Communications with Amazon.co.uk
My message:
04/12/09 13:13:00
Your name: (Real name redacted)
Dear customer support,
I have just heard that you no longer allow searches for gay/lesbian books on your website - or rather, that you have chosen to censor all results that are gay/lesbian in theme. For example, "Standish" by Erastes does no longer show up in a search, and the same happens to the other books by the same author, as well as other authors writing gay/lesbian books.
I can only assume that you find gay/lesbian sexuality to be an offense worth censoring in this way, because you are perfectly happy to sell graphic *heterosexual* content with no such impediments.
You are likely aware that the books you censor in this way are published by small press publishers and that your policy does a great amount of damage to them, and the authors of these texts.
I have been a long term customer of Amazon, and I frankly loved it. This development has shocked me badly, especially as you are perfectly happy to take my "pink pounds" when I buy dozens of books from you every month.
It appears I can now only buy new GLBT themed books in RL book shops, and I will take my business there if you do not revoke the policy. Not only will I take my business of GLBT books there, but I will buy *all* my books from other sources. I loved Amazon for many reasons, but I am not supporting a corporate that discriminates again me, my family and friends.
Kind regards,
(real name)
---------------
Their message:
Dear Customer
Thank you for contacting Customer Services at Amazon.co.uk by e-mail.
We are sorry to hear that the search ranking is removed from our website. I really understand your concern regarding this issue.
I will need to investigate this issue with our relevant department further.
As soon as we receive a response from them we will let you know. We will contact you again by April 15, 2009 with an update.
This generally takes short time and so we will contact you again with an update by 2-3 business days. Please note that this additional period will give us the time to give right solution.
Thank you for your patience and for bringing this matter to our attention.
Please let us know if this e-mail answered your question:
(customer satisfaction links removed)
Warmest regards
Murali K
Amazon.co.uk
We're Building Earth's Most Customer-Centric Company
==============================
04/12/09 13:13:00
Your name: (Real name redacted)
Dear customer support,
I have just heard that you no longer allow searches for gay/lesbian books on your website - or rather, that you have chosen to censor all results that are gay/lesbian in theme. For example, "Standish" by Erastes does no longer show up in a search, and the same happens to the other books by the same author, as well as other authors writing gay/lesbian books.
I can only assume that you find gay/lesbian sexuality to be an offense worth censoring in this way, because you are perfectly happy to sell graphic *heterosexual* content with no such impediments.
You are likely aware that the books you censor in this way are published by small press publishers and that your policy does a great amount of damage to them, and the authors of these texts.
I have been a long term customer of Amazon, and I frankly loved it. This development has shocked me badly, especially as you are perfectly happy to take my "pink pounds" when I buy dozens of books from you every month.
It appears I can now only buy new GLBT themed books in RL book shops, and I will take my business there if you do not revoke the policy. Not only will I take my business of GLBT books there, but I will buy *all* my books from other sources. I loved Amazon for many reasons, but I am not supporting a corporate that discriminates again me, my family and friends.
Kind regards,
(real name)
---------------
Their message:
Dear Customer
Thank you for contacting Customer Services at Amazon.co.uk by e-mail.
We are sorry to hear that the search ranking is removed from our website. I really understand your concern regarding this issue.
I will need to investigate this issue with our relevant department further.
As soon as we receive a response from them we will let you know. We will contact you again by April 15, 2009 with an update.
This generally takes short time and so we will contact you again with an update by 2-3 business days. Please note that this additional period will give us the time to give right solution.
Thank you for your patience and for bringing this matter to our attention.
Please let us know if this e-mail answered your question:
(customer satisfaction links removed)
Warmest regards
Murali K
Amazon.co.uk
We're Building Earth's Most Customer-Centric Company
==============================