Targeted mailings (the AARP and Hunting)

[Alex Franke]

I received a letter yester in which I was admonished for "not yet joining the AARP," even though I am "fully qualified." When did they start taking people in their late 30's?

I've also started getting loads of hunting mailings and catalogs. Hunting? I have a hard time killing an ant that gets in the house, let alone anything that could actually be considered hunting!

Sometimes targeted database marketing is spot on -- sometimes it's way off. Like I keep hearing about people's pets getting credit card offers....

You all getting any mailings that are totally off the wall this holiday season?

[Uncle Cracker]

It's easier to send mail to everybody than it is to weed out the disinterested. Heck, The AARP still sends membership promos to my father, and he's been dead for 25 years...

[pierhogunn]

well, as far as the AARP is concerned, he:

Meets the minimum age requirement

and is still retired so why bother editing their membership databases?

[crokett]

I got a catalogue last week for knitting supplies. And no, I don't knit.

[Mr__Bill]

The list brokers gather their names from many places. Next time you fill out a form on line that asks for you age put down 21 and see how many mailings you get for things that might appeal to that age group, and just how long it takes to happen. Most states sell the drivers license list and voter registration is available to anyone. Most likely the hunting people are buying 'like minded people lists'. You buy woodworking products and woodworkers like to hunt thus... or.... did you ever think that the Mrs might just have been shopping there.... lol. Then there are the mail merge mangles where someone with the same or similar name with an out of date address but the right age for AARP was merged with your name and current address and low and behold your now on the geezer list. Next they will sell it to someone else and you will be getting promotions for depends. The hunting folk will sell the list to real estate people and soon you will be getting mailings for hunting and fishing half acre ranchetts in Montana, and then the anti gun folk buy the list and you get chastised for being a gun nut and urged to save Bambi.

I almost forgot.... your friends who put your name on those little cards where you ask for more info on something. (don't you do that too?)

bill, who is watching a hummingbird while typing this

[LinuxRandal]

It's easier to send mail to everybody than it is to weed out the disinterested. Heck, The AARP still sends membership promos to my father, and he's been dead for 25 years...

I get one to my father, and he gets his at his house. You have to be smarter then the electronics on your desk.

[Ed62]

The mailings (yeah, I get 'em too) probably come from the same place that sends insurance companies bills for hospital services. I once received a notice from my insurance company that they paid a bill submitted to them for a procedure I had done. It was for a procedure done only on women!

Ed

[LinuxRandal]

The mailings (yeah, I get 'em too) probably come from the same place that sends insurance companies bills for hospital services. I once received a notice from my insurance company that they paid a bill submitted to them for a procedure I had done. It was for a procedure done only on women!

Ed

Absolutely hystorectical...

Don't get me started on double billing though.

[radhak]

Sometimes it's useful.

I recall some time ago we received a Victoria Secret catalog addressed to me. LOML was highly bemused, as she had not bought there at all. I told her that's the sort of mistake that always happens.

What I did not tell her was that I had previously logged into their annual fashion show on the web, and like an idiot given my name/address there (they lured me with some sort of a raffle) .

Good thing came out of that though - she's a regular VS customer now .

[jziegler]

I've been getting lots of expensive outdoor outfitter catalogs recently. Places like Orvis. I don't know about any of you, but about the most I can afford from them is a pair of socks. But why would I when I can get 10 paris for the same price at Kohl's or Target?

Maybe one of the WW mags got me on these lists?

Jim

[Alex Franke]

or.... did you ever think that the Mrs might just have been shopping there.... lol.

Don't go putting that thought into my head! LOL

[cgallery]

Ever stop to think that your identity may have been stolen by an elderly hunter?

[Uncle Cracker]

It was for a procedure done only on women!

Jeez, I bet that hurt...

[charliex]

I stuff everything into the return envelope along with all other junk I get and send it back at their expense. Helps keep the postal workers busy too.
Chas

[Tom Slick]

I've been getting lots of expensive outdoor outfitter catalogs recently. Places like Orvis. I don't know about any of you, but about the most I can afford from them is a pair of socks. But why would I when I can get 10 paris for the same price at Kohl's or Target?

Maybe one of the WW mags got me on these lists?

Jim

I get the same thing, orvis, filson, territory ahead. I don't need any $200 wool shirts or elk hunting gear, thank you



watch the PBS show "the persuaders" and you'd be amazed at what personal information is stored in databases purely for marketing. this one company does custom mailing lists that can be as specific as "Hispanic, left hand amputee, living in los angeles, with cholera, divorced, drives chevrolet, and owns the home he has lived in more then 5 years"
scary stuff.

http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontl...ws/persuaders/