Tone of Distressed Letters? Cease and Desist?

[David Lamb]

I am very sympathetic to those who are facing foreclosure and other distressed situations.  I try to convey that in my direct marketing materials.  With that said, I just received a call from a lawyer representing a person I sent a mailer giving me "notice" that my letter was causing her "extreme distress" and advising me to "cease and desist" with further marketing otherwise she would go after me for "harassment."  To be sure, I have only sent her 2 letters and made 1 phone call over a 6 week period.  And, I believe that the content is sympathetic but direct, i.e.  "I'm sorry you are going through tough times; I want to work with you to help save your home from foreclosure please call to discuss options."

Sooooo, I guess my question is based on your experience what is the best tone to strike with these letters?  Do I just simply say, "I want to buy your house if interested" and keep it general or make it more personalized, "foreclosures are tough, I would like to help."  Secondly, I know these things are tough hence the call from the lawyer but wtf? Any experience and/or thoughts on the "notice" "cease and desist" "causing extreme distress." Doubtful that this prospect will want to work with me so I wont send her more materials but I was taken aback by the call and "notice."  Opinions?

Thank you all!

Dave

[David Lamb]

Yeah, I really appreciate that Kevin.  I'm not sure why I got so peeved but I did.  I really believe in what we do and the services we provide and I have pretty thick skin.  So, his call and my response kind of took me back a bit. After cooling down, I thought about it and decided to share the experience with others so that collectively we are better prepared to address these types of responses and determine how best to respond to them.  Admittedly, I failed on that last part but getting better! :)