RE: 'Bowhunter', Say it isn't so.......
Antler Eater, I too am appalled, shocked, saddened and outraged that you would... have anyone think you're overreacting to this situation! <img src=icon_smile_wink.gif border=0 align=middle><img src=icon_smile_big.gif border=0 align=middle>
Seriously though, you've articulated one of the biggest problems which most Americans past and present have fallen prey to. I'm not sure if it's unawareness as much as it is apathy.
Remember the old analogy of how to cook a frog? You throw him in a pot of boiling water, he jumps right out. Put him in a pot of cool water and turn the temperature up a few degrees at a time, and he acclimates himself all the way 'til he croaks and floats upside down.
It IS outrageous to expect me to be responsible to pay -- out of my own pocket -- (and to take your precious time, which costs me WAY more!) to bother with sending something back so I'm not charged with it when it comes UNSOLICITED!
Rack-attack is exactly right in companies being able to transcend this methodology of "advertising" and "selling" to other mediums if people like Antler Eater don't stand up now. Frankly, as a business owner and someone who currently makes a living in professional sales, I find it sickening.
I just returned from a conference in St. Louis where our company brought in a purchasing agent to speak with a group of professional salesmen. Among his tidbits of advice -- from the other side, if you will, was to never call someone and leave them a message stating, "This is Joe, and I wanted to drop in to see you later. Call me back and let me know what time would be good for you." At least not until you've developed a relationship with that client.
His point? Why is it his responsibility to take time out his busy day and do your job for you?! The same exact thinking should apply here.
Discipline -- not desire -- determines destiny.