Do you rationalize questionable/iffy email marketing tactics because they work?

You like your questions tough Loren, but this one is definitely valid. I reacted in short on Twitter, and will expand my views here - from an ESP employee point of view, but also from a sender point of view.

As an ESP you want everyone to do good, right and be succesful: plain and simple. The world of email marketing though isn't simple when you take it seriously. That's where things collide: time, knowledge, dedication. A sender would want maximum results with minimum efforts, but the ESP knows that that is not entirely possible. Trying to facilitate in delivering those results could mean that an ESP gets on the edge of client advice: what is 'playing nice' and what is 'if it works for you, go for it'. Drawing the line can be very dificult, not just because of laws and such, but also because of reputation and respect.

On to the sender side: If I as a sender would take a long hard look at those iffy tactics and see how they would play out in both short and long run, I would ditch them right away. Not because I'm such a good guy, but because in the end I know it'll come right back to me like a good old Australian boomerang.