A Look At Harassing Publishers 
By Bobbette Madonna 
Copyright 2003

I got up in a pretty good mood and had a cup of coffee while
thinking about some special advertising offers for my LOGON 
ezine readers. I sat down at my computer and below is the
very  first email I read. Now, I usually just unsubscribe
the person  and delete the message and believe me this is
not the worst  email I have received. I am writing about
this response because of the reader's demand for an answer
which caused me to really think of an answer and when I do
that – on comes an article.

I wanted to share this experience with you in the hopes that
just one person thinking about unsubscribing from an ezine
would be kind about how they do it. It really isn't
necessary to be a jerk. Although some people just need to
be. Maybe because they are picked on at home and the
Internet is one place they can be a terrorist. Makes them
feel better, I guess...

Here is Tom's email (spelling edited):

I cannot unsubscribe from this crap so that would make it
spam. I tried using your unsubscribe area. It said
unrecognized input. What kind of crap is this. I would like
a reply to this email. Also unsubscribe me from everyone of
your lists. I would also like a reason why I should not file
spam charges against you. I can't unsubscribe so that makes
this spam. If I don't hear from you and receive any kind of
newsletter or anything. I will consider filing harassment
charges against you. I have never been interested in your
stupid ezines and I never will. I expect a response. 
Tom Sandve

And, my response:

Tom, You subscribed to my ezines. I have 4 ezines. You were
subscribed to 2 of them. With the unsubscribe boxes at the
end of every mailing it's pretty easy to remove yourself. If
you don't know how to work it, is that my problem? If you
had a problem, which you did, all you have to do is email me
a request to be unsubscribed. Why the rudeness and threats
are necessary is only a reflection of your character and
professionalism. You asked for an answer, here it is...

My unedited response:

“What kind of crap is that”, you ask? Well, how about
technology, how about a glitch in the program, how about
crap happens, how about you taking some responsibility and
acting like an adult instead of a whiner and threatening me
with the a spam complaint. Is it because you can't see me
and it's easier to have a little fun and do this type of
harassment?

Why do some people think it's necessary to always use the
word spam and threaten publishers who give a free service
that you subscribed to? Why do you do that? If you want to
file spam charges against me - do it. Use spamcop.com,
that's your buddy. People like you are obviously the only
ones on the planet who can FIX the peoples of the world and
try to force them to do what you think is right. No one else
has a right to think any differently than you or you will
punish them or threaten to do so. Does that make you feel
superior?

I could sue you for defamation of character, rudeness and
spam also. I didn't ask for your insulting email. I have
your subscription requests. And, I will be sure to tell all
other publishers that you are a 'spam screamer' as you are
known in the industry.

I wouldn't usually take the time to write and explain these
things to you but it is people like you who are killing the
ezine industry. Congratulations! Have a great day and try
not to ruin anyone else's morning.

PS: Don't subscribe to any more ezines. Publishers don't
need or want people with your terrorist mentality lurking in
their cyberspace. I'm publishing your email and my answer in
one of my editions. You won't see it!

I hope Tom takes responsibility for his actions in the
future. Writing a simple request to be unsubscribed –
manually – from an ezine is all it takes. Most reputable
publishers will do it immediately. None of us want trouble.

Solving challenges are the stepping stones to great character  
and the golden rule still applies. Be kind to publishers. They 
are your wealth of knowledge and very nice people... 
*************

About the Author: 

Bobbette Madonna publishes LOGON NewZine
and the Guerrilla Marketing Resource Center. Also, she is
the owner of www.niba4u.com - a spam watch site and is a
partner for the fight against unfair termination of service
at www.spamattorney.biz  The main subscription and marketing
resource center for LOGON is at: http://logonnewzine.com