AM Inbox: How to destroy an email marketing program in two easy steps

RetailEmail.Blogspot monitors the email marketing campaigns of more than 100 of the top online retailers. Here are highlights from our inbox this morning:

Avon, 5/15 — FREE Delivery when you shop with an eRepresentative
How do you destroy an email marketing program in two easy steps? Well, first you create an email, perhaps like this Avon email. Then you send out essentially the same email with exactly the same subject line week after week ad nauseam. Avon has been on the “destroy your email market program” program since March 29. Yesterday’s email is the eighth essentially identical email they’ve sent out since that date. Why any self-respecting person would stay subscribed to this newsletter just to be beaten over the head with the same message week after week is beyond me.



ShopPBS, 5/15 — 15% off War & Military and Ken Burns' Titles
Something went seriously wrong with the images in this email. Not only are some of the images out of alignment, but the third section is considerably wider than the other three sections.



TigerDirect, 5/3 — Carl's Gone Crazy: $99 Intel Barebone...$99 Seagate 500gb HDD...2gb DDR2 $79...Much More
While doing research for yesterday’s reportlet, Personality Goes a Long Way, I looked at this old email from TigerDirect and saw that they had changed the source image, adding a giant “sold out!” banner to the original image. While it probably translated into a few fewer click-throughs for this email, updating the message likely saved some customers the frustration of clicking through only to find that the deal was sold out. This is a very customer-friendly way of handling liquidation out of stocks.



Crutchfield, 5/15 — Save up to $1000 off TVs & check out our new forums and blogs
Crutchfield reminds subscribers about their recently launched forums and blogs at their Crutchfield Community website.

SUBJECTIVITY SCANNER:
NFLshop, 5/15 — Gifts For Dad + Enter To Win Super Dad Sweepstakes
Bass Pro Shops, 5/15 — Father's Day Sale at Basspro.com
RedEnvelope, 5/15 — Brides and grooms: Thank your entourage.
Crate & Barrel, 5/15 — Ready for the backyard BBQ
Saks Fifth Avenue, 5/15 — Everything Under the Sun for men, women and kids
Neiman Marcus, 5/15 — Countdown to summer: Everything you need to get ready!
Oriental Trading, 5/15 — Get free shipping & super summer craft ideas for kids
Banana Republic, 5/15 — Work Style File Update + New Work Bags
MLB, 5/15 — Let's get personal. Shop for customized products.
Barnes & Noble, 5/15 — This Week -- Coupons, Robert Kurson, Paperback Sale, More
L.L. Bean, 5/15 — Fresh Picks for Your Garden + New SALE Items
KB Toys, 5/15 — Summer Deals - Outdoor Play Sale
Drs. Foster & Smith, 5/15 — 2-Week ONLY Dog Dental Health Sale