Switch to DISH Network for arbitrary profiling!
Yesterday, I got a piece of (what I consider to be) junk mail. This is actual postal mail, not email. It was a slow mail day though, so decided to open it. It was from the DISH network. Not sure why DISH is capitalized, but that's how they write it.
Anyway, I cracked it open. The first line on the paper says, "Order Arabic and American programming today!" So of course, now I have to continue reading. Let me provide you some snippets:
"Now is the time to switch to DISH Network and watch the best of Arabic and American television."
"We are happy to provide you with the best variety of Arabic-language television in 100% digital-quality picture and sound."
I'm sure I'd be likely to take them up on their offer if: 1) I spoke Arabic; 2) I lived in an Arabic nation/region; or 3) I was of Arabic descent. However, given that none of these items are true, I was a bit confused. So I kept reading.
"This 'prescreened' offer of credit is based on information in your credit report indicating that you meet certain criteria."
Uh-huh. Curious about which criteria I met, I called the provided DISH Network number, 1-888-258-9199. I was greeted by a message that I assume was in Arabic, and eventually heard that I should press 1 to continue in English. I did, and I got connected to a sales rep. I explained that I got this mail offer, and I was wondering what criteria I met to receive it. His response was that he didn't know, but that the offers listed were still applicable to me, and oh hey, who provides your cable TV now, and are you happy with them? Because the DISH Network has some good deals going. I assured him that I wasn't interested, and thanked him for his assistance.
A few minutes later, I called back. I got a different guy, Tony. He said that he was going to connect me to Customer Service. I heard two tones, then was promptly disconnected. How appropriate.
I tried back again. Instead of explaining anything, I just asked to be transferred to Customer Service. I was transferred correctly this time, and was connected to a young lady named Rachel. She asked for my name, I explained the situation to her, about how I was just seeking information about why I received the promotional ad. It took a while, because she thought I saw the ad on TV, and was confused as to why I was complaining. We got that sorted out, and so she asked my nationality. I said, "I'm American... and I'm not of Arabic descent, which is why I'm wondering which criteria I did fit."
Her response, which is exactly what I thought, but not at all what I was expecting to hear, was, "It's probably because of your name."
Awesome. It's like a variation on Scenario 2 from that post about my name from last year. I can't really pinpoint the emotion this brings out in me. All I know is that it leaves me disappointed in the marketing process. I wonder how often profiling based on first name actually works...
Comments
glo said:
Dude! When did you turn Arabic? That's so awesome! Can you read it, too?!
Cuz we all know that marketing NEVER lies...
cadiz12 said:
that's disgusting, but not really very shocking. i got a few free subscriptions to a Latina magazine, probably because my name sounds hispanic. good thing i could actually read it, though.
but maybe you should embrace the mistake, o. there have gotta be perks involved SOMEwhere.
Radioactive FISH said:
Your top secret, black helicopter-generated profile says Arabic? Mine says woman. Wanna trade?
Becky said:
yeah, take advantage of all the perks, but draw the line when you start to get singled out negatively, like at airport security checkpoints.
you should be good to go in that area, though. at least until tiger woods gets caught trying to board a plane with hand sanitizer. then you're on your own.
Jon said:
Well, given that you’re possibly my mother, I cannot assume anything anymore. I’m willing to admit that you’re of Arabic descent, due solely to the fact that your name could possibly imply it. However, had I received that letter from DISH Network, I would have thought it extremely odd too, but that’s mainly because my name is not Omar Phillips. But it would be yet another clue in solving this whole, “are you, or aren’t you my mother?” fiasco…
But shortly after that, the letter would have met certain criteria that I have prescreened for direct deposit in the trash can.
Syar said:
My first name is actually arabic. but if they had just gone by 'Syar', I'd have a lot of loincloths and swords delivered to my door.
carrotjello said:
My name is so white bread, I never get picked for anything *sniff*
X said:
I just came here to say that Syarifah has a beautiful name. I know I've said it before, but it bears repeating.
---X
Rhonda said:
Not trying to trivialize your experience, but all I think of when I hear “Omar” is Omar Epps. YUM! ;)
P.S. I am a little surprised that Rachael was so honest. That rarely happens in “marketing.” Ha!
Cate said:
I actually know a little Arabic. Like one word, actually. Mumkin. It means maybe. I think.
cadiz12 said:
doesn't 'namumkin' mean impossible?
Syar said:
thank you X. I hope I've said it before, but it bears repeating. :-)
mep said:
Well when I hear Omar, I think of a fabulous blogger with vole problems. . . . Oh, and that post about your name was my first ever experience on omarphillips.net. Isn't that special?
Lia said:
Interesting experience. It's so responsible(?) of you to make the call.
I actually got a piece of junk mail this week with an offer I'm considering. How weird is that? And then yesterday, no junk mail at all. Truly a miracle.
jazz said:
i think we all thought you were latino at one point.
before we knew you were a tiger woods look alike.
seventeen syllables said:
About a year ago, I started getting free samples in the mail of "replenishing cream" for women over 50, as well as offers to join the AARP and buy term-limit life insurance with 'no age qualifications.' If they just looked at my birthdate they'd realize they're about a decade and a half too early. I can't figure out what the marketing formula is to get on these mailing lists, but I bet the 'all Omars must be Arabic' formula was dreamt up by the same people.
glo said:
I'd just like to point out that I've posted 2 times since this post went active.
elasticwaistbandlady said:
Okay, due to our very Spanish last name, I get all kinds of correspondence addressed to me........in Spanish. Even at Church where pairing up women as companions to visit other women should be based on divine inspiration, they always place me with Spanish speaking women. Always. I tried learning Spanish by osmosis by getting really, really close to Papi, but so far all I know is "No tocame". Don't touch me.
wendela said:
Maybe they thought you spoke Arabic because of your blog (deeper marketing techniques)... after all, haboob is an Arabic word.
I get mailings for all sorts of things. Loads of Spanish from various companies and one Arabic (also from Dish network). My name's not either. I think they just send 'em out randomly.
I used to get loads of employee benefit info for someone with my name at my address who works for the US Customs Service. News to me! I called them and they said, "Maybe there are many Customs employees in that general area so they mass-mail to most the population." Yeah, riiiiight. Okay, so who's using my name?!