Censoring eCommerce Press Releases: AuctionBytes vs. PeSA Shoot First Ask Questions Later, WTF?
Recently, I submitted a press release regarding the combined ECMTA Chicago Chapter/Chicagoland eBay Sellers dinner meeting coinciding with Internet Retailer Conference and Exhibition to Auctionbytes.com free service for Press Releases.
The event is open to all internet marketers, and will feature John ColderIce Lawson, CEO of 3Rd Power Outlet, Randy K. Smythe, Merchant Advocate for Buy.com, Richard Brewer-Hay editor of eBayInkBlog.com, and Scot Wingo, CEO of Channeladvisor and editor of ebaystratagies blog as guest panelists in a roundtable townhall discussion format.
Imagine my surprise when I received an email from David Steiner President of Auctionbytes denying my submission. As there was no reason for the denial given I decided to seek an answer.
I emailed David requesting a reason for the denial and this is the response I received:
It’s our policy not to accept PESA/ECMTA press releases.
OK, so I must step in here and say that yes I am personally on this press release (for disclosure purpose) so I may be a little biased…ok, more than a little.
OUCH! I had no idea that AuctionBytes has a blanket policy in place that it would not accept press release news affiliated with the eBay PowerSeller organization PeSA or the eCommerce Seller organization of ECMTA.
Personally, everyone with a blog has a right to have a “pissing contest” with anyone they want, but I do feel it is unfortunate that people like Dave and the eBay and Beyond folks have to chose sides or they will NOT be treated fairly. The AuctionBytes folks now have this blanket DOS (denial of service) based on simple “sponsorship association”. I dunno, just was shocked to see that response so open and out there about it.
I must quote the great incite of Mr. King…No silly, not Martin Luther King…Rodney King! “Can we all get along?”
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Hi John, Auctionbytes has had a disturbing behaviour for a while now. It is well know that they had personal issues with eBay for example. Ina was clearly upset about RBH getting the job; she felt it should have been her; they had run-ins with some eBay execs, and other issues. Unfortunately, the integrity of their journalism is gone, with their hate for eBay showing in almos all news and blog stories. There are several accounts of David using IP blocking for specific posters, mainly those who have positive views on eBay. No error messages; the posts simply don't show or magically disappear. Also note that they did not even report anything on the Atlanta On Location event; makes no sense. I guess Auctionbytes can afford to behave this way since they have enough monthly visitors and advertisers, but I for one refuse to do business who advertise with them. I even let a couple of these advertisers know why. I'll be the first one to say that eBay isn't perfect, but it a major force in e-commerce and GMV is still going up. I am glad you came along, with a positive approach to eCommerce; I think Auctionbytes is old and tired, and will survive catering to a specific crowd for a while, but in my view, your approach will win lots of supporters away from them. I am one of them. Keep up the great work John!
I really don't think there's any great conspiracy going on. In recent years, internal discord among members of PESA/ECTMA spilled over onto AuctionBytes, who were then accused of taking sides (by both sides). The blog/forum became a giant flame war. I suspect the “denial of service” was fallout from that. I've always found AuctionBytes to be fair and unbiased. The only anti-eBay sentiment I've seen is spouted by a horde of “regulars” who comment negatively (and quite viciously) whenever eBay is mentioned. My own posts that mention eBay in a favorable light always show up, but are decried by this crowd as being posted by an eBay employee or “ringer” of some sort. AuctionBytes itself had nothing to do with that. I believe AuctionBytes is trying to add focus to other venues in addition to eBay, possibly due to requests from this anti-eBay crowd. You can't really blame them for giving their audience what it wants.
I am not a regular poster on auctionbytes, but I am a regular reader.
I'm grateful to Ina and David for letting the world know the evils of ebay and how the have hurt so many people.
Has anyone ever thought about how all JD's changes are hurting USPS, even more than they were already hurting?
Any blog to help bring ebay down gets 5 stars from me!!
I use to refer everyone to ebay, now I refer everyone to auctionbytes!!