Do you realize that with this wonderful computer age we have that every time you buy something, subscribe to a magazine, answer a survey, fill out a warranty card, or express an interest in anything at all your name goes on a mailing list?
These mailing lists are then sold to various companies that make the items that you have expressed an interest in so that they can then target individuals most likely to buy their products.
This is a legitimate marketing technique and perfectly legal and ethical. But others also can order these lists; they are for sale to anyone.
If you buy cat food do not be surprised to receive a mail or telephone request for a donation to the “Aid to Dependant Cats” or some other such wacko entity. They will send you a picture of a starving cat or a burlap bag full of kittens floating in the water so they can pull at your heart strings. They are going for that “emotional hook”. How can you not save those precious little kittens? How could somebody be so cruel?
What about the veteran in the wheelchair? Do you not just feel sorry as all get out for him? Or the poor police widow whose husband was shot by robbers and now she has to raise the kiddies all by herself? And how about that damn burro that’s homeless? Poor baby has to live outside. Is it not a shame? It is hard not to want to help these people and animals. Your heart goes out to them.
One reason people contribute to these causes is because they are darn glad it’s not them in that situation and they would hope that someone would help them out if they were. The only problem I have is; how do you know which ones are legitimate? You pretty much don’t. So what can you do?
These mailing lists are then sold to various companies that make the items that you have expressed an interest in so that they can then target individuals most likely to buy their products.
This is a legitimate marketing technique and perfectly legal and ethical. But others also can order these lists; they are for sale to anyone.
If you buy cat food do not be surprised to receive a mail or telephone request for a donation to the “Aid to Dependant Cats” or some other such wacko entity. They will send you a picture of a starving cat or a burlap bag full of kittens floating in the water so they can pull at your heart strings. They are going for that “emotional hook”. How can you not save those precious little kittens? How could somebody be so cruel?
What about the veteran in the wheelchair? Do you not just feel sorry as all get out for him? Or the poor police widow whose husband was shot by robbers and now she has to raise the kiddies all by herself? And how about that damn burro that’s homeless? Poor baby has to live outside. Is it not a shame? It is hard not to want to help these people and animals. Your heart goes out to them.
One reason people contribute to these causes is because they are darn glad it’s not them in that situation and they would hope that someone would help them out if they were. The only problem I have is; how do you know which ones are legitimate? You pretty much don’t. So what can you do?
