Author Topic: How to reduce junk mail & telemarketers  (Read 1265 times)

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Offline LeeAnne151

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How to reduce junk mail & telemarketers
« on: October 09, 2007, 09:42:57 PM »


    As soon as you receive an unwanted publication in the mail, call the 1-800 number located somewhere on the piece and ask to be removed from the mailing list (they will need information from the label on the catalog). Businesses and organizations are glad to hear from you if you're not interested in receiving their advertising -- it reduces their costs. Remember too that if you actually buy something from a mail order catalog, it increases the likelihood your name will be shared with other similar businesses because you've just proven yourself an interested customer. So when you order, don't forget those magic words: "Please don't rent, sell, or trade my name and address."

    If you cannot find a phone number, return the label portion of the mailing to their address with a note requesting removal of your name and address.



    Avoid getting on even more mailing lists by taking precaution whenever you submit your name and address to anyone. If you're filling out a form such as a warranty, subscription, raffle, customer info card, credit card application, membership for an organization, etc., add the phrase "please do not rent, sell, or trade my name or address" next to the other information you provide. (Be advised that it is not necessary to fill out a warranty card to benefit from the warranty on your purchase. The warranty card is usually just a way to get consumer info from you.) Repeat these same magic words every time you're giving a company or organization your name and address over the phone or internet, such as when ordering a catalog, magazine, or making a purchase. The sales rep will then flag your name in their computer.

    Information from warranty and registration cards is often sold to direct mailers. Read the fine print to see if you are required to return the card to validate the warranty. Registration may be important if the product you are purchasing is found to be defective and the manufacturer institutes a product call-back or upgrade. If you return the card, all you need to include is your name, address, product information and, if requested, the date of purchase and a copy of the receipt. It is not necessary to answer personal questions other than your name and address. No matter what you choose to fill out on the card, make sure you include the magic words, "please do not rent, sell, or trade my name or address."

 Abacus Catalog Alliance: Signing up permanently halts the catalog mailings from association members. Email optout@abacus-direct.com with your full name and current address.

Opt out of credit card and insurance offers:
https://www.optoutprescreen.com/?rf=t

Mail Preference Service:
https://www.dmachoice.org/cgi/offmailing

National Do Not Call Registry:
https://www.donotcall.gov/default.aspx

# Val-Pak Coupons
Label Order Department
8605 Largo Lakes Drive
Largo, FL 33773
1- 888-797-1896
www.coxtarget.com/mailsuppression/s/DisplayMailSuppressionForm

You can request to be removed from sweepstakes and ValPak coupon mailings. If you like coupons but don’t want to receive all that mail, go to their website to choose and print coupons by geographical location.

    * ADVO, Inc. (these guys send the blue post cards with the missing children)
      Consumer Assistance
      PO Box 249
      Windsor , CT 06095
      1- 888-241-6760
      http://www.advo.com/consumersupport.html

    You can request removal online at the above website, by phone, or by downloading a form to mail. ADVO sends out the “Mailbox Values” advertising pieces.


If you've had it with companies sending you products or disks in the mail that you don't want, there is an option. First, look for any of the following phrases:

    * return service requested
    * forwarding service requested
    * address service requested
    * change service requested.

If you find any of these phrases, write "refused, returned to sender" on the unopened envelope.

Mail sent to "Resident," "Current Resident," or "Current Occupant" can be refused if it contains one of the above endorsements, or is sent First Class.

When you receive unsolicited products in the mail such as those from charities, you can mark the envelope “Return to Sender” and put it back in the mail, throw away the product or use it. You are under no obligation to send money. If the product is a sample, it must be marked as such and the same options apply. It is illegal for a company or charity to send you a bill for items that you did not order.

If you receive unwanted pornographic or sexually explicit mail, there is a powerful legal tool in your corner called Form 1500. By filling out the form and attaching the specific piece of junk mail you want stopped, a company becomes criminally liable if it continues to send you mail or to sell your personal data to others. You can get a copy of Form 1500 by visiting your post office, calling the U.S. Postal Service, or downloading the form at www.usps.com/forms/_pdf/ps1500.pdf.

~LeeAnne~

“Women and cats will do as they please, and men and dogs should relax and get used to the idea.”

Robert A. Heinlein



Portland, Oregon. USDA Zone 8~Sunset Zone 6

Offline Mikey

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Re: How to reduce junk mail & telemarketers
« Reply #1 on: October 09, 2007, 11:42:09 PM »
Good info LeeAnne.  I was complaining about junk mail recently and meant to do a google search to learn ways to stop it.  I usually take their postage-paid self-addressed envelopes and stuff it with as much other junk mail I can get into the envelope and then mail it back to them, hoping they will have to pay extra postage because it weighs well over an ounce......  You've hit on one of my pet peeves.... >:(-
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Offline Jerry

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Re: How to reduce junk mail & telemarketers
« Reply #2 on: October 10, 2007, 08:40:13 AM »
Excellent! O0
Jerry
Northridge, California  
Zone 10


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Offline LeeAnne151

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Re: How to reduce junk mail & telemarketers
« Reply #3 on: October 10, 2007, 10:12:39 AM »
I stuff all their crap back into the postage paid envelopes too.

I got an email forward about cell phones that prompted me to compile and post the above information. The email forward wasn't true and I found all the other stuff while researching it.
~LeeAnne~

“Women and cats will do as they please, and men and dogs should relax and get used to the idea.”

Robert A. Heinlein



Portland, Oregon. USDA Zone 8~Sunset Zone 6

Offline karen J

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Re: How to reduce junk mail & telemarketers
« Reply #4 on: October 10, 2007, 07:24:16 PM »
Excellent info! Thanks for posting it, LeeAnne.

One other important thing, is if you originally registered with the "Do Not Call" list (https://www.donotcall.gov/default.aspx), the time is now that you have to re-register, as your original request is nearing (or at) expiration.
Karen
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Offline LeeAnne151

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Re: How to reduce junk mail & telemarketers
« Reply #5 on: October 13, 2007, 10:27:17 AM »
Yes, it is only good for five years. As is the Mail Preference Service.

~LeeAnne~

“Women and cats will do as they please, and men and dogs should relax and get used to the idea.”

Robert A. Heinlein



Portland, Oregon. USDA Zone 8~Sunset Zone 6

Offline Mikey

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Re: How to reduce junk mail & telemarketers
« Reply #6 on: October 13, 2007, 12:21:23 PM »
Okay...I just spent 30 minutes printing out forms, addressing envelopes, writing out checks and sending e-mail responses to all of those places listed above.  My mail carrier will be happy....
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Offline Jane

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Re: How to reduce junk mail & telemarketers
« Reply #7 on: October 15, 2007, 08:29:12 AM »
Great information LeeAnne.  I only knew of the DO NOT CALL registry (didn't know it was only good for 5 years).

Glad you shared with us all.  O0

 

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