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Why do eastern Europeans jones free American radio station souvenirs?

Started by colincruz, November 11, 2018, 09:17:07 PM

colincruz

I'm baffled.  We are a group of American radio stations that have been streaming for 11 years...and probably a dozen times, we have gotten random emails...almost always from eastern Europe...asking for free souvenirs of our radio station(s).  It's always a really generic email that does not indicate any true loyalty to our radio stations. What is it about certain eastern Europeans wanting...and thinking they should get...free souvenirs from American radio stations?  :angry: I am suspicious.  Do I smell fraud?   There was no link in today's email, so it wasn't a phishing attempt.  And no, we have never sent anything to them at our cost.  We have asked this question of the person inquiring before, and they have never answered the question.  What are your thoughts?  Have your radio stations experienced this?

plauri

Quote from: colincruz on November 11, 2018, 09:17:07 PM
I'm baffled.  We are a group of American radio stations that have been streaming for 11 years...and probably a dozen times, we have gotten random emails...almost always from eastern Europe...asking for free souvenirs of our radio station(s).  It's always a really generic email that does not indicate any true loyalty to our radio stations. What is it about certain eastern Europeans wanting...and thinking they should get...free souvenirs from American radio stations?  :angry: I am suspicious.  Do I smell fraud?   There was no link in today's email, so it wasn't a phishing attempt.  And no, we have never sent anything to them at our cost.  We have asked this question of the person inquiring before, and they have never answered the question.  What are your thoughts?  Have your radio stations experienced this?

Hi Colin, same here in Italy. In the last four years we have got not dozen times request, but 6-7 yes especially from Ukraine and Russia. I always answer politely we don't have any sticker or gadget and I never had a reply. I do believe there are people collecting stickers around the world (when I was young I did it myself, but I never wrote, I went directly to radio address: also to have a look at the studios :) ).
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colincruz

Plauri,

Thanks for your reply.  It makes me wonder if somebody is trying to collect a bunch of these for free and then sell them at a profit.  It's expensive and time consuming to ship ANYTHING overseas.  Sure, if we had unlimited amounts of time and money, we'd be happy to send free stickers to anyone who asks...but we don't.

Marius

I don't want to sound like an a$#hole, but why do you think that they will sell it? More likely they are some teenagers who collect those stickers, or they are some fans. Do you really see such a big value in some stickers if you think that someone would pay for them?
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During the early days of radio broadcasting, the ability for a radio set to receive distant signals was a source of pride for many consumers and hobbyists. Listeners would mail "reception reports" to radio broadcasting stations in hopes of getting a written letter to officially verify they had heard a distant station. As the volume of reception reports increased, stations took to sending post cards containing a brief form that acknowledged reception. Collecting these cards became popular with radio listeners in the 1920s and 1930s, and reception reports were often used by early broadcasters to gauge the effectiveness of their transmissions.
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So sending a pic by email from your studio or city square has no costs.
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plauri

As I have written, when I was young I used to collect stickers. I remember it was December 1980 and I was studying english in Exeter. I heard a new radio station had been launched in the city: Double Devon Air (Double because they broadcast both FM and AM). I ran to their studios, but they didn't let me in  :'( instead they gave me two precious stickers. One of them I have lost, the other one was on my first car glass. The glass was broken when somebody decided to stole my loudspeakers inside, so I don't have them anymore.  :'(  Maybe now they will be worth a fortune  ::)   
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Music Box

As I understand you, I remember when back in 1979 my uncle who worked in Belgium gave me an amazing gift: the stickers of Radio Luxembourg signed by Benny Brown, I seemed to have touched the sky with a finger of happiness.  :) :) :)

plauri

Quote from: Music Box on November 14, 2018, 11:23:33 PM
As I understand you, I remember when back in 1979 my uncle who worked in Belgium gave me an amazing gift: the stickers of Radio Luxembourg signed by Benny Brown, I seemed to have touched the sky with a finger of happiness.  :) :) :)

I do believe! Do you still have them?  :P
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Music Box

Unfortunately no, I had the brilliant idea of attacking them in a mirror that was directing the radio in which I worked. To think about it today how stupid I have been.  :bash: :bash: :bash: :bash:

colincruz

Marius,

We have gotten a lot of real fan mail over the years...in which it was obvious that the writer had a keen interest in our specific radio station(s).

These emails I am writing about are so generic and don't indicate loyalty to our specific stations.

Yeah...maybe they are just sticker collectors...but it's interesting, because I think all of these types of emails have come from eastern Europe.  I don't know...maybe that's a thing over there.

My take?  It's not my job to spend at least 5 American dollars and 30 minutes of my time to fill out customs paperwork, pay for shipping and go to the post office to stock their sticker collection...on my dime.

plauri

@Colin
This one I got today (I don't think I violate any privacy publishing this but if you think I do, please remove the post):
This mail has nothing referring to our station and maybe Colin you have got the same.

"Good afternoon. Every morning when I wake up I listen to your radio. It gives me energy and good mood for the whole day. Now I can not imagine my normal day without your radio. My whole family also listens to your radio. Wanted to ask a few souvenirs from your wonderful radio for my family. With thanks and best wishes your regular listener. Good luck to you all!

My address: Alina E. Mala*****
So***** st.,4
Spi**** Russia 
171***

Funky Corner Radio
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http://www.funkycorner.radio
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colincruz

Yep.  Very generic.  Real fan mail is much more specific.  This is just a ploy for free stuff.

stevewa

identity theft. they can use your stickers to pretend they are salespeople for your radio station, and sell advertising contracts, collect the money, and then never deliver the advertisements.  :-X

plauri

Quote from: stevewa on November 20, 2018, 08:18:52 PM
identity theft. they can use your stickers to pretend they are salespeople for your radio station, and sell advertising contracts, collect the money, and then never deliver the advertisements.  :-X

I hope you are joking  ::)
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stevewa