One way to combat spam

[Whitney]

Yesterday I saw a spam post on the livestrong.com forum and it happened to be for a local bbq place.  So, I clicked on their site link, found the contact info and sent them off an email telling them how I was never going to visit their establishment due to their poor choice in sleezy advertising methods.  In less than a day (and this was the weekend) I got an email back apologizing and that they would be speaking with their newly hired ad company on monday.  I don't think that company will be unknowingly spamming anyone again.

So, if you see spam (not just here but anywhere) and feel safe doing so (don't get a comp virus) contact the owners of the spammed link or company and let them know how you now feel about their product and send them a quote or screen shot of the spam.  It may not have much of an affect on the bigger companies but small companies are going to care.

[McQ]

Never thought of doing that. It's interesting that the BBQ place wasn't aware that they were spammers. Someone at that ad company needs to communicate with their client better.

[LegendarySandwich]

It's interesting that the BBQ place wasn't aware that they were spammers.

I doubt that they weren't aware they were spamming. My cynical gut tells me that they were aware, and lied to Whitney when they said they weren't to save face.

This is a good idea you have here, and could possibly work with the smaller companies, as you said. Maybe I'll try it sometime.

[McQ]

It's interesting that the BBQ place wasn't aware that they were spammers.

I doubt that they weren't aware they were spamming. My cynical gut tells me that they were aware, and lied to Whitney when they said they weren't to save face.

This is a good idea you have here, and could possibly work with the smaller companies, as you said. Maybe I'll try it sometime.

Yeah, I guess it does seem unlikely they didn't know anything about it. I wouldn't allow any business of mine to be advertised without my control over the method or content.

[Whitney]

I doubt that they weren't aware they were spamming. My cynical gut tells me that they were aware, and lied to Whitney when they said they weren't to save face.

I really don't think they knew.  This is a small hooters knock off bbq place in texas that doesn't even have a that great of a website; if it's anything like other small bbq places I've been to here it's run by the type of people who probably still use aol to get online.  He thought they were paying for internet marketing but not for the spam form of internet marketing.

[Will]

Ironically, I'm suddenly in the mood for barbecue.  

[LegendarySandwich]

I really don't think they knew.  This is a small hooters knock off bbq place in texas that doesn't even have a that great of a website; if it's anything like other small bbq places I've been to here it's run by the type of people who probably still use aol to get online.  He thought they were paying for internet marketing but not for the spam form of internet marketing.

Huh. You're probably right. It's just hard to find an honest business, I guess.

[AnimatedDirt]

I really don't think they knew.  This is a small hooters knock off bbq place in texas that doesn't even have a that great of a website; if it's anything like other small bbq places I've been to here it's run by the type of people who probably still use aol to get online.  He thought they were paying for internet marketing but not for the spam form of internet marketing.

Huh. You're probably right. It's just hard to find an honest business, I guess.

This is interesting.

What percentage would you suggest is the best factual description of honest vs dishonest businesses and what is this based on?

[Whitney]

I assume a business is dishonest if they advertise their quality of service based on their being Christian; makes me think they have something to hide (have felt this way since back when I was very religious too).  

Generally I have found small business owners to be honest (unless they are mechanics or involved with overnight millionaire claims)...it's the mega corporations you have to watch out for because they are at higher risk for loosing touch with the customers.

[AnimatedDirt]

I assume a business is dishonest if they advertise their quality of service based on their being Christian; makes me think they have something to hide (have felt this way since back when I was very religious too).

Me too!  It throws all kinds of flags up when I see that.

[LegendarySandwich]

What percentage would you suggest is the best factual description of honest vs dishonest businesses and what is this based on?

Uhhh... I don't know?

[Whitney]

I assume a business is dishonest if they advertise their quality of service based on their being Christian; makes me think they have something to hide (have felt this way since back when I was very religious too).

Me too!  It throws all kinds of flags up when I see that.

There is a big nice looking shop within an easy walk from my house...but it is called Christian Brothers and their signage has some pretty hard core christian comments on it all the time like during Christmas it said something about blood and baring the cross rather than an uplifting message typical to the season.  We decided to take our business across the street (not an easy walk) to the small shop that didn't have a holier than thou advertising approach.

[AnimatedDirt]

I assume a business is dishonest if they advertise their quality of service based on their being Christian; makes me think they have something to hide (have felt this way since back when I was very religious too).

Me too!  It throws all kinds of flags up when I see that.

There is a big nice looking shop within an easy walk from my house...but it is called Christian Brothers and their signage has some pretty hard core christian comments on it all the time like during Christmas it said something about blood and baring the cross rather than an uplifting message typical to the season.  We decided to take our business across the street (not an easy walk) to the small shop that didn't have a holier than thou advertising approach.

Well, I was speaking more along the lines of a business card that would somewhere on the card read; "Christian owned and operated".  I'm not sure I would avoid EVERY business that promoted its owner's beliefs.  If the business is 'big' and 'nice', it could very well be that they are a good business, but looks aren't everything.  During Christmas, I would almost disregard the signage being it is the "reason for the season"...but that's my bias allowing for it, and that's on another topic.  

[Whitney]

Well, I was speaking more along the lines of a business card that would somewhere on the card read; "Christian owned and operated".

Their business mission statement is to "glorify god by providing ethical and excellent automotive repair services for our customers"

http://christianbrothers.reachlocal.net/?id=reachlocal

The holiday message was just noticeably not in the same spirit as I normally view the season; I don't think I'd avoid a business just because they had a religious message on their changeable text board (well, depending on what it said).

[terranus]

So I take it you don't like Chic-fil-a much then, eh Whitney?

Ironically, I'm suddenly in the mood for barbecue.

Ditto. Unfortunado, all the BBQ places down here close pretty early...so I will most likely have to wait until tomorrow.