off the list

Did someone send you a gift from Harry and David?

If so, you could be in trouble — with your Postman.

One of the most insidious practices in the catalog industry goes as follows:

When you receive a gift ordered from a catalog or via the internet, you go on that company’s mailing list.

I call it emotional spyware and it sucks.

Not every company does it, but far too many do.

Take for example, Harry and David.

I contacted them on 06/07/07 and asked to be taken off the list.

The rep gave me the standard line:

“the catalogs are pre-printed, so you may receive 1 or 2 more but after that you should be off the list”

Needless to say, the catalogs kept rolling in.

Two of the mailings included a “Giftlist”:

A pre-printed order form that includes all the items I had previously ordered from H&D.

Which is very handy — some people like and expect the same gifts every year.

Especially Harry and David — and they get kinda pushy about it:

Then, my Grandmother passed away.

Neither Harry nor David was involved — at least not until a kind friend sent us a present.

The Tower of Sweet Treats was indeed very thoughtful, not to mention, tasty.

Peanuts. Chocolate. Caramel. Just the thing to help remember a sweet lady.

But along with the treats came a nasty trick.

Because this Tower of Sweet Treats was sent to our family — not to me personally — a new account had been created.

You guessed it — we were back on the list.

I guess herpes is not the only gift that keeps on giving.

So expect no Royal Riviera Pears or Deluxe Celebration Basket from me.

‘Cause Harry & David, you’re now On My List.