Is anyone surprised that Michael Arrington has soured relations with a vendor enough that they'd refuse to talk to him? Not I.

The dispute resolution process deals with these sorts of things and punishes merchants who repeatedly violate rules. Strategy number one is to not be a dick. People respond better that way and you won't end up in the situations Michael Arrington always seems to end up in.

I probably deal with as many merchants and as much travel as him and have always resolved such issues amicably.