Uncle Ben Needed

Zoolander_2

Postings by an individual on the forums is one thing. Companies are fair game for a little consumer revenge, it can help keep them on their toes and everyone benefits. But when a site has a mailing list of half a million, then it needs to act with a little more responisbility.

If an individual on the site, seeing a great bargain with a three megapixel camera at a price that is maybe too good to be true, wants to share it with others members, that's fine. But if an official mailing is sent out to 500,000 people, then you would hope that someone has checked their facts.

Any company is going to be overwhelmed by such a demand and especially if it was a mistake in the price, that will do no one any good. People will be disappointed, the company will have a great deal of hassle and expense, might have to raise its prices generally to compensate (the consumer loses out!) and even if you get an offer of your money back, what a load of confusion and grief for everyone to go through when someone could have done a little background work to check it's a legitimate deal and make sure the company is prepared.

A previous mailing from this site included a link to a small website that was offering free seeds, picking up from a post in the forums. No one asked the owner of this site if it was okay to include the link in the mailing and it was no surprise that they felt overwhelmed and could not cope with the massive extra demand the mailing brought their way. Plus the fact that by the time the mailing went out, the closing date for that particular offer had already expired. Sloppy indeed.

This site needs to recognise that with such a huge mailing list, it needs to make some changes to how it works. It's not a little operation any more. Including a link for a website or offer without asking the owner first and not giving them the chance to decline (or at least to prepare for the increase in traffic) is no better than Spam.

This site likes to run campaigns against what it sees as unfair practice. It has done a lot of good. But this site needs to make sure it doesn't, inadvertently, become a villain itself.

Peter Parker had Uncle Ben to remind him that with great power comes great responsibility.

What this site needs is an Uncle Ben.

MSE_Martin

I have to say, while the above post is politely written, I find it slightly off the mark.

Perhaps a question rather than a statement would've been a better way to work through the issue.

First of all while the tip goes to 500,000 people. The readership numbers of different sections of that tip vary. The freebies linked to tend to attract much smaller readership unless they're promoted.

Second, please don't assume checks aren't made before the email is sent. Sometimes companies change their policies after the email is sent out. Without being specific you may be incorrectly infering where the nature of the error is.

Third. While it may seem callous, I don't see the 'small company' defence as a relevant one. Companies offering freebies are there to promote business, by being in the email they get an unparalleled free promotion of their company. Many see this as a massive benefit, others a massive curse. Remember this site is pure consumer focus, read the motto on the front page.

As for an Uncle Ben, I shall avoid the flippant comment that perhaps you're applying for the job, and actually say that 'welcome to Uncle Ben city' that's exactly what this chat forum is - a host of Uncle Bens. Yet I would argue the reason the tip is so big is because I take the 'responsibility' very seriously.

You'd be amazed at what I don't publicise and goes on behind the scenes to help many individuals. I've noted you're new to the site, and I welcome you, good constuctive criticism as yours is, is always welcomed - i hope my arguements help appease them somewhat.

martin