The woman sounded so hopeful when she called to ask me to take part in a survey, that I just couldn't say no. I usually just hang up. But as the survey went on and on the word Microsoft was used a couple of times and I began to make sense of it. They wanted to know if I had received junk mail from Microsoft about a new advertising service called Ad Center.
There must have been 40 questions, mostly to rate various features on a 1 to 10 scale.
Eventually they got to the free form part of the survey where they ask what your business sells and I said 'photography.'
Could you spell that for me, she asked.
That was startling.
P-H-O-T-O-G
Hold on a second she said while she slowly typed it.
R-A-P-H-Y
Oh, that how you spell it.
Then some more questions. What could Microsoft do to incent you to join this program, she asked.
-They could give me a free trial for a month, I reply.
And once again - what business are you mainly in?
Photography.
I'm sorry sir, could you spell that for me again.
P-H-O etc.
Thank you, sir.
And what is the highest level of education you reached?
Graduate School.
I'm sorry, sir. Is that graduated college, or post-college?
Post. That's post college.
Very good, sir. Only a few more questions...
Good.
Sir, our records show that the Microsoft Ad Center mailing went out to you. What would you say is the main reason that you didn't see it?
I throw all junk mail I get in the garbage.
Thank you sir.
Thank you.
