Junk Mail Update

One of my first posts to GreenerMiami was about Stopping Junk mail. I was very pleased that I had figured out how to stop all of those flyers from arriving in my mailbox each week. In Miami, these two main companies are The Flyer, and ADVO (Shopwise).

I sent in my requests for removal from the distribution list, and waited patiently for the 6-8 weeks to pass until the changes took effect. The ads eventually stopped.

And then they started up again...but this time, without the address card. The address cards specifically state: "Postal Service Regulations require that address card be delivered together with its accompanying postage paid mail. If you should receive this card without its accompanying mail, please notify your local postmaster."

Now, reading that, my understanding is that if there is no card, you don't get the "accompanying mail". I first left a note in my box for my postal carrier, explaining the situation and asking to please not receive these fliers. The junk mail continued.

Finally, I called the USPS and tried to figure out which number to call to complain. After much explaining that I'm not receiving the cards anymore, so I must have been removed from the list, I was given my Carrier Office number. Again it took me quite a while to explain to the woman what I was requesting, and she assured me I would no longer receive these fliers.

They certainly don't make it easy. Did anyone else try to remove themselves from the junk mail distribution? How did it go? If you would like instructions on how to remove yourself from these mailings, visit our previous post: Get Greener, Miami! Stop Junk Mail!

Comments

[John]

Yeah, I did in Miami. Doesn't work. There are a bunch of radical tree huggers here so it took the first time. Our building has something on the wall b/c it seems that residents got together to opt out. (Wonder if new residents are given the option).

[Rebecca Carter]

John, I didn't follow exactly...what does your building have on the wall, and how did it not work?

[James Good]

Hi, I'd be interested to hear about how you can get an entire condo building on that list to be removed. That would really make a difference. Might be a useful article for the future, Rebecca.

Great blog, and I like Maria's new logo.

-James.

[Rebecca Carter]

I'm with you James, I'll look into it, and maybe John can give us some further detail.

[Rebecca Carter]

I got more Shopwise fliers in my mail today, argh! What's it going to take to make them stop?? Anyone from USPS out there reading this? (If I get a reply back on that one, I'll be pleasantly, but very, surprised.)

[Rebecca Carter]

After complaining to my carrier's office, my junk mail DID stop.

I've contacted the USPS, and they do not have an answer as to how to stop junk mail for an entire building.

ADVO FAQs state that residents must each request removal.

John is looking into how his building in NY got it done.

So far, not a lot of answers! We'll keep researching!

[Manola BBB]

Rebecca, now that I'm back in town I'm going to try to stop my junk mail too. Maybe not a lot of answers but you set for the example and how-to. Thanks!

[jul]

I have gone through the same over the past 6 years here in our Chicago house. I have talked with everybody from the postmen, the postmaster, consumer affairs, state consumer affairs,the local newspaper, and even consumer advocate. I just wrote a second letter to consumer advocate after getting shopwise stuffed in our mailbox last week. My stand is that every time I get one, I do something, specially now that they run out of excuses.

[jm]

This is what I get when I emailed one comany.

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Thomas, We will but to just let you know, the information comes
from the city assessor's list. We merely take the information from
there and mail a new listing flyer to the area where we have a new listing or an Open House. The purpose of the mailing is to notify people in the neighborhood that there is a home for sale-- not to solicit or sell something per se. So, I have notified my marketing coordinator and my office administrator to remove you from the list if we do another mailing to that neighborhood but I can not guarantee that another agent in one of my offices will not pull the same public access list and then mail something to you in a bulk mailing. To insure that you do not receive bulk mailings from us or anyone
else using the publicly available assessor's list, you need to contact the assessor to remove your name if that is possible. Your other option is to throw away any flyer you have no interest in upon your receipt.

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When I tried to explain further, I get:
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Tom, I am not sending junk mail. We are sending information about
homes for sale in a particular neighborhood to the people in the
neighborhood. Most people appreciate being informed. They may or may
not be in the market for a home but like to know what's happening in
their neighborhood-- or may know someone looking to buy in their
neighborhood. We have never had anyone take offense or object to such mailings and if they don't want it they throw it away. I find your objection and concern unusual but we will certainly make every effort not to mail to you or inform you of current events.

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