4 ms·

I am so turned off when I click a "Pricing" link and get a contact form. Even more so when I read that, "our pricing team" [will get back to you]. So, you hav

I am so turned off when I click a "Pricing" link and get a contact form. Even more so when I read that, "our pricing team" [will get back to you]. So, you have an entire team of people who will try and maximize how much I pay? Sounds like a great experience doing business with you. /heavysarcasm

homero 10y ago
I automatically skip any product where I have to speak to a human at any time
- theprotocol 10y ago
  Is it me, or are a lot of web-based service providers very chatty lately? I won't name and shame any particular ones, but I will say I've found myself regretting signing up for trials of certain services because of the almost sycophantic attention I'd receive from the oh-so-personable and friendly CEOs who make it a point to personally message all customers. I usually respond, initially, but then it quickly becomes pushy and intrusive, e.g. "Hi, I've noticed you haven't used [x] feature yet." "Hello? Are you getting my emails?" "Hello?" I don't mean to be rude, but I didn't sign up for the "omg you're so friendly and amazingly helpful" show. I just wanted to try the service out. Kindly stop breathing down my neck! :/
  - j_s 10y ago
    This happens because it works, though not necessarily so much for the HN crowd.
    - theprotocol 10y ago
      I'd wager the initial greeting works, but I question whether the person's lack of self awareness (when it's clear that the customer doesn't have time to do small-talk and has been evading you for 3 weeks straight) wouldn't be grating to most people who are trying to evaluate several products and get some work done.
      - j_s 10y ago
        https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=3456459 https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=3456459
        theprotocol 10y ago
        Interesting, thanks for the link. :)
    - bogomipz 10y ago
      Does it though? In my experience a good product or service doesn't require constant spamming. It has nothing to with whether someone reads HN or not.
      - j_s 10y ago
        Does your request for confirmation incorporate the ancient HN discussion I linked?
  - laumars 10y ago
    I've started reporting the worst offenders as spam. One service was e-mailing me once a week. After the 3rd e-mail I vowed never to use their product out of principle. After the 5th I'd had enough of the harassment.
    - theprotocol 10y ago
      The one I have in mind sent 4 emails in the same week, with a linear increase in bewilderment that I wasn't answering promptly beyond the first two (where I made it clear that I wanted to take my time).
bogomipz 10y ago
Agreed, that's where I close the browser tab. I also wouldn't shop at a store where merchandise wasn't priced.
redwood 10y ago
I wonder if companies trying to make money should invest their time in talking to you.

homero 10y ago

I automatically skip any product where I have to speak to a human at any time

theprotocol 10y ago
Is it me, or are a lot of web-based service providers very chatty lately? I won't name and shame any particular ones, but I will say I've found myself regretting signing up for trials of certain services because of the almost sycophantic attention I'd receive from the oh-so-personable and friendly CEOs who make it a point to personally message all customers. I usually respond, initially, but then it quickly becomes pushy and intrusive, e.g. "Hi, I've noticed you haven't used [x] feature yet." "Hello? Are you getting my emails?" "Hello?" I don't mean to be rude, but I didn't sign up for the "omg you're so friendly and amazingly helpful" show. I just wanted to try the service out. Kindly stop breathing down my neck! :/
- j_s 10y ago
  This happens because it works, though not necessarily so much for the HN crowd.
  - theprotocol 10y ago
    I'd wager the initial greeting works, but I question whether the person's lack of self awareness (when it's clear that the customer doesn't have time to do small-talk and has been evading you for 3 weeks straight) wouldn't be grating to most people who are trying to evaluate several products and get some work done.
    - j_s 10y ago
      https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=3456459 https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=3456459
      - theprotocol 10y ago
        Interesting, thanks for the link. :)
  - bogomipz 10y ago
    Does it though? In my experience a good product or service doesn't require constant spamming. It has nothing to with whether someone reads HN or not.
    - j_s 10y ago
      Does your request for confirmation incorporate the ancient HN discussion I linked?
- laumars 10y ago
  I've started reporting the worst offenders as spam. One service was e-mailing me once a week. After the 3rd e-mail I vowed never to use their product out of principle. After the 5th I'd had enough of the harassment.
  - theprotocol 10y ago
    The one I have in mind sent 4 emails in the same week, with a linear increase in bewilderment that I wasn't answering promptly beyond the first two (where I made it clear that I wanted to take my time).

bogomipz 10y ago

Agreed, that's where I close the browser tab. I also wouldn't shop at a store where merchandise wasn't priced.

redwood 10y ago

I wonder if companies trying to make money should invest their time in talking to you.