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Red Robin made good today for their taunting me with a contest I could probably win but can’t enter, sending me a coupon for free onion rings. That might sound lame, but Red Robin’s onion rings are not exactly cheap and are a wonderful thing. In fact, they’re my favourite thing at Red Robin. If I could, I’d buy that dip in bulk and dip everything in it. Yes, even my morning oatmeal.

I know it’s because someone complained, and they realized that this would cost them nothing and be a nice gesture to offer that to everyone they taunted. But still, it’s funny to imagine them noticing my complaint, going through my bills and figuring out what I’ve ordered the last three times I came in. “Hey, look! We can get away with giving him onion rings, and he’ll order two entrees!”

Yeah.

Anyway, thanks Red Robin. I’ll probably use the coupon next week to take my wife out, so it will pay off for you.

About a year ago, I filled out a customer comment card for Red Robin. It gets me some email newsletters, but few enough that it doesn’t really bother me. I saw no real increase in spam, so I don’t think they sold my email adress to anyone.

The card did ask for an address, which I filled out dutifully. And, of course, this was a Canadian restaraunt. I’m a Canadian citizen. My adress is a Canadian address.

So, naturally, Red Robin is now sending me information on a contest available to US citizens only.

Congratulations, Red Robin. That’s how easy it is to lose someone’s good will. Nothing but nothing says you simply couldn’t care less about not abusing your email list than sending out an email like that.