I just read the end of your editorial, about Alphasylum and other suppliers with persistently bad service.

I feel that sites like BME and Modified Mind should not pass harsh judgement on these companies, removing them from their links like some sort of blacklist. Besides the chances of libel lawsuits for damaging their reputations, this would violate what I perceive to be the purpose of sites like Modified Mind: to educate and help the public make intelligent, informed decisions and judgments for themselves. By removing certain companies, you will have passed judgment for all of your readers, and kept them from a company from which they may have wished to order. While the reviews might have discouraged them anyway, to make this judgment for the readers goes beyond information and commentary into a dirty realm of imposing personal opinions and decisions upon thousands of others.

The BME links engine accepts submissions without any commentary, and I think it's a fair system where no one gets a review or a sign of preference. That follows what I perceive to be BME policy, avoiding endorsement or condemnation of companies, studios, etc. Modified Mind offers readers the unique opportunity to share their views through the reviews. I feel that this is the best way to share opinions with the company. Someone should point Alphasylum to the reviews, and show them their poor track record. For some companies, this could help them realize that a change needs to be made in their practices. For others, this will do nothing, and the reviews will continue to show their failures. Local business bureaus and lawsuits (for items which never show and are never refunded) are individual options, but I feel that sites like Modified Mind need to stay neutral.

Personally, I had a very good experience with Alphasylum when they began their business about two years ago. It was personal, quick, and friendly. But recent reviews show that things have changed. I don't doubt that they and other companies have some questionable business practices. So report them to the public, hope they change, but let readers make their own decisions.