This is why the new evite SUCKS.
Dammit. I wish I had known about all the changes to the negative that evite has made to their “new and improved” invitation site before I hand-typed all my new (60+) Calgary contacts into their system, and sent out a new evite to everyone for our upcoming RE-gifting party on Boxing Day.
It wasn’t until after I sent out the evite that I realized what a piece of crap their new site is.
And, with no great alternatives in sight, I’m frustrated. Here’s what I immediately noticed was missing:
- there’s no way to see if someone has opened (and therefore actually received the invitation in their inbox)
- no viewed date for the recipients (again, I can’t tell if it went out correctly)
- no customizable email sent to recipients (I didn’t even see a copy of what did go out… I had to add another email account to see what was sent!)
- no more evite avatar photos (although it looks like they’re working on this)
- the comments don’t show up half the time… I had to go into edit attendee list to see some of them!
- no way to EXPORT all the contacts I just spent two hours inputting (asshats)
- no opportunity to customize my invitation with my own photo
So, let me get this straight… Evite can spam my invitees with advertising and make a ton of money off of my events, but I can’t have the most basic of features I’ve come to rely on with their service? Yuck.
I hate using Facebook to send out event invites, because the system doesn’t remind people ahead of time… And, if I manually send out a reminder, many people (me included) don’t often look at their Facebook messages. I don’t blame them — I always forget to view my messages, and I rarely get a heads up that I’ve received a message there. It’s a stupid system, and not worth counting on.
So… What’s the alternative? I have no idea. Evite doesn’t appear to be working very hard on their now-frustrating “updates”, so I’m left with hoping everyone got the invite. Because, if they didn’t, I’d have no idea.
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heard some good things about punch bowl
View Kevin Baggs´s recent blog entry: Skype To Go- gives you worldwide calling for next to nothing
Heya Kevin! That looks like the only real alternative… Unfortunately, the version I’d need is $79 a year.
I agree…immured it recently and thought it was not a step forward but a step back.
That word was suppose to be used…not sure what happened there.
Hey sunshine,
I know it’s off topic but I just want to reissue my regrets that I will be unable to attend. I’m leaving that morning for #xmasroadie2010. I gotta go see some Washington about a boy. You understand, yeah?
View Angela MacIsaac´s recent blog entry: Gettin girlie
Tanya,
Saw your post. Contact support at punchbowl dot com, and tell them that Matt said to give you a free Premium account. I’m the CEO, and would love for you to try Punchbowl. Then, do a follow-up post about your Punchbowl experience…
Yep, the “new” Evite sucks. I have used Evite for years but they sure screwed it up sometime this year. Fortunately I was able to export my contacts list and drop it into another program with ease. There was a whole lot of satisfaction going on when I did this.
@MJ – I hear ya. Frustrating, huh? I’ll tell you how punchbowl works out!
@Angela – totally understandable, darlin’! I’d do the same in your shoes! Have a fabulous trip!!!
@Matt – thank you so much… I’ve emailed your support. I look forward to being able to customize the content of my events, especially with the logo etc. You rock! Much appreciated!
@Paul – Ya, I wish I could get the new contacts out, but unfortunately, they were input on the new evite, which has locked down their database to API from what I can see. My old contacts can be inputted to punchbowl (etc) but it seems like they’ve locked me out of any export from the new evite platform. GRR.
Microsoft Outlook does everything you’re looking for. Sometimes the answer is in the establishment and not in the ether.
Have to disagree with you on that one, Corey — Many of my friends aren’t Outlook users, and wouldn’t be able to track the event with web email such as gmail. This is especially important for centralization of polls, secret santa, etc details.
Although kinda work intensive but way more personal and pleasurable. I rather like the old way of getting a phone call for invitations, esp. if when I came home and saw the blinky lights on my answering machine during the holidays and it was filled with invitations…. Yeah, the good old days….