Herb Weisbaum wrote an article for MSNBC describing the Catalog Choice service and the Direct Marketing Association’s service DMAchoice.org.
Herb’s two cents: … some people might prefer using the Catalog Choice Web site because it does not require them to enter a credit card number.
Herb also quotes Pam Dixon of the World Privacy Forum regarding the DMA’s requirement for a credit card to opt-out of a catalog: “We think it’s a problem,” says Pam Dixon, executive director of the World Privacy Forum. “There are people who are not going to give out a credit card number to stop getting a catalog.
Do you think that you should have to provide your credit card number to use a service to stop getting unwanted mail? The DMA does. Catalog Choice does not. Leave your comment to let us know what you think.
They call it Blackmail here in the UK
Chris [across the pond] said it all in 8 words.
You’ve GOT to be kidding!
DMA is __THAT__ hostile and or dumb?
Provide credit card number – absolutely not! But I wish there was a way to accept a certain catalog a limited number of times a year, like 4 (instead of having to choose between getting it constantly vs. not at all).
Here, here, Elsa! Let me get LL Bean twice a year, not 24 times, please.
Right, and I’d also like to give them the checking account and routing numbers to my bank.
I’ve already sent a message to the companies that refuse to honor my declinations on Catalog Choice. From now on any catalog I receive from them will be put in an envelope with a brick and sent back to them postage due.
Requiring a credit card to turn down catalogs is proof of DMA’s cluelessness. Proof of its maliciousness was its advice to merchants to “just say no” to decline requests made through Catalog Choice.
ABSO freekin’ LUTELY NEVER!!!! Do these people think we are all mindless fools???!!! NEVER, NEVER, NEVER will I give my credit card numbers out to be (OOPPS!) accidentally disclosed to the predetors out there! WE ARE NOT SHEEP! Leave me alone!!
Isn’t that nuts??!! Makes about as much sense as the reason we get all those catalogs in the first place – to drive more business to the merchant websites. Ever notice how many come without an order page but they all have a dot com?
Who on earth would give out a credit card number for the purpose of NOT receiving something?
Ditto, my first choice, credit card number or not, would be to control the number of copies of any one company’s catalogs. Two to four per year please.
The DMA only has something to gain by people NOT declining catalogs. It’s a trade association which makes its money from marketing providers – the very people we don’t want the mail from!!
Catalog Choice is a great service. Thank You a million times.
We should certainly NOT HAVE TO provide credit card numbers to get rid of unsolicited catalogues.
I on ly use 4 or 5 catalogues to shop. By the holidays I was receiving in the neighbood of 65
catalogues NOT SOLICITED.
I agree with Chris’ comment about blackmail. Where would that leave those of us who have decided not to suscribe to the credit card racket?
If I did have a credit card, what kind of ignorant excuse can DMA give for thinking they have the right to require it?
Thanks for addressing the junk mail problem in a reasonable manner, Catalog Choice.
I hate giving my credit card out, but maybe DMA has a reason. I just opted out of a catalog without having to provide any proof that I was the one who subscribed. If I want to eliminate paper waste, I could just go through the phone book and opt out all kinds of people. All I need is a working email.
I posted a somewhat lengthy critique of DMA’s new Mail Preference service at Kevin Hillstrom’s blog, Mine That Data, in response to his post of 1/9/08. I’ll quote the relevant parts here:
“…I’m glad DMA has updated their mail preference site. I signed up for it (again, maybe the third time’ll be the charm) shortly after reading about it here. Unfortunately, the DMA program is still lacking when compared to Catalog Choice.
“Some of the key issues are:
“• DMA requires a credit card number for identification purposes. That wasn’t a deterrent to me, since I’ve paid the $1 fee by credit card previously, and I think it’s great that the DMA opt-out service is now free. However, more people would be likely to participate if there was a simple e-mail confirmation process, as with Catalog Choice.
“• DMA limits the user to five different name/address permutations per account. I have seven listed already at Catalog Choice.
“• DMA conceals its member directory. As a user, I’d greatly prefer to opt out of catalogs individually, but I’m not going to waste my time and energy entering dozens of requests without knowing whether DMA can even do anything about them. Catalog Choice tells me immediately if a catalog isn’t in the database, and they offer to send me an e-mail when they’ve added that merchant.
“• Before allowing a global opt-out request, DMA sends the user to a warning page, attempting to change the user’s mind. I found the wording hilariously dire, and I don’t think DMA understands the audience to whom they’re speaking. I do all my local shopping by foot, and generally at mom-and-pop places—I don’t drive to the mall. I also have totally ceased impulse shopping via paper catalogs—the vast majority that I receive go straight to the recycling bin, unopened. I do occasionally visit a merchant’s website after receiving an e-mailed sales notice. My computer runs on wind power, incidentally, as does the rest of my household.
“Anyhow, that’s my perspective as a layperson who’s trying to eliminate the excess catalogs in my mailbox. Even though I had already signed up with DMA (for the second time) a year or so ago, this was the worst season ever. I was getting four to six pounds of junk mail every week in November (yes, I actually weighed it). Over 40 catalogs came from merchants with whom I’ve never placed an order. The prospecting was also more bizarre than it’s ever been. For example, I’m almost 39 and childfree, yet I received my first-ever catalog for maternity wear. I’ve never ordered a single maternity item from anywhere. Or baby clothes or baby toys, for that matter. I can’t imagine what they were thinking.”
Incidentally, one of the prospecting merchants that to whom I alluded in the quote above is, in fact, a DMA member. I’ve been able to confirm that now through an Internet search. I was not one of their customers previously, so my name should’ve been suppressed on their lists via DMA. But it wasn’t.
We should not have to give a credit card number! With the craziness that we hear about credit card numbers being “stolen” via various medias, I would not want to be “required to give out the number”.
Thank You, Catalog Choice for providing such a very beneficial service! The World is being “destroyed” way too fast! You’re helping slow that down!
We should not have to give a credit card number! With the craziness that we hear about credit card numbers being “stolen” via various medias, I would not want to be “required to give out the number”.
Thank You, Catalog Choice for providing such a very beneficial service! The World is being “destroyed” way too fast! You’re helping slow that down!
Again, Leon sounds like he works for a catalog merchant. I don’t like him. And Leon, it really wouldn’t matter if you, “went through the phone book,” to opt out folks other than yourself; catalogs would find their way back to those unsuspecting individuals’ mailboxes, probably without them ever noticing what happened.
When I saw that Cabela’s refused my request from Catalog Choice to stop their catalogs – I emailed them and demanded that they remove me from thier list. They told me that they only work with DMA. I thought about looking them up – glad I didn’t.
I’m not associated with the catalog industry, and yet, I can see why the DMA requires credit card verification. They need to confirm the consumers’ identities, so they don’t have situations like, say, a kid in the family blocking the parents’ catalogs (ahem). Marketers pay thousands of dollars to DMA annually for business support. If I understand correctly, the dues begin at $1,300 and go up from there, depending on the company’s marketing expenditures. If the DMA is careless with their handling of the suppression lists (opt-outs), they could inadvertently cause the catalogers to lose business. Imagine the stink that would cause among their membership.
For folks who haven’t used the DMA service before, I think it’s worth noting that until very recently, they asked a $1 fee, payable by check or credit card, from consumers wishing to opt-out. I’ve paid both ways, over the years. Because there were people like me, so desperate to eliminate our junk mail that we were willing to give the DMA both money and personal information, they may not realize the strength of the objections to credit card verification. I think this thread makes it obvious, though. Asking for a credit card (as opposed to the more common e-mail verification process) creates a distinctly unfriendly feel.
From my personal standpoint, though, I don’t have a problem with the DMA asking for a credit card as much as I have a problem with the fact that their system hasn’t worked. I’m still getting catalogs from at least one major DMA member, along with a bunch of others that might or might not be members. If the DMA system had worked, then I wouldn’t need Catalog Choice to be fighting the good fight on my behalf. I’m immensely grateful to the Catalog Choice staff for helping all of us with this very annoying problem—thanks, guys and gals, for giving the DMA and junk mailers a much needed kick in the butt. Keep up the good work.
No way do I give DMA my credit card number. It only increases my exposure to potential misuse of the number.
I got the address from the Today show. This is great. Some days I receive as many as ten magazines that i don’t want in a small mail box. Thank you for this.
I just wanted to clarify something as there seems to be confusion. The credit card is not charged and just used to verify name and address. Supposedly the DMA is working on a validation process that doesn’t require a credit card. I’m not holding my breath though. However, they also still have the option of mailing in your request and they still charge $1 for doing so. So it is free online but you have to use a credit card. Or it is $1 if you mail in your request.
The second part I think people are confused about is that in the past, the DMA was just used for unsolicited catalogs. If you bought from a company in the past, you would not be removed from their mailing list and you would still need to contact them directly. Let’s say you bought from 4-5 catalogers, you would get their catalogs along with many others that rented their names. Opting out at the DMA does indeed eliminate a huge amount of these “unsolicited” catalogs. With the recent change at the DMA just a few weeks ago, you can now opt out of specific catalog titles just like Catalog Choice. Now that means that catalogers need to remove your name from the list even if you are a buyer. It is too early to see if this is effective yet but I am glad the DMA is making progress. I don’t think they would have changed without the existence of catalog choice.
Hopefully, the DMA is monitoring these blogs and will make the following changes:
- remove the credit card requirement. I think email validation would suffice. If they are concerned they may put some sort of limit like 3 postal addresses limit per email address so a single email account could not opt out hundreds of catalogs.
- Make their site much more user friendly like Catalog Choice.
I also like the idea of reducing the quantities like someone suggested. That would probably have to be implemented by the catalog company directly though.
I was so happy to read about this website in womans world, no I would not use my credit card, but I’m just getting to many unwanted catalogs. thank you so much for this service.
I definitely don’t think you should have to provide a CC or pay – who asks to receive all these catalogs anyway !! I get catalogs I’ve never even heard of – I guess others are selling their lists. And for some reasons, this just drives my husband mad – he complains every time he takes catalogs out of the mailbox.
Regarding reducing the number of catalogs received from a particular company: over the holidays, while placing an order with LLBean, I asked whether it was possible to reduce the # of catalogs I get from them. They said sure, and the rep I spoke to was able to get so specific as to what I wanted that I will now get just 1 catalog a year–the big Christmas one that comes out in September (which is all I really want). He mentioned that it could take up to 10 weeks to stop receiving all catalogs, due to their mailing schedule, but I was really impressed that they were so willing to work with me.
i tryed to unsubscribe from 19 different ones. They keep sending them.. & every time the account # is changed… Why so they can keep sending them..
Why should the DMA need proof of ID to stop sending catalogs? They don’t worry about that when sending them out. I get stuff I didnt’ ask for in every imaginable permutation of our names. On top of that, I get catalogs for all kinds of cousins, uncles, etc. that have never even lived here! How would someone “verify” that. Get real, DMA!
Uh, no–I only provide that when I want to BUY something!!! Gimme a break.
As for the comment by the person who said they could go through the phone book and opt out all sorts of people. I am certain each and every one of them would be more than thrilled! So far two companies have “REFUSED” to accept my request through Catalog Choice. I e-mailed both to request personally and to let them know that I will now REFUSE to buy anything from their company!
[...] We know the DMA has a website where you can opt-out of DMA member mailings. But based on our last post, it is clear that it is not acceptable for consumers to give the DMA their credit card just to [...]
Just a comment about DMA’s “free” opt-out option. Actually, they ask us to pay with either method — a dollar or a credit card number. My credit card number is not something I give out for free. They didn’t need my credit card number when they added my name to their mailing lists; they don’t need it to take my name off. Quite a scam they run — they do something really annoying, then ask for payment to stop.
DMA better wake up and smell the grassroots – there is no way I will ever provide a credit card number to get removed from a catalog mailing. If DMA feels unjustly attacked, its probably because they never provided a viable alternative in the first place and therefore have been essentially unregulated – thus the attractiveness and exponentially growing membership in CC’s service. The possibility of somebody opting out of a catalog without my permission versus someone potentially stealing my identity and draining my bank account because I provided a credit card? Not even close between the two choices. Catalog Choice, thank you for providing one of the best ideas for the environment in a long time. And no, I am not an employee, just someone who has opted out of 60+ catalogs since I joined and couldn’t be happier.
I think its time to begin lobbying at the heart of all junk mail…the bulk mailing discounts given by the post office. I have to believe that the delivery costs (fuel and labor) are swamping any possible efficiencies of scale reasonable for bulk mailing.
why is this website requiring my email address?
i hear, every day, on the news, fraud this and fraud that. don’t give out personal information. why would i give DMA my credit card info. no, absolutely not.
Hey everyone,
Just FYI. I work in the catalog industry and no one is using all the names they are collecting on their site. They are hostile to our industry and want to close it down and we are not going to help them. We provide a legitimate service that people want. We plant millions more trees than we use and he actually save more energy and create less pollution than people driving all over town to retail stores. Please get real!
And finally, we won’t use Catalog Choices names BECAUSE they are not verified by a credit card, unlike DMA, which we do!
The only reason DMA tries to charge $1 for the filling out of the form is to attempt to prevent fraudulent entries. You do not HAVE to pay them, simply explain that when you write them by snail mail and they will comply. Or better yet, you could always ASK the DMA why they were charging for it, they would gladly tell you. They complied for me when I requested removal without paying and it has helped wonders. I do not get anymore catalogs within 2 months after doing it they virtually all stopped. It was great.
Dear Catalog Guy and Maria,
We do not believe that a consumer should have to turn over a credit card number to stop getting unwanted catalogs. Using a verifiable email address is plenty of verification –after all, that’s what the Do Not Call registry uses and something like 45 million people have signed up for that service. Maria, we are glad that the DMA service worked for you within two months, especially since most catalog companies work on longer lead times. I wonder how it worked so well for you so quickly? But, as long as you are a satisfied customer, we are glad for you.
Dear Catalog Guy:
I’m not sure why you think that Catalog Choice is hostile to the catalog industry and wants to “shut it down.” Nothing could be further from the truth. Our mission is to reduce UNWANTED catalog mailings – not ALL catalogs, many of which are valued resources to consumers. We believe that this can be a win-win-win for the consumer, for the merchant who doesn’t have to spend additional financial resources to produce and mail a catalog to someone who does not want it, and – of course – for the environment.
We’ve publicly acknowledged that there are many things we like about catalogs. Perhaps you missed the February 10th blog post, “What we like about catalogs.” Check it out by clicking on “February 2008″ on the right nav bar.
As for your tree planting program – that’s cool. Let us know which catalog you work for, and we’ll check them out. If you’re really doing such great things for the environment, we’d like to highlight your company.
I’ve been a customer service rep for 5-6 years & my company does not participate in catalog choice, but I wish they would! I am tired of getting yelled at by people who don’t want our catalog & try to remove it here, but can’t. When we send them to the DMA the #1 reason people don’t want to do it is because they require a credit card. Sorry Maria- if you work in the catalog industry then you have to think about the CUSTOMER. Maybe having a credit card makes it a more valid or reliable thing for YOU the company, but it makes it seem more sketchy and wierd to the CUSTOMER and really, aren’t they the ones that count? Plus, I can never figure out how its cost efficient for me to be answering calls to remove catalogs while people waiting to make orders are holding for a rep.
I am actually disappointed with the results I have had with catalog choice’s service. Since I started using it last July, I have received more catalogs than ever before. I don’t feel like their service is working. I wanted to save trees, the environment, and receive less advertising. It will take me less time to just go back to blocking out my personal information with a permanent marker and dumping the catalogs in the recycling. Feeling horrible about all the trees.
Barbara: I am sorry that you are disappointed. We strive to make the service work for everyone. If you or others are continuing to receive unwanted catalogs that you have opted-out of on our site, please contact us at Team@catalogchoice.org with the information. We will contact the executives we are working with at each mailer to express your disappointment that they continue to mail you and lobby to have your requests are honored. It is useful to re-enter the opt-out request in your account so that we have the data showing the multiple requests that you have made.
Barbara, I’ve been a member of cc.org since Jan08 when they were aired on the Today Show and they have come a long way. I was called the “Catalog Queen” at work for receiving about 100 of the little fellers per week. Now, I receive two or three that have honored my “Do not Share” mail info. Many catalogs have printed their labels 2-3 issues in advance. The problem is that they may have already shared your info with others ten fold. Good Luck! and continue to use these guys.
DMA is lame. Catalog Choice has worked pretty well for me. My only complaint is about the companies that won’t honor the request through them. Grrrrr…
I have to say that this whole direct marketing offering by DMA Choice is a sham. I registered and vultures such as Acxiom – a bottom feeder who harvests personal information – are still selling my information.
I find it frightening that they would waste so many resources on a 1% response rate. I think the trees need to be valued a bit more than that.
These direct marketing executives are just not getting it! As a result, they are becoming the biggest losers of the 21st century. Losers because they don’t realize that if I get a piece of paper with their advertising I will NEVER use that company’s products, service nor offerings. They have completely disrespected my values and my privacy sending me a dead tree. And actually I will do the opposite such a writing this blog post exposing them for the paper wasting vultures they are.