So much for that

[ratherastory]

Turns out I can't transfer my photo ops unless I don't go to the convention at all for JiB Con. I asked the staff to be sure, and got capslocked at for my pains. Seriously, who does that in official correspondence? I was courteous in my inquiry, and got a response that was bordering on rude, though I suppose some of that can be attributed to lack

Comments

[katwoman76]

Guess, you really catched them in a bad moment with something that has been asked over and over again from people who would not understand even if you screamed it at them, so you ended up getting the emotional Italian side of them, when for you a simple "sorry, can't do that" would have been the better way. Usually they are really good about answering questions.
I mean, other con-teams in Europe will not answer you at all and refuse any selling forward even if you can't come at all.

[ratherastory]

Heh. The mild-mannered Canadian in me got more than a little peeved, I will admit.

It's fine. I vented about it on LJ, it's done now. :)

I am more than a little shocked at the idea that other con teams don't answer at all, though. What the hell?

[katwoman76]

Sadly, it's not unusual to not get replies to emails.
Or any comfirmation that your payment went through.
You buy, you pay, you hope for the best and guess/hope that everything went okay until you are there. And it somehow does, but it's still frustrating.
The JIB-team on the other hand usually tries to get back to you within 24 hours, answering every single question, even if it's a stupid one.
And usually try their best to make sure, that both the paid and the paying guests have a good time.
And it looks like the guests are soo excited to come to Rome they can't even wait for the official announcement. *laugh* Nope, they shout it out on twitter.

One big difference between US and European cons - Creation is a business, that exists for decades. It's a big company and that's how they organize things. In Europe, there is no big company. There are teams of scifi-fans, who organize these things in their free time.

[ratherastory]

Yeah, but see, I have been involved with fan-run cons here in Canada, and I helped to run a gaming convention one year. This notion of not answering emails/phone queries? Not confirming payments? Shocking. I get that people are doing it in their spare time, but if they can't run it properly or devote the time necessary, then they shouldn't be doing it at all.

Okay. I'm going to stop being judgy now. I haven't had my coffee yet. ;)

For the record, I'm REALLY excited about coming to JIB Con. :)

[katwoman76]

Believe me, I'm thinking the same way.
But it's just something I got used to from certain teams.
JIB being the exception though, so I was sorry to read that the reply you got didn't show them like they usually react. I exchanged many mails with them in the past and always got a nice, helpful answer back.

For the record, I'm REALLY excited about coming to JIB Con. :)
So am I. I can't wait. When will you arrive in Rome? Do you stay at the Hilton or somewhere else? How long do you stay.
We so have to meet up there at some point.
Did you see, that one more angel announced his presence last night?
Official announcement is not out yet, but I'm excited about it. Because he hasn't done any SPN-cons before, I think, so it will be fun.

[ratherastory]

No, I didn't see! Who was it?

I'm arriving Friday morning (or maybe early afternoon, I have to check my plane tickets) and staying at the Hilton until Sunday, then I'll be in Rome until the following Thursday morning.

[katwoman76]

It's not really official yet, but he tweeted.

@sebroche I think I might be coming to the SPN Roma con as well.
Fan asking: Really?! Are u sure?! :D
@sebroche I think so. :)

So, in addition to Castiel and Gabriel it looks like now Balthazar will be in Rome as well. :D
I just hope Sebastian does not talk in Italian all the time, or I and many others will be totally lost.

Friday afternoon? That's pretty late. I mean, the airport is right next to the Hotel, but still - until you are through security and with possible delays you might miss the first panels Friday afternoon ^^.
I'm staying until Wednesday, so maybe you will join us for some sightseeing. I don't think we have someone from Canada in our group yet. ;)

[ratherastory]

Yeah, unfortunately flights don't leave Canada except in the late evening, and Italy is six hours ahead of us. I also have to change planes, which means I have little choice in the matter unless I want to pay an extra night at the hotel.

I am coming with my friend le_maistre_e, so if she's okay with going sightseeing with you, I'd love to join you! :)

And yay for Seb Roche! My Italian is rusty, but it would be nice for all the Italians there if at least one star spoke their language.

[katwoman76]

Flights in this direction are usually overnight. So that you fly out in the evening and arrive in the morning. Makes sense I think. Hope you will arrive in time and that you can sleep on the plane.
That way everything would work out.

I'm arriving Monday already, doing some sightseeing with a friend.
Move to the Hilton Thursday, so we will be there in time for the early morning start on Friday (Roman Holiday followed by La Dolce Vita for me).

Just know, that if you want company, there will be others around for a few days after the con as well. If not - no problem.
But I think in any case we should at least see eachother there at some point.

Seb does speak Italian fluently I think. And he is someone else from Europe. So Mark won't be the only one anymore. Which I think is nice.

[ratherastory]

Wow, you're getting to do all the fancy stuff at the con too? Lucky!

I'll make sure it's okay with my friend and get back to you. I'm finalizing details on our hotel when we won't be at the Hilton, starting Sunday, but it's on Via Cavour, which is right in the middle of Rome inside the walls, so it's perfect for sightseeing.

I speak a little Italian and a little bit of German, but it's been ten years since I've had to speak either language at all, so to say I'm rusty would be putting it mildly.

[katwoman76]

Yes, with Rome I really went all out this time.
It's my big holiday for the year.

I don't really spend much money in everyday live, so it equals out. What I save during the year, I spend on a few weekends while travelling through Europe just having funs at cons or with friends.

I don't speak Italian at all, I think I forgot pretty much all my French and Russian because I haven't used either in a long long time, German - of course. And my English gets me around well enough. It will be the language spoken there mostly anyway thankfully.

We will stay at the Hilton after the con, and probably use the shuttle to drive into the city.