UK Town Starts Texting Residents To Remind Them They're Obese

Crazy Amazon Seller Threatens the Wrath of Scientology on People Who Give Negative Feedback

from the xenu-would-be-proud dept

Mon, Feb 17th 2014 8:04pm — Timothy Geigner

I have to admit, I'm kind of thankful the Church of Scientology exists. I mean, between their inability to photoshop their own rallies and their dedication to using IP laws to simultaneously silence criticism while Streisanding themselves into internet oblivion, the jokes practically write themselves. I personally know this, because whenever I see that a close friend or family member is having a bad day, I simply tap them on the shoulder, say "Church of Scientology", and then we both laugh and move on with a much better, funnier day. For me, it's the futility of it all that is so hilarious, and I'll be Xenu'd if they just can't keep making the same mistakes.

Take the story Rich Kulawiec writes us about, for instance. It apparently starts with a hapless Amazon seller called Hannah's Attic And Place accidentally offering his wares for pennies on the dollar due to an errant youngster. When some customers placed orders, they were subsequently informed that the pricing had been a mistake. This grated upon one buyer, who complained in the reviews section. And then the complainer found out that the seller was a hardy little David-Miscaviage-in-training, with all the awesome threatening behavior one would expect from such a person.

My favorite part about this letter is how it goes from zero to crazy in less than a hundred words. "First, let me apologize. Then let me tell you all about the horrific things I'm going to do to you for having an opinion!" Delightful. Here's what's most fun about this: despite nobody knowing for sure that this seller is a Scientology whackjob, despite nobody having any actual confirmation that a simple online review has resulted in attention from the infamous SeaOrg buckets of crazy, that organization has made themselves such a wonderful caricature that it all just might be possible. After all, we can be damned sure that Scientology has unleashed horrific evils on all of us before.

You bastards...

Now, while the seller has since gone to some lengths to delete everything they could from Amazon, one would think that both Amazon and law enforcement would be quite interested in folks threatening buyers. After all, the Church of Scientology might have many celebrities, and regular folks, constantly filling their coffers in exchange for having someone twist their thetans or whatever, but they've tangled with the U.S. government before and got a nice black eye over it. And to really incur retribution in America, making waves for a billion dollar corporation like Amazon ain't gonna win you any favors, either.

In the meantime, Hannah's Attic And Place (we must not forget about the place!) and their threats have gone viral, Streisanding around the interwebz to make sure everyone knows what jerks they are. That's so much more effective than the simple negative review they were trying to get taken down in the first place. Oh, Scientology, never stop being crazy.

Thank you for reading this Techdirt post. With so many things competing for everyone’s attention these days, we really appreciate you giving us your time. We work hard every day to put quality content out there for our community.

Techdirt is one of the few remaining truly independent media outlets. We do not have a giant corporation behind us, and we rely heavily on our community to support us, in an age when advertisers are increasingly uninterested in sponsoring small, independent sites — especially a site like ours that is unwilling to pull punches in its reporting and analysis.

While other websites have resorted to paywalls, registration requirements, and increasingly annoying/intrusive advertising, we have always kept Techdirt open and available to anyone. But in order to continue doing so, we need your support. We offer a variety of ways for our readers to support us, from direct donations to special subscriptions and cool merchandise — and every little bit helps. Thank you.

–The Techdirt Team

Filed Under: reviews, scientology
Companies: amazon

103 Comments

If you liked this post, you may also be interested in...

Reader Comments

Subscribe: RSS

View by: Time | Thread

That One Guy (profile), 17 Feb 2014 @ 7:18pm

What could go wrong?
Oh yeah, I can't possibly see how threatening to sic a pack of rabid wackjobs on someone over a negative review could ever backfire... /s

Still, you have to be pretty mentally deficient to belong to that group in the first place, so I'm sure he was just too clueless to realize that his army of '300' would be vastly outnumbered by the thousands of people who would hear about his laughable threat.
[ link to this | view in thread ]
scotts13 (profile), 17 Feb 2014 @ 8:12pm

Bring it on!
It might not be smart, but I would SO double-down on this guy! Now, which agencies do you report "terroristic threats" to?
[ link to this | view in thread ]
That Anonymous Coward (profile), 17 Feb 2014 @ 8:27pm

I've got 300 peons working under me but I let my kid do the real work.

Also one has to wonder if this IS the Scientology account if they are reporting the income and such correctly.
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Anonymous Coward, 17 Feb 2014 @ 9:11pm

Scientology hasn't fared so well lately. It looks like a lot of folk are wising up. It was denied its tax deductible in Canada as a religion since Canada doesn't see Scientology as a religion.

In The Netherlands, Scientology lost a court case over claimed copyright that appeared on a Dutch website. It exposes the inner workings of the church, what it's real ethics are, and how it operates. This data was sought to be denied public viewing by Scientology. The court ruled the website was lawful and the data could stay up.

Lots of this data is old data. But they have been really busy trying to remove current info on them. When you go to looking for current data, that's a pretty skimpy record. That tells me they are actively trying to censor the data that goes out to the public.

I'll be surprised if some of their nutjobs don't show up here.
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Nigel, 17 Feb 2014 @ 9:28pm

Obligatory
This never gets old.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0FrQG1aDIIs
[ link to this | view in thread ]
zip, 17 Feb 2014 @ 9:53pm

Although Scientology indoctrinates its members in some rather shocking (for a "church") precepts, such as "always attack, never defend", "If possible, of course, ruin him utterly", and "the purpose of a lawsuit is to harass" -- these scorched-earth attack strategies are intended specifically to be used against critics of Scientology, rather than as a means of settling routine, everyday disputes.

L.Ron Hubbard further detailed how cult members should treat critics of Scientology: "May be deprived of property or injured by any means by any Scientologist", "May be tricked, sued or lied to or destroyed." -- and even set up a secret "dirty tricks department" within his so-called church to carry out these policies.

The story of Scientology has always fascinated me. Hubbard was not just a lying con-man, but an evil genius whose lust for wealth was matched by his obsessive vindictiveness.
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Brian, 17 Feb 2014 @ 10:00pm

Re: Bring it on!
Terroristic? Are you serious?
[ link to this | view in thread ]
That One Guy (profile), 17 Feb 2014 @ 10:02pm

Re:
I'll be surprised if some of their nutjobs don't show up here.

Oh that would be hilarious, the posters here would have a riot of a time tearing them to pieces. Christian, Catholic, Muslim, Pastafarian, Athiest... if Scientology has one upside to it, it's that it brings people together in a shared sense of (well deserved) mockery and laughter.
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Anonymous Coward, 17 Feb 2014 @ 10:07pm

John is coming for you. Prepare yourself for a bad case of Saturday Night Fever.
[ link to this | view in thread ]
zip, 17 Feb 2014 @ 10:36pm

Re: Re:
It seems Scientology's Office of Special Affairs (OSA) rarely assigns its agents to go all-out patrolling internet discussions anymore. But when they do, it's not like the old days, when they'd spam copy-pasted dross across the internet defending their "religion" and drowning out criticism. But you can usually be sure that whenever you see a gaggle of newly-registered posters trying to subtly divert the discussion with "all religions are bad"-type posts -- they're back.

As Techdirt allows guest posting, it would seem more-easily astroturfed than sites that require registration and monitor user history.
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Strafe, 17 Feb 2014 @ 11:22pm

Re: What could go wrong?
300 versus the vast horde, eh? Funny you should say that, because after reading this e-mail I was half expecting him to say, "This is Sparta!" :-)
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Robert, 17 Feb 2014 @ 11:26pm

Re:
Never forget there are two Churches of Scientology, one for insiders and one for their victims. The insiders ruthless exploit their victims for not only their money but for their bodies and even their children's lives.
As for L Ron Hubbard, well at the end he pretty much got what he deserved, he got 'LRONDED' by his own religion. His will was change from leaving everything to his family to leaving everything to the cult and it's insiders and don't you by very strange circumstance he dropped dead the very next day after the will was changed.
The Scientology of course took special note to protect and serve the L Ron Hubbard family, psychologically enslaving them to ensure no challenges to the will, living the asthmatic dwarf and a bunch of lawyers to take over.
I leave you to guess whether that psychopath was a true believer or one of the spawn of those lawyer insiders.
[ link to this | view in thread ]
This comment has been flagged by the community. Click here to show it

vancedecker (profile), 18 Feb 2014 @ 12:09am

What would you people do with yourselves...
What would you people do with yourselves without Scientology to make you think that you are doing this great service to mankind.

Here's the thing. The scientology lady was right. She/They made a simple mistake and this dumb bitch "vomited up" negative feedback. I don't blame her/them for getting angry.
[ link to this | view in thread ]
FROGGY, 18 Feb 2014 @ 12:09am

hmm, it would take a month with 300 people to harass one guy?
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Anonymous Coward, 18 Feb 2014 @ 12:12am

I wiki'd Scientology. It seems like an abusive pyramid scheme disguised as a tax free religion. The name of their pyramid religion is misleading. There's nothing scientific about these people.
[ link to this | view in thread ]
This comment has been flagged by the community. Click here to show it

vancedecker (profile), 18 Feb 2014 @ 12:13am

Re: Re: What could go wrong?
What about the dumb bitch who left the negative review? She is just allowed to continue being a hysterical whack job?
[ link to this | view in thread ]
This comment has been flagged by the community. Click here to show it

vancedecker (profile), 18 Feb 2014 @ 12:19am

Re:
I see. You have a degree in comparative religion? Any credentials whatsoever?
[ link to this | view in thread ]
This comment has been flagged by the community. Click here to show it

vancedecker (profile), 18 Feb 2014 @ 12:20am

Re:
Sounds like Islam in many ways.
[ link to this | view in thread ]
G Thompson (profile), 18 Feb 2014 @ 12:25am

Re: What would you people do with yourselves...
You really are a 'spechal' kind of stupid aren't you!

Not related to OOTB in any way?> nah.. even he isn't that thick
[ link to this | view in thread ]
G Thompson (profile), 18 Feb 2014 @ 12:27am

Re: Re:
Here's a hint.. they are NOT a religion in Europe anymore and in fact are classified legally as a cult..

so basically having a degree in comparative religion isn't necessary.. having a degree in egotistical cultish narcissists would be better when dealing with Scientology though.
[ link to this | view in thread ]
G Thompson (profile), 18 Feb 2014 @ 12:30am

Re: Re:
We shall taunt them!

taunt them well
[ link to this | view in thread ]
This comment has been flagged by the community. Click here to show it

vancedecker (profile), 18 Feb 2014 @ 12:34am

Re: Re: What would you people do with yourselves...
Let's say this wasn't Scientology, and just some seller who was the victim of this venomous bitch.

The point is that when you make every little thing that they do a big production, it tends to make you seem like big drama queens.

You are the beliebers of scientology.
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Aaron (profile), 18 Feb 2014 @ 12:37am

I'm calling that vancedecker is actually the same guy who sent the crazy email from above. I submit as evidence:

What about the dumb bitch who left the negative review? She is just allowed to continue being a hysterical whack job?

Here's the thing. The scientology lady was right. She/They made a simple mistake and this dumb bitch "vomited up" negative feedback. I don't blame her/them for getting angry.
[ link to this | view in thread ]
This comment has been flagged by the community. Click here to show it

vancedecker (profile), 18 Feb 2014 @ 12:37am

Re: Re: Re:
I see, so everything European is gold now. Why don't you move to Europe, since apparently American constitutional rights to freedom of religion aren't good enough for you.

The founders feared the dumb masses just as the Romans did, and that's why they established a country where we were ruled laws not men.
[ link to this | view in thread ]
This comment has been flagged by the community. Click here to show it

vancedecker (profile), 18 Feb 2014 @ 12:39am

Re:
Wow! An entire post dedicated to me...

what - an - attention - whore.
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Aaron (profile), 18 Feb 2014 @ 12:40am

Re: Re:
Ah, nevermind, then. You're just a garden-variety troll. Carry on.
[ link to this | view in thread ]
zip, 18 Feb 2014 @ 12:50am

Re: Re:
It's ironic that as bad as Hubbard was, his mailboy-turned-successor, David Miscavige, is even more cruel, violent and ruthless than Hubbard ever was. Scientology's headquarters has become like a huge penal colony, with staff "disciplined" with sleep-deprivation, forced confessions, and daily beatings, and with its intense security, successful escapes have become as rare as escapes from Alcatraz.

But because it is a "religion" --a designation earned by busting the IRS's budget with thousands of simultaneous lawsuits [perhaps aided by digging up dirt and blackmailing the IRS commissioner] -- the government refuses to step in and stop the abuses.

Well, at least the forced abortions have stopped, we're told, and pregnant staff members are now allowed to give birth ... after being expelled.
[ link to this | view in thread ]
G Thompson (profile), 18 Feb 2014 @ 12:51am

Re: Re: Re: Re:
I'm not American..

ooooooh... foreigners!

I'm also not European...

ooooo

Though I probably know a fair bit more about the law, diversity, equality, and natural rights than you claim to. And calling your fellow citizens 'the dumb masses' makes you even more of an idiot than anything you have said previously.

But hey.. keep digging.. you amuse me greatly
[ link to this | view in thread ]
G Thompson (profile), 18 Feb 2014 @ 12:54am

Re:
Nah he's a troll.. Been here in TD for a long while partakes of little conversations, though what he says is remembered since well.. it's so easy to laugh at.
[ link to this | view in thread ]
G Thompson (profile), 18 Feb 2014 @ 12:55am

Re: Re: Re: What would you people do with yourselves...
ah yes Consumers have no rights in America..

My bad.. I forgot..

carry on
[ link to this | view in thread ]
G Thompson (profile), 18 Feb 2014 @ 12:58am

Re: Re:
Actually Scientology is based on fear, doubts, Ego, money, idolic subservience. Which is exactly like every monotheistic religion , especially the Abrahamic ones.. Ever!
[ link to this | view in thread ]
zip, 18 Feb 2014 @ 1:37am

Re: trolls vs clams
I agree, vancedecker seems the typical garden-variety troll -- not a Scientologist.

Scientologists are forbidden from reading "entheta" (their word for criticism about Scientology) or participating in internet discussion boards and are routinely questioned about it while hooked up to a crude lie-detector they call an e-meter. So while the number of Scientologists in the world is more than sufficient to swamp any online discussion, they don't. The posts defending Scientology (or attempting to derail critical discussions) are made by a very small group of Scientologists pre-approved for such work.

You'll notice that Scientology defenders (OSA operatives; the only ones permitted to confront "entheta") never respond directly to the topic. It's almost as if they never read it. That's because they haven't -- they're not allowed to, nor do they have the time.
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Jack Lame, 18 Feb 2014 @ 1:44am

Re: What could go wrong?
300: Wrath of Scientology? Sounds like a Scientology Spoof.

Madness? This is Scientology *Kicks*

And Tom Cruise is a shit actor.
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Dark Helmet (profile), 18 Feb 2014 @ 2:18am

Re: What would you people do with yourselves...
Hmm, looks like we've got one!
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Anonymous Coward, 18 Feb 2014 @ 3:40am

Re: Re: Re: What could go wrong?
People are allowed opinions however threatening behaviour is usually not tolerated.
[ link to this | view in thread ]
sonia, 18 Feb 2014 @ 3:51am

haha
I was laughing a lot reading the article but the comments were beyond hilarious!
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Anonymous Coward, 18 Feb 2014 @ 4:29am

Re: Re: Re: What could go wrong?
Yes.

Being a hysterical whack job leaving negative reviews is allowed.

Threatening someone the way it was done in that email is not.

Or rather: You might threaten someone that way, but don't be surprised when it comes back like a boomerang.
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Anonymous Coward, 18 Feb 2014 @ 4:55am

Re: Re: Bring it on!
I would say yes Terrorist, I have 300 scientoligists going to ruin your life if you do not do what I say.

Is this a threat of violence used in order to scare someone into doing exactly what you ask? The answer to this question is yes.
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Anonymous Coward, 18 Feb 2014 @ 5:18am

Re: What could go wrong?
Hey, be careful. It's not an army of 300, it's an army of 666 and that's a very unlucky number to cross.
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Anonymous Coward, 18 Feb 2014 @ 5:19am

Wacky Timing
So, around 8 am Eastern, as I'm getting ready to view the comments section for this article (expecting wacky hilarity), it wouldn't load (finally did circa 8:07). That made me curious, and I tried the URL for the article itself...no good there - finally 404-ed. Even greater (archly amused) curiosity ensued, and I clicked the link to Dark Helmet's account profile...same result.

Just curious(er)...was it all a horrible coinkidink, or did the Church of Squashology (Hubbard-lovers) just DoS TD?
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Sheogorath (profile), 18 Feb 2014 @ 5:44am

Here's what I'd have done

Dear Customer
Unfortunately, the prices listed on the Amazon website for our products were incorrect. We are currently working to rectify this situation, but in the meantime, are pleased to offer you a discount of a third of the official price on each of the products you selected as a goodwill gesture if you still wish to go through with your order.
Yours sincerely, Hannah's Attic and Place.

How many complaints you think the guy would have got if he'd just written something like the above to customers who'd placed orders before all this kicked off? Customer Service: it ain't just for corporations.
[ link to this | view in thread ]
John Fenderson (profile), 18 Feb 2014 @ 5:57am

Re: Re: Re: Bring it on!
I believe that's called extortion, not terrorism.
[ link to this | view in thread ]
John Fenderson (profile), 18 Feb 2014 @ 6:03am

Re:
The real problem with Scientology -- aside from it being a straight-up nasty cult, is that it tries to have it both ways. When it's advantageous to be a secular group, they're a "science" or "philosophy". When it's advantageous to be a religion, they're a religion. You can't have it both ways.
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Anonymous Coward, 18 Feb 2014 @ 6:19am

Re: Re: Re: Re:
let me guess, too poor to get any attention from scientology?
[ link to this | view in thread ]
btrussell (profile), 18 Feb 2014 @ 6:20am

Re:
"Also one has to wonder if this IS the Scientology account if they are reporting the income and such correctly."

That is what the new spread sheet was supposed to be used for. Income reporting @ pennies on the dollar.
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Anonymous Coward, 18 Feb 2014 @ 6:22am

Re: Re:
to be fair, Islam does this as well.

The Problem I see with scientology (outside of their batshit crazy story that is shameful example of how NOT to write science fiction is their infiltration of large companies, media and in some cases politics. they need to be removed from positions of influence, to prevent them from causing more damage.
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Anonymous Coward, 18 Feb 2014 @ 6:22am

Re: Re: Re: What could go wrong?
You're new to this site, aren't you? This site graciously permits hysterical whackjobs.
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Anonymous Coward, 18 Feb 2014 @ 6:26am

Re: Here's what I'd have done
yeah, customer service, I just leave this here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SibF7GIOiSU
[ link to this | view in thread ]
John Fenderson (profile), 18 Feb 2014 @ 6:32am

Re: Re: Re:
What Islam does or doesn't do is irrelevant to this discussion, but I haven't actually seen Islam do this myself.

Yes, CoS tactics are reprehensible, including their infiltration of the government and corporations.
[ link to this | view in thread ]
btrussell (profile), 18 Feb 2014 @ 6:52am

Want to buy a picture of an xbox for $500?
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Gwiz (profile), 18 Feb 2014 @ 6:54am

Re: Re: Re: What would you people do with yourselves...
Let's say this wasn't Scientology, and just some seller who was the victim of this venomous bitch.

They would also be highlighted for their incredible stupidity in the treatment of their paying customers. To claim that you are being singled out because it's Scientology only adds to the stupidity.

Here's some examples:

http://www.techdirt.com/search-g.php?num=20&q=negative+reviews+striesand&search=Sea rch
[ link to this | view in thread ]
lixo roja, 18 Feb 2014 @ 7:24am

Re: Re:
It's not about religion, it's about abuses of people and the law.
[ link to this | view in thread ]
art guerrilla (profile), 18 Feb 2014 @ 7:32am

so, not wanting to give the scum any clicky-clicks...
...what they heck are they selling for THOUSANDS online ? ? ?
[ link to this | view in thread ]
vancedecker (profile), 18 Feb 2014 @ 8:12am

Re: Re: Re: Re: What could go wrong?
I'm not new.
[ link to this | view in thread ]
This comment has been flagged by the community. Click here to show it

vancedecker (profile), 18 Feb 2014 @ 8:16am

Re: Re: Re: Re: What would you people do with yourselves...
Did you read the article or just look at the title and picture?

They apologized and explained why the mistake was made. They were very gracious about the matter, but this stupid whore decides to leave negative feedback.

Good for them, perhaps that infantile little poop head will think twice before ruining someone's reputation in the future.
[ link to this | view in thread ]
This comment has been flagged by the community. Click here to show it

jose, 18 Feb 2014 @ 8:25am

Re: What would you people do with yourselves...
Van pecker is a scientologist. Let's kill Em for fun.
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Anonymous Coward, 18 Feb 2014 @ 8:37am

Re: Re: Re: What could go wrong?
If you are a hysterical whack job that leaves a negative review that makes it obvious that you are a hysterical whack job, then you deserve all the ridicule that comes with that. However if you are a hysterical whack job that responds to the previous hysterical whack job's negative review with threats that reveal that you are an even bigger hysterical whack job you also deserve all the ridicule that comes with that. If you act on those threats you deserve to be prosecuted for it.
[ link to this | view in thread ]
This comment has been flagged by the community. Click here to show it

The Millionaire Mailer, 18 Feb 2014 @ 8:38am

about the letter
Wow he threaten then and said i can get another account but can you get another life. It is not that serious but some people are still grown children and that is one of them. what i see is him saying if you don't stop complaining i will get revenge so do what i say are you will pay dearly.These spoiled grown children need to grow up and mature by doing some self checking.
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Anonymous Coward, 18 Feb 2014 @ 8:44am

Now here's a Deathmatch I'd like to watch...
This nutcase and hid 300 Scientology peons vs. Todd Ramos and his 600 peons.

In the immortal words of Mills Lane...

"Let's get it on!"
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Anonymous Coward, 18 Feb 2014 @ 8:45am

Re: Now here's a Deathmatch I'd like to watch...
*his
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Anonymous Coward, 18 Feb 2014 @ 8:52am

Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: What would you people do with yourselves...
You're still failing to explain (intentionally, of course) why it's okay to go on a insane threatening tirade just because a "stupid whore" (yeah, you're clearly rational) left some bad feedback.
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Anonymous Coward, 18 Feb 2014 @ 8:52am

Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: What would you people do with yourselves...
You're still failing to explain (intentionally, of course) why it's okay to go on a insane threatening tirade just because a "stupid whore" (yeah, you're clearly rational) left some bad feedback.
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Anonymous Coward, 18 Feb 2014 @ 8:52am

Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: What would you people do with yourselves...
And if they had just apologized, even if they politely refused to honor the transaction, and politely requested that the negative review be removed, all would be fine. The person who left the review would be the jerk, and they would occupy the high ground. But fools like this are not that bright and lack the ability to heed Mark Twain's sage advise.
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Gwiz (profile), 18 Feb 2014 @ 8:56am

Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: What would you people do with yourselves...
They apologized and explained why the mistake was made.

As they should. So far so good.

They were very gracious about the matter...

Well, except for being threatening douchbags about the negative review. That's a perfect example of how not to do customer service really.

...but this stupid whore decides to leave negative feedback.

And it is her prerogative to give her opinion. Just like it's my prerogative to give my opinion of you and your comments - you are being an even a bigger douchbag for supporting this type of behavior from anyone, let alone someone who wants my business.

Good for them, perhaps that infantile little poop head will think twice before ruining someone's reputation in the future.

Hannah's Attic And Place has done that all by themselves. One negative review isn't anything very notable at all. On the other hand, threatening people who post a negative review is very newsworthy. Don't blame the user because Hannah's Attic And Place reacted in the worst possible way and ruined their reputation all on their own.

Side Note: You may want to curtail your insults of this person who posted the review. Your comments are bordering on libelous. Just some friendly advice.
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Arthur, 18 Feb 2014 @ 8:56am

Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: What would you people do with yourselves...
"Ruining someone's reputation"? WTF? You must be a Scientologist because you can't think clearly.

A negative review does not "ruin someone's reputation". Never has, never will.

Responding to a negative review by whackjob threats from "Scientology OSA" is what will definitely ruin someone's reputation. They did it to themselves.

Of course, Scientologists cannot and will not see this, and that's good - more entertainment for the rest of us.
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Anonymous Coward, 18 Feb 2014 @ 9:02am

Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: What would you people do with yourselves...
The Scientologists already ruined their own reputation which he brought into the discussion, not her. At that point, there was nothing really to be damaged.
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Anonymous Coward, 18 Feb 2014 @ 9:03am

Re: Re: Re: Re: What could go wrong?
Yes of course. We find them very entertaining.
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Deranged Poster (profile), 18 Feb 2014 @ 10:00am

Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: What could go wrong?
case in point of allowing hysterical whackjobs.
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Anonymous Coward, 18 Feb 2014 @ 10:11am

Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: What could go wrong?
Ever watch a cat playing with a cockroach?
[ link to this | view in thread ]
DogBreath, 18 Feb 2014 @ 10:11am

Re: Obligatory
Personally, I prefer this, instead of Scientology.
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Anonymous Coward, 18 Feb 2014 @ 10:30am

Re: Re: Re:
How about simply having common fucking sense?
[ link to this | view in thread ]
btrussell (profile), 18 Feb 2014 @ 10:33am

Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: What would you people do with yourselves...
Not that I agree with this letter, but you did miss a step, according to the letter.

"A mistake was made. Twenty purchases were made before mistake was caught. Most realized it was a mistake and accepted the apology, except you..."
Not verbatim.

It appears an apology was offered then this person posted a rant giving a bad review because the apology was not good enough.

In btrussell Country, both parties are coonts.

Want to buy a picture of an xbox for $500? Or should I assume something that sells for thousands is actually being sold for $1?
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Anonymous Coward, 18 Feb 2014 @ 10:35am

Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: What would you people do with yourselves...
"infantile little poop head"

Did you just use a 3-year-old's insult? I guess you told her. ROFLOL! She must be really scared now.
[ link to this | view in thread ]
John85851 (profile), 18 Feb 2014 @ 11:37am

Crazy people shouldn't be sellers
Putting aside the issue of whether the guy is telling the truth or if he's even in Scientology, the main issue is that he shouldn't be an Amazon seller in the first place.

He was doing so well with the first few paragraphs- just apologize for the mistake and nicely ask the customer to forgive it and remove the bad review.
But then he goes crazy with threats... and from the look of the screen shot, it seems like this was a *public* posting? What kind of crazy is that? Why didn't he at least send that in a private e-mail?
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Anonymous Coward, 18 Feb 2014 @ 11:44am

Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: What could go wrong?
If you aren't, that makes it worse because you should know better.
[ link to this | view in thread ]
jrennat (profile), 18 Feb 2014 @ 12:25pm

Re: Re: What could go wrong?
What the fuck did you just fucking say about me, you little shit? Ill have you know I graduated top of my class in Sea Org, and Ive been involved in numerous secret raids on Anon, and I have over 300 confirmed kills. I am trained in ABLE (Association for Better Living and Education) and Im the top Auditor in all the Galactic Confederacy! You are nothing to me but just another Pre-Clear Thetan I will wipe you the fuck out with precision the likes of which has never been seen before on this Teegeeack. mark my fucking words. You think you can get away with saying that shit to me over the Internet? Think again, fucker. As we speak I am contacting my secret network of spies across the USA and your IP is being traced right now so you better prepare for the storm, maggot. The storm that wipes out the pathetic little thing you call your life. Youre fucking dead, kid. I can be anywhere, anytime, and I can kill you in over seven hundred ways, and thats just with my bare hands. Not only am I extensively trained in unarmed combat, but I have access to the entire arsenal of the Religious Technology Center and I will use it to its full extent to wipe your miserable ass off the face of the continent, you little shit. If only you could have known what unholy retribution your little clever comment was about to bring down upon you, maybe you would have held your fucking tongue. But you couldnt, you didnt, and now youre paying the price, you goddamn idiot. I will shit fury all over you and you will drown in it. Youre fucking dead, kiddo.
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Anonymous Coward, 18 Feb 2014 @ 12:31pm

Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: What would you people do with yourselves...
Company advertises "deals" and then backs out do to a "mistake" by their child (at least they didn't blame it on the dog eating the internet 'tubes'...).

In common terms this would be considered a bait and switch in most cases. Other large companies that have had similar issues have dealt with things in their own ways, some honor the deals even though they are losing money to preserver their customer friendly reputation, others who don't care about their reputation refuse to honor the deals and they deal with the negative publicity from those customers who are not happy about things.

As to the deals being offered being "pennies on the dollar", while most people would understand that this is probably a mistake (like the airline flights that were sold for less than $10 when the airlines had issues), some people may have just assumed that this was the "Scientology firesale... everything must go before the religion/cult/organization/group shut down for good" (or they may have been hoping this was the case).
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Anonymous Coward, 18 Feb 2014 @ 12:42pm

Re: Re: Re: Re: Bring it on!
Considering the current politics of 'make things up if you can't hide them', calling extortion terrorism probably fits in, sadly.
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Anonymous Coward, 18 Feb 2014 @ 1:03pm

Re: Re: Re: What could go wrong?
I would have added "in the time-space continuum" to the "I can be anywhere, anytime" part. Still +1 funny to you.
[ link to this | view in thread ]
John Fenderson (profile), 18 Feb 2014 @ 1:28pm

Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: What would you people do with yourselves...
"In common terms this would be considered a bait and switch in most cases."

It's clearly a mistake and not a bait-and-switch scheme. In cases like this, the advertiser has zero obligation -- legally or ethically -- to adhere to the mistaken terms. Indeed, most don't. I see flyers all the time in grocery stores about erroneous advertised prices and how the store won't be honoring them.

The person who wrote the review was a nutjob, there's no question about it. However, just like if you hold a floodlight right next to a candle means you won't see the candle, the luminosity of the seller's nutjobbery is so much greater that the reviewer is, in comparison, of no importance whatsoever.
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Alan, 18 Feb 2014 @ 1:29pm

Re: Zip
"Although Scientology indoctrinates its members in some rather shocking (for a 'church') precepts, such as 'always attack, never defend', 'If possible, of course, ruin him utterly', and 'the purpose of a lawsuit is to harass' -- these scorched-earth attack strategies are intended specifically to be used against critics of Scientology, rather than as a means of settling routine, everyday disputes."

Heck, you could say that about gay activists.
Not gay people, gay activists. They're the worst.
I am fairly confident that this post will arouse some pretty hysterical responses.
[ link to this | view in thread ]
vancedecker (profile), 18 Feb 2014 @ 2:24pm

Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: What would you people do with yourselves...
because sometimes you've got to threaten people with physical violence before they will stop doing evil shit.
[ link to this | view in thread ]
This comment has been flagged by the community. Click here to show it

vancedecker (profile), 18 Feb 2014 @ 2:26pm

Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: What would you people do with yourselves...
Excuse me?! Borderline Libelous!? That little bitch ought to be punched in her grimy little face for leaving that negative review! Stupid cunt.
[ link to this | view in thread ]
vancedecker (profile), 18 Feb 2014 @ 2:30pm

Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: What would you people do with yourselves...
OMG! What is it with you people and Scientology?!

It's like a mania or something. You are obsessed with them.

I bet you assholes are now going to Amazon to leave negative reviews. That's called libel.

I hope at least one or two of you gets caught and sued.
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Niall (profile), 18 Feb 2014 @ 3:00pm

Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: What would you people do with yourselves...
One bad review on Amazon is 'evil shit' that deserves physical violence? You need some perspective!

Oh wait, it's 'Murica, land of shooting people for texting and throwing popcorn.
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Niall (profile), 18 Feb 2014 @ 3:02pm

Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: What would you people do with yourselves...
Now you sound like the average teabagger, only dumber.
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Anonymous Coward, 18 Feb 2014 @ 3:05pm

Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: What would you people do with yourselves...
BTW, where exactly did he threaten them with physical violence? You seem to have a reading comprehension problem. I suspect it stems from a sub-par understanding of the English language because you keep using words that you obviously don't know what they mean.
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Anonymous Coward, 18 Feb 2014 @ 3:07pm

Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: What would you people do with yourselves...
What a petulant, angry little troll.
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Anonymous Coward, 18 Feb 2014 @ 3:13pm

HELP ME, TOM CRUISE!
[ link to this | view in thread ]
BeeAitch (profile), 18 Feb 2014 @ 4:46pm

Re: Re: Re: What would you people do with yourselves...
Tom Cruise! Is it reeeaaallly You? /swoon
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Anonymous Coward, 18 Feb 2014 @ 4:54pm

Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: What would you people do with yourselves...
And what do you call your collection of glowing remarks on this thread? Pretty sure they're negative. That's called libel! Shall we expect you to be caught and sued?
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Anonymous Coward, 18 Feb 2014 @ 5:01pm

Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: What would you people do with yourselves...
Because you obviously don't know what libel is I'll explain that to you too. Libel is written declarations of fact about another person that are not only false but defamatory. Opinions are not statements of facts and therefore are not libel. Most of the insults hurled here are opinions and therefore not libel, however when you called her a whore, that could be interpreted as a claim that she had engaged in illegal acts of prostitution as that is literally what defines what a whore is. By making the claim that she is a whore, if indeed she has never committed such acts, that could possibly be considered libel. So the warning given to you that your insults were borderline libel was indeed accurate. Now that you know what libel actually is, please explain your contention that the others here have been libelous.
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Sunhawk (profile), 18 Feb 2014 @ 11:41pm

Re: Re: Re: Re: Bring it on!
In today's absurdity over the word "terrorism"... why not both? :-p
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Sunhawk (profile), 18 Feb 2014 @ 11:42pm

Re: Re:
It truly is heartwarming indeed how Scientology, the Westboro Baptist Church and others of that ilk can bring us all together...

... in our mutual loathing and/or mocking.
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Sunhawk (profile), 18 Feb 2014 @ 11:47pm

Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: What would you people do with yourselves...
because sometimes you've got to threaten people with physical violence before they will stop doing evil shit.

Yeah, no. You do not threaten violence in response to someone's harmless (even if hysterical or absurd) speech.

How is a silly review evil? Particularly in comparison to an implied threat of bodily or financial 'destruction'.
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Sunhawk (profile), 18 Feb 2014 @ 11:55pm

Re: Re:
A nice bit of reversed appeal to authority there to go with your appeal to ignorance?

I'm thinking they don't need one to state their opinion on the matter.

And while I don't have a degree relating to religion or philosophy, I *do* have a solid understanding of both the scientific method and proper validation, and Scientology is full of bullshit pretending to be scientific.
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Sunhawk (profile), 18 Feb 2014 @ 11:59pm

Re: about the letter
Amusingly, the seller's financial contacts are known by Amazon (so they know where payment goes)... which gives a nice trail for the authorities if they were inclined to consider this an actionable threat if/when the reviewer makes a complaint about it. And oh man, if there's *any* appearance of maliciousness that targets the reviewer... well, we've got threats, we've got action; that's enough to start an investigation.

So the seller is kinda risking *their* life, in a manner of speaking.
[ link to this | view in thread ]
btrussell (profile), 19 Feb 2014 @ 2:19am

Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: What would you people do with yourselves...
"You do not threaten violence in response to someone's harmless (even if hysterical or absurd) speech."

"California cops Taser deaf man, beat him into unconsciousness as he tries to use sign language"
http://www.nydailynews.com/news/national/california-cops-taser-deaf-man-unconscious-communi cate-article-1.1618103

Time to start setting the example. Top down.
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Thomas Miller, 19 Feb 2014 @ 5:35am

Perfect Amazon Item for sending to the Seller
http://www.amazon.com/Kulturmeister-K-003-Notorious-Serial-Killers/dp/B007OCAVLK
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Anonymous Coward, 21 Feb 2014 @ 7:34am

Re: Re: Re:
Say what? Fear? You do realize that many Christians die for their faith so I don't see any fear there. But hey, don't let the facts get in the way of your lies.

BTW, do you know who the 3 largest mass murderers were in the last 100+ years? Not a Christian among them. I guess you non-Christians are just swell people?
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Anonymous Coward, 24 Feb 2014 @ 6:52am

Reading this reminded me of that song called "The science of lies" from Demon Hunter. Pretty much describes what scientology really is.
[ link to this | view in thread ]
anonabuns, 26 Feb 2014 @ 1:57am

Re: Re: Re: Re:
I guess Hitler doesn't make the top 3 then...Christianity FTW!
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Anonymous Coward, 3 Mar 2014 @ 8:04pm

Re: Re: Re: Re:
Do what we say or go burn in HELL! God loves you, but you will BURN in Satan's fires for all eternity!

Nope, no fear in Christianity!
[ link to this | view in thread ]