How much would you pay to stop the flow of junk mail clogging your mailbox? An article from the New York Times excerpted below discusses some new options for doing just that, but in some cases, it ain't cheap:Now a new online service called Catalog Choice (www.catalogchoice.org) is facilitating attempts to unsubscribe. The site was developed by three nonprofit environmental groups — the National Wildlife Federation, the Natural Resources Defense Council and the Ecology Center — to relay requests en masse to specific retailers. Since it was introduced last Wednesday, more than 20,000 people have registered.
Retailers have thus far supported efforts to target consumers more effectively, but not legislation to enact do-not-mail lists (which would operate similarly to do-not-call lists). The Direct Marketing Association, a trade group that advocates direct mail as an effective form of retail advertising, offers its own “mail preference service,” although it requires a $1 payment by credit card to register online. Several other sites charge $15 to $41 for services that stop junk mail and catalogs.
Catalog Choice, which does not charge a fee, helps retailers “to maintain a ‘clean’ list so that they are not mailing to people who don’t want their catalogs,” said Kate Sinding, a senior lawyer for the Natural Resources Defense Council.
There have been some surprises: The most requests have come from people who wish to stop receiving the catalogs of L. L. Bean, a company built on an image of embracing the great outdoors.
Carolyn Beem, an L. L. Bean spokeswoman, said the company mails 250 million catalogs annually, “and we have one of the cleanest lists in the industry.” It monitors its mailings to prevent duplicates and allows customers to specify how many catalogs they wish to receive — if any. She said the company would be open to requests from an outside service like Catalog Choice.
Retailers have thus far supported efforts to target consumers more effectively, but not legislation to enact do-not-mail lists (which would operate similarly to do-not-call lists). The Direct Marketing Association, a trade group that advocates direct mail as an effective form of retail advertising, offers its own “mail preference service,” although it requires a $1 payment by credit card to register online. Several other sites charge $15 to $41 for services that stop junk mail and catalogs.
Catalog Choice, which does not charge a fee, helps retailers “to maintain a ‘clean’ list so that they are not mailing to people who don’t want their catalogs,” said Kate Sinding, a senior lawyer for the Natural Resources Defense Council.
There have been some surprises: The most requests have come from people who wish to stop receiving the catalogs of L. L. Bean, a company built on an image of embracing the great outdoors.
Carolyn Beem, an L. L. Bean spokeswoman, said the company mails 250 million catalogs annually, “and we have one of the cleanest lists in the industry.” It monitors its mailings to prevent duplicates and allows customers to specify how many catalogs they wish to receive — if any. She said the company would be open to requests from an outside service like Catalog Choice.
Interfaith Power and Light is a religious response to global warming with chapters in 22 states and Greater Washington, D.C. Find a link to your local chapter at http://www.theregenerationproject.org/State.htmEnjoy discounts on energy saving products at http://www.shopipl.org/.
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