Ugh!! I hate this world. Similac samples

[Deir]

I just got 2 large cans of Similac. I have a 3 year old and a 5 yr old and since I had them in a birth center I have never dealt with this common issue. I called Abbot Labs to track down how they got my name, address and the very nice woman looked me up and there I was on there database. Apparantly I "registered" on "ONe on the Way" I looked it up and it is a maternity clothes site.which I have never looked at. Now here is the scary part- I thought I might be pg last week unexpectedly and I had looked up early pregnancy symptoms etc. I guess somehow my searches got back to them and quicker than you can say,"I got my period!" there are 2 freakin' cans of Similac at my door. UGH!!!! I am so annoyed. The other thought I had is even scarier. I am a breastfeeding Counselor and I just ordered 25 breastfeeding pamphlets from the Dept of Health to give to my moms and I am wondering if that could have triggered it? I hope not. They really are so evil!

[NorthernPixie]

That is a bit scary. I got samples after dd was born and I phoned to 1) get my name off their list, 2) tell them how disgusted I was, and 3) demand to know how they got my name. They told me they would put an 'investigator' on it right away and let me know in writing. Two weeks later a letter arrived informing me it was via the hospital photographer. I was steamed. And complained but shockingly got no response from the photographer or the hospital. But I insisted on knowing exactly how they found me. And if you didn't sign up for anything, then you have the right to know how they sourced your name. I hope you get a straight answer, I'd folllow this up for sure.

[BugMacGee]

I never got any. Despite having registered for all sorts of stuff (I wanted the free diapers, before the CD'ing era)
They just sent them in the mail???

ETA: Didn't mean to make it sound like i wanted them. Though since DD#1 weaned herself @ 11 months, i coulda used some then I guess.

[MommyofAngelBabies]

I got some in the mail too!!! I was sooo annoyed! I had my babies all at home, so the only thing I can think of, was possibly from sending in the PKU test? Or even possibly when getting the birth certificate at the county clerk's office.

I can't think of any other way... I also get all the darn gerber, etc "updates" on where my baby should be now, etc. With advertisements of course. It's amazing the ways they must get info to even know I had another baby. Although it took them 10 months to send the formula.

[kriket]

Can you donate them to a womens' shelter or food bank? I hate that they send a bunch of temptation in the mail, but if you don't want it, give it to those who need it.

[Deir]

I only want to give it to certain places because I don't want to advertise for Similac. I was thinking of giving to my local breastfeeding resource Center and they could give it to a true low supply mom or maybe a relactating adoptive mother or something.

[Da WIC Lady]

Motherhood Maternity and other maternity clothing stores sell their customer lists. I have donated it to the food bank or other food pantry when I get samples in the mail.

[jecombs]

I got tons of samples and coupons after I had DD. Luckily, I knew a Mom who had just adopted a little girl, so I gave them to her.

[yummama]

motherhood maternity sold my name to similac. I got the 2 cans right before DD was born (they obviously knew my duedate) and I get mail from them every week. I am never shopping at motherhood again.

[DanelleB]

I'd be livid, too!

(I give any formula samples that find their way here to our chickens. )

[Deir]

I knew there was another reason I wanted chickens! LOL

[Lil'M]

Originally Posted by Deir

I am a breastfeeding Counselor and I just ordered 25 breastfeeding pamphlets from the Dept of Health to give to my moms and I am wondering if that could have triggered it? I hope not. They really are so evil!

I've ordered from Dept of Health many times for our WIC office and that has never happened to us so I doubt it was from them.

This morning I took dd1 for a free cardiac screening for student athletes at the ambulatory health center connected with the local hospital, and in the lobby they had a table set up with free Similac containers and lots of pens, etc. with their name on it. I was so disgusted! I just don't get what business a hospital has in promoting formula use. No wonder their breastfeeding rates are so bad!

[LauraN]

It's usually the maternity clothing stores, or magazine subscriptions (Parenting, Parents, etc). Oh, and Toys-r-us.

[BundleFishMama]

It's really unbelievable - we've moved around SO much lately due to DH's job stuff and had so many address changes that some of my best friends can't find us, but yet right on schedule (I'm due in 9 days) a couple of weeks ago the boxes of full cans of formula and coupons started showing up here on my MOTHER'S doorstep, where we're staying temporarily!!! : It's not even my own address and I didn't think I'd given it to anyone! It's crazy how they can do that - but in general I don't know how to avoid it, because I do choose to sign up for mailing lists, etc. at maternity stores and the like (I'm a bit of a shopaholic so I want the coupons and sale notices! LOL)

Anyway, it's an interesting question, what to do with the free formula. Honestly, I threw it in the trash. I felt a little guilty doing that, since it *is* basically food, but I don't know anyone who really needs it and I didn't want to be participating in free advertising for these companies, either.