Dealing w/ junk mail

[Skeezix]

Living here in Taholah, we have no paper recycling pickup. Of course, I still receive daily credit card offers in the mail. So, lately, I've been crossing my name out on the contents of credit card mailings, re-inserting all the paper into the business reply envelope, and sending it all back to the company. I even use scissors to cut up the outer envelope the stuff comes in and inserting that into the business-reply envelope as well. It all goes back. What do you think of this scheme? One con that comes to mind immediately is that I'm wasting the energy of the Postal Service carting this tripe back to the credit card predators...

[olyclimber]

I've read about this idea in Adbusters and online. They have to open up the mail and look at it, so it costs them money. You're approved!

[Off_White]

Yep, I've been stuffing other crap into the envelopes for awhile, but I'm not convinced it does much aside from entertain myself. I expect they've got some sorting machine that kicks out any fat or seriously overweight envelopes since it's unlikely to be a dutiful response to their come-on. It does move a little crap out of my recycle bin though.

 

I actually got the idea from my local post office. They told me that unfortunately I could not just tape the reply envelope to a big rock anymore, but I could put anything I wanted in the envelope and fill it as much as I could, as long as it was not a hazardous substance that was illegal to mail. I figured that meant used coffee grounds were okay. They also said don't worry about wasting the Postal Service's time, they need the work.

[Alpinfox]

When you mail back those business reply envelopes, write "please remove my name + address from your mailing list" next to your name on the inside portion. I believe they are legally required to comply.

 

I've thought of making a sticker that says just that.

 

If you haven't signed up for the "Do Not Call" list yet, you should do so. The number of telephone solicitors calling my house went from a couple/day to zero. Charities and political organizations can still call.

[cj001f]

If you haven't signed up for the "Do Not Call" list yet, you should do so. The number of telephone solicitors calling my house went from a couple/day to zero. Charities and political organizations can still call.

Cellphone's been my only phone since '99. Never have problems

 

I just shread the junkmail. Amusingly I've never had the time to do anything else

[EWolfe]

I don't have a "shreader" , and I am always worried about someone getting a hold of the credit card solicitations in my name, so I usually rip them up and put part in recycling and part in the garbage.

 

I like the idea of returning the stuff

 

Even better (if it works) is writing "please take my name and address off your mailing list"

[Dru]

don't open it

write "no longer at this address" on outside of the envelope and put back in mailbox unopened

[cj001f]

don't open it

write "no longer at this address" on outside of the envelope and put back in mailbox unopened

That costs the Post Office money.

 

If you open it & return it it costs the junk mail sender money.

[Dru]

The potential for dead letter returns is factored into the cost of postage.

[chucK]

Still costs the Postal service money.

[Dru]

Still costs the Postal service money.

 

and they pass those costs along to their clients, the junk mail division.

[cj001f]

and they pass those costs along to their clients, the junk mail division.

They pass the costs on to all of their customers. It isn't the most direct feedback mechanism.

[chelle]

Call the 800 number on the junkmail and tell them to take you off their list permenantly, then mail back the crap they mailed you and call the number on the back of the mailer, then call 1-888-5-OPTOUT (567-8688) and opt out of junk mail for life. more info here.

[MisterMo]

Don't know about stopping ALL junk mail but in the fine print on credit card offers is an 800 number you can call so you never get another credit card offer. Worked for me, haven't gotten one in years.

 

As to junk mail in general, the Index PO has a big recycle box just arm's reach from the window, an excellent and heavily used public service. Lobby for one in your neighborhood....

[cj001f]

Remember the best way to stop Spam e-mail is to reply to them.

[Skeezix]

I'm gonna keep sending the stuff back. --It gives me pleasure.

[chelle]

keep sending back what you get, but get yourself off the list and help save some paper.

[Skeezix]

keep sending back what you get, but get yourself off the list and help save some paper.

Good call. I totally resent unsolicited junk mail.

[snoboy]

In Canada you just go to the Post Office and say, "I don't want any fliers." This will stop delivery of all unaddressed admail to you box/door/whatever.

[Alpinfox]

 

What a country!

 

[Ireneo_Funes]

I don't have the time for such hijinks with direct mail, but if you do send back the business reply envelopes, it's costing the direct mailer a minimum of $0.47 per piece (more if you fill it up with sheets of paper etc. and raise the weight above 1 oz.).

 

If you write "no longer at this address" on the piece and put it back in your mailbox, one of 2 things is going to happen, assuming it's been mailed at Standard/Bulk Mail Rates: (1) if they've stamped "address correction requested" on the envelope, they'll get it back and be charged $0.70, or (2) if they haven't put such an endorsement on the piece, the USPS will throw it away. But the real problem with doing this is you're going to confuse your mail carrier & local post office. And most direct mailers don't bother with address corrections, 'cause they're probably buying your name from a list broker like Expedian, and letting them handle all the list management.

 

Don't ask me how I know about this bullshit.

[Off_White]

How do you know about this bullshit?

 

What is it you do for a living anyway, hmmmm?

[Ireneo_Funes]

I'm manager of circulation for a magazine publisher. Working with the USPS is unfortunately a big part of my job.

 

And we do send out a very modest number of direct mail solicitations every other month. There, full disclosure. Happy?

[Off_White]

Well, I didn't exactly expect a serious reply, but thanks!

[ChrisT]

I don't have the time for such hijinks with direct mail, but if you do send back the business reply envelopes, it's costing the direct mailer a minimum of $0.47 per piece (more if you fill it up with sheets of paper etc. and raise the weight above 1 oz.).

 

If you write "no longer at this address" on the piece and put it back in your mailbox, one of 2 things is going to happen, assuming it's been mailed at Standard/Bulk Mail Rates: (1) if they've stamped "address correction requested" on the envelope, they'll get it back and be charged $0.70, or (2) if they haven't put such an endorsement on the piece, the USPS will throw it away. But the real problem with doing this is you're going to confuse your mail carrier & local post office. And most direct mailers don't bother with address corrections, 'cause they're probably buying your name from a list broker like Expedian, and letting them handle all the list management.

 

The direct mailer *should* absorb the cost - they're the ones sending out unsolicited bullshit in the first place.