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RC Car Craze: The Spam Connection

Posted by timothy on from the spam-from-ix dept.

Rick Zeman writes "The Washington Post is reporting that the latest toy craze, miniature radio-controlled cars, is actually fueled by spam, and that spammers are actually helping brick and mortar retailers. Dunno about you guys, but I get a couple of those a day...and I've resisted the 'temptation.'" The Washington Post wants to know your age, ZIP code and sex, and even provides you with hints on the first two. ...or read the same story on MSNBC.

4 of 302 comments (clear)

  1. Link to non-reg-req version by Motherfucking+Shit · · Score: 5, Informative

    MSNBC is carrying the same article without the registration requirement.

    --
    "BSD: Free as in speech. Linux: Free as in beer. Windows 10: Free as in herpes." --Man On Pink Corner in #52607549.
  2. I hate them, buy real ones... by Magus311X · · Score: 5, Informative

    Seriously. The ZipZaps, and most of the stuff from Tyco and Nikko aren't that fantastic.

    Get the real deals. 1/18th, 1/10th, or 1/8th. Electric or nitro. On-road or off.

    HPI
    Kyosho
    Serpent
    Tamiya
    Team Associated
    Team X-Ray
    Traxxas

    RC racing has got to be one of the geekiest and most rewarding hobbies to boot. Meet a lot of nice people this way at events.

    -----

  3. Have Your Micro RC and Eat it Too by Mulletproof · · Score: 5, Informative

    Just because the spammers are ruining your day doesn't mean you have to forego the item completely... Buy a different manufacturer/model. I highly recommend the original Bit Char-G Micro RCs at either your local japanese toy shop, or lacking that-- a listing on eBay will do the trick well enough. $25-$30 is generally the going price and yeah, the instructions are in Japanese, but if you can't figure out the large obvious pictorials, you shouldn't be using a computer anyway (in other words some assembly required, takes under 10min for the average first time user). Bit Char's were around before the micro RC craze here and they're good quality and well supported. Upgradable motors (up to 30,000 rpm!) and tires in addition to the bodies. Good stuff.

    What gets me is the number of people who let spam alter their shopping habits. Avoiding the seller I can understand. He spammed you, you're pissed. But boycotting the entire brand? Come on now. The manufacture most likely doesn't have a clue and even if they did, there's not a whole lot they could do about it. So just get your present as planned form either the store or a more reputable website. Easy, ne?

    --
    You need a FREE iPod Nano
  4. Review by Daniel+Rutter · · Score: 5, Informative

    People who'd like to see what a representative mini-car actually has in it, by the way, might like to check out my review of one, here.