I have been getting some junk mail on the streamline website messenger system (not to my regular email account).  One promotion for a pet care pack prompted me to ask if I could "opt out" of receiving promotion announcements and messages that were of no value to me.

My email to Streamline:

Is it possible to "Opt Out" of receiving product promotional messages. I am a marketing professor so please do not attempt to tell me that these messages are meant to necessarily help me (e.g., I love animals, however, I do not own a pet and I could care less about Purina pet food promotions). If opting out is not an option, it would be an excellent idea to make this an option. I and many others dislike ads and promotions that have little hope of being worthwhile to us; it is a waste of our time to see them. 

Sincerely yours,

Bruce 

Streamline's email response:

Hi Bruce,

I believe I can have this done for you. Give me a day. I need to send an email to someone...

Li-Anne (I have withheld the last name)
Customer Service
 

Here is a message I received a few days AFTER the correspondence above:

Getting a puppy? 

If so, Streamline.com and Ralston Purina would like to help. 
Let us know your plan by clicking the "?" below. 
Get your pup started on the road to long-term health and
happiness with a FREE 8lb bag of Purina puppy food and a FREE Puppy
Kit including an informational video and booklet. 
Simply click the puppy image to order your
preferred puppy food. Full credit for your purchase
will then be applied to your account along with a
message containing the link to the Ralston
Purina FREE Puppy Kit website.

If you're not planning to get a puppy right away,
but are still interested in this offer, you can find
Purina Puppy foods in the Featured Items area
of Spotlight, through December 1999. Following
your purchase, you will be contacted regarding
your credit and FREE puppy kit. Thank you and
enjoy the newest addition to your family!
 

My mistake, I should have stated also in my original message that we will not be getting a puppy any time soon; now I know.  We live and learn (at least this is true for some of us).  (The puppy is soooo cute though.  Come here puppy.)