Image by DavidErickson via Flickr
Opting-out on Anything Worries me!
If your like me, you probably have had those experiences where you were automatically added to a list or even something like a spam list. I’ve probably seen it all if you ask me, I know I’ve seen those phones calls where I get pitched an idea or even trying to glean some other personal information from me. That is what really worries me sometimes, not knowing about my privacy and who all has my personal information.
Someone reader over at the GNC blog commented and said “I wouldn’t mind if starbucks comes to my place and give me a free morning coffee.” When I read that comment it made me think about how much some people like to just be auto-subscribed to emails and charged money for things they didn’t asked to be charged for.
Differences between Starbucks and Amazon!
Hey lets face it, I wouldn’t mind a free coffee now and then. Starbucks isn’t going to find you and give your a free coffee because that would go under the stalking rule. They probably don’t even have your credit card on file to charge your account if you buy something else along side that coffee in the first place. You have physically be in the store to even have a chance at getting a free coffee.
Amazon on the other hand, in my opinion has some things that can be trouble down the road. They have your personal information in a database, which could lead to identity theft. I really don’t think it is a real possibility but I have to at least throw that out and say it. They also have your Credit Card on file to charge for things on their website, Kindle, and Roku Box. It’s called the One Click buy, you don’t have much security but a pin that someone could easily guess or keep trying until they get it right. Although Amazon has some great policies in place to let you get your money back that is, if you can prove that it was malicious and that you didn’t authorize them.
Let me Opt in!
Amazon could of easily prevented this debacle in the first place by sending out email to a select few people offering them the chance to try this Kindle Fire Compass and telling them what will happen if they do try it out. How much it would cost after the 14 days of trial are over with and what the main idea about the product. If they just did that, no one would of minded to try it out. Heck, I would of jumped aboard if they ask me but I was one of the lucky few who didn’t get picked.
My Blog will always be Opt-in!
I know one thing, I will never give out your information to anyone. For that matter will ever send out unsolicited emails from me. The one reason you might want to consider subscribing to my email campaign is to keep up to date on any new posts. If you want to opt in and get my updates sent to your emails please join the list.
Paul Sylvester
Related articles
- When Does Signing Up Becoming ‘Opting In?’ (it.slashdot.org)
- 5 Marketing Technology stories you might have missed 12-3-11 (customerthink.com)
- Double Opt-in vs. Single Opt-in Stats (mailchimp.com)
- Newlyweds-to-be ‘opt for vouchers’ (autonetinsurance.co.uk)
- Verizon’s “Opt-Out” Policy; What Marketers Should Do Differently (customerthink.com)
- Kindle ‘free trial’ newsletter furor: Opt-out, or be charged (zdnet.com)
- Amazon says soz for foisting mag sub onto Kindle-touchers (go.theregister.com)
