Comments on: Amazon Offers Up MetaData Error As Excuse

By: Uly

Uly — Tue, 14 Apr 2009 19:21:30 +0000

Cindy, “For the Bible Tells Me So” is actually a book on why being gay is NOT wrong in the Bible. It’s pro-gay.

Also, Tango Makes Three (the one with the penguins) is non-fiction, and pretty darn adorable too… even if it does involve penguins instead of people.

By: Sphinx

Sphinx — Tue, 14 Apr 2009 16:43:40 +0000

. . . can I just say I dislike the statement about “continuing to make controversial works available”?

I’LL be the judge of what is controversial on my bookshelf, thankyouverymuch.

By: MCHalliday

MCHalliday — Tue, 14 Apr 2009 16:30:09 +0000

Amazon is an almost global supplier and many of us outside the USA rely on Amazon for incredible selection, excellent price and fast delivery. Perhaps, small town America also uses Amazon for these reasons as I have purchased toys and books for friends in America and been thrilled with the reliable delivery any time of year.

Boycotting is only a choice if it is possible to buy from other retailers. Jane’s suggestion of an Indiebound link might be a good one but the site is limited to bookstores across America. Powell’s is only for Americans as the duty is enormous on books bought outside my country, added to the exchange rate and shipping cost, it becomes prohibitive.

Robin’s idea of using an ongoing campaign to remind Amazon that censorship won’t be tolerated, would allow me to feel okay about continuing to shop Amazon and I’d definitely be part of it.

By: Stumbling Over Chaos :: The one that may cause nightmares

Stumbling Over Chaos :: The one that may cause nightmares — Tue, 14 Apr 2009 08:05:03 +0000

[...] you been following the #amazonfail kerfluffle at all? [...]

By: Cindy

Cindy — Tue, 14 Apr 2009 04:59:38 +0000

12:55 am on 4/14. I just zipped over and searched homosexualtiy. The Parents Guide to Preventing Homosexuality is still first.

2nd. some weird bit that just says homosexuality and fiction. nothing else.

3rd. You don’t have to be gay.

4. For the Bible Tells Me So

5. Can Homosexuality Be Healed?

And then oddly enough, several children’s books regarding it…fiction of course. Including penguins. WTH?

So…near as I can tell…adults are not allowed to read about it, children are.

By: AQ

AQ — Tue, 14 Apr 2009 03:59:21 +0000

Ran a few tests. It appears that the rankings have finally started to return. Tested 8 books on the original list.

By: joanne

joanne — Tue, 14 Apr 2009 03:35:23 +0000

Amazon has a self-inflicted gunshot wound, but they’ll live. Maybe they’ll learn. Maybe they’ll be healthier in the future. We’ll see how they handle themselves as they come out of shock.

In the meantime I’m perfectly capable of deciding where I’ll spend my money. Links on Dear Author, or any other site, won’t make me go to Amazon any more then the lack of a link to that site will keep me from shopping there. I hope that DA will continure to do what it feels is best for it’s own well being now and in the future and I hope we would all support that completely.

As for garbage like â€œA Parent's Guide to Preventing Homosexualityâ€ — I can detest the book and feel pain for the child whose parent is going to try to use it —but I support the right of Amazon to carry the title.

No censorship of books. Period.

By: Robin

Robin — Tue, 14 Apr 2009 02:32:34 +0000

See, this is where someone needs to create a viral email campaign that stays strong past the waiting us out that Amazon is likely doing right now. Boycott is a choice, sure, but customers are likely always flowing in and out of Amazon. But consistent pressure, consistent attention, that IMO is what’s required to keep a company like Amazon (relatively) honest. If you’ve ever worked for an organization that is the target of a lot of public attention, you know how effective that can be, even without dis-investment.

By: Nialla

Nialla — Tue, 14 Apr 2009 01:58:59 +0000

As a person who has formerly worked as a customer service rep who actually did know what the hell they were talking about, I can assure most don’t. They’re reading/emailing canned responses they think fits the question and hope it shuts you up, so you can’t assume what they’re saying truly is the policy. I would like further clarification on that point as well, but I’m not ready to attribute to malice that which can be adequately explained by stupidity.

From what I’ve beem reading from coders and such who claim to have worked at Amazon or similar sites, there is some supression in ranking going on, but no total blacklisting like this was. Basically, they’re not wanting the entire top 100 list to be made up of erotica. The “official” lists are just that, but those based on sales ranking will give a truer picture, but not always the one TPTB want to see.

The bestseller lists are generally complete BS anyway, mostly made up of the “usual suspects” the publishing industry wants to push. It’s not all that different from the Nielsen TV ratings, where a fave show of mine is said to be doing poorly in the ratings, even though they’re #1 in total viewers for their timeslot. They’re just not getting it all in the coverted by advertisers 18-49 demographic.

By: Bonnie

Bonnie — Tue, 14 Apr 2009 01:54:23 +0000

Wish I could hate Amazon, but alas, I cannot. I love them. They provide way too many things I need, use and enjoy in a timely manner. Well, except for some ebook realeases, but that’s not their fault.

Sorry.

By: Diana Castilleja

Diana Castilleja — Tue, 14 Apr 2009 01:47:25 +0000

Just received mine about an hour ago. Was out, and it’s a brush off. Not happy. Not shopping with them. Never have so losing something they never had won’t affect them.

By: Amazon Alert - De-Ranking some erotic romance « Tour’s Books Blog

Amazon Alert - De-Ranking some erotic romance « Tour’s Books Blog — Tue, 14 Apr 2009 01:41:36 +0000

[...] fiasco.Â Â Dear Author has something to say that worth reading, as it usually is.Â Click here to read [...]

By: Louisa Edwards

Louisa Edwards — Tue, 14 Apr 2009 01:34:18 +0000

@Elaine: This? Makes me insane.

By: Louisa Edwards

Louisa Edwards — Tue, 14 Apr 2009 01:33:48 +0000

It’s shocking to me that they haven’t handled this better. A company that size who actually traffics in internet savvy ought to be just a little more on top of this kind of PR explosion. That said, I’m honestly not sure what would mollify people at this point. A pledge to donate to an organization fighting censorship, perhaps? Amazon’s charitable giving is shamefully low for such a huge corporation.

By: Elaine

Elaine — Tue, 14 Apr 2009 01:31:57 +0000

The loathsome “A Parent’s Guide to Preventing Homosexuality” is still showing up at Amazon as the first book when using the query “homosexuality” as of 7:30 Mountain Time on 4/13.

By: vein

vein — Tue, 14 Apr 2009 00:43:52 +0000

How is “oops we accidentally called all gay material obscene” any kind of real explanation whatsoever?

By: Hydecat

Hydecat — Tue, 14 Apr 2009 00:21:42 +0000

I just got the “ham-fisted cataloging error” response to my emailed complaint. While I’m willing to believe that what we saw was implemented by some kind of spotty programming, I also still wonder what sort of policy about adult material they have that might have caused said spotty programming.

By: Has

Has — Tue, 14 Apr 2009 00:19:21 +0000

Dont believe that either- there was real intent to censor these books but I think they cocked up when it hit mainstream books. And why were feminists and books on disability and sex were nuked? Something stinks and I bet we will find out why sooner or later because it looks like they aren’t really apologising about this mess because I dont think they really care and that they think this mess can be brushed over.

But I wont buy from them again- There are better alternatives and they provide better service. Book Depository all the way.

By: library addict

library addict — Mon, 13 Apr 2009 23:51:07 +0000

And that’s provided they issue a statement that can explain WHY it happened that people can actually believe. Because it's still awfully suspicious which books were affected and which weren't, the emails to the authors, etc.

By: Mad

Mad — Mon, 13 Apr 2009 23:49:54 +0000

The first response just popped up into my email box courtesy of someone at Amazon.