BizNet OnLine Magazine, Fail Into The Gap

Fail Into The Gap
Your regular mailbox is from time to time clogged up with a store catalog or two. Now The Gap Clothing Store is trying to do it to your E-Mail.

I have no doubt that your regular mailbox is from time to time clogged up with a store catalog or two. Now The Gap Clothing Store is trying to do it to your E-Mail.

The Gap, has started to send out E-Mails to welcome consumers to their new online store, to offer discounts, and to notify individuals of “sale” items.

The Gap, claims that they are not engaging in spamming or sending out unsolicited E-Mail. In fact they claim all recipients have requested to receive the E-Mailings, by signing up at a Gap store or online.

How do I know about this. I got spammed by the Gap. I can tell you that I never signed up at their store, or online. At 6’1”, and 275 lbs, I do not shop at The Gap. In fact, I don’t think I have even walked through one in over ten years.

So, how did I get on their list? They claim I signed up in person in one of their stores.

I discussed this matter with the Gap:

· A Mr. Allen Marks speaking for The Gap maintains that The Gap is not spamming and that all laws are being followed.

I requested to see a copy of the card that I supposedly filled out. Mr. Smith stated he would supply it to me. I have yet to see it.

· I pointed out that as of January 1, 1999, under California law (both the Gap and myself are in California) all commercial advertising E-Mail must be marked as advertising by placing “ADV” in the subject header of the message and that the E-Mail being sent by The Gap was not so marked.

Mr. Smith stated that as it was not advertising but requested information, it did not need to be marked. Mr. Smith further stated that all a person has to do to be removed from the mailings is to “click” on the link to request to be removed.

· I pointed out to Mr. Smith that just about every advisory on fighting Spam and Junk E-Mail tells you to never hit the “Remove” link, as this just lets the Spammers know they have a good address and you read the E-Mail.

Mr. Smith stated that this was not the case with The Gap. All requests would be honored, and that the list would not be sold or provided to other companies.

· I explained that this was still a Spamming campaign and a good way to aggravate the online community.

Mr. Smith again stated that this was not Spam and that all parties receiving the E-Mails had requested it. He further stated that the online community wants this.

So, does the online community want this? I think not. The online world likes to be informed of things, and even kept up to date on the offerings available by online retailers. But the online community does not like blatant commercialism cramming their in-box. I doubt that The Gap ever did their homework on this matter. I do believe they just saw it as a cheap advertising campaign.

And, for Mr. Smith’s adamant statement that it is not Spam but requested information.... The very first message I received stated I was receiving this message as I had requested it, but if I had not requested it I could be removed from the future mailings....

Time will tell if The Gap knows better then me. I think not. Let us know what you think. Appropriate responses will be published.

So, am I right; Am I wrong????? What do you think…

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