Chat Room Moderation (Part Three: So what are Moderators Like from a Player Point of View?)

Well, you probably know the answer to this question already if you chat online. You probably regularly engage and chat with your Chat Room Managers- do you have a favourite? Why? Well if you find that there is one you particularly like or (God Forbid) dislike, then why not give feedback to the site? As a former Customer Service Manager for a big organisation that deals with complaints about the National Health Service and Government Departments, I know that feedback, good and bad, is vital to foster continual improvement and the pursuit of excellence in any organisation. Don't keep your thoughts to yourself!

If you do decided to give your views, try to be as specific as possible- when were you online, who was the manager or moderator, what was it that he/she specifically said or did that you liked (or disliked), and what effect did it have on you. As Bingo sites are very competitive, they will want to receive your feedback so as to be able to improve and give you, and other customers, the best possible service to you. They will also be hoping that if your feedback is good, then you will tell other people who may be thinking of joining an online Bingo site for the first time, or are looking for a move from an existing one for one reason or another.

Another way that online Bingo site operators can gain feedback on the services they provide, is through the "mystery shopper" system. Most of the bigger goods and services companies use people to interact with them, unbeknown to the staff, to see what sort of service they get. The mystery shopper records what sort of service they received, and feeds it back to the company to help them improve. At one point in the past I was a mystery shopper for restaurants (free food for me!), and a chain store- and it was eye-opening!

I came across a mystery shopper review of a particular Chat Room Manager and want to share the main thrust of it with you because it illustrates what makes a good CM (as they're generally known).

The mystery shopper commented that upon going into one room, he couldn't have come across a more polite CM. After entering the room and saying hello to the players, the mystery shopper reported that the CM very quickly also welcomed him to the room, and wished him luck. Everyone was congratulated after every line, two line and full house win, by name, and usually with a personal comment. The particular Chat Room was a quiet one, and the CM had some difficulty trying to get the players talking, both to him and one another, but in my experience that's unusual, and as I say, it was reported that this room had pretty quiet players in it! The mystery shopper reported that he though in a different room, perhaps with more players and ones that were more chatty, he would have been difficult to keep quiet! There were a few occasions during the time monitored, when players asked questions.

There were a few times when players came in asking questions about the site or particular promotions and offers, and it was reported that the CM answered them very quickly and efficiently. He seemed to know a lot about the site and was very informational when he needed to be. Everything was explained in an understanding way and explained nicely in detail. Perfect marks I think for that particular CM. I hope you find that you CMs are up good too!

Best of luck- and get chatting!