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In 99% of the cases - there is no recourse. In one instance, I tried replying and they asked me to prove my identity as the customer to cancel the emails.


This, I've had people receiving bank alerts for an account they don't own and they can't be stopped. What these companies lack are customer-centric processes that they've thought through.

Wtf is wrong with putting contact information in the unsubscribe link, or reach out productively on request? Why would you presume somebody clicks it by accident vs. the much more likely case of it being a legitimate request? Are you afraid they really want to cancel your service? Or are you afraid you can't send spam under the guise of transactional messages? Or worse, listen to customers about how best to alert them? Truly ridiculous!


> Wtf is wrong with putting contact information in the unsubscribe link

By law, depending where you are, a unsubscribe link has to be instant. So there can not be an intermediate screen asking for confirmation or showing contact information. Well, you could show contact information, but then the unsubscribe (of in this case service critical mails, thus the service itself) had already happened.


I'm assuming you're referring to the CAN-SPAM Act [1] or equivalent in other jurisdiction [2], but nothing of the sort is implied. The requirement is to make available and process opt-out without charge and promptly (typically in so many days).

It is neither dire nor prevents clarification, nor prescribes a specific experience related to unsubscribe links. It's odd to hear the only options are between receiving messages and having service terminated. That sounds pretty user-hostile tbh.

[1] https://www.ftc.gov/tips-advice/business-center/guidance/can...

[2] https://www.lsoft.com/resources/optinlaws.asp


Oh, interesting! https://www.rapidmail.de/blog/welche-vorgaben-gelten-bei-der... claims the same for Germany. That makes it a bit easier to find a solution.


I have a few hundred dollars worth of gift cards for an Australian store received as gifts over several years.

The company won’t talk to me, and the sender sends a lovely message, but no contact information.




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