I call companies. They put phone numbers on their products, pamphlets, packaging, whatever, and I call them. I do this to either ask a question, or more frequently, make a comment about their service(s). Maria thinks I'm a little bonkers for doing it, but I feel quite different about it. Allow me to expand on this concept.
I've called candy companies, fast food restaurants, snack food companies, makers of personal care products… most products where I felt I had a memorable experience, either positive or negative.
Just today I called the maker of my toothpaste, because I thought their semi-recent tendency to put a little scratch-n-sniff spot on the box was/is fabulous. I'm sick of guessing what "Extreme Herbal Mint" actually tastes like. “So… is this peppermint, or spearmint?” I'm not really a fan of one of those, yet I love the other. Generally I just avoid it all together, and go for some lame flavor like “Tasty Anti-Dentist Gel”. However, due to the cool scratch-n-sniff thing on the front, I knew it would be a flavor I would like, and have since purchased multiple tubes of this toothpaste. I called the makers of this product to tell them how freakin’ awesome I thought it was to put that on there. All due to that, I have purchased their product.
You may make fun of me just like Maria does. You may say it's weird that I call these companies to tell them my opinion. Some companies are cooler about this positive reinforcement than others. One company sent me roughly $30 worth of their product in the mail for me having complimented a recent tasting experience. Another company was kind enough to send me coupons for their stuff. Others just thank me for having called, and others barely even do that.
I wasn't raised this way. My parents didn't do this, nor (from what I understand) do they do it now. They seem to be like most other people, and just ignore the phone numbers on the packaging.
I used to call these numbers as prank calls. One time I accidentally gave them somebody else's name, yet left my own home number… that was a mistake. When they left a message on our home number asking for this person, who my parents knew I was associated with, I uh… was able to learn my lesson — make sure you don't leave your home phone number. ;)
So what is it that you're supposed to understand out of all of this? Don't be afraid to pick up the phone and give some of these places a call. It's not like they put that phone number on the back of there just for decoration. They put it on there to get questions and comments from their wonderful customers, like you and me.
The comedian Don Novello (better known as Father Guido Sarducci) did something similar to calling companies up, but did it using the U.S. mail. He created this persona that he called Lazlo Toth, and wrote letters to many companies. These letters would usually be an homage to the product, but would often expose Lazlo's bizarre use or misunderstanding of the product. In a letter to the manufacturer of Mr. Bubble (bubble bath), he asked how he was supposed to use the product, since the directions on the box read, "Keep dry." His letters were serious enough on the outside to elicit serious responses from the people he wrote.
His letters to corporations, politicians, and other famous figures (along with their responses) were published in a series of very funny books called the Lazlo Letters.
I was familiar with the book called "Letters from a Nut" which where similarly published. I, in fact, own that book, but will need to investigate these Lazlo Letters of which you speak. I remember being very amused by the former. One specifically I remember was a letter he wrote to the makers of seats at professional sports arenas asking if it was more appropriate to face towards or away from people as you passed them in order to get to your seat.
So, in my defense, I'm starting to understand why my dear husband calls these companies. I don't think it's as weird as when we first were married. I guess Pedro is starting to rub off on me. Would I ever call one of these companies? Probably not. But, I'm starting to understand the logic behind the call. I still get a crack out of it and like to give Pedro a hard time about it. It was pretty sweet when we did get free merchandise!
My husband does this too! I thought he was the only one, although it is mostly to fast food restaurants. We have a running tally of about 5 or 6 calls into KFC so far! BTW don't go to KFC in Sandy, only frequent the one in Draper! But I never thought of calling NOT to complain! Good suggestion! And please do tell who sends you free stuff, because that is a great incentive!
Your proclivity to phone companies about their products might classify you as a "maven."
Have you read the book, "The Tipping Point"? It refers to companies attempting to connect with people who influence the marketplace with their opinions. The phone numbers on boxes is one way they use to find those influential souls. To their benefit, of course.
I originally considered that this all might influence people, which is why I was pretty careful in not actually mentioning any products by name. Nobody has to know which companies I've called and where I've had great or pathetic success (nor, in response to Margaret, will I tell). Overall I just think that people might be surprised if they call companies to comment on their service(s).
Some companies really desire your unsolicited input, although if you get too detailed on certain subjects (e.g., sales promotions), they will immediately forward you to a lawyer that states that they don't take unsolicited advice. Strange, but true (I worked for a few companies that would occasionally send out "reminders" to their employees about the "unsolicited advice" policy).
Still, they give their number (and postal address), and they really want to hear from you. They hire people to take those calls, and to answer those letters.
Personally, the only time I felt obligated to write to a company was when Coke changed their formula back in the 1980s. For my effort, I got back a letter saying that they understood how I felt, but that letter was undermined by a coupon for "new Coke" that was also enclosed.
Oh, I also called the number on the "Zima" six-packs because I wanted to know the alcohol proofage of the product, which wasn't on the bottles. To answer the question, they had to ask me where I lived--apparently, the alcohol content depends on where you live!