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Company Apologizes, Hilariously, For Mail Merge Screwup

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Everyone knows that the "personal touch" of using your name in an email, printed letter, or CSR call is powered by a database and a computer, and not really personal at all. Still, when a company gets it wrong it can be annoying. When a company gets it wrong, then apologizes by sending a follow-up message that makes you smile, all can be forgiven.

Poll Everywhere screwed up their mail merge and sent out a personalized "it was great seeing you!" email to *|FNAME|*, aka Jose. He wrote back and pointed out that he hasn't answered to *|FNAME|* since, well, ever.

The response he got back from Poll Everywhere's CEO was:

Hi Jose,

Just wanted to apologize and say that we know your name is not *FNAME* :) Oops.

We're so bad at this spamming thing... We don't even know how to do a proper mail merge!

Jeff

Even better, compare the before and after opt-out notices from the bottom of Poll Everywhere's emails:

BEFORE
We're emailing because you signed up for an account at Poll Everywhere as *|FNAME|* *|LNAME|*. We send really short news like this about twice per year. If this bugs, you can unsubscribe. We understand.

AFTER
We're emailing (and poorly, at that) because you signed up for an account at Poll Everywhere as Jose Castillo. We send really short news like this about twice per year, and we usually know how to use "technologies" like "mail merge". If this bugs you and you don't like being referred to as *|FNAME|*, you can unsubscribe, because we totally *|COMPASSION_WORD|*.

Nicely done, Poll Everywhere! You took the snarkiness out of our mouths, and now we feel compelled to like you. As far as Jose is concerned, "Thanks to Jeff and the folks at PollEverywhere for being human beings and having some fun at their own expense. I will use them again."

"Screw Up, Say You're Sorry, Be Funny, Win Over Your Customers" [think jose] (Thanks to Anthony!)

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Comments:

87
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*|POSITIVE_COMMENT|*

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It was only just cute.. until "*|COMPASSION_WORD|*." The last paragraph did make me laugh.

That was really *|MODERN_YOUTHFUL_IDIOM|*.

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@junkmail: *|SOMETHING ABOUT DOING MAIL MERGES BY HAND|*

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I don't understand why everyone up in arms after all, it was probably just a *|TECHNICAL_TERM|*.

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Oh sure, you can bet Poll Everywhere is *|SNARKY_COMMENT|*!

Seriously, though, this is a good example of *|ACTUAL_NON-SNARKY_POINT|*

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This post needs a *|Catpic_Witty_Caption|*.

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I make my own *|COMPASSION_WORD|* at home. I don't know why anyone would buy it.

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*|EXPRESSION_OF_ENJOYMENT|*

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And an Internet meme is born *|GEEKY_SHORTHAND_EXPRESSION_OF_A_NERD_SMILING|*

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Enjoying how there's not a single comment without a *|TECHNICAL_TERM_FOR_TEMPLATE_PARAMETER|*

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@veg-o-matic:

*|DISMISSIVE_REMARK|*. I bet you also think that *|SOME_COOL_THING|* is cool.*|CONDESCENDING_REMARK|*.

*|VAGUE_RANDIAN_RANT|*.

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*|INQUIRY_REGARDING_PACE_OF_NEWS_DAY|*

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@MostlyHarmless: *|SHOULD_HAVE_PROTECTED_PERSONAL_INFO_AND_NOT_BEEN_ ON_MAILING_LIST_IN_FIRST_PLACE_ADMONISHMENT|*

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@madanthony: Look, some people just have too much *|MODERN_COMPLICATION|* in their life and not everyone has to make *|COMPASSION_WORD|* by hand if they can afford to shop at *|ROTTEN_STORE|*!

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@Eyebrows McGee (now with more baby!): *|SNEERING_COMMENT_AT_SOMEONE_WHO_THINKS_TOWELS_ARE_EVIL|*

*|COMMENT_INDICATING_THAT_PREVIOUS_COMMENTER_HAS_NO_IDEA_WHERE_HER_TOWEL_IS|*

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*|STATEMENT_POINTING_OUT_USER_CAN_READ_OTHER_BLOGS|*

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@MostlyHarmless:

I can't be the only that intimidately thought of this: [bash.org] (Possibly NSFW language)

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@asplodzor: immediately, rather

I can has spellcheck?

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@zlionsfan: great. I can't even get my delimiters right. there goes that joke.

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@asplodzor: You just had to *|EXPLETIVE|* break the combo, didnt you. *|DEROGATORY_TERM|*, *|QUESTIONING_OF_SEXUAL_PREFERENCES|*

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@MostlyHarmless: *|DEMAND_TO_KNOW_LOCATION_OF_ROZ_VIS_A_VIS_VOWEL_REMOVAL|*

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@*|COMMENTER_NAME_GOES_HERE|*: you had the best one yet!

I heart you, my "dsmvwld" friend!

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*|COMMENT_THAT_ONLY_REPEATS_OPINIONS_OFFERED_EARLIER|*

*|INSIGHTFUL_COMMENT_THAT_WILL_BE_OVERLOOKED|*

*|COMMENT_ON_UNLIKELY_MEME_SOURCES|*

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@MostlyHarmless: That was so *|AMOUNT_OF_YEARS_THAT_WILL_DATE_ME|*.

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C-c-c-ombo breaker!

This is the only time, that I can remember offhand, that a post transformed its entire corresponding thread so humorously.

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@WraithSama: ...and then you went and ruined it. Good job.

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*|ENTHUSIASTIC_PROFANITY|*, this is the greatest thread in the history of threads.

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@Eyebrows McGee (now with more baby!): *|SLANG_IMPATIENCE_WORD|* this is so *|SLANG_DISDAINFUL_WORD|*. Just *|SIMILE_WORD|* *|X_LIBS_WORD|*!1one!1

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@Englishee Teacher: I have to admit that I'm glad someone did. This was starting to feel just a little too much like high school AV club.

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*|BELATED_AGREEMENT_WITH_EVERYONE|*

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*|POST_IN_REPLY_TO_ANOTHER_UNRELATED_THREAD_BECAUSE_CONFUSING_EVERYONE|*

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@davere: I'm obviously as good at this as Poll Everywhere. Sigh.

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Too funny. The comments are the best. You guys are awesome.

(see- my madlibs work)

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@techgoddess: Good old Bobby Tables.

XKCD ftw.

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Nearly 20 years after my grandfather died we still get his mail. After crossing out his name and writing "deceased" we will get mail addressed to "Deceased or current resident."

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@joshuadavis: I'm sorry, but I must try that with dirty words.

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@xtc46 - thinksmarter on twitter: These first two made me laugh out loud. Obvious, but funny nonetheless.

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@madanthony:
And if you can't afford to buy *|COMPASSION_WORD|* in cash,*|SELF_RIGHTEOUS_CREDIT_IS_EVIL_RANT|* !

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@AlexDitto: Wow. I think this covers every comment ever written on this *|WEB_ADDRESS|*. We can all go back *|PLACE_OF_PERSONAL_REFUGE|* now...