Posted By: persistent
So, since the demise of the old site, I've gotten a handful of "here's how to find me" emails, which I actually appreciate, and hope more providers do (or else get new ads up). I always tell my regular providers that they are free to email or text me anytime, unsolicited, since there's no way to get me in trouble (hobby email, etc). Up until now all had the good sense to Bcc: all the recipients, but today I got an email from an FBSM provider who put everyone on the To: line -- over 250 of her clients, and now I have all their email addresses, and they have mine. Hurray! Curiosity got the best of me, and interestingly enough, while most people seem to be using hobby emails (I assume every gmail or yahoo address is hobby), there are definitely folks who are *not* doing so!!!
Anyway, what I wonder is:
- Are any of the rest of you getting these? Any similar faux pas?
- Should I contact the provider and politely let her know what she did (I'm assuming it was an innocent mistake -- although one that could have big consequences)? At this point, not sure what the use is. [edit; nevermind, the original email said *not* to reply because she is retiring her current email, and that we'd all be getting a new email from her with her new address LOL]
I actually gave a great deal of thought into doing something like this. However I decided not to reach out to the hundreds of texts, emails or calls I received prior. My reasoning is that because of the major stings I have no idea how trustworthy those contacts may be. And no simple way to pick out those I know verses those I dont. I would rather start again fresh and use my instincts to screen on a case by case basis. Its simply not acceptable to group text or email... You have no way of keeping detailed records of so many people without putting them at risk. Or exposing them to other potentially harmful people in that list. Its irresponsible and selfish.
I'm sorry to hear that. I think there is a way to hide cc's so others don't see them. I have in the past gotten emails from clients who have cc'ed other providers, but as a provider, have not thought about sending mass emails, until now. But i think it's no secret that they have my email and phone number, and if they wanted to reach, could do so quite simply. I think that you should tell her for sure, just be careful that in responding to her, you don't respond to the other 250 people, although i'm sure a lot of those email addresses are probably no longer current.
Posted By: HairyAfricanmilk
I'm sorry to hear that. I think there is a way to hide cc's so others don't see them. I have in the past gotten emails from clients who have cc'ed other providers, but as a provider, have not thought about sending mass emails, until now. But i think it's no secret that they have my email and phone number, and if they wanted to reach, could do so quite simply. I think that you should tell her for sure, just be careful that in responding to her, you don't respond to the other 250 people, although i'm sure a lot of those email addresses are probably no longer current.
I can definitely sympathize, in that if I'd spent years carefully building a business and delighting my customers, and had a model where all of us were comfortable with one method to communicate, and that method disappeared overnight ... it would be awfully tempting to initiate contact. Really, for me, given the circumstances, I wouldn't begrudge a provider with whom I have a business relationship initiating contact to tell me how to find her new ad, this one time (though I imagine not everyone agrees). Hell, I'm hoping more providers contact me to tell me where their ads have ended up. I've noticed some name changes also, as new ads pop up.
I do think, though, that putting the entire customer list on the To: line instead of the Bcc: line is a small mistake that can have serious consequences ... if someone must blast-o-gram instead of sending single emails to hand-picked best-customers, it's worth triple-checking that. I also think the few guys out there using real emails need to show some personal responsibility too. Alas, I can't contact the provider to let her know of her mistake, until she sends out the next blast-o-gram with her new email address
I have gotten a couple emails and some text messages.
It seems the providers that I have seen are little bit brighter than the ones that contacted you and BCC'ed me on the emails. What's dumber than not using BCC, is of course, hobbyists who use an email other than for hobbying
The details of this incident are cringe-worthy. There was a post about this same issue on the other defunct site (AoFBSM board) about a week before it was shut down.
I don't understand how either of these incidents were an accident. Even if the intent was innocent, it's simply unprofessional and very dangerous.
Smh
