How not to treat your customers

[the_ultimate_evil]

I got an incredible email today from a Penny Arcade reader. Dave shared with me an email chain between him and Ocean Marketing (the folks behind the Avenger controller) Trust me when I tell you that this is one wild ride. I’m serious, Mr. Toad would look at this ride and just give a slow clap while shaking his head. I have tried to arrange this as best I can in chronological order. I’ve also removed email addresses and other private information. So let’s just jump right in, here is Dave’s first mail to Ocean Marketing:

From: Dave
To: Ocean Marketing
Dec 16, 2011, at 1:34 PM

I ordered 2 of the upcoming PS3 controllers (invoice xxxxxxxxx—Nov 3, 2011). Any chance of getting an update of when these items will ship? I’m not really happy about being forced to pay upfront then have the advertised date of “Early December” be completely missed without any sort of update on availability. I really need one of them for a X-mas present as well. Anyways, looking forward to finally using one of these bad boys. Thanks and happy holidays.

-Dave

From: Ocean Marketing
To: Dave
Dec 16, 2011 2:45 PM

Dec 17

- Paul Christoforo

From: Dave
To: Ocean Marketing
Dec 19, 2011, at 11:02 AM

Thanks for the reply Paul. Can you clarify whether my particular order already sent or if Dec 17 was the first day shipments went out? I have not received any sort of shipping confirmation email or tracking information.

From: Ocean Marketing
To: Dave
Dec 19, 2011 11:21 AM

They still haven’t shipped yet on the way here from china

From: Dave
To: Ocean Marketing
Dec 20, 2011 4:29 PM

So then delivery to customer doors by December 24th is no longer likely correct? Do you have an estimated date of when units will arrive in California? Thanks.

From: Ocean Marketing
To: Dave
Dec 20, 2011 5:11 PM

They are in the USA now in customs so its wither before or after Christmas.

From: Dave
To: Ocean Marketing
Dec 26, 2011, at 9:47 AM

I noticed the updated info on the webpage, and I don’t understand why there is absolutely no benefit given to those like me who have already ordered, and paid their money. You’ve had my money interest free for nearly two months, yet now ANY new order will get $10 off….meaning I should just cancel my order for 2 controllers, get my money back, then re-order.

My other questions is regarding item compatibility. Ocean Marketing seems to be involved with the Xtendplay controller holder, so I was wondering if the Avenger N-Controller can be used in conjunction with the Xtendplay (for both Xbox and PS3)? Thanks

From: Ocean Marketing
To: Dave
Dec 26, 2011 10:14 AM

Yes it can be used with xtend play if you remove the stand and no one is allowed to cancel and re order if we catch anyone doing it we will simply just cancel your order all together and you can buy it retail somewhere else.

Things happen in manufacturing if your unhappy you have 7 days from the day your item ships for a refund. You placed a pre order just like any software title the gets a date moved due to the tweaks and bugs not being worked out and GameStop or any other place holds your cash and im sure you don’t complain to activision or epic games so put on your big boy hat and wait it out like everyone else. The benefit is a token of our appreaciation for everyone no one is special including you or any first time buyer . Feel free to cancel we need the units were back ordered 11,000 units so your 2 will be gone fast. Maybe I’ll put them on eBay for 150.00 myself. Have a good day Dan.

At this point Dave is (I think) understandably frustrated. His next email is sent to me as well as Kotaku and a few other news sites.

-Gabe

From: Dave
To: Ocean Marketing
Dec 26, 2011 12:11 PM

Then cancel my order if you want to. I’m making a legitimate complaint about your poor communication and you’re the one stooping to childish levels, a patronizing attitude, and threats. Hell you can’t even get the spelling of my name right.

And Gamespot pre-orders…wow what a terrible comparison. Retailers take a couple dollars IF THAT for you to guarantee your game availability on the release date, whatever that is. That’s the understanding and that’s what you get. Plus, I don’t have to complain to Activision or Epic games about these issues because they’re usually not missing the street dates for their AAA titles.

Now let’s take YOUR situation:
1) You’ve promised a new product based off the design for an existing, working product
2) For the longest time, you’ve stated on your website (your failure to update regularly is another issue) the initial/special/limited batch of your new product by early December, obviously in time for the all-important holiday gift-giving season. I and thousands of other customers GIVE YOU OUR MONEY, INTEREST FREE on the promises you made online.
3) I reach out to you, on Dec 16 (AFTER you have FAILED TO MEET YOUR ADVERTISED DEADLINE AND FAILED TO COMMUNICATE TO ANYONE WHAT THE SITUATION IS) obviously a little frustrated but more curious about when I and other customers can expect the product we paid for.
4) Your reply to me is a cryptic “Dec 17” with absolutely no explanation of what that means. In the mean time you having been using funds from pre-paid customers to complete Research & Development, product redesigns, and manufacturing mis-steps.
5) You force me to follow-up with an email asking for clarification about what “Dec 17” means since the day has passed and I have yet to receive any new information about my order. Now you instead of ANSWERING MY QUESTION OF WHAT THE NEW DELIVERY DATE IS, you tell me the goods have yet to leave China… Why are you telling me this? I’m not your employee I’m your goddamn customer! TELL ME WHAT THAT MEANS IN TERMS OF MY TIME AND WHEN I CAN EXPECT MY PRODUCT I PAID FOR.
6) So great…I have to email you AGAIN trying to get a CLEAR answer from you whether a Dec 24th delivery date is possible and if not, what the new date is. Rinse & repeat: You give me an update of the delivery process (wow, thanks…you haven’t told me anything I don’t know about the order of international shipping procedures) but instead say “...so its wither before or after Christmas.” WHAT THE HELL DOES THAT MEAN? GIVE ME A DATE!? One that you’re actually going to follow, because I already see “late Nov to early Dec”; “Dec 17”; and now “CHRISTMAS” in my rear-view mirror.
7) So I guess what’s left for me to do but just wait? Oh but what’s this, you’ve updated your website…Ok at least you’ve clarified the dates more, I can expect my controller my latest first week of January. But now as a “token of our appreciation” to all your “loyal customers” (you mean like customers who put up cash for you hold an use?) you’re giving a $10 coupon. Let me get this straight…so you held my money interest free for 2 months to help bring this product to market, and now some new customer can place an order and pay $10 less than what I paid? You have financially penalized me in two ways for being a “LOYAL CUSTOMER.”

I’m SURE you’re getting tons of other inquiries and I’m sure you’re not enjoying the fact that your product is not out when you wanted it to be. I and everyone else understands that “***** happens,” but if you want us to be understanding of that, then you need to keep us in the loop. You’ve already set yourself up for failure by making explicit promises that aren’t even “likely” given that the design and manufacturing are still be refined. Then you make sure you’re going to fail by actually taking all of our money, Not just a little bit….THE WHOLE *****IN BEEFALO. Why wouldn’t we trust that you’re going to deliver our merchandise on time? Besides…it’s based off an existing product so how hard can it be? Well as your youtube video shows, making any consumer device is hard and requires many iterations and improvements. But I’m not going to apologize for holding your feet to the fire. You created these expectations by acting like the release was already a done deal and by hiding the fact that it was faaaar from it.

I want my two n-controllers. I 1) PAID FOR THEM 2) WAITED 3) DEALT WITH YOUR UNHELPFUL ASS. I also didn’t want to feel like my trust and loyalty as a customer was being abused and then actually punished in comparison to other customers. But I guess we can’t have it all… so right now I’ll settle for getting my merchandise and hopefully never having to deal with you again. I’ve spent enough time writing this email which I hope you gain some insight from. If you actually do want to screw me over by not fulfilling my order, then I assure you be hearing more from me or people representing me.

You show a surprising lack of business polish for someone who’s quite established, AND an lack of awareness of your customer base: Hardcore gamers. We’re a demanding, vocal customer but the flip side is we’re loyal and eager to spend. It’s lucky for you that I really want this product because it seems really deliver on making the gaming experience more effective and enjoyable. Hell, I want to combine the aventer-controller with the xtend play to make the ugliest, most comfortable, most awesome controller ever. And I’ll still buy the xtend, so let that be a testament to your products, the rise above your poor representation.

-DAVE with a V

p.s. You look really *****y be having one youtube video complaining about the noise of traffic next to your home and then another video showing off your obnoxiously loud rice rocket (which is nice, I gotta hand it ya).

p.p.s. Welcome to the internet, *****. That’s how I roll.

From: Ocean Marketing
To: Dave
Dec 26, 2011 2:19 PM

LOL Thanks for the Free PR I know the Editor N Chief of Kotaku , IGN , Engadget I’ll be meeting them at CES .The noise complaint was for people high up on the food chain in a corporate world of real estate you have no clue about. Thanks for the Rice Rocket Compliment too love me some motorcycle . Send that over to Engadget you look like a complete moron swearing and sending your customer service complaints to a magazine as if they will post it or even pay attention do you think you’re the first or the last what are they going to do demand us to tell you were your shipment is or ask for a refund on your behalf … Really ... Welcome to the Internet ? Son Im 38 I wwebsite as on the internet when you were a sperm in your daddys balls and before it was the internet, thanks for the welcome to message wurd up. Grow up you look like a complete child bro. I Don’t have my controller so im gonna cry to the world … Really ?? Hey take that free time and do something more productive. All you had to do was check the like everyone else , people have inquired but you’re the *****iest of them all J

To all our pre-order customers looking for information on the status of their orders after a busy couple of months The PS3 Avengers are on their way from our Manufacturing plant overseas. We are aware that everyone is anticipating having their Avengers under their Christmas Tree and were doing our best to get these orders shipped out as fast as possible. We appreciate you as loyal customers and for supporting our company. Customers will start receiving their products this week before Christmas and After Christmas and into the New Year. As a token of our appreciation we are offering all our pre-order customers and new customers 10$ off your next order with us just enter Avenger1001 at Checkout. Thank you and Happy Holidays!

Oh and FYI When a street date gets pushed by a publisher on a video game you pre ordered do you cry to them too ?

You just got told ***** … welcome to the real internet check kotaku in 2 weeks when they are reviewing free PS3 Avengers we send them as well as G4 and all the other majors hell yeah , don’t forget to check Amazon, gamestop.com, play n trade , Myers , Frys and a ton of other local stores coming your way you think you speak for billions son your just a kid you speak for yourself no one cares what you think that’s why were growing and moving 20-50 thousand controllers a month. We do value our customers but sometimes we get children like you we just have to put you in the corner with your im stupid hat on. See you at CES , E3 , Pax East ….? Oh wait you have to ask mom and pa dukes your not an industry professional and you have no money on snap you just got told.

The Pax East comment gets my attention and I decide to engage. I tend to have a calming effect on these sorts of arguments.

-Gabe

From: Mike Krahulik
To: Dave, Ocean Marketing
Dec 26, 2011 at 8:45 PM

Holy **** this is unbelievable. Dave, if this guy has a booth at Pax east we will cancel it.

From: Dave
To: Mike Krahulik
Dec 26, 2011 at 8:53 PM

Hey thanks Mike. It’s truly a shame because I think this device is great for gamers with disabilities and problems. I think of Child’s Play and if anyone’s gonna need greater accessibility when using complicated gamepads…it’s sick kids! **** man, I’m really gonna feel bad if I think that sick children may somewhere down the line have fewer avenger controllers because I got into a pissing match with a sad old man. Please don’t cancel their booth on my account. As much as I hate this *******, I still WANT his product and think it should be out there. GAH, I wish I was in a position to make a competing product to really stick it to guy.

From: Ocean Marketing
To: Mike Krahulik
Dec 26, 2011 at 8:54 PM

Hey Mikey,

We’re not renting a booth at pax east this year , bigger and better shows to be at we got nothing from the show . Oh so you know this guy has sold over 500 thousand dollars of product in Dec and is my main distribution arm landing us in GameStop , fry’s , Myers , Best buy , Activision , MLG , play N trade and a lot more . Were in 6 countries and you’re not going to take my money for a booth that’s a crock I can guarantee I’ll get a booth if I want one money buys a lot and connections go even further. He’s a native Bostonian from Little Italy . Who are you again ?

Oh Teh Noes!

-Gabe

From: Mike Krahulik
To: Ocean Marketing
Dec 26, 2011 at 9:08 PM

I am mike krahulik, Pax is my show. Feel free to google me=) I can promise you that you will never have space at any future Pax event.

From: Ocean Marketing
To: Mike Krahulik
Dec 26, 2011 at 9:33 PM

OK Mike whatever you say lol , are you sure hour not in Boston I spoke to the person who ran the show in Boston last year. If you let some little kid influence you over a pre order then we don’t want to be a your show ,Ill be on the floor anyway so come find me , I’m born and raised in Boston I know the people who run the city inside and out watch the way you talk to people you never know who they know it’s a small industry and everyone knows everyone. Your acting like a *****bag not that it matters pax east pax west , e3 , CES , Gamer Con , SSXW ,Comic Con, Germany I’m all over the place. If we want to be there we will be there with industry badges or with a booth you think I can’t team up with turtle beach , Callibur or Koy Christmas , I can’t get Kevin Kelly to pull some strings or G4 , Paul Eibler Ex CEO of take 2 , Rich Larocco Konami , Cliff Blizinski Epic who were working with on a gears version , Activision who were working with on a MW3 and Spider man Bundle , The Convention Center Owners themselves , Mayor of Boston come on Bud you run a show that’s all you do and lease a center in Cities you have no pull in its all about who you know not what you do. I’ll see space where ever I want , with who I want when I want and where I want so many ways around you and so many connections in this industry its silly. Anyway , I have no issue with you Sean Buckley Engadget, Scott Lowe IGN and the list goes on and on. Little kids unhappy with a PRE ORDER starting trouble and you email that to us , he’s a customer unless you’re his boyfriend then you should side with the company not the customer. Be Careful

From: Mike Krahulik
To: Ocean Marketing
Dec 26, 2011 at 9:40 PM

I do run Pax, but I also run a website called penny arcade. It’s kinda popular.

From: Ocean Marketing
To: Mike Krahulik
Dec 26, 2011 at 9:41 PM

Love penny Arcade !!

From: Mike Krahulik
To: Ocean Marketing
Dec 26, 2011 at 9:42 PM

I’m glad you like it! You will be on it tomorrow

From: Ocean Marketing
To: Mike Krahulik
Dec 26, 2011 at 9:46 PM

Great !! Love PR

From: Ocean Marketing
To: Mike Krahulik
Dec 26, 2011 at 9:46 PM

Mike I’m not trying to fight with you I’m really not , you should give me the benefit of the doubt before judging over one person’s *****ing . Did I feed into his emails a little bit too much yeah ok . But it’s one person dude for real. No disrespect intended for you , My name is good in this industry and I know a lot of people. I’ll be at CES are you going ?

From: Mike Krahulik
To: Ocean Marketing
Dec 26, 2011 at 9:47 PM

Please remove me from this mailing list

From: Ocean Marketing
To: Mike Krahulik
Dec 26, 2011 at 9:57 PM

Your spamming me you’re not on a mailing list you idiot ! You sent me an email remember . Make sure you stir up a lot of controversy about us the more the better we needed some drama gets good blood flow going about the new product launch . Your sites amateur at best my son could put together a better site than yours and you run PAX ?? Wow , Ill put my marketing team on a smear campaign of you and your site and your emails , I have about 125 dedicated people to run PR , Blogs , Articles , Videos you have no clue who I am . Thanks again

I can’t wait for the Penny Arcade smear campaign!

Oh and I’ll just leave this here:

-Gabe out

http://penny-arcade.com/resources/just-wow1.html

anyone else read this i seen it over at penny arcade

not a great idea when your product hasn't even his mass retail yett:

 

[Thebumwhowalks]

anyone else read this

no frickin chance, haha. too much, just too much.

 

[hopefuldreamer]

So, what's the name of the guy sending the actual emails from Ocean Marketing? And is there a picture of him online anywhere?

... because i'd really really like to put the *****e to the face!

How can anyone that stupid be succeeding... I mean, does he have a crack team of managers that just made the mistake of letting him be in charge of emails and are now kicking themselves?

 

[Lasirius]

Sounds an awful lot like DirectTV customer service.

 

[StrainedEyes]

So, what's the name of the guy sending the actual emails from Ocean Marketing? And is there a picture of him online anywhere?

... because i'd really really like to put the *****e to the face!

How can anyone that stupid be succeeding... I mean, does he have a crack team of managers that just made the mistake of letting him be in charge of emails and are now kicking themselves?

Here is the company's (his) Twitter account, with pic: https://twitter.com/#!/OceanStratagy

 

[StrainedEyes]

In business, it's probably save to universally say that treating your customers right is important. When they pay for a product or service, they expect to get what they paid for; if something goes wrong, they expect to be able to get reasonable answers. In other words, they expect the exact opposite of what Ocean Marketing has done in handling a complaint.

As revealed in an email thread posted on Penny Arcade today, a customer named Dave placed an order for two PS3 Avenger controllers (pictured above) -- essentially a modified controller that would allow for disabled gamers to use the system's triggers. Despite being charged the entire amount upfront in early November, the "early December" release date came and went with Dave receiving no word on when the controllers would ship. After receiving a cryptic reply from Ocean Marketing's Paul Christoforo which simply read "Dec 17," Dave traded emails with the increasingly rude and unhelpful Christoforo.

Among the emails Christoforo sent is one where he states, "They are in the USA now in customs so its wither before or after Christmas." How is this useful to a customer (who more than likely has no idea how customs works)? That doesn't seem to matter, apparently.

Christoforo became more and more hostile towards the understandably-frustrated Dave, suggesting Dave wouldn't be upset with Epic Games or Activision if a game were delayed. He also suggested Dave put on his "big boy hat and wait it out like everyone else" and threatened to cancel his or anyone else's order that cancels their pre-order in order to take advantage of a brand-new $10 off deal being offered.

The entire email thread is worth taking the time to read, as at one point Dave loops in several gaming websites and the guys from Penny Arcade. Seeing how Dave was being treated -- Christoforo talks about how he knows people from IGN, Kotaku, and so on, and claims no one will care about his complaints ("You just got told *****," he noted) -- Mike Krahulik chimed in. Krahulik is better known to Penny Arcade readers as Gabe, a fact which Christoforo seemed to initially be unaware of.

After Krahulik told Christoforo he shouldn't expect to ever have space at any future Penny Arcade Expo events, Christoforo fired back by talking about all of the people he knows both within the game industry and Boston, where PAX East is held each year.

"Your acting like a *****bag not that it matters pax east pax west , e3 , CES , Gamer Con , SSXW ,Comic Con, Germany I'm all over the place. If we want to be there we will be there with industry badges or with a booth you think I can't team up with turtle beach , Callibur or Koy Christmas , I can't get Kevin Kelly to pull some strings or G4 , Paul Eibler Ex CEO of take 2 , Rich Larocco Konami , Cliff Blizinski Epic who were working with on a gears version , Activision who were working with on a MW3 and Spider man Bundle , The Convention Center Owners themselves , Mayor of Boston come on Bud you run a show that's all you do and lease a center in Cities you have no pull in its all about who you know not what you do," reads part of the reply, typos and all. "I'll see space where ever I want , with who I want when I want and where I want so many ways around you and so many connections in this industry its silly. Anyway , I have no issue with you Sean Buckley Engadget, Scott Lowe IGN and the list goes on and on. Little kids unhappy with a PRE ORDER starting trouble and you email that to us , he's a customer unless you're his boyfriend then you should side with the company not the customer. Be Careful"

When Krahulik clarified just who he is -- a co-founder of Penny Arcade -- Christoforo tried to back down. When he realized that wouldn't work, he goes back on the attack, promising a smear campaign against Penny Arcade, a site he describes as "amateur" and one that could be bested by his son.

As if that weren't all good enough, Reddit has kept track of the happenings outside of the email thread. This includes his offensive (and since-deleted) tweet to IGN's Scott Lowe (who, along with others like Kotaku's Brian Crecente, has denied claims that they support Christoforo). Christoforo's Ocean Marketing Twitter account has had its name changed from the misspelled "oceanmarketting" to "oceanstratagy," despite the fact that "oceanstrategy" (a name devoid of any misspellings) was available; the change likely came as a result of the negative tweets piling up on the company's homepage. (A site which, ironically, features an Allan Jenkins quote which reads, "Your Brand is no stronger than your reputation -- and will increasingly depend on what comes up when you are Googled.")

It's also worth pointing out that this isn't the first time someone has had issues with Ocean Marketing, not to mention the fact that the company's blog appears to have lifted a number of social marketing articles from around the web and published them without any credit.

One thing to keep in mind is that the Avenger controller is made by N-Control, not Ocean Marketing. The company has yet to release an official statement on this nightmarish scenario caused by the PR company it used, but its business development director has personally apologized on Twitter.

http://www.1up.com/news/ocean-marketing-penny-arcade-customer-service

 

[StrainedEyes]

He sent an apology email to Dave:

Hey Dave,

I just wanted to apologize for the way our emails progressed from beginning to end , You caught me on an extremely bad day and I had been dealing with 100’s and hundreds of emails trying to explain the situation to everyone on where the product was and you just pushed me a little too much and I should have just apologized and tried to explain things better. Also I had a really bad day losing a friend to an overdose and the stress of my newborn baby and the Holiday ,missing my family and just stressing on getting product out to everyone and why it was held up in customs wore me out.

I am deeply sorry for any disrespect , aggravation or lack of information on the delivery date. We knew when product was leaving china and we were trying to adhere to a strict deadline but due to port issues and air freight issues. The units are domestic now and awaiting pick up at customs . So we missed the 17th deadline and I apologize for that but it was out of my control and besides me no one else was helping me handle the situation so imagine the weight on my shoulders.

I’m not asking for any sympathy just for some understanding and forgiveness , I’m human just like everyone else and made a mistake. I underestimated you and its cost me a lot of trouble thousands of spam emails , a lot of personal bashing , and internet spam and trouble and just overall stress with my wife and newborn. I ask that you please accept my apology as a peace offering I will refund your money and give you your 2 units/Avengers free of charge please help me to get some of this negativity removed or at least my personal name although its already all over the internet and the calls and emails will not stop but any help will be appreciated especially with penny arcade as Mike and edit his own website I owe him an apology too which I will write next.

http://gamerfront.net/2011/12/ocean...stroy-your-reputation-with-just-a-few-emails/

 

[the_ultimate_evil]

He sent an apology email to Dave:

http://gamerfront.net/2011/12/ocean...stroy-your-reputation-with-just-a-few-emails/

ie: i'm gonna lose my job and have been to look like a complete tool please be my friend.

 

[Spider-Who?]

This guy has just destroyed not only his company, but his entire career, which, naturally, will snowball into damaging his marriage (as he even mentions). All because he was "having a bad day".

Makes you stop and think about how you should conduct yourself.

 

[StrainedEyes]

ie: i'm gonna lose my job and have been to look like a complete tool please be my friend.

i.e. the internet is uncovering all my steroid forum posts and other times I've been an ass to people and making fun of my spelling and hopefully writing this email will make me seem sympathetic, cause newborns are tough.

 

[Master Chief]

Oh man, I lol'd so hard when the guy started going off on Mike. Worth the read.

 

[hopefuldreamer]

This guy has just destroyed not only his company, but his entire career, which, naturally, will snowball into damaging his marriage (as he even mentions). All because he was "having a bad day".

Makes you stop and think about how you should conduct yourself.

He can call it 'having a bad day'. It's pretty obvious to me the guy is just a *****e, period.

How did the guy EVER get a job in PR?

Oh, and have you seen this too?

http://www.examiner.com/video-game-...-marketing-gaming-pr-rep-to-avoid-at-all-cost

 

[KalMart]

Sometimes it's like the internet is a big virtual game in and of itself, and every now and then, someone gets 'outed' to such a huge extent that it scars them for life...real life....

Like that guy on the NSX forums....it becomes the latest reality-show disaster on the world stage.

 

[Casius--J]

Nah that apology was too little too late, the damage he caused himself in those emails were too grave to recover from. In business there is a way you must conduct yourself and this clearly was the wrong way. Hell in life you must conduct yourself better than that.

 

[Spider-Who?]

I'm really interested in his apology email to penny arcade.

 

[KalMart]

Well....I guess he ca look forward to a different line of work.....that doesn't entail the internet and/or his real name.

 

[StrainedEyes]

I'm really interested in his apology email to penny arcade.

Update:

I just wanted to post an update with some of the stuff that has happened over on my end with regards to all this Ocean Marketing stuff.

Around midnight last night Paul sent me a mail saying that I could expect to hear from their attorneys. As of right now that still has not happened and honestly I don.t expect it will. Our attorneys (who are real people with an office and everything) are ready should it get to that point though.

At 7:12am this morning I got another mail from Paul. It was one line and simply said:

.You have the power Mike Please make it stop.

The reality is that once I had posted the emails I didn.t have the power anymore. The Internet had it now and nothing I said or did was going to change that.

An hour later I got a more complete apology:

Hey Mike,

I just wanted to apologize for the way our emails progressed I didn.t know how big your site was and I really didn.t believe you ran Pax , So for what.s its worth I am very sorry. Your post has obviously made my life very difficult and I have not slept yet dealing with all the spam and personal information intrusion as well as my family being smeared on the internet.

If you can please accept my apology and anything you can do to help if not me my son and wife please do. I have apologized to Dave and apologized to you what else can I do please tell me so I can make things good. I obviously care or I would not be emailing you.

I think there is a big difference between being sorry and being sorry you got caught. I have a real problem with bullies. I spent my childhood moving from school to school and I got made fun of everyplace I landed. I feel like Paul is a bully and maybe that.s why I have no sympathy here. Someday every bully meets and even bigger bully and maybe that.s me in this case. It.s the same thing that happened with Jack Thompson. It might not always make the most business sense and it is a policy that has caused us some legal problems, but I really don.t give a **** about that. When these *******s threaten me or Penny Arcade I just laugh. I will personally burn everything I.ve made to the ****ing ground if I think I can catch them in the flames.

-Gabe out

 

[KalMart]

That's a fake account, his real one is oceanstratagy, still spelled wrong but with an "a": https://twitter.com/#!/OceanStratagy

Yeah, I just noticed that...it's funny, though.

 

[StrainedEyes]

Yeah, I just noticed that...it's funny, though.

After he dumped his original Twitter account (oceanmarketting), someone instantly picked it up and has been using it to promote indie games: https://twitter.com/#!/OceanMarketting

 

[Scarlet spidey]

This is so funny, and sad.

 

[KalMart]

After he dumped his original Twitter account (oceanmarketting), someone instantly picked it up and has been using it to promote indie games: https://twitter.com/#!/OceanMarketting

I saw that....funny, too.

Honestly, I hope this calms down pretty soon so no one actually does get hurt. I feel bad for tat controller company actually losing business on what seems to be a very nice/useful piece of equipment.

Internet as Pirana, again. Gotta be careful who gets bit in the crossfire.

 

[Erzengel]

There's nothing Gabe from Penny Arcade can do now even if he wanted to help out Paul. But yeah, he brought this all on himself. As someone in the retail industry, and I read through those e-mails more than once. Dave was respectful longer than I could have been and Paul would have never have apologized if it didn't progress to where it is now.

Is the harassment fair? I'm fairly certain that the harassment that we aren't really seeing are 10 to 100 times worse than how he treated Dave. It's probably not fair, and Gabe said it best, its in the hands of the internet now.

All Paul can do is buckle down and ride out the storm until people forget which they will eventually do.

 

[Soapy]

I think "welcome to the real internet" pretty much sums this whole thing up rather nicely.

 

[Matt]

Less than 9 hours. That is all it took for Dave and Gabe to burn this guy's entire company to the ground. It has probably gone too far, but this guy brought it on himself. He will now reap what he sows.

 

[VenomSpawn]

OK ENOUGH! Just **** off already u god damn ****ing gaming ****s. Boo Hoo I yelled at a customer big deal. Ge over it

Look at all these gamers. Bunch of ****ing losers, everyone in the biz makes fun of you ****s. All the sites you like laugh at yuo.

Man, this Paul guy is an ass hole.