While howling indignantly at unsolicited telemarketing calls and e-mail has become fashionable, I recently received a refreshing reminder that traditional mail is not without its foibles.
Earlier this year, Richard N. Tooker, senior vice president, database and interactive marketing at direct marketing agency DMW, received an offering from TLC Remodeling Inc. The hand-stamped envelope contained a business card and a double-sided salmon-colored flier covered with testimonials.
It also held a letter that began “Dear Mr. Tooker: We recently received your name and telephone number from the State of PA Telemarketers Do Not Call List.”
The note continued, “TLC Remodeling Inc. is a responsible, full service home remodeling company and we respect the telephone privacy and rights of homeowners. Therefore, we have removed your name from our telemarketing directory and will not contact you by telephone unless you have requested us to do so in writing.”
It went on to request that Tooker keep the enclosed business card in his files.
Tooker was amused. The Direct Marketing Association, which was retained by the state of Pennsylvania to maintain the do-not-call list, was not.
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