Opt In Email Campaigns

[Carbo]

I'm wondering if some of you have any experience with the slew of companies on the 'net that offer to mass email to those who have opted in to receive these emails, (repeat: I am not talking about spamming).
What do you know about them, if you've used these techniques were they effective, etc?

 

[MrBond]

I get a lot of these "opt-in" email services sending me stuff. They're not QUITE as low as spammers in my opinion (because most really do let you unsubscribe). I still regard it as junk and throw it out. It's my own fault I'm on those lists, I used my personal email stupidly at a lot of sites (free tshirts and such) and probably got stuck on a lot of lists.

I kind of see the opt in stuff as the junk mail of email, and spam as telemarketers who wardial. Junk mail I get through the USPS is my own fault, for not checking the box, etc. Telemarketers who wardial are not my fault, and I wish slow and painful death on all of them.

In short, if you're trying to use it as a legitmate advertisement, a lot of people are going to consider it spam ("I never signed up for this list...") and hate you for it.

 

[Carbo]

I understand, MrBond. But, the companies that offer this service do so with the claims that their respective lists are 100% opt in, and all emails offer an unsubscribe option. I'm looking to build a business, not have it torn down, that's why I'm doing some research before going this route.
I'm very curious as to what kind of reponse rate to expect with, say, a 100,000 piece mailing.