This deceptive return address is a solicitation to renew a subscription to ACT! Extra.
Some years ago, when I first started using ACT! as my contact management program, I subscribed to ACT! Extra. Since I didn't find it valuable, I did not renew the subscription. At first they kept sending me invoices and Past Due notices, with PAST DUE splattered all over the outside of the envelopes that came to my office (Thanks for that reputation). For the first year or two, I sent several mail responses and left several phone messages that I did NOT want to renew and to please take me off their mailing list. No - they're still sending stuff, often from different return addresses.
When I opened this envelope this morning, I was really ticked off, to find yet another "subscriptional renewal notice" from these people. How can these people imagine that I would want to do business when anyone who has to resort to these tactics?
I don't believe there is any direct connection with ACT! software, which is owned by Sage.
In any case - I just wanted to warn any of you thinking of subscribing to ACT! Extra that you may never, ever be rid of those people! The company (?) at the top of the notice is Eli Research with a post office box in Philadelphia.
Sharon, it looks like "marketing" through "intimidation" to me:) It is so "official" looking---many people might just think they were in the wrong somehow and they better renew real fast!
Hi Shannon, I can't read the return address but understand the frustration of your post. I guess they get enough re-ups that it makes sense to resort to this type of marketing.
That's awful! I'm sorry to hear that happened to you! I too have had real estate vendors harassing me to buy their product and quite frankly, the tactics they use to sell, REALLY don't make me want to buy!
Imagine if we went at our clients in that manner! The reaction would not be good and I don't think we'd get ANY business!
Best of luck to you with this situation and thanks for the heads up!
Kind Regards, Nicole Weidauer
The Egerer & Weidauer Team, Keller Williams Realty North Seattle
Sharon-
I receive very similar types of mail from companies claiming to be my domain registrar and that I need to pay up or I'll be shut down. I never heard of these people and they just don't stop. They actually were able to get my domain switched over some years ago!
Hi Sharon,
It must make you feel good for the office staff to see your delinquent notice coming in the mail. Did they ask you to pay them in cash?
These tacticts are disgraceful, isn't there an agency that you could report them to?
Is there a postage paid envelope included? If so, stuff it with your other junk mail and send it back to them :)
I gave up act 6 years ago and still get their JUNK
Sharon... I have to agree with Lisa... We have a few companies that insist on sending us junk even after we've requested countless times for them to stop. Now, I save their return envelope and stuff it with as much stuff as I can and mail it back to them. I managed to squish a coke can down enough the other day to get in the envelope. They may never get the message but it does give me a chuckle every time I drop the envelope in the mail slot.
Sharon That is the most negative form of marketing and I am amazed they continue to have customers. It's used car sales tactics at their worst! It never ceases to amaze me the unprofessional and downright stupid behavior that we run in to every day!
Have a great weekend -Russell
Grrrrrr! Stuff like this makes me crazy! They should really figure out that if they annoy former clients, they will remain former clients. And ACT will become blog fodder - even worse!
Charles - agreed. I doubt that many people renew because of it, but many - like me - probably do open the envelope.
Bill - yes, you're probably right. That's why people keep sending spam e-mail, too.
Nicole - thanks. I really don't need luck with anything - they keep sending and I keep trashing. Just wanted to expose them to a wider audience.
Mott - yes, domain registrars are notorious for that. Years ago I had a domain pirated and I could never get it corrected.
Hal - probably, consumer protection or better business bureau - in Philadelphia there may be a newspaper or tv station that investigates and reports on businesses like that. Like too many others, it hasn't been a valuable use of my time to pursue it.
Lisa - I don't remember. I'll have to do that next time.
Thesa - it makes you wonder how much less these programs/subscriptions would cost if they cut out all the mailings, phone calls and harassers.
Jesse - maybe some lead fishing weights??
Russell - it's sure negative to me. Have a great weekend yourself!
Patricia - maybe I should send it to Sage Software and tell them what a bad rap ACT! is getting because of it.
Oooh, Sharon... you're good. haha
Jesse - especially when I have you to egg me on!