Sharp Marketing by a National Toy Retailer

[surveyor]

Daughter (9) received post today. Quite unusual.

Turns out it's a letter from a National Toy Retailer congratulating her on being nearly 10 and including a toy catalogue to help with her birthday list.

I think it's a little 'aggressive'.

Thoughts?

[justanother5tar]

My daughter got one just before her 3rd.

I didn't mind TBH, kept her happy for 15 mins looking through it.

[Jasandjules]

I think the question to be asked is - did you or will you order from it?

As with the scam emails, I bet there is a reasonable percentage of replies.... Which justifies their sending the catalogue...

[Quhet]

Scary to think how much data is out there...
How did they get her details?

[StevieBee]

Not only is it 'sharp', it's also, possibly, illegal.

Marketers must not knowingly collect personal information about other people from children under 16 unless that information is the minimum required to make a recommendation for a product, is not used for a significantly different purpose from that originally consented to, and the marketer can demonstrate that the collection of that information was suitable for the age group targeted.

There's plenty of other regulations that restrict the use of data of minors but the bottom line is that unless you have signed or ticked something somewhere that says you're ok with companies sending your sprig marketing gumf, then they are acting outside of these regulations.

[surveyor]

I suspect that they asked her birthday at some point when I bought something. They might have asked for her name, but that I do not remember.

I would have expected them to write to me about her birthday to get me to buy stuff - not to her....

[Vaud]

Sounds like sharp practice though I am not an expert. Certainly not good practice.

Ask them on their public Facebook / Twitter feed?

[skip_1]

If it is ToysRUs someone must have signed her up to the birthday club. Can be part of the loyalty card too if you/your partner have one.