1. The premise of initial contact may well go beyond a simple request and a more standardized service covers all those variables. Many questions can come up and information can get lost in the shuffle so as a more sound business practice for those wishing to sell things it is better to get the info now rather than later to assure of any future ability to contact. If computers crash or phones go down, they still have a way of contacting you no matter how seemingly insignificant the initial contact might be. That is what a good company does.
2. and this is what I mean. You and others are under the assumption that "it appears" that this company was acting untoward in some form or fashion. This was based on the rant of the op and nothing more but still, this company now becomes "guilty" of "high handedness" to some. This to me is unfair and is much like when someone accuses some one else of improper conduct. Whether it has happened or not means absolutely nothing, the onus of the accusation or even the inference is still there and in some cases, it has ruined lives.
Westerndorf is a company that has bent over backwards for their customers because they know it is a good business modality. If one is not aware of the exemplary customer service of Westerndorf, they become something less with a thread such as this and it was all based on an assumption because for all we know, there is the possibility that the computer program they purchased throws out inquiries if not filled out in full. These programs are there to protect both the company and customer as companies get all kinds of contacts by pure loonies. Based on my dealings with Westerndorf, I am quite confident that no one there made a basic attempt to ignore anyone as it goes against what seems to be the very fiber of their existence and that is excellent customer service.
There are certainly things people need to be suspicious of but Westerndorf is not one of that. Of course since no one here knows me from atom, I'm confident that this assertion will be also taken with a grain of salt.
