Reply to: Nixon Williams Spam

[richy]

Richy
We do remove all names from our database if we receive a request. It would appear that you your name may have been on two separate systems.

We have one generated from our website, anyone can sign up for regular updates and full access to our site. If you unsubscribe to the website this is automatic.

The other database is from enquiries made direct to our office, so if you have made an enquiry in the past your name maybe on that. If we receive a request we will remove a persons details.

Sounds like this is where you got our email address. Never looked at your site to know of a signup there. So perhaps your office process is not working if:

A) Adele ignores unsubscribe email requests. (Adele replied to all sale query, so email account looks like it is working)

B) Your e2ma.net unsubscribe links are broken. Did you take the time yet to verify if that issue has been fixed?

Finally, as I said, you can't legally add people to your marketing lists from a single email enquiry! as no "substantial sale negotiations" have taken place.

Please confirm you've moved into compliance with the legislation and we can leave it at that. I've not had any mailings for the last week or so. Or shall I just forward this on to ICO office and ask they issue an enforcement notice? That might cost you a lot more than just doing the right thing on your own, but ultimately it is your choice I don't know your email address btw, adele@ and info@ both go to Adele.. so that's the other problem in your office!

Cheers, richy

[Lewis]

Nixon Williams have provided me with excellent service over the last few years and Adele has also been personally very helpful. Because of this I feel I should stick up for them a bit here. As a customer I certainly don't get mails weekly; I get a short monthly newsletter than contains links to relevant news for contractors and that's it. But yes, if you don't want it they should remove you, which I am sure they will be more than happy to do.

[MarkOD]

just to point out though. Is the NW emails really classed as spam? this seems like info that might be relevent you and industry specific, whether you decided to look at it or just delete it is your choice. You've probably spent more time bringing it up on a forum and reading/responding than you would have by just clicking "delete" twice.

It's not like you've been sent an email from a viagra salesman etc, now that's genuine spam. well maybe

however an unsubscribe that doesn't work might be a little annoying

[Nixon Williams]

Richy

We do remove all names from our database if we receive a request. It would appear that you your name may have been on two separate systems.

We have one generated from our website, anyone can sign up for regular updates and full access to our site. If you unsubscribe to the website this is automatic.

The other database is from enquiries made direct to our office, so if you have made an enquiry in the past your name maybe on that. If we receive a request we will remove a persons details.

Because I do not know who you are I cannot confirm if your name has been removed. I would again ask that you email myslef or Adele and we will remove your name and contact details.

Apologies if our emails have inconvenienced you.

Alan

[richy]

Our recent emails have been sent to one of three categories, Existing Clients, Past Clients or People who have made enquiries regarding our services.

Legislation does not allow you to spam. Go read:
http://www.opsi.gov.uk/si/si2003/20032426.htm

http://www.ico.gov.uk/what_we_cover/...nications.aspx

A single email does not constitute the "substantive negotiations of a sale" necessary to enable you to decide to add someone to your marketing files without them opting in.

So all NW really have to do is move into compliance with the rules.

I have sent the OP a PM with an offer to remove his details, I also sent him a PM in 2008 when he complaining about mail through the post, I never received a reply so perhaps he is still on our list?

Saw the new message, and indeed the old one is in there, but I'd not noticed this email feature of the forum

If he or indeed anyone wishes us to cease sending them mail or emails contact the office or email myself and it will be sorted.

Alan

Thank's Alan. However, all that is really necessary is to ask the admin "Adele" to not ignore all the requests made to not be on the marketing lists. How many million ltd co's got your latest marketing?

Also please fix up the un-subscribe to work, it seems to be some external site, but obviously it's not working as Adele emails again, seems to be every few weeks currently! (Emailed Adele as well as clicking through various unsubscribe links on e2ma.net)

Or perhaps this is all phishing spam? It looked genuine.. so apologies if I'm barking up the wrong tree

Cheers, richy

[Bright Spark]

Anyone else started getting the Nixon Williams spam?

Started with "Offshore Tax Schemes" and is now "Spring 2010 newsletter". Asked to be taken off several times now.. but seems to fall on deaf ears there.

They got us on their list after we asked for a quote for abbreviated and full accounts... and now we can't get off!

They couldn't quote for just what we wanted, so we're still looking. cheers

Add these emails to your spam list, so all those email goes into the spam folder, simples.

[Nixon Williams]

I got a quote off NW but I thought that their ways of working by having to copy and send every receipt, document etc.. to them was a very tedious and extremely 19th century quill pen and ink style of working compared to the more modern systems that some book keeping firms use.

A client does not have to copy and send in receipts - most choose to do so as it enables us to make checks and hopefully keep a client compliant with HMRC etc.

From our experience, when we take on clients from other accountants, blind use of spreadsheets can be very limiting and errors are often seen.

Examples of issues include, no mileage logs kept for business journeys, incorrect Flat Rate VAT used because an invoice has been entered onto a spreadsheet incorrectly, expenses not claimed in the correct way.

All of these do not arise with our clientrs if they have taken advantage of our checking system. Spreadsheets cannot do this for you.

Having said all that, if a client prefers not to do this, this is fine by us, however we cannot check what we do not see.

I hope this explains.

Alan

[Nixon Williams]

Our recent emails have been sent to one of three categories, Existing Clients, Past Clients or People who have made enquiries regarding our services.

I have sent the OP a PM with an offer to remove his details, I also sent him a PM in 2008 when he complaining about mail through the post, I never received a reply so perhaps he is still on our list?

If he or indeed anyone wishes us to cease sending them mail or emails contact the office or email myself and it will be sorted.

Alan

[ninjakettle]

Read into the practice what you like about NW, though, eh?

I got a quote off NW but I thought that their ways of working by having to copy and send every receipt, document etc.. to them was a very tedious and extremely 19th century quill pen and ink style of working compared to the more modern systems that some book keeping firms use.

Takes me maybe 30 mins tops to scan my receipts every month, fill in the spreadsheet and email it all to NW. Arming my accountants with a full picture of expenditure hardly seems 19 century. It actually forces me into the better habit of assembling and cataloging my receipts, which ultimately I'm responsible for.

[51st State]

Data protection? Against a Limited Company whose details are in the public domain...?

I don't think so.

Wouldn't that depend on where they got the email from?

If the OP made an enquiry about NW's services, and then decided that they didn't want to go ahead, then NW cannot spam him.

Well they can, but he can ask for his details to be removed from their spamming list.

[Fred Bloggs]

Read into the practice what you like about NW, though, eh?

I got a quote off NW but I thought that their ways of working by having to copy and send every receipt, document etc.. to them was a very tedious and extremely 19th century quill pen and ink style of working compared to the more modern systems that some book keeping firms use.

[malvolio]

See, you're another one who doesn't seem to distinguish between personal and corporate. It's not exploiting a loophole, it's indulging in simple B2B marketing.

Not saying it's right or even particularly good practice, but you can't have it both ways.

[richy]

Data protection? Against a Limited Company whose details are in the public domain...?

I don't think so.

Looks like Nixon Williams are making full use of this loop hole!

..Let's hope they don't take such an unprincipled stance with their professional accounts work eh?

Cheers, rich

[malvolio]

Data protection? Against a Limited Company whose details are in the public domain...?

I don't think so.

[pmeswani]

Anyone else started getting the Nixon Williams spam?

Started with "Offshore Tax Schemes" and is now "Spring 2010 newsletter". Asked to be taken off several times now.. but seems to fall on deaf ears there.

They got us on their list after we asked for a quote for abbreviated and full accounts... and now we can't get off!

They couldn't quote for just what we wanted, so we're still looking. cheers

Get in touch with them again informing them that if they do not take your details off their systems within 4 weeks, that you will be in touch with the Data Protection Commissioner. They will be more than happy to investigate and possibly fine the company for being in breach of the act.