Is it okay to sell your friends' contact information for marketing?

1. 66

   Miss Infoposted 12 years ago

   Is it okay to sell your friends' contact information for marketing?
   
   Some businesses are willing to pay well for access to certain audiences. If you have friends that fit the demographics of that audience to a business should you refer that friend's contact information for payment?

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2. 60

   iamanashaposted 12 years ago

   Hmmm... I think its okay if you are referring your friend to something valuable.  If its a referral for an airline and they are scared to death of flying.  I think that's invaluable, but if its for a Winnebago and that's the only way they travel, then fine.

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3. 60

   christiansisterposted 12 years ago

   I would find out from my friend how they would feel about it first if that was something I was considering doing.

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4. 94

   CWanamakerposted 12 years ago

   If you have permission then yes.  Otherwise it would seem to be very unethical.  Personally, I wouldn't do it.

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5. 56

   jacobsterlingposted 12 years ago

   if your friends know about this and gave you permission, then yes....
   
   but if not, it would be like a thief selling the things he/she stole...

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6. 63

   Lisa HWposted 12 years ago

   The only thing crummier than sharing your friend's information for free, and without their permission, is taking money for it.  It's a "lousy" thing to do to a friend, so, no - it isn't OK.  Most people find it offensive and objectionable that places like banks and stores sell mail lists (etc.).  At least they don't pretend to be trusted friends.

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7. 56

   fayehelenposted 12 years ago

   NO it is not OK. No wayy... I would be so annoyed if a friend did that to me, and i would never take advantage of my friend for money.

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8. 56

   Felixedet2000posted 12 years ago

   Wow, it may/may not amount to breach of confidence depending on the stand of your friend. yes you may end up giving him more buck if he eventually get contacted by the business concern, in the same vain, you have discovered an enterprising venture or business in the process.

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9. 60

   Walt Smithposted 12 years ago

   Only if your relationship to this person is coming to an end.

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10. 57

    Looarahposted 12 years ago

    Nope. I once had some company ring me up trying to get me to book a photoshoot because my cousin had given them my number (amongst others).
    
    He kept badgering about it saying how it was ok cos *my cousins name* has done it and enjoyed it. Then at the end he tried to get my credit card details for a £3 deposit, I explained to him that I wasn't going to give my credit card details to somebody who had phoned ME up, he acted all shocked and taken a back by this.
    
    Anyway, I eventually got off the phone and went and googled the company and found horror stories. People who hadn't turned up and they'd taken hundreds out of their account as a fee for not turning up. Yikes.

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11. 61

    Sesshoumaru2stposted 12 years ago

    well if all you care about is money and your friend doesn't have a clue what's going on,then i guess you could.But if he is a friend he wouldn't mind as long as you only explain he advantages and leave out the disadvantages.If you are a generous person,then you would tell him that whole truth,which he might result in saying no.What people don't know don't hurt them. There is another saying too umm do unto other as you would want them do unto you.
    
    personally,I would probably,might or might not,throw my friend under the bus .Just saying,i don't know....

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12. 36

    edhanposted 12 years ago

    In such situation, I always refer back to my friend by calling them if I find this is going to be useful for them. Only with their permission, I will then give their contacts otherwise I will not do so.

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13. 60

    your cybersisterposted 12 years ago

    No, I don't think this would be okay, especially without the friend's permission.  I would be quite upset if I found out that a friend had done that to me.  I hate to be solicited for things I have no interest in - if I am interested I will seek information myself.

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14. 61

    Leanna McCarthyposted 12 years ago

    No! Your friend probably trusts you, and such betrayal of trust (particularly for money) is pretty bad for your relationship.

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15. 61

    Kaddamposted 12 years ago

    only if you have their permission unless you'd rather them not be your friend.

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16. 61

    jessica_aliasposted 12 years ago

    Thats not a good thing to do to a friend. Especially if its done for your personal benefits.

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17. 40

    Jennie Demarioposted 12 years ago

    This sounds like a terrible idea.  Were you planning on telling your friends about this or doing it on the sly?  If you were given permission then go for it but otherwise I would not be a happy camper.  It's never a good idea to exploit your firends for your own personal gain.  It will be easier to ask for permission than to ask for forgiveness.

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18. 74

    prektjr.dcposted 12 years ago

    Integrity would require that I not only ask my friend first, but abide by their wishes should they decline permission.  IF you explain to your friend what it is for AND they give you permission to pass on that information and it creates a problem, then it will not jeopardize your friendship.  If you sell the information without permission, it was not a friend in the first place, or you weren't a friend anyway.

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19. 57

    AgesMGMTposted 12 years ago

    uhhh no.. unless your friend is ok with it.

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20. 69

    R.S. Hutchinsonposted 12 years ago

    Only with permission of course and only if they can sell yours too.

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21. 59

    dillon102posted 12 years ago

    No it is not OK, if you were my friend and i found out you did that, then you would be an ex-friend real fast.

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22. 54

    hotsizzle91posted 12 years ago

    NO I DONT  CAUSE WHAT HAPPENS IF IDENTYTHEIFT HAPPENS AND THE COPS LINK IT TO U YOU WILL BE ARESSTED FOR ACOMPLICE IN THE THEFT SO NO I DONT THINK IT IS OK

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