Mr. Wallace's ellipses (....) delete the part of CompuServe's policy that
would show you they're talking about postal mailings, not e-mailings.
<i>&gt;&gt;In our continuous effort to provide our customers with the best possible</i>
service, we occasionally utilize our membership list for mailings. Each
month, all CompuServe members are entitled to receive the CompuServe
Magazine. From time to time, special CompuServe mailings may be sent.
CompuServe also sometimes makes its membership mailing lists available to
other companies who wish to send our members information about the products
or services.&lt;&lt;
As far as I can recall, CIS does not send unsolicited e-mail advertising to
its members, and it certainly doesn't let other advertisers do so.
To rent out one's magazine subscription list is a common practice -- almost
universal -- in publishing. So, again, Mr. Wallace is trying to compare
apples with oranges. Direct mail by postal service does not cost the
recipient. E-mail does. To receive CompuServe e-mail costs the user,
especially those who have to dial in long distance. The same is true for
most Internet e-mail. One way or another, charges are time-based.
Here's an idea for those who want to use bulk e-mailing. Rather than finding
ways to subvert the provider and sneak messages in to its users, why not
hammer out a deal that gives users a way to sign up proactively to be on
e-mail advertising lists? Surely this would result in lists that would be
better targeted and more responsive. Given CIS's current financial
pressures, I would think it would be to their advantage to find
*appropriate* ways to get advertisers and users together.
*********************************************************
Al Bredenberg Copy and Creative Services
ab@copywriter.com <a href="<a href="http://www.copywriter.com/ab/">http://www.copywriter.com/ab/</a>">http://www.copywriter.com/ab/</a>
Author, "The Small Business Guide to Internet Marketing"
For info, send any message to ebook@jjplaza.com
*********************************************************
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