[theprotocol]

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]

This happens because it works, though not necessarily so much for the HN crowd.

[bogomipz]

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]

Does your request for confirmation incorporate the ancient HN discussion I linked?

[theprotocol]

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]

https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=3456459

[theprotocol]

Interesting, thanks for the link. :)

[laumars]

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]

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).