On the "bid bots" as most of us refer to them, well, they are a business for those who run them and they are in line with the Steem code and protocol, so basically I can see how they can be used as a tool and unfortunately abused by "shitposters".

Many point the finger at the service providers, while in fact the problem isn't in them, it is in those that use the service in a way that undermines this entire endeavour and the whole idea of "Proof of Brain".

Although, some would say that scheming their way to money takes a bit of "brains too".

I don't own, run or delegate to any of the "bid bots". I do however run/manage some community orientated bots, i.e. @anzub and @umvbot.
I also use a bot to manage @witnesspage.

So none of us are imune from using bots, again, I stress, as long as they are used as a tool/aid and for good.

Witness votes, tell me who sells them and at what price?

I was told that one (now former) witness used to outright pay for votes, I asked him about it and he openly said that he was awarding people who voted for him back when he first started his campaign (last year).
With the added explanation that he then didn't see any other way of making it.

Apart from that one case, I can't say I know of anyone who pays for votes. A lot of talk, but nothing to back it up, as is the case with many of the "hear say" chit chat whispering and accusations going on around here. Give me a name, or names, with block numbers in which the payments were made and I'll be more than glad to look into it.