Saturday, January 19, 2008

Less Functionality for some Amazon Pro Merchant Accounts

As a follow-up to my last post, I called Amazon Customer Service for sellers.


It turns out that the button that customers have to click on to initiate a sale, namely, "See all buying options," cannot be relabeled "Add to Cart" when you are Pro Merchant seller on Amazon.com. This is an issue for a Pro Merchant I know, because he has received e-mail from customers who are looking for the "Add to Cart" button with which all Amazon.com customers are accustomed. The only buttom that reminds his customers of the "Add to cart" button on Pro Merchant pages is the "Add to Shopping List" button.


Unfortunately, the button labeled, "Add to Shopping List," is not active and cannot be activated for items listed by Pro Merchant sellers. When you are a Pro Merchant seller, any items that you have listed and readily available for sale on Amazon.com customers instead show up as being "unavailable" when your customers click on the "Add to Shopping List" button. This confusion between the two buttons leads to lost sales.


The customer service representative walked through these issues with me. When it became apparent that these issues could not be resolved, the Pro Merchant (on whose behalf I was calling) had to institute a work-around by using space otherwise dedicated to the description of his item to instead provide instruction to his customers about the "See all buying options" button.


Before I ended my call with the customer service representative, I asked for an e-mail account, where I could describe my feedback to these issues, so that these observations and recommendations could reach the appropriate department.


I was told to contact Seller-Suggestions@amazon.com.


If you are a Pro Merchant seller, please note these current limitations on your
Amazon.com account. If you want to help encourage Amazon.com to improve your customers' experience with their Pro Merchant program, please contact Amazon.com at (877) 251-0696 and/or Seller-Suggestions@amazon.com, and share with them your own stories.


I know that Pro Merchants who register with Amazon.com want to be able to collaborate with the most important Internet retailer. Pro Merchants are seeking to create a valuable and reliable sales channel, one where they can rely on Amazon.com's eCommerce technology to be able to create hassle-free sales.


Let's hope that Amazon.com's Pro Merchants are important enough to it that Amazon.com will come up with a solution.

Monday, January 7, 2008

Desperately Hunting for a Customer Service Representative; Eager to Wait On Hold, Even

After running a couple of Google searches, I found the Amazon Customer Service Phone Number on a similarly titled blog.


(This information was previously available on another blog, Amazon.com Customer Service Phone Number, but it is most certainly not on Amazon's own website.)


If you find yourself in a situation needing to contact Amazon, as have I, please feel free to try looking on these two links. I promise to report which phone number works.


My issue has to do with technical problems that obstruct sales on Amazon sales plages. My main issue is: why doesn't the "Add to Shopping List" button work for third party listed items on Amazon? If part of Amazon's recent success is coming from "its fast-growing (and high margin) merchant market, which allows merchants to sell goods alongside Amazon," why isn't the full functionality of the website's features available to third party sellers?

Friday, November 30, 2007

'How Do I Look' documentary to be screened at two NY film festivals to coincide with World AIDS Day 2007

Nov. 29, 2007 -- New York, NY – To commemorate World AIDS Day
on December 1, the award-winning documentary "How Do I Look" will be screened at two different film festivals in New York City.


A special 10-minute excerpt from "How Do I Look" will be screened at the
5th Annual New York AIDS Film Festival at NYU at 11 am on December 1.


A screening of the entire documentary of "How Do I Look" will take place at the 15th Annual African Diaspora Film Festival at Riverside Theatre in Harlem at 8 pm on December 1.


Each screening will be followed by Q&A with director Wolfgang Busch.


"I am privileged and honored that 'How Do I Look' has been selected this year by two different film festivals as part of their World AIDS Day programming," said Busch. "One of the primary intentions of this documentary was to empower the Ball community to overcome their adversities. And the positive messages of AIDS prevention and awareness that I put into 'How Do I Look' are giving the Ball community something they need, which is hope and education, in dealing with the AIDS pandemic. Until there is a cure for everybody, what we need is an emphasis on education for prevention and care, as well as hope."


"How Do I Look" is about the Harlem "Ball" community that originated in the 1970s in Harlem, an off-shoot of the Legendary Harlem "Drag Balls" from the 1920s. This African American and Hispanic Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender community is best known for its worldwide influences in dance, fashion, runway, and music -- inspiring Madonna with her best selling music video "Vogue," Boy George, fashion designer Thierry Mugler and Marc Jacobs, the music of RuPaul and #1 Billboard dance performer extraordinaire Kevin Aviance with producer GOMI.


This trendsetting artistic community is unfortunately also hit hardest by the AIDS epidemic. Since the beginning of the production of the "How Do I Look" documentary in 1995, ten members from the "Ball" community have passed away: Willi Nijna, Fila Omni, Angie Infiniti, Eric Christian Bazaar, Marcel Christian, Gerald Dupree LaBeija, Mystery Royale, Kenny Ebony, Pepper LaBeija, and Billy Pemperton – eight of whom have died from AIDS. To date, many members are struggling every day with the HIV virus. For that reason, much of this community's history and legacy is lost forever.


This ground-breaking, inspiring, educational and entertaining documentary, now available on DVD, talks about the history of the dance "Vogue" by Willi Ninja, Jose Xtravaganza, and Andre Mizrahi; it sends HIV hope messages by Luna Khan; "Bazaar" fashion designs by Ross Infiniti; runway by Ricky Revlon; transgender issues by Tracy Africa, Carmen Xtravaganza, and Octavia St. Laurent; and the "Ball" history by Marcel Christian and Kevin Omni. "How Do I Look" also features a poem by Emanuel Xavier and special appearances by columnist Michael Musto, stylist and fashion designer Patricia Field, and Kevin Aviance.


About the screenings:


The 5th Annual New York AIDS Film Festival. On World AIDS Day (Dec. 1), "How Do I Look" will be screened at 11 am at New York University at the King Juan Carlos I of Spain Center, 53 Washington Square South. Admission to attend this special screening is free. Complimentary refreshments will be served. SUBWAY INFORMATION: Take the A, B, C, D, E, F and V trains to West 4th Street.


The 15th Annual African Diaspora Film Festival. On World AIDS Day (Dec. 1), "How Do I Look" will be screened at 8 pm at the Riverside Theatre, 91 Claremont Ave. @ 120th Street, (212) 870-6784. Tickets cost $10. SUBWAY INFORMATION: Take the 1 train to 116th Street.


More information about "How Do I Look:"


"A documentary 10 years in the making about the over 35 year old Harlem 'Ball' community, 'How Do I Look' picks up from where 'Paris Is Burning' left off, the new school of Vogue champions play fast and loose with their fierce identity. The roll-call of participants in this extraordinary testimony to difference reads like a Who's Who of fabulousness. Kevin Aviance, Jose Xtravaganza, Mystery Royale, China Blue, the legendary Willi Ninja, who died in 2006. My favorite line - 'Truth cannot change no matter how much they cut it off' - is delivered as part of the gritty/ glamorous testimonies of trans people of color, including Tracy Africa, the Irvin Penn-discovered 70s supermodel, until she was found out. At which point the doors closed. Voguing is arguably one of the most powerful expressions of Black and Latino identity. Personal. Powerful. Inspirational." ~ Topher Campbell


About Art From The Heart LLC:


"How Do I Look" is released and distributed independently by Art From The Heart LLC, and we are proud to represent LGBT content at the up-coming prestigious African Diaspora Film Festival in Harlem.


About the New York AIDS Film Festival:


Founded in 2003 by Suzanne Engo, the New York AIDS Film Festival provides a series of HIV- and AIDS-related film screenings, panel discussions, and special events. At the time of its launch, Ms. Engo said, "I know that the media can be used as a tool for social change." Its mission is to provide the public with information about the disease by sponsoring the screenings of visual media. The Festival features diverse works, which serve as educational material about HIV/AIDS. These programs aim to promote social action in the fight against the global AIDS pandemic. Besides featuring noteworthy visual media by filmmakers and AIDS activists, the Festival also creates events to raise money for organizations whose missions include education and social activism through film.


About the African Diaspora Film Festival:


ADFF's mission is to present films to diverse audiences, redesign the Black cinema experience, and strengthen the role of African and African descent directors in contemporary world cinema. In response to this mission, ADFF features the work of emerging and established filmmakers of color. Most important, ADFF distinguishes itself through its presentation of outstanding works that shine a different or comprehensive light on African Diaspora life and culture --no matter what the filmmaker's race or nationality.


About future screenings and where you can buy "How Do I Look:"


"How Do I Look" is currently screened in film festivals across the United States and internationally, and the "How Do I Look" DVD is available on our website, www.HowDoILooknyc.org, on Amazon.com, and through selected retail stores: at Kim's Video in New York City, at Giovanni's in Philadelphia, and at A Different Light book store in Los Angeles.

Thursday, November 8, 2007

The African Diaspora Film Festival is screening the documentary “How Do I Look” on World AIDS Day

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

New York, NY -- Nov. 08, 2007 -- The award-winning documentary “How Do I Look” will be screened at the African Diaspora Film Festival (ADFF) in New York City on December 1, 2007 on World AIDS Day at the Riverside Theatre in Harlem. The screening will be followed by Q&A with director Wolfgang Busch and assistant directors Kevin Omni and Luna Khan.

“How Do I Look” is about the Harlem “Ball” community that originated in the 1970s in Harlem, an off-shoot of the Legendary Harlem “Drag Balls” from the 1920s. This African American and Hispanic Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender community is best known for its worldwide influences in dance, fashion, runway, and music -- inspiring Madonna with her best selling music video “Vogue,” fashion designer Thierry Mugler and Marc Jacobs, the music of RuPaul and #1 Billboard dance performer extraordinaire Kevin Aviance with producer GOMI.

This trendsetting artistic community is unfortunately also hit hardest by the AIDS epidemic. Since the beginning of the production of the “How Do I Look” documentary in 1995, nine members from the “Ball” community have passed away: Willi Nijna, Angie Infiniti, Eric Christian Bazaar, Marcel Christian, Gerald Dupree Labeija, Mystery Royale, Kenny Ebony, Pepper LaBeija, and Billy Pemperton – seven of whom have died from AIDS. To this date, many members are struggling every day with the HIV virus. For that reason, much of this community’s history and legacy is lost forever.

This ground-breaking, inspiring, educational and entertaining documentary, now available on DVD, talks about the history of the dance “Vogue” by Willi Ninja, Jose Xtravaganza, and Andre Mizrahi; it sends HIV hope messages by Luna Khan; “Bazaar” fashion designs by Ross Infiniti; runway by Ricky Revlon; transgender issues by Tracy Africa, Carmen Xtravaganza, and Octavia St. Laurent; and the “Ball” history by Marcel Christian and Kevin Omni. “How Do I Look” also features special appearances by columnist Michael Musto, stylist and fashion designer Patricia Field, and Kevin Aviance.

About the screening:

On World AIDS Day (Dec. 1), “How Do I Look” will be screened at 8 pm at the Riverside Theatre, 91 Claremont Ave. @ 120th Street, (212) 870-6784. SUBWAY INFORMATION: Take the 1 train to 116th Street. Tickets are $10.

About “How Do I Look:”

"A documentary 10 years in the making about the over 35 year old Harlem ‘Ball’ community, ‘How Do I Look’ picks up from where ‘Paris Is Burning’ left off, the new school of Vogue champions play fast and loose with their fierce identity. The roll-call of participants in this extraordinary testimony to difference reads like a Who's Who of fabulousness. Kevin Aviance, Jose Xtravaganza, Mystery Royale, China Blue, the legendary Willi Ninja, who died in 2006. My favorite line - 'Truth cannot change no matter how much they cut it off' - is delivered as part of the gritty/ glamorous testimonies of trans people of color, including Tracy Africa, the Irvin Penn-discovered 70s supermodel, until she was found out. At which point the doors closed. Voguing is arguably one of the most powerful expressions of Black and Latino identity. Personal. Powerful. Inspirational." ~ Topher Campbell

About Art From The Heart LLC:

“How Do I Look” is released and distributed independently by Art From The Heart LLC, and we are proud to represent LGBT content at the up-coming prestigious African Diaspora Film Festival in Harlem.

About the African Diaspora Film Festival:

ADFF’s mission is to present films to diverse audiences, redesign the Black cinema experience, and strengthen the role of African and African descent directors in contemporary world cinema. In response to this mission, ADFF features the work of emerging and established filmmakers of color. Most important, ADFF distinguishes itself through its presentation of outstanding works that shine a different or comprehensive light on African Diaspora life and culture --no matter what the filmmaker’s race or nationality. For more information, please visit: http://www.nyadff.org/

About future screenings and where you can buy “How Do I Look:”

“How Do I Look” is currently screened in film festivals across the United States and internationally, and the “How Do I Look” DVD is available on our website, www.HowDoILooknyc.org, on Amazon.com, and through selected retail stores: at Kim’s Video in New York City, at Giovanni’s in Philadelphia, and at A Different Light book store in Los Angeles.

###

Wolfgang Busch
Art From The Heart LLC
(718) 726-0831
WolfgangBusch@earthlink.net
kevin.burrus1@verizon.net
www.HowDoILooknyc.org
"How Do I Look" - Screening Information