Archive for December 18th, 2009
Worst domestic sales e-mail from a known local business that I’ve never dealt with before and never asked to be added to their e-mail list
Worst domestic sales e-mail from a known local business that I’ve never dealt with before and never asked to be added to their e-mail list.
Yes, the title of this Blog post is a mouthful but it’s true. We’re at a loss to how we ended up on this business’s ill fated e-mail list. Since they are local, I can only assume they copied my wife’s e-mail address out of the PTA directory. Using the data from a school directory to sell something is one of the lowest things anyone could do, and it’s an e-mail marketing cardinal sin. Most directories of this type, including ours have a note right up front that say using the data in the PTA directory for commercial endeavors is strictly forbidden.
It’s one thing to SPAM an e-mail list that come from an unknown source and goes to millions of people. But here in the small community of Severna Park/Millersville/Arnold this kind of nonsense will earn you a one way ticket to a terrible reputation.
What’s worse is the misspelling of two separate significant and important holidays that this guy is obviously not familiar with. In fact, this may be the worst misspelling of Hanukkah and Kwanzaa ever. Ok, I get it, it’s a holiday themed e-mail that that is meant to be multi-cultural and gives shout outs to several religious holidays. If that is the case, why on earth would you just randomly sprinkle holiday greetings in the body of your e-mail. That has to be breaking some kind of e-mail or marketing rule
Let’s hope that atheists are not offended by the blessing at the end of the e-mail.
Here’s the e-mail with names redacted. Also, the formatting of this e-mail is exactly how it appeared in the original e-mail:
Christmas is tough for so many of us this year. It is just the reality than we live in.
At XXXXXXXXXXXXX I am getting about 2 calls a day asking these questions. What computer brand should I buy? Are mini computers worth the money? Are refurbished computer reliable. It sounds like we just do not have as much money to spend on Christmas this year.
Let me ask you a question. If I could get your computer back to the same condition it was in when you purchased it for less than half the price of a new mini computer, would you be interested. I will also save all the music, pictures, and records you want to save. (MERRY CHRISTMAS) You do not have to pay a lot of money to get your computer back to peak performance.
We are all in this thing together. Therefore, I will give a $25 discount for any computer repair related to virus, spyware, or malware infections.
(HAPPY HANIKAH) We will get your computer back to the functionality you need.
Also if you get the computer to XXXXXXXXXXXXX by Sunday 12-20-09, I guarantee you will get your computer back by Christmas (barring ordering parts). If you bring your computer in by 12-28-09, I guarantee your computer back by 1-3-10. So if your child is having trouble with their computer in college, bring it in and we will clean it up before they return. (HAPPY QUANZA)
Lastly, we always give a free diagnostic test for any computer repair. You do not have to pay me a lot of money to look at your computer. We will find out what is wrong, call you with the price, if you approve you get a fast computer again for less. If you don’t’ approve, come pickup the computer and we part friends. (HAPPY HOLIDAYS)
Remember all guarantees on repair completion are a case by case basis and are subject to approval.
All of us at XXXXXXXXXXXXX hope we can help your family in this time of need. Be safe, have fun, and love that family this Holiday Season. Take care and may God bless.
P.S. Remember, gift certificates to the gaming center make great last minute Christmas gifts for kids of all ages.
