LAS VEGAS -- We've all been bugged and harassed by people trying to sell something over the phone. Some even end up swearing at the salespeople.
One Las Vegas family, though, is a victim of corporate cussing. SiriusXM satellite radio addressed a letter to their home, replacing their names with an obscenity three separate times. In each instance, the person's name was replaced with the word "a**hole."
Mark and Lanyne Russie never thought they'd receive a corporate sales letter like the one that arrived from SiriusXM. The obscenity appears on the envelope and twice in the offer letter.
"As you think, you start to go, 'Hey, wait a minute, that's fightin' words! You called me what? You want to come over to my face and say that?'" Mark Russie said.
The Russies bought a new car last year. When their 12-month free SiriusXM trial period ended, the satellite radio company called to ask if the Russies would be interested in renewing.
"They asked why we were turning them down and my husband told them, 'The price wasn't right, the price is a rip-off to us, we don't feel like we're going to pay for radio, and that's it,'" Lanyne Russie said.
The SiriusXM letter they received days later contains the obscenity three times: in the address, the special offer and the salutation.
"It's funny because it's creative, I guess. But at the same time, I've got a kid who checks the mail," Lanyne Russie said.
8 News NOW contacted SiriusXM, wanting to find out how this happened. They responded: "Since you notified us, we forwarded this letter to our listener care department and they have addressed it with the account holder. We appreciate you bringing it to our attention." Company officials would not answer any questions.
The Russies say they have not received an apology call or letter from SiriusXM, but were told that the employee involved will be disciplined.
"I want whoever did it gone. I want them out of a job. Secondly, the fact the letter was endorsed by the Chief Service Officer of SiriusXM, I think he should probably acknowledge that this was stamped off and there's got to be some controls put in place," Lanyne Russie said.
"If this is what you'll send to someone who is a potential customer, I can only imagine how they treat people who are contracted with them," Mark Russie said.
8 News NOW also asked the U.S. Postal Service why it would deliver a letter addressed with an obscenity. Officials say they will deliver anything as long as it's addressed accurately, even if it's an obscenity or a direct threat.
