A few weeks ago, I was forced to switch to a paid service to manage the ever-burgeoning T2F mailing list. I say “forced” because the service I was using, provided free as part of my hosting package, was not being able to deliver to Hotmail and Yahoo addresses owing to throttling issues.
After evaluating a number of companies, I picked MailChimp because I loved their attitude and style. Very contemporary and fun …
After importing all my e-mail addresses into their database, I tried to pay them. However, they wanted to know how I had acquired the addresses. They sent an e-mail with some questions and I responded in detail – but they pretty much told me to eff off.
I was furious and tried another service called ConstantContact. They spoke to me on the phone for about 25 minutes asking the same questions that the chimps asked but in a reasonable, rational manner. After a detailed conversation, they said, OK, we accept your responses and you’re good to go.
A day or two later, I returned to MailChimp to delete my account and was asked to fill in a survey form asking why I was leaving. Here’s what I said:
I am leaving MailChimp because you weren’t willing to accept my money, trust my organization, or believe that our mailing list was acquired through legitimate means.
I understand that spam is a global problem and has enormous repercussions. However, behaving in a draconian manner and implying that a potential customer is lying about their list acquisition is just disgusting.
I am appalled at the treatment meted out to me (Ticket# LTK152017762707X) and have concluded that your behaviour smacks of racism.
I have signed up with ConstantContact because they had the decency to conduct a list review in a dignified manner and accept my responses as truthful and honest.
Of course, I haven’t heard from them …
I think PayPal has a strongly anti-Pakistan bias, too. If you look at the list of the countries in their drop-down money you’d realize that they’d pretty much have to have Pakistan actively excluded – After all they cater to countries where it is effing unlikely to be a buyer … so why’d there be no Pakistan where buyers abound,
I sent them a stinker – unlike FK’s rather grovellin note.
Where did my comment go???
I was telling you that it is absolutely refreshing to have you blogging again. You write on such unique topics. I cannot think of anyone else in the Pakistani blogosphere thinking about them. Keep writing!
@Zakintosh: I originally thought FK’s message was a step in the right direction, but yeah – you’re probably right. Please share your stinker!
@sabizak: Thank You 