Buzzstuff: An open letter

June 09, 2004

An open letter

Dear 'pop up ads' producers,

First of all - good morning! It's so lovely to see you all out and about, popping up on my screens again and again and again both here at home as well as at work. Just lovely. Really.

I thought it might be time to drop you a quick note to ask you a question. Is the 'pop up ad' really working out for you? I mean, is it truly effective advertising? I'm just wondering because if most people are like me (and I like to think they are), your oh-so-cute ads aren't really cutting the mustard. In fact, I would like you to know that as soon as a 'pop up ad' pops up, that is a guarantee that I will NEVER EVER buy your product.

No silly, I'm not kidding.

Your ads (especially the ones with active graphics - oh what fun they are!) make me so freaking angry that I will not only NOT buy your products, but I will never buy any products that I feel are associated with you in any way. I will not buy any products that your family offers. I will not buy any products that your friends offer. I will talk everyone I know out of buying your product. And if I find out where you live, I will egg your house. You are really really bothering me and it makes me want to hit you. Hard. Repeatedly. With a steel bar.

Anyway, just thought I'd let you know. I hope you have a wonderful day annoying the shit out of people.

Yours truly,

Buzz.

Posted by Buzz at June 9, 2004 06:28 AM

Comments

~Norton Internet Security does a fine job of blocking any/all pop-up ads, thank GOD~

Posted by: btezra at June 9, 2004 06:36 AM

The Google Toolbar (a free download) does a pretty good job of blocking popups. If you seem to get a whole lot of them, even when you don't have your browser open, I recommend downloading Ad Aware (http://www.lavasoftusa.com/). It will clean up all the ad stuff on your computer. Hope that helps some! :)

Posted by: theresa at June 9, 2004 06:39 AM

That goes triple for me. I HATE the ads and will NEVER buy their product just for the fact that they're intruding in on MY time and MY space. Just like I've told those telemarketers when they used to call, if they want to sell me something, send it in the mail or let me call them at home later when they're trying to relax after a long day. I hate to have my privacy invaded like that. Grrr.

Hope you have a good day and have no pop-ups.

Posted by: Karen at June 9, 2004 07:20 AM

Might I also suggest the use of Mozilla as a browser? Excellent at blocking popups!

Posted by: Chris at June 9, 2004 07:25 AM

Oh sure. You say that now, but you'll change your tune once you learn that the pump I bought really does "make me a better man". Now if you'll excuse me, I have some salve I need to apply.

Posted by: JJJB at June 9, 2004 07:31 AM

I have the Google Toolbar and it works GREAT! Highly recommend it.

Posted by: Kathy Howe at June 9, 2004 08:11 AM

Between the Google Toolbar on my IE at work, and using Mozilla at home, I've been really happy with the lack of pop-ups lately.

Posted by: amber at June 9, 2004 08:11 AM

Psssst.... they aren't listening.

Also, I second the Google Toolbar recommendation.

Posted by: nefarious at June 9, 2004 09:07 AM

Buzz, You should post a screen shot of the pop-up. I am sure that one of your faithful readers would have an accurate method of stopping them.

And, If you do get a response from this letter let us know ... I'd love to hear about it. I agree on the irk factor.

Posted by: Gary at June 9, 2004 09:10 AM

Pop-up blocker 12, screen 0. Yea blocker!

Posted by: Tom at June 9, 2004 10:28 AM

i'll jump on the bandwagon here for the Google Toolbar. not only does it block 'em, but it keeps a running tally for you, to let you know how many it's stopped. i have it on both my home and work computers -- i highly recommend it.

Posted by: P at June 9, 2004 10:35 AM

Who we need to attack are the people who actually buy crap from popup ads and continue to encourage that sort of behavior. If it stops making sales, companies will stop using it to market.

If I ever meet a person who owns an x-10 cam I am gonna smak the shit outta them.

Posted by: J(QW) at June 9, 2004 10:51 AM

Honey, you forgot to tell everyone that you DO use the Google blocker. And they're making new mutations that are not recognized by Google now. Oh, those sneaky pop-up ad makers!!

Posted by: Empress at June 9, 2004 11:49 AM

The Empress is right. Some of the newer and most annoying ones are getting by my pop-up blockers; Bastards.

Posted by: Nanc' at June 9, 2004 02:44 PM

Pop up ads. Grrrrrr.....

I wouldn't buy anything from those buzzing gnats - even if it was the greatest deal in the world.

Double grrrr.

Posted by: Vickie at June 9, 2004 06:34 PM

Yes! Well said. Why don't companies understand that if they annoy the shit out of you, you won't be buying.

(Like guys yelling out of their cars at me...what? Am I supposed to stop and say, "That whooping really didit for me. C'mon, let's go!")

Posted by: Marcia at June 9, 2004 06:42 PM

Unfortunately, it's actually a fairly inexpensive way to get advertising to a targeted audience. And J(QW) is right, the people who buy the stuff are the real problem.

LavaSoft's Ad-Aware is pretty good at deleting tracking software (spyware). These deletes also have the added benefit of speeding up your PC, since you don't have 30 or 40 or 150 spybots running resident on your PC every time you boot up. The price is also very good - IT'S FREE. So are the updates, one of which I just downloaded.

Posted by: Willie's Buddy Jimmy at June 9, 2004 06:59 PM

*amen*

Posted by: Rachel in Alaska at June 9, 2004 08:14 PM

Funny post Buzz. C had to ask me repeatedly what the hell I was laughing so hard at. Hehe..

Check my similar letter to spammers here.

I hate them more than Bush hates Kerry.

-Hugs-

Posted by: Jenn at June 9, 2004 09:03 PM

I hate the pop ups and am so glad I don't have to deal with them.....no more...

Posted by: Sweet N Sassy at June 9, 2004 10:12 PM

I think you should send your letter to every company that utilizes pop-ups. And I think you should try Opera or Mozilla. MUCH better than IE. Although, if you must use it, Google Toolbar is pretty good.

Posted by: etherian at June 10, 2004 07:50 AM

I've had much luck with Spybot Search & Destroy.

Posted by: Princess at June 11, 2004 11:16 AM