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Re: Give it a rest, Mr. Garvin

Posted by jamesgarvin (A) on May 3, 2007 at 11:07:12

In Reply to: Re: Give it a rest, Mr. Garvin posted by John Atkinson on May 3, 2007 at 07:21:00:

"while I agreed that it was reasonable, I repeatedly pointed out that it was wrong."

You wrote that Gallo never sent a sample. As I wrote below, that could be because Wes decided he did not want to review them, in which case they would not send a sample, or it could be because they themselves did not elect to send a sample. I simply attempting to determine the reason.

"So has it been such a live issue for you since then? Why did you
write about the "mystery," with the negative connotations that
carries?"

The mystery was WHY, not WHAT. That Gallo did not send a review sample is clear. WHY that review sample was never sent was not. Had you first written that "Gallo informed Wes he would be forwarded a sample, and then, for whatever reason, they did not send the sample" instead of "They never sent one" would have avoided this.

The reason for my confusion was that Gallo seems to have provided review samples to every reviewer under the sun, uses a quote from Wes Philips on their cite, so I could not understand that they would not send a sample after they apparently informed Wes they would. I generally do not assume people break agreements. I usually like to be told that is the case before I jump to conclusions. Perhaps in your experience, and as Mr. Hansen itimated below, this is a common occurrence in the publishing world. In my world, it is common, but people usually pay the consequences. Realizing that I am not in the publishing world, a little more than "they did not send a review sample" would have been helpful.

"Because at the time he wrote, it seemed likely that review samples
would be forthcoming. For reasons unknown, that didn't happen. This
happens more often that you would think. As Charlie Hansen explained
to you, manufacturers can change their mind for any number of
reasons. Reviewers, too, change their mind, following new information.
It is riduculous for you to impugn people's integrity because not
everything they honestly believe is going to happen does happen."

Up until the last sentence, had this been what you wrote, then this matter would have been resolved long ago. I did not "impugn" anyone's integrity. I simply asked for more information beyond "they did not send a review sample." Perhaps you interpreted my additional questions as a challenge, as though additional questions somehow demonstrates a questioning of you or Wes Philips. I never called you or Wes a liar. Had I thought so, I would have said so.

I think that you presumed I should be able to fill in the details. Well, I think when someone breaks an agreement, their integrity is questioned. I was not willing to presume it was Gallo's until I knew it was they that did not send the sample as opposed to Wes changing his mind, and why. Had I presumed it was yours, I would have stopped asking questions, and simply posted that you and Wes are liars, and cannot be trusted. Which I did not do.

There are many posters here who proclaim you are on the take because of advertising, etc., etc. They ask no questions, merely making declarative statements. You are rightfully indignant. I ask questions, make no statements and no accusations, and you apparently reserve for me the same indignation?

"Good for you. Magazine publishing is inevitably more untidy..."

I do not equate a manufacturer being called for jury duty, lightning striking their warehouse, or the printer dying, or the wicked witch hexing them as an issue. That may qualify as untidy. On the other hand, when a manufacturer, or a reviewer, makes a committment, then breaks that committment, and when it is physically possible for them to perform their obligation, then I do not call that "untidy."

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Kimber Kable

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