Mass Mailings?

I heard they're bad...

[Greg]

I received this one message that said they will sell software for 28,000,000 e-mail addresses for $249.00. Or targeted e-mail addresses for less. Isn't this spam? I receive messages that were obviously mass mailings, but they always say that I can get myself off their list? Is that spam when you give the option to get off a list? 28,000,000 addresses is a lot of people for not so much money, but is it the right choice... comments?

[littleman]

>Is it spam?
Yes, but they may be in compliance with the law if they offer the 'opt out' link. I guess it is a difference between what is morally spam and what is criminally spam.

You may make some money, but you'll make some enemies as well.

[rcjordan]

the price tells alot -this smells of spam. a good, reputable opt-in list will cost many times higher than this.

even with a grade-A list, you're going to need thick skin.

[Bates]

its risky.. you might end up getting bad NET publicity(28mil). Which is extremely bad if you running an e-commerce venture.

Depends on the type of business you have.. got to way up the pros and cons.

It does sound a bit cheap for an opt-in list..

[rcjordan]

Seems I just got spammed by a supposedly double opt-in list vendor. Take a look at these rates.

0-100,000 emails $250/CPT(cost per thousand)
100,001-250,000 $200/CPT
250,001-500,000 $180/CPT
501,000-1mm $140/CPT
1mm+ $120/CPT

About the same as a good mailing list for the direct mail vendors I believe.

[chiyo]

It seems that the "providing a way to get off a list" requirements that i guess were a new law passed in the US has contributed to an enormous growth in SPAM. Just becuase these guys are in compliance they think it is open season on SPAM.

Most tell you you have to connect to the Web and go to a page where you can unsubscribe. That means of course that you are exposed to their advertising anyway that you never agreed to and takes up valuable time. Then regulalry you get another message coming back saying you couldnt be unsubscribed because you were not a member of the list.. It seems you were subscribed by another email adress!

The law sensibly has to be changed that for an email to be classed as non-SPAM that the unsubscribing option is just to simply hit "reply" and your email is removed.

If you want to actually follow up on the email, then you have to make a conscious decision to go to a URL or other email advised in the message. Not the other way around.

Many reputable organizations do this already.

As a non-US citizen most spam i get is totally useless anyway as it requires you to be US resident. While i spend the 10 to 15 mins every morning deleting spam I note the products in my head, and automatically delete them from any shopping list I may have in the future.

If the company is not smart enough to know i dont even come under their target demographic, I have very little confidence in any product or service they may be hawking.

Stay away from any crazy offers like this. A great proportion of emails are going to seondary email accs that people hardly ever check, expired or non-genuine emails and people like me who don't qualify. This is the downside of email being free. At least with letterbox drops or snail mail, you have to be more selective as each is costing you money.

The best lists are the ones you generate yourself.