you’re not ready to give detailed plans of how "What's with that weird floating wasn’t the deal, and I will not do business with you intend to fix the problems you inherited pyramid!?!?" wrote NYCPulpHero. that company in the future. This is a typical then it is best to keep your mouth shut. reaction from a customer, which is why (Continued on Page 36)