Automatically adding customers to newsletter

[kjs50]

Hello,

I've been looking at newsletter opt in strategies for sites and it seems like more and more sites are not asking for newsletter optin. (Gap, Bonobos, etc.). They seem to be automatically adding customers to their newsletter list upon ordering. I've ordered from Gap and experienced the same.

I've always asked customers during the checkout process if they wanted to sign up, but are the times changing?

I have a guest checkout by default. New customers have the option to create an account after placing an order. Thinking, should I add anyone that creates an account to the email list.

It doesn't feel right, but the larger sites seem to be moving to this model.

Wanted to gather thoughts.

Thanks.

[bhartzer]

I any case, you really need to get their permission before you add them to a newsletter. So, during the checkout process you may want to add something on their site that tells them that.

[piatkow]

The rules vary between jurisdictions. Regardless of what may be technically legal it is defintely best practice to get a positive permission.

Of course that won't stop punters hitting the "report as spam" button as a substitute for unsubscribing.

[lucy24]

I've always asked customers during the checkout process if they wanted to sign up, but are the times changing?

Just because a deplorable habit is coming into general use is no reason you have to start doing the wrong thing when you've been doing the right thing all along.

[tangor]

These sites are pushing the TOS (Terms of Service) agreements they post where in, at some point in the vast legalese of that document, is a phrase something like "by using our check out, or making purchases via SITE you agree to provide a valid email address and accept notifications of changes to this document and/or other services provided by SITE."

They will eventually be called out on this invasion of privacy ... and abuse of computers, which most COUNTRIES have laws against.

Follow along, if you like, but what I do (asking for a new subscriber to my newslettter) is provide a 20% discount on their next order over $xx.xx.

I can think of a few big box computer stores in the usa that indicate they NEED your personal information or they can't sell to you. I always get a chuckle when I leave $3 to $3000 worth of merchandise in the cart at the cashier check out and wave bye-bye, heading for the exit. So far they have never let me escape. :)

[kjs50]

thanks for the suggestions. yeah, decided against adding people automatically. I do make it easy to register now, but I say what they are signing up for.

The companies including it in their TOS makes sense. That way they are free of liability even though it's a sketchy practice.

For the 20% on the next order, how often do people abuse that for repeat orders. Do you set a cookie to now show for registered users?

Thanks.

[tangor]

My subscriber list is the check re: discount.for signing up: a field that is 0 or 1. :)