Stephen and Joe at Porter Square Books in Cambridge

[William8675309]

Has anyone here heard or been involved in the PSB/Stephen King/Joe Hill fiasco?
King and Hill will be in Cambridge on October 11 for a discussion and signing sponsored by Porter Square Books. Tickets purchase had very strict rules place upon them (no more than 2 tickets, multiple orders woudl cance all orders etc.) with PSB's website handing the VIP tickets which included entry and a signed book from both authors, a less deluxe ticket was offered via ticket master which included entry but only the possibility of a signed book. Friday September 13 was the magic day for fans to try to get tickets either VIP or regular via PSB website or Ticket Master, on the same day at the same time. What do you think happened?
Surprise, Surprise the PSB servers were overwhelmed and crashed repeatedly frustrating, I'm sure, thousands of King fans and preventing fans from completing orders AFTER tickets were in their shopping carts. Add to this, the Ticket Master sale at the same time which sold out before the frustrated PSB hopefuls could even switch tactics. Now, not getting a ticket would be disappointing enough but we've all had our disappointments. Server crashes made it worse and losing a second chance made it 10 times worse. Add to this, when the PSB servers did work they had lost count of how many tickets they had available and OVERSOLD the event. This means that those who thought they got tickets, had money deducted and received confirmations were later told that they DIDN'T have tickets after all and that their money would be refunded. In my opinion this was a huge slap in the face perpetrated by Porter Square Books on the King/Hill fans who simply wanted a fair chance to score tickets and a book. WHY didn't they realize the demand the tickets would produce and sell all tickets through a qualified agent such as Ticket Master? Why didn't they bolster their own servers if they insisted on selling on their own site? Why didn't they sell VIP and regular tickets at different times or on different days to give everyone another option? Add to this the staff at PSP hanging up on frustrated callers and their cavalier face book posts expressing their "sorrow" and the result is/was hundreds of pissed off SK fans.
Love to read your thoughts if you had endurance enough to follow my rant. As you can tell, I'm still angry.

 

[Moderator]

Has anyone here heard or been involved in the PSB/Stephen King/Joe Hill fiasco?
King and Hill will be in Cambridge on October 11 for a discussion and signing sponsored by Porter Square Books. Tickets purchase had very strict rules place upon them (no more than 2 tickets, multiple orders woudl cance all orders etc.) with PSB's website handing the VIP tickets which included entry and a signed book from both authors, a less deluxe ticket was offered via ticket master which included entry but only the possibility of a signed book. Friday September 13 was the magic day for fans to try to get tickets either VIP or regular via PSB website or Ticket Master, on the same day at the same time. What do you think happened?
Surprise, Surprise the PSB servers were overwhelmed and crashed repeatedly frustrating, I'm sure, thousands of King fans and preventing fans from completing orders AFTER tickets were in their shopping carts. Add to this, the Ticket Master sale at the same time which sold out before the frustrated PSB hopefuls could even switch tactics. Now, not getting a ticket would be disappointing enough but we've all had our disappointments. Server crashes made it worse and losing a second chance made it 10 times worse. Add to this, when the PSB servers did work they had lost count of how many tickets they had available and OVERSOLD the event. This means that those who thought they got tickets, had money deducted and received confirmations were later told that they DIDN'T have tickets after all and that their money would be refunded. In my opinion this was a huge slap in the face perpetrated by Porter Square Books on the King/Hill fans who simply wanted a fair chance to score tickets and a book. WHY didn't they realize the demand the tickets would produce and sell all tickets through a qualified agent such as Ticket Master? Why didn't they bolster their own servers if they insisted on selling on their own site? Why didn't they sell VIP and regular tickets at different times or on different days to give everyone another option? Add to this the staff at PSP hanging up on frustrated callers and their cavalier face book posts expressing their "sorrow" and the result is/was hundreds of pissed off SK fans.
Love to read your thoughts if you had endurance enough to follow my rant. As you can tell, I'm still angry.

We advised the bookstore that they should check with their hosting company when we were having discussions with them prior to the event to make sure they could handle the volume as other events have had this happen in the past as well. We even mentioned that we had had a 2,000+ seat venue sell out in less than 10 minutes. The bookstore was attempting to give their patrons and members of their email list the first opportunity to purchase tickets which is why they used their own site to do it. They were assured by the hosting company that they could handle the traffic but I can only assume that they (the hosting company) grossly misjudged what that would be. It is unfortunate, to say the least, that this happens as it does anger fans and reflects badly not only on the book store but us as well as we also get the receiving end of the complaints but it was not the first time and may not be the last. I do not mean to come across as being cavalier and I hope the book store is not either. That's the reality of technology when it doesn't work the way it should.

 

[kingricefan]

Fornets......

 

[davidsco27]

Yes, I was one who left very disappointed on what could've been avoided with better planning and a concern for the fans. No coincidence PSB turned off commenting on their posts about the event here and on YouTube. They don't care. Their site was down most of the day, so for most it was useless. I was able to purchase 2 regular tickets on Ticketmaster, with the "chance" for an autographed book. No surprise neither of ours were signed, and that's where I'm really upset. This is the FIRST book event I have ever attended where I didn't walk away with a signed book I paid for. Why, if everyone pays the same do only SOME get a signed book? I attended a Pete Townshend book event at the Berkeley a few years ago and EVERYONE who attended got a signed book. Is Stephen King bigger than Pete Townshend? The Berkeley sits 1215, the Somerville Theater sits 900, plus, not everyone who purchased through TM bought SK books, so tell me the justification for this. Just poor, and a poor way to treat fans, many of whom came from great distances to attend

 

[Moderator]

Everyone pays the price of the book for their tickets plus a little more to help the bookstore cover the cost for renting the off-site location for the event. Every person gets a book and it was made clear that everyone would get a book but not everyone was guaranteed to get a signed copy unless they had purchased the deluxe ticket.

At every book event that Stephen has done for many years now, he has agreed to pre-sign 400 copies regardless of how many seats the venue holds. That's as many books as he is physically comfortable signing.

 

[Spideyman]

Yes, I was one who left very disappointed on what could've been avoided with better planning and a concern for the fans. No coincidence PSB turned off commenting on their posts about the event here and on YouTube. They don't care. Their site was down most of the day, so for most it was useless. I was able to purchase 2 regular tickets on Ticketmaster, with the "chance" for an autographed book. No surprise neither of ours were signed, and that's where I'm really upset. This is the FIRST book event I have ever attended where I didn't walk away with a signed book I paid for. Why, if everyone pays the same do only SOME get a signed book? I attended a Pete Townshend book event at the Berkeley a few years ago and EVERYONE who attended got a signed book. Is Stephen King bigger than Pete Townshend? The Berkeley sits 1215, the Somerville Theater sits 900, plus, not everyone who purchased through TM bought SK books, so tell me the justification for this. Just poor, and a poor way to treat fans, many of whom came from great distances to attend

The poor planning on the part of the store/ their network provider has already been discuss.
You did use the word "chance" to get a signed book. It was stated not all books were signed. Thus chance was always a factor.
It would seem just the experience to see in person and hear the interaction of Joe and Stephen King would be awesome. Many never will have that opportunity. You did. The signed book was only icing on the cupcake. Savor the experience not the disappointment. Just my opinion.

 

[davidsco27]

The poor planning on the part of the store/ their network provider has already been discuss.
You did use the word "chance" to get a signed book. It was stated not all books were signed. Thus chance was always a factor.
It would seem just the experience to see in person and hear the interaction of Joe and Stephen King would be awesome. Many never will have that opportunity. You did. The signed book was only icing on the cupcake. Savor the experience not the disappointment. Just my opinion.

That I used the word "chance" because that's what we were told doesn't excuse the fact that it shouldn't have been a "chance" Yes, it was stated, but that doesn't excuse the fact that it shouldn't have been that way in the first place. As I said, I've attended book events before and NEVER walked away without a signed book, and Pete Townshend had to sign more books than Stephen did here. Just a very poor way to treat fans. Don't know other authors who do that to their fans at a signing event. Do you? I also attended the Lowell Spinners game he was invited to host. He threw out the first pitch, took pictures with the team, and again, no signing or meet and greet. I've attended numerous such events in the past there and every other celeb took the time and attention to meet the fans and sign autographs and take photos. I'm told he only signs autographs at book signing events now. Well, what was Somerville??? Sorry. Just poor, and the least one can do to give back to the readers and long time fans who've supported him all these years. As I said, some came from very great distances to attend. There was one from Kentucky, and supposedly some even came all the way from Australia!

 

[Moderator]

That I used the word "chance" because that's what we were told doesn't excuse the fact that it shouldn't have been a "chance" Yes, it was stated, but that doesn't excuse the fact that it shouldn't have been that way in the first place. As I said, I've attended book events before and NEVER walked away without a signed book, and Pete Townshend had to sign more books than Stephen did here. Just a very poor way to treat fans. Don't know other authors who do that to their fans at a signing event. Do you? I also attended the Lowell Spinners game he was invited to host. He threw out the first pitch, took pictures with the team, and again, no signing or meet and greet. I've attended numerous such events in the past there and every other celeb took the time and attention to meet the fans and sign autographs and take photos. I'm told he only signs autographs at book signing events now. Well, what was Somerville??? Sorry. Just poor, and the least one can do to give back to the readers and long time fans who've supported him all these years. As I said, some came from very great distances to attend. There was one from Kentucky, and supposedly some even came all the way from Australia!

I'm having some trouble understanding your being upset when it was made very clear from the first that the event was announced that this was not a book signing at which every book would be signed.

 

[Dana Jean]

That I used the word "chance" because that's what we were told doesn't excuse the fact that it shouldn't have been a "chance" Yes, it was stated, but that doesn't excuse the fact that it shouldn't have been that way in the first place. As I said, I've attended book events before and NEVER walked away without a signed book, and Pete Townshend had to sign more books than Stephen did here. Just a very poor way to treat fans. Don't know other authors who do that to their fans at a signing event. Do you? I also attended the Lowell Spinners game he was invited to host. He threw out the first pitch, took pictures with the team, and again, no signing or meet and greet. I've attended numerous such events in the past there and every other celeb took the time and attention to meet the fans and sign autographs and take photos. I'm told he only signs autographs at book signing events now. Well, what was Somerville??? Sorry. Just poor, and the least one can do to give back to the readers and long time fans who've supported him all these years. As I said, some came from very great distances to attend. There was one from Kentucky, and supposedly some even came all the way from Australia!

Sour, meet grapes.

Stephen King does not owe you anything. Not a thing. Be happy you got to see him speak.

And if you just can't savor that, don't ever buy a ticket to another event and free up that seat for someone who truly appreciates the experience because you clearly are so unhappy with how he chooses to conduct HIS business. The customer isn't always right, especially when it comes to controlling human beings.

Your attitude, in my book, is a poor way to treat an author.

 

[Spideyman]

Not every author/ event celebrity will provide the audience with the same results. As MsMod stated above- it has been a known factor for some time now that SK only signs 400 books per book event. It is Peter Townshend decision to sign as many books as he does. SK limits to 400. The book store made it very clear not every book would be signed.

The Lowell Spinner event was not a signing event. Even though SK is a famous author and celeb he does not have to provide signature everywhere he goes. You state he should give back to his constant readers-- well he does. He writes books for them to read and enjoy. He is an author first. In reality he does not need to offer signed books at all. Over the past years, his readers have been GIVEN at least two books per year. Some author make their readers wait years . He is giving back-- you have his latest book to read in the here and now.

He is also a human being with family and friends. He has a life outside of such events.

. Many would have just been delighted to have attended the event. And yes, many may have traveled great distances to attend the event. They also knew the criteria of that event. "Chance" so they chose to take the chance. - the possibility that something will happen. In your case, it did not. I am sorry you feel disappointed.

 

[davidsco27]

I'm having some trouble understanding your being upset when it was made very clear from the first that the event was announced that this was not a book signing at which every book would be signed.

Do I REALLY have to explain it to you again? lol. Well, someone who likes their own posts, I guess so

 

[davidsco27]

Sour, meet grapes.

Stephen King does not owe you anything. Not a thing. Be happy you got to see him speak.

And if you just can't savor that, don't ever buy a ticket to another event and free up that seat for someone who truly appreciates the experience because you clearly are so unhappy with how he chooses to conduct HIS business. The customer isn't always right, especially when it comes to controlling human beings.

Your attitude, in my book, is a poor way to treat an author.

lol, lemme guess, another self-centered zero. That's "controlling?" hahahahaha. I guess when you're not involved, everyone else's concerns are meaningless. You must be a "conservative" Self, meet centered

 

[Dana Jean]

lol, lemme guess, another self-centered zero. That's "controlling?" hahahahaha. I guess when you're not involved, everyone else's concerns are meaningless. You must be a "conservative" Self, meet centered

You're a hoot !!!!

 

[Moderator]

Do I REALLY have to explain it to you again? lol. Well, someone who likes their own posts, I guess so

I'm not able to like my own posts, not that I would in any case. I would "like" Dana Jeans Post #9 and Spideyman's Post #10 several times if I could, though, as they pretty much sum things up about what Stephen "owes" any fan.

 

[davidsco27]

Please, by all means, "Mod" demonstrate your self-agrandizement and self-perceived "power" and prove my point by blocking me because I don't agree with your self-centered careless opinion here. It will only add icing to the cake. Apparently, if you came of your horse and looked, i was far from the only one who felt let down here, though again, it didn't affect YOU, so it doesn't really matter, right? I enjoyed the event, though in all honesty, it was also a little brief. The banter between the two was nice to see, and I've probably been reading his books longer than you've been eating solid foods. Not everyone worships the ground he walks on and blindly condones everything in the world. Maybe you could think a little of others besides yourself for a change. I would've greatly appreciated a signed book. It's the LEAST he could do. I've purchased many of his books, hard cover, and attended his movies. That's what he does it for, believe it or not. I've enjoyed most of his work, very much and it meant something to me, so I was looking forward to having something from him to add to my collection. It's what a fan cherishes you self-riteous buffoon. It's not only that the tickets we were LEFT to purchase only said "Chance" it's that the incompetence by PSB caused many of us to have no choice in the matter. Had the ticket sales been handled properly and professionally, giving people a fair chance and I had not gotten a deluxe ticket, that would've been one thing, but that was not the case, was it. Here's a tip, accept the fact that not everyone feels as you do, and others have concerns you might not, though apparently from your comments, you don't have too many other than what might effect you

 

[davidsco27]

I'm not able to like my own posts, not that I would in any case. I would "like" Dana Jeans Post #9 and Spideyman's Post #10 several times if I could, though, as they pretty much sum things up about what Stephen "owes" any fan.

That was to "Spidey"

 

[Moderator]

lol, lemme guess, another self-centered zero. That's "controlling?" hahahahaha. I guess when you're not involved, everyone else's concerns are meaningless. You must be a "conservative" Self, meet centered

You're new to the forum but I will let you know now that we don't run things like a lot of other forums/message boards and personal attacks on other members/moderators and name calling is not tolerated and can result in being banned.

That was to "Spidey"

You had quoted my post, not Spidey's.

 

[Gazman]

What I would give to get an opportunity to hear Stephen talk. You should count yourself lucky man.

Also, no need for the attitude, its no fault of anyone here that you assumed you were guaranteed a signed copy.

 

[DiO'Bolic]

I once attended one of these type of events and someone had the audacity to write their own name in my book before I even got it. Thank goodness for whiteout.

 

[Moderator]

Please, by all means, "Mod" demonstrate your self-agrandizement and self-perceived "power" and prove my point by blocking me because I don't agree with your self-centered careless opinion here. It will only add icing to the cake. Apparently, if you came of your horse and looked, i was far from the only one who felt let down here, though again, it didn't affect YOU, so it doesn't really matter, right? I enjoyed the event, though in all honesty, it was also a little brief. The banter between the two was nice to see, and I've probably been reading his books longer than you've been eating solid foods. Not everyone worships the ground he walks on and blindly condones everything in the world. Maybe you could think a little of others besides yourself for a change. I would've greatly appreciated a signed book. It's the LEAST he could do. I've purchased many of his books, hard cover, and attended his movies. That's what he does it for, believe it or not. I've enjoyed most of his work, very much and it meant something to me, so I was looking forward to having something from him to add to my collection. It's what a fan cherishes you self-riteous buffoon. It's not only that the tickets we were LEFT to purchase only said "Chance" it's that the incompetence by PSB caused many of us to have no choice in the matter. Had the ticket sales been handled properly and professionally, giving people a fair chance and I had not gotten a deluxe ticket, that would've been one thing, but that was not the case, was it. Here's a tip, accept the fact that not everyone feels as you do, and others have concerns you might not, though apparently from your comments, you don't have too many other than what might effect you

I'm approving this only so that you can let your true colors shine through.

I will have worked for Stephen for 31 years as of November 1st so I think I may have a little more insight as to his side of the story than you do. What I have seen personally is how much of a toll it takes physically to do book tours, of what the process is like when he's working on a book and what he does for his fans. Obviously the signature is what has importance to you and you are disappointed that you didn't get one in spite of knowing from the get-go that it wasn't a guarantee. Your ticket price bought you a seat at the event and a book, that's all. You were not "owed" anything beyond that. There will come a point where Stephen will not do this at all, but he will continue to write books because that's what he cherishes and the majority of his fans appreciate that he continues to do it even though he doesn't have to at this stage in his career.