Is this misleading and predatory solicitation?

[GoldenRivet]

Platapus, here is the long version of my encounter.... they were very careful with their words

I received one of these notices today and called to politely ask if i could be removed from the mailing list.

My first question was "How do you know my name address and vehicle year, make and model?"

he states "our marketing department handles that."

i said "How does your marketing department know my name, address, and vehicle year, make and model?"

he says "My file doesn't show that, they just know."

im thinking "They just know??? they just know."

i asked to speak with a supervisor and the twerp said "Im perfectly capable of assisting you with any problems."

i reiterated my request to speak with a supervisor

supervisor comes on the line

"yeah?" he said

"Yeah.... its my opinion that these notifications you send in the mail are misleading and i would prefer to be removed from your mailing list."

"ok, sorry you feel that way.... whats your customer ID?"

I give him the ID number off the card

"Ok let me pull it up here.... your name is John? and you have a Nissan?"

"yes"

"ok let me transfer you over and we will see what we can do for you."

hold for a minute and a third guy answers.

"Hi, my name is Tony and i have been given authorization to offer you our platinum protection plan."

"I dont want a protection plan, i had asked to be removed from your mailing list, the last guy was working on that supposedly and all the sudden i have you on the line now."

Originally Posted by Platapus

Did the waranty company ever claim that her car was not covered? A person can choose to have multiple warranty on their car at the same time (not a practice they would recommend).

he then asked: "Well i will see what i can do to take care of that request, in the mean time how is your nissan running? everything working ok?"

I said "Everything is working fine, thank you for asking."

He says: "Do you have the typical 3 year 36,000 mile warranty that they provide there from the dealer?"

Me: "I think thats the one i have."

Him: "Do you have over 36,000 miles?"

Me: "About 38,000 now. but im not interested in any service plan. i just want to be removed from the mailing list."

Him: "Well sir, it sounds to me like your warranty is actually expired and we can certainly help you with that today."

Me: "No thanks, i have talked to 3 people now, and nobody has been able to help me with this issue, just remove me from the mailing list."

he put me on hold for several minutes and assured me i had been removed.

i asked for a confirmation number and his name and he told me "oh we dont do anything like that for mailing list removals, is there anything else i can do for you."

Me: "no thanks. have a nice day."

end.

Originally Posted by Platapus

If they did not lie, then what they did was legal.

yes... legality and morality - gray area again. I'm perfectly in agreement that the scenario was legal - my interaction with this company today broke no laws on either end that i am aware of.

however, i do think that it is a very manipulative practice, and that consumers should be protected from such things.

i fully think that companies should be required by law to:

1. Remove you from any and all mailing lists

2. disclose the entity they acquired your contact information from.

3. Openly disclose that they do not know the status of your vehicle's warranty, only that they can offer services that are supplemental to that which you may or may not already have.