Interesting Request

[The White Coat Investor]

I'm always finding interesting stuff in my email box. Here's today's most interesting email:

Dear Sir

I a man a physician in my early years of practice. I have heard so much about your book. I would really appreciate if you can send me a copy. My address is ......

Thanks

Really? I sent him a link to Amazon. Has that technique ever worked for anyone else? Maybe I should start trying it.

[StuRedman]

Should have sent him a link to http://www.rosettastone.com/learn-english/ too.

[The White Coat Investor]

You'd be surprised the grammar, spelling etc errors that people are okay with in their emailed correspondence. And a fair number of otherwise intelligent doctors in this country have a limited knowledge of the English language, so I didn't find that part all that unusual. But I don't think I've ever had someone request that I not only send them a free copy of my book but also pay the shipping. But who knows, maybe he was expecting a reply "Sure, that'll be $19.99. What's your credit card number?" I just found it funny.

[PhysicianOnFIRE]

Well, that tactic did work for me... http://www.physicianonfire.com/wcibook/

I even got an autographed copy!

[DMFA]

Maybe his finances are in such bad shape that he needs the book for free, with free shipping to boot?

[The White Coat Investor]

PhysicianOnFIRE wrote:

Well, that tactic did work for me… http://www.physicianonfire.com/wcibook/

I even got an autographed copy!

Click to expand...

Yea, maybe he should have mentioned his popular website with his request. I send out lots of books for free, but it's usually with an ulterior motive!

[Complete_newbie]

This is not very unusual. On ecommerce stores there are free + shipping offers and customers ask for free stuff all the time (I know this because I closed on an eCommerce business). Your sending out books for ulterior motive is the same deal. Asking for repeat business (or eyeball in your case)

Since your "brand" is established, you can deny this "customer".

My overall impression from his/her grammar is that of a spammer.

[Dr. Curious]

My friend in high school used to write long letters (this was before email) with effusive praise to General Mills extolling the deliciousness of Lucky Charms and Cocoa Puffs. I don't know how or why he found out that it worked, but they would send him coupons for free boxes of cereal.

I tried this technique once when a nice wool peacoat from J. Crew started to fall apart after a decade or so. I hinted that I needed a new one, but all I got was "We're glad you liked it."

So I guess it can be worth a try,

Dr. C

[nwdpath]

Nobody wants to help a fellow "man-a-physician"?

[G]

Dr. Curious wrote:

My friend in high school used to write long letters (this was before email) with effusive praise to General Mills extolling the deliciousness of Lucky Charms and Cocoa Puffs. I don’t know how or why he found out that it worked, but they would send him coupons for free boxes of cereal.

I tried this technique once when a nice wool peacoat from J. Crew started to fall apart after a decade or so. I hinted that I needed a new one, but all I got was “We’re glad you liked it.”

So I guess it can be worth a try,

Dr. C

Click to expand...

Great point.  My first international (to Canada) roadtrip as an adult was eye opening.  I swear that the Canadian Crest toothpaste makes our stuff taste like brick mortar in comparison.  And SMOKY BACON Lays Potato Chips...why WHY are they not selling these in the American South?!  Anyway, I called both customer service lines to ask why.  In addition to clearly making the days of the people that answered the phones, I soon received two hand-addressed envelopes full of coupons for free toothpaste, chips, salsa, dental floss, laundry detergent, etc.  Ah, the good ol days!