Gameitall I’m going to be completely serious for a few minutes here, which also may involve more swearing or overall naughty language then usual.
Here at Gameitall, we bitch and complain about some companies, like EA and Activision, where they try to be greedy and pull money out of our pockets. As much as we complain, plan to boycott or dismiss their games, we still buy them because of the quality that they still produce, despite stuff like the Elite subscription, or online pass system.
Now here we go to Ocean Marketing, which as some of you may have found out though popular webcomic Penny Arcade. They royally f**ked up.
A customer purchased a pair of PS3 controllers from the company that specializes in 3rd party controllers. The Customer, known as Dave, was told that the purchase would arrive before Christmas, where that was no longer the case. After a run-around with the companies president, and getting justifiably frustrated about this. Ocean Marketing offered a 10 off any product on their system, however would not allow him to cancel and re-order the controllers, something which is understandable in a business way, but was handled unprofessionally. As I quote from Gabe’s post.
“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.
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.”
Dave goes on to cancel the products, completely in the right about issue and the following ensues. While the full post is worth wild to read, I’m highlighting the major points of his FIRST PARAGRAPH on said email. and I Shit you not, this is exactly how he wrote it.
“LOL Thanks for the Free PR I know the Editor N Chief of Kotaku , IGN , Engadget I’ll be meeting them at CES.
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.
Don’t have my controller so im gonna cry to the world … Really ??”
At this point Dave sent this to Mike Krahulik, Gabe of Penny Arcade fame. the full email listed a series of conventions which PAX EAST was listed. To which Mike replyed that if they have a booth, they would cancel it.
The person speaking on behalf of Ocean Marketing, was the President of the company, Paul Christoforo, writing out the most unprofessional email and series of events for any company ever, not just in the video game industry.
Within minutes of Mike’s post on Penny-Arcade, memes were created, orders were canceled, and Ocean Marketing is in the deep shit, the Internet was a blazed because of this.
There is currently no word from Ocean Marketing President, but I’d like to post something he said in the letter he wrote.
Welcome to the Internet.
