Current spam emails

At the moment I seem to be getting loads of emails offering to sell me quality email databases - whats that all about?

If they were that good quality then I wouldn't be on the list

Ask for a sample of say 50 records and call them to check the quality.  If you're looking for data that is...

Never buy lists, build your own. Much harder  yes but as a company that does email marketing we will never used purchased data.

Companies sell these "quality" lists many times over, purchased data is spam.

But it can get results - and if it didn't, these companies wouldn't stay in business.  Yes of course your own list is many orders of magnitude more powerful but I wouldn't say never buy lists.

At least makes a difference from Viagra, and Cialis. Oh, and nappies - had dozens of those recently. Which is not bad for a post menopausal nuliiparous woman.

Hello Gill - long time no see!

Hi Graham

Unfortunately, there are tons of these popping up everywhere.  We receive a number of requests from people stating they have purchased a database online, and want us to send out to this through our systems - no chance.

I believe this is the same database going round and round, and it is on ebay for about £50 for so many trillion.  Unfortunately, it is massively out of date, and 1 of our clients purchased this last year (against our advice) - they sent out to the entire base, next thing they know their website is removed by the hosting company for spamming.  It has taken them a year to rebuild their business and I'd hate anything similar to happen to others.

Email lists do work, it is a multi-million pound industry, although they need to researched, up-to-date and come with guarantees.  Oh, and you need to be able to track down the individual again that sold you the list before they dissapear into thin air.

Off my soap box now 

I would agree with all of this.  And it's like most things in life, the minority ruining things.

Most recent email marketing I did,

Cost of data: £450+vat

Cost of putting together the email: 30 mins of my time

Outcome: 6 bookings on an open sales persuasion course ( http://www.salestraininghampshire.co.uk/sales_persuasion )

Result: 6 x £295+vat bookings (£1770)

Return on investment:  Positive, £1320

I'm amazed that anyone would spend any money at all on an unproven list from a questionable source without any legal proof of ownership, just because it "looks like a great deal".

I was recently offered 28million records based on Electoral Roll with additional data characteristics for £400.

He didn't know I used to work for one of the World's largest database companies as Business Development Director, selling this data in fully legally compliant ways to major corporates. For about £400,000.

If a deal looks way too good to be true, guess what, it is.

Anyone who bought 28 million records for £400 is unlikely to be able to afford to contact them!!! Absurd.

I've tried both....purchased a list and had most of the emails bounce back and got warned for spamming - I wouldn't recommend this.#

Next went through a company that designed and managed a campaign for me - 12 months @5000 emails per month - if you come across Swift Mailing or RJ Swift Consultants, or their staff John Murphy/Jeanette McCambridge could you tell them the police would like to speak to them!

Sure there are some good companies out there though!

Actually on my desk is the Business Growth Show magazine (4N Members). Back page inside cover advert for a company called b2b leadforce www.b2bleadforce.com who seem to offer access to lists for £25 (+VAT) per month. Has anyone on here tried this service, or would they care to comment?

I would discount £25 immediately as being too cheap.

At b2bleadforce we do not send out emails offering lists we are too busy helping businesses prospect using our solution. 

At b2bleadforce.com, we don't sell lists, we sell access to prospecting information and put the contacting in your hands.  It's a different and cheaper and far more effective approach.

As its £25 (ex vat) per month the average bought list at £300 per thousand would have you using b2bleadforce for twelve months.  That would be unlimited access to the UK's largest dataset and up to 10 active camaigns at one time.  Plus we have more direct email addresses than the competeition, linkin app and now Duedil so you can get financial profile (and soon credit score) included in use.

Give it a try for 14 days and if it's not effective we offer a no quibble 14 day money back guarentee.

If you want the data in your CRM after you have contacted them using B2bleadforce.com we provide that daily as a csv file included in price.  No multi use costs and all the data is then yours to develop as you feel suits your business.

phone us, email or visit site www.b2bleadforce.com

Our motto  ' all the business leads you will ever need outside networking'. 

Thank you for reading this response.  Happy prospecting.

Nice one Adam 

To add a name to the rogue's gallery of people flogging rubbish email lists add Scott Moran, trading under Excel Data fron Newcastle. Mythical trading address + didn't deliver data + police not interested + trading standards not interested = me £500 out of pocket and a lesson learned.

I'd agree with everyone on here that building your own organic database is far preferable to buying a list, although there are occasions when a well targeted list can give results (as Adam demonstrates).

I'd say it is simply a case of if it looks too good to be true e.g. a few hundred quid for a million records, simply avoid it. The grief you get will far outweigh the benefits.

Phil