Premium Members Michael Stumpf Posted June 24, 2004 Premium Members Report Share Posted June 24, 2004 So, I'm opening my mail today only to find a letter addressed like this: Michael Stumpf Steadicam Operator Freelance my address city, state, zip What was the letter? A so called "Priority Selection Invitation" to recieve a FREE monthly subscription to "Digital Video" magazine. Nowhere else did I, or would I, sign up for something with my job title and "freelance" attached to it. This is from the Cinegear registration. So, I guess this year they felt they would take it upon themselves to make a little extra money, at our expense! And if they sold our names and addresses out to one company...it'll go to others. And what's irritating about it is they gave out our job titles to outside companies. Very uncool, time to drop Karl a note at: info@cinegearinfo.com Has anyone else received this letter? It's one thing for those marketing companies that put on those gimmics like, "register to win a new motorcycle" and ask for all kinds of personal information including how much you make. Those companies will make 5 times as much money selling out your personal info. as the prize costs. But an organization that was developed by a former Camera guy, to benefit collegues! Am I alone in feeling a bit betrayed by Karl and Cinegear for selling out our personal info.? If they needed a bit extra money, what was wrong with asking for a donation? I would of gladly done so, even though I'm sure they make plenty already. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Members Lawrence Karman Posted June 25, 2004 Premium Members Report Share Posted June 25, 2004 Dear Michael, I got the same solicitation in the mail and I can't say I was as upset as you. Just another piece of junk mail to toss in the circular file. Easier to do than sifting through some of the "junk" posts here. Believe me when I say I don't want my info sold to 3rd parties, but wasn't DV magazine an exhibitor at Cine Gear? I think they were and as such they receive a complete mailing list of all attendees which they are free to do with as they wish. Maybe when I get offers for penile enlargment and lower mortgage rates addressed to: freelance camera operator I'll change my tune. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Members Michael Stumpf Posted June 25, 2004 Author Premium Members Report Share Posted June 25, 2004 Good point Lawrence. After re-reading my post it does sound like I was mad, which I wasn't, it was just a bit upsetting. I'm quite protective of my privacy and personal information. But you are probably right about the DV magazine being an exhibitor and therefore got the info that way. Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
James Livingston Posted June 25, 2004 Report Share Posted June 25, 2004 Hello Michael, Although it sounds like they sold your name, they may not have. Typically what happens is a company looking for potential clients, in this case Digital Video magazine, will send their mailing to CineGear (or SONY, JVC, American Cinematographer, etc...). CineGear, for a fee, will do the mailing for them. This allows CineGear to retain the control over their highly focused mailing list and make $$ from each company looking for you as a target market. If Digital Video magazine wants to repeat this effort, they will have to pay CineGear again. If CineGear sold your information they loose their commodity and their ability to continue generating this revenue. Although selling contact information seems to be ocurring on the internet, rarely will any company release their mailing lists. Mailing lists are expensive to build and maintain. Most attendence forms have a paragraph on the form expliaing that the information becomes the property of the company. Sometimes you can sheck a box showing that you do not give permission to give out this data. So, CineGear may be selling off your contact information, but doing it in a controlled fashion to companies in the industry. I hope this helps. James Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Members Lawrence Karman Posted June 25, 2004 Premium Members Report Share Posted June 25, 2004 Come to think about it I did get a Cine Gear related solicitation for a product that would give me a longer and thicker Post. Over 3 times longer and with 25% more girth. Made from 100 % natural carbon fibers. I'm considering it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Members Bryan Trieb Posted June 25, 2004 Premium Members Report Share Posted June 25, 2004 I get those emails too....but I don't think it's my steadi post that they're addressing.... :blink: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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