customer email lists done right

Got this email today:

BMW Motorcycles would like to send you our monthly BMW Motorrad USA email newsletter. This newsletter features video links and exclusive content showcasing our motorcycles, race events, and more!

We acquired your email address via a BMW Motorrad contest entry form or on-line BMW registration within the last 36 months. However, we value your privacy and are writing now to ask your permission before we add you to our e-list. Be assured that at any time you can easily remove yourself from the list via click links at the bottom of every email. Thanks in advance for your interest in BMW. Please click one of these two links:
Add me to the list No thanks, please remove me

Nicely handled, Bay-em-vay. I opted in.

Spamgourmet stats

Here are the spamgourmet addresses that have received (and deleted) the most spam:

contest (at my address): 13,565. I use this address when entering any kind of contest, drawing, etc.

nntp (at my address): 7,977. I use this address on newsgroups

ireadsource (at my address): 1,277. This address is in a comment in the source of my webpage.

Nowadays I also use username+somestring@gmail.com addresses. It doesn't provide as much protection but it has 100% uptime and timely delivery. Sometimes SG gets overloaded and mail can get delayed.

I'm feeling much better now.

Thought I'd give an update after two negative posts.

Spamgourmet is back up and running like a champ; they tend to get DOS'ed by spammers regularly so I was a bit worried.

Also, I joined another regional freecycle group (north texas freecycle) and was admitted with no drama. Successfully gave away some gear I didn't want to throw away.