Hints from Heloise

Dear Heloise: As a consumer, I think we need to let manufacturers know that their product registration cards are an imposition on the consumer. I recently purchased new small appliances. I am exhorted to register my purchases so that I can be notified of issues that arise concerning the products.

Each card has a brief area for the information that would be required for notification. Then the manufacturers add a long, intrusive list of questions: income; level of education; shopping habits; credit-card habits; occupation; age.

And then they expect the consumer to pay the postage. Ridiculous! If notification is important to them (and for liability reasons, it should be), the card should be simple and the postage paid. – Marilyn Hardy, Tyler, Texas

You’re right! Most of these cards request too much personal information. What for? Marketing purposes, or to get on an unwanted mailing list? – Heloise