Gnome Trader - has anyone purchased from those guys?

[daltoncalford]

I have been trying to purchase a copy of Traveller Universe from Gnome Trader for almost two months.

I need the program to generate some graphics for a online gaming session.

When I first went to purchase the product, it stated that I had to contact them for availability. I tried using thier online contact form, and heard nothing for a week. I tried again, and a few days later, again.

I finally contacted the guys at BITS and they were kind enough to respond in a day, along with some email addresses to contact the gnome trader guys.

I even signed into their forums to ask about the version of universe and update policy.

I have tried the online contact form, the email addresses I have gotten from bits and I am very concerned. I have tried from different email addresses in case my work address is being filtered.

I thought I had all the time in the world, now there is no way to get the package in time other than by download.

I have recieved no response from gnometrader. Are these guys in business?

Does the software developer know how hard it is to purchase his product?

Has anyone had any good contact with these guys, or should I cut my losses. (I want the software, I want to support the developer, I just am getting VERY pissed off at who they use to sell the software)


best regards

Dalton

 

[jfetters]

I ordered Universe from them several months ago and got it without much of a problem, as I recall.

It did take awhile to ship to the USA, but it was definitely not a 2-month problem...

 

[daltoncalford]

The problem is that I am just trying to Order the product.

The selection on there site has been 'please contact for availability' and noone has been responding to the contact attempts.

I have passed the shipping deadline and all I want to do is give them money, and download a registered copy. They can keep the box, manual and cd, all I want is a download copy - and I am not even asking for a discount.

I have a playgroup meeting online this sunday, and I figured that I would have the software by the time I would need it.

If I don't get any response, then I might as well skip the use of that material and go down a separite path - costing the guys a sale.

oh well, I am trying everything I can to get the attention of one of those gnome trader guys.

best regards

Dalton

 

[Martin]

Sorry to hear of your difficulties, I ordered from them about 6 months ago and had problems with the ordering page but they quickly responded to my email query and resolved the difficulty within a week and the product arrived after that as expected.

 

[daltoncalford]

Is there an online support forum that I can go to ?

It is wednesday, and between life and work, I only have a limited amount of spare time to get my work done - I would buy a copy from someone on the board if you are willing to part with it.

best regards

Dalton

 

[daltoncalford]

I have tried the developers home page and all I get is

Microsoft JET Database Engine error '80004005'

Unrecognized database format 'f:\Vhosts\trisen\private\tracker.mdb'.

/sol/includes/track.asp, line 3

HELP!!!

best regards

Dalton

 

[tjoneslo]

Try PMing (on these boards) the user Hemdian, he's the primary author of Universe and he may be able to get you some answers.

Edit: even a spell checker won't help with that one.

 

[daltoncalford]

Thanks tjoneslo,

Done.

best regards

Dalton

 

[Merxiless]

Yeah, I am looking to purchase Universe from Gnome Trader also, and could not find an email address.

If I could get it by download, that's all I'd need, too.

I am in the same boat, I need the software to gen maps for an upcoming game campaign in a few weeks, and some other hobby projects.

But with no straightforward ordering, I am likely to just use galactic, and profantasy's Cosmographer Pro.

Guess I'll PM Hemdian, also.

 

[jfetters]

Yeah, I was just going to recommend Cosmographer. Unfortunately, I don't think it allows import of UWP data...

 

[Nellkyn]

I know Rob, the owner of Gnome Trader, and Pete, the developer of Universe. I’ll pass on your problems to them as soon as possible.

As far as I’m aware Genome Trader are still trading and Pete is still working on Universe.

 

[daltoncalford]

I have just got my first response, thanks to tjoneslo's fine suggestion.

It is curious, in that they told Pete that they attempted to contact me, but their messages kept bouncing. That is strange because when I placed my order, I recieved an email from thier domain within seconds. I also gave them two separite email addresses, my work address and my personal gmail address.

I have CC2 with cosmographer, but, it does not have a database backend and I find that the Universe screen shots of the finished maps, make cosmographer look like crap. CC2 is weak on bitmaps (waiting patiently for CC3, only 3 weeks to go).

So, long story short, I was contacted by the author, he told me to place the order with Gnometrader and he will make a download available.

I have responed to him with the Gnometrader transaction ID and the paypay confimation transaction ID and I am looking forward to getting the download links.

Best regards

Dalton

 

[jfetters]

Originally posted by Dalton:
I have CC2 with cosmographer, but, it does not have a database backend and I find that the Universe screen shots of the finished maps, make cosmographer look like crap. CC2 is weak on bitmaps (waiting patiently for CC3, only 3 weeks to go).

Completely agreed. Glad to hear you are getting some kind of resolution.

But what is this about CC3? I can't find anything about it on the profantasy website.

 

[daltoncalford]

Hi Jim,

http://www.profantasy.com/cc3/

It will cause enough drooling that your wife will became very jealous.

best regards

Dalton

 

[daltoncalford]

Well,

It is 3:34pm my time. That makes it about 8:30pm in the UK. I responded to Pete's message concerning the 'pay for the product and I will give you a download site' within 10 minutes of recieving it. I sent him transaction confirmation numbers from both gnometrader and paypal.

That was at 9:30 this morning.

I have tonight to prepare the stuff for the weekend. If I don't get it, I will have to scramble to get something else together. In that case, I have wasted my money.

Overall, this has been a very disappointing venture. I have done my best to be polite, patient and let them know about the deadline Peter even says

Don't panic, help is at hand. I talked to Gnometrader and they say that they tried to respond to your emails but they bounced. However, if you go to their website now you can buy a copy in the normal way. Now as you have time problems I have placed a copy of the CD's contents in a zip file hidden on my web site. As soon as Gnometrader tell me you've bought a copy I'll tell you where and you can download it ... that way you wont have to wait for the CD to be delivered.

So, he knows my concerns. Yet, six hours seems along time. I have to pack up and head home, but, given the time it is back in the UK, I really doubt that I will have a response tonight.

Anybody interested in knocking off about 15 sectors of data.......(just kidding)

I think the players will get gassed and wake up as parts.....again.


best regards

Dalton

 

[jfetters]

THanks for the link, Dalton. I hope the Sci-fi addons work with CC3, as I am trying to do deckplans with CC2 ("trying" due to lack of time).

But seriously, if you want me to gen up some sectors, then send you the data and maps, I would be more than happy to.

 

[daltoncalford]

Hi Jim,

Some of the samples have ship plans, and from what I have heard, all the current addons will be upgraded.

Peter has just replied and I am downloading now.

Wish me luck to get all the work done.

best regards

Dalton

 

[Hemdian]

I think some kind of response is needed so people understand what is going on.

First: Gnometrader had a severe PC failure earlier this year. This didn't affect the webshop itself but did mean a loss of emails. They had to forensically recover as much data as possible from the old hard disk and buy a new PC. While all this was going on the owner's wife gave birth to their second daughter. So I guess they took their eye off the ball for a little while. Their main address is now working again but the contact web form is still not reconfigured.

Second: As I understand it (retelling what I've been told) when Dalton then emailed Gnometrader from his work's email the replies were rejected by his work's server. Switching to a home address seems to have 'resolved' this.

Third: Dalton PM'd me through COTI yesterday about his problems and I offered him a download option (a special case not normally offered). I told him this morning before leaving for work. I do not routinely have internet access from work (I can sometimes web browse at lunchtime but it is frowned upon), so after a long hard day I returned home, checked my messages, and quickly sent him the link. Then I grabbed a quick bite to eat and thought I'd look round COTI before hitting the sack ... and discovered this thread.

Hmmmmm .....

 

[tjoneslo]

I hope you didn't mind the recommendation to contact you. I knew you take pride in keeping your customers fixed and up to date.

 

[PhinGnome]

Ladies and Gentlefolk,

Let me introduce myself I am the owner/slave for www.gnometrader.com

I am sorry that Dalton Calford has had trouble purchasing this wonderfully unique piece of software but as is been previously explained by "Hemdian" in this thread ITS WAS COMPLETE CHAOS HERE (need sleep), DONT PANIC (in big friendly letters) normality has now been restored therefore any issues you are experiencing are entirely your own .

But seriously I am sorry that from receiving your 1st email in my inbox on 22/2/03 it has taken 8 days to get a downloadable version of "Universe". Incidentally the payment for this product was received on Thu 02/03/2006 14:41 and the upload was available some 6 hours later. I agree that in today’s modern world of instant gratification 6 hours is a long to wait.

I run this business to support the community and we have day jobs to pay for luxuries such as FOOD, WARMTH and A ROOF OVER OUR HEAD ( although that pond edge does look comfy). I look forward to continuing to support our hobby and slay more Zhodani with Betsy.

PHINGNOME