Ethical Dilemma.
I have an online business. I also have a Spreadshirt shop and an Amazon shop. Most of you will already know about these, as I neverr shut up about them.
I am currently trying to word the business ethics and policies for publishing on my site. It’s not up yet but effectively I want to take a stand here. I want to draw a line for my own little corner of the online trading world. I trade transparently, if you want to know what I’m doing and why you can find out or ask and I will happily tell you. I’ll tell you all about what I sell, where it comes from all the good stuff and the bad. I want my little business to cause as little harm as possible. Hence my new website host is one who takes a similar stand.
You agree not to use our servers or services to propagate content that contravenes any laws. Content must not be offensive, libelous, obscene, threatening, abusive, racist, likely to cause unrest, likely to incur civil liability or capable of being interpreted as any of the above. Ihelm Enterprises reserves the right to suspend any account that in its sole discretion contravenes any of the above and to terminate such account if the client fails within seven days to justify its content.
When I asked they said this would include any sites containing "Adult" material. They will also terminate the account of anyone found to be spamming.
So, Ethics Trading is stating clearly where the line is for me. No child labour, no sweatshops involved in our products as far as we know. I can’t go out and visit every facility, I have to take my suppliers at their word. Beyond that I try and source products that are easier on the environment and do not pollute or add to global warming and climate change. Further still, I want to be able to say that I don’t link with sites, suppliers or business partners who in turn have links with p0rn and the sex industry.
But I have an Amazon shop. Go to the Amazon UK home page, 2 clicks in - DVD>Adult. This is what you get. I abandoned Cafe Press for similar content. Spreadshirt don’t seem to have that sort of product or brand as easily available. Anyway, Amazon. My gut is telling me to dump the shop on principle and draw the line in the sand.
Actually, having typed all that, it’s not a dilemma at all is it.
Bye Bye Amazon shop……
Was just thinking again about the Playboy stuff and how annoying it is having to avoid half the town centre. Even more annoying having to make a living while avoiding all the possible connections! But very worthwhile.
Comment by Eilidh — February 9, 2007 @ 6:31 pm
It’s a fine line and a personal choice. I still need paper and ink for printing, my kids need paper and pencils for work. But I can choose where to buy them.
As for the business connections. I own my business so I am able to dictate where I affiliate and where I do not. The nature of the path to that stuff on Amazon was shocking for me. I have Amazon on my favs, my kids could find that stuff.
Sadly, my business isn’t big enough that Amazon will even notice.
Comment by ethicallyspeaking — February 9, 2007 @ 6:54 pm
Maybe not, but I say it makes a difference on several levels. It makes a difference personally to decide where to draw a line. It makes a difference to your customers to know you’ve done as much as is possible to secure their trust. And it makes a difference in terms of raising awareness and getting people to think about the issues for themselves. Yeah, it would take a lot to hit Amazon in the pocket, but I think all of us here know it’s worthwhile making whatever waves we can.
Comment by Eilidh — February 9, 2007 @ 7:43 pm