Pro-Kerry Hackers Attack Barnes and Noble? And Now Amazon, too?

Human Events Online ^ | August 10, 2004 | Human Events

[jimbo123]

So Amazon.com is using the Sandy Bergeler defense. I just cancelled my order with them and will buy it from Buy.com instead.

[Jenya]

I just got the lowdown from an Amazon person. It seems somebody submitted revised editorial information on the book, and the info was posted without confirmation that it came from the publisher. Once calls started flooding in, Amazon pulled the McCain quote. They say it was a blunder, not a sign of bias, and I'm inclined to believe it.

I don't buy it. It doesn't pass the smell test. Who is this "somebody" who submitted editorial information on the book? McCain's quote about the Swiftboat ad was pilfered. The Amazons knew their bottom line was taking a hit, so they removed it.

BAGGED. I'll still take my business elsewhere. They've lost my trust.

[Jenya]

Congratulations Freepers! We did it again. Slime-fest, Barnes & Noble and now Amazon.

We're gooooood.

[boxerblues]

I actually got a reply from Barnes & Noble

Dear Customer,

Thank you for writing with your concern regarding the erroneous book cover image for Unfit for Command.

We assure you that our website was never "hacked," as incorrectly reported by some organizations. All credit card information entered at Barnes & Noble.com is adequately protected by encryption, and is unrelated to the posted article you may have read.

The erroneous book image to which you refer was caused by a simple human error, not a computer error. As you may know, Barnes & Noble.com carries over one million book titles. We pride ourselves on the accuracy of our book database, striving to make a tremendous selection of merchandise available to our customers. On rare occasion, a mistake
may be made by publishers, authors or reviewers. We make our best effort to correct errors on a timely basis. Upon discovery of the problem with the title to which you refer, we took immediate steps to post the accurate book cover image. You may visit the corrected page at:

http://search.barnesandnoble.com/booksearch/isbnInquiry.asp?isbn=0895260
174

Please note that any orders for the above book "Unfit for Command" would have shipped correctly, had you placed an order.

Visit www.bn.com and click on the options that appear in the upper right-hand corner to view information about your order.

We look forward to your next visit.


Sincerely,

Marylee
Customer Service Representative
Barnes & Noble.com
http://www.bn.com/

[Jenya]

The erroneous book image to which you refer was caused by a simple human error, not a computer error.

That's a pantload. The pictures for their products are scanned onto their website. So what happened...the picture and the Un in Unfit was altered during this process?

I think the human who made this error should be sh*tcanned.

[StoneFury]

The erroneous book image to which you refer was caused by a simple human error...

Their 'explanation' really explains nothing. How is it simple human error to go through the trouble of making a fake book cover pic, and replacing the original cover pic, AND also change the book title in the text?

[DaBroasta]

The erroneous book image to which you refer was caused by a simple human error, not a computer error.

I can accept the excuse that a simple human (read: RAT activitist) caused the error.

[boxerblues]

The excuse they gave is really lame. On the thread yesterday about Amazon another freeper got a reply stating that, that was the digital image that was sent to them, this after the original had been on there site for a while. they really think we are that dumb.

[JosephW]

I've done pre-release comments for book for Amazon. What has happened does not surprise me in the least as they try to get multiple feedbacks prior to publication for many books.

I'm inclined to believe them based upon my actual experiences. I don't know if the company is conservative or liberal (I suspect liberal), but they seem to keep their politics to themselves and I won't avoid them over what truly appears to be a misfortunate occurance (that they didn't do themselves).

[tdadams]

The McCain quote referenced above has now been removed from the Amazon reviews for Unfit for Command.

Seems someone at Amazon has an agenda.