Comments on: How did my name get on that mailing list? http://blog.catalogchoice.org/2008/11/14/how-did-my-name-get-on-that-mailing-list/ Reduce the number of catalogs you receive in the mail and go paperless. Sat, 07 Nov 2009 04:01:55 +0100 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.4 hourly 1 By: Yvonne Camesi http://blog.catalogchoice.org/2008/11/14/how-did-my-name-get-on-that-mailing-list/comment-page-1/#comment-9419 Yvonne Camesi Sun, 23 Nov 2008 23:55:01 +0000 http://blog.catalogchoice.org/?p=419#comment-9419 David, Not sure writing "Deceased" would work. I've been ranting and raving for a long time about mailings that print your name and either above or below have "Or Current Resident" printed. I believe USPS is required to deliver it. You may want to have a chat with your postal person. In recent months, hubby and I have received mailings for his step father and mother and they've been deceased for 16 years and 3 years respectively at two addresses they never resided at. It's really up to the catalog companies and those selling our mailing info to find a better way to cross reference and suppress our requests to be deleted. I believe CC.org can really make a dent with catalogs. David, Not sure writing “Deceased” would work. I’ve been ranting and raving for a long time about mailings that print your name and either above or below have “Or Current Resident” printed. I believe USPS is required to deliver it. You may want to have a chat with your postal person.
In recent months, hubby and I have received mailings for his step father and mother and they’ve been deceased for 16 years and 3 years respectively at two addresses they never resided at.
It’s really up to the catalog companies and those selling our mailing info to find a better way to cross reference and suppress our requests to be deleted. I believe CC.org can really make a dent with catalogs.

]]> By: Toni Cummins http://blog.catalogchoice.org/2008/11/14/how-did-my-name-get-on-that-mailing-list/comment-page-1/#comment-9405 Toni Cummins Sat, 22 Nov 2008 17:29:55 +0000 http://blog.catalogchoice.org/?p=419#comment-9405 I have submitted so many and they are still coming and I resubmit and nothing happens. I think this is wonderful and at first they had backed off but are back full force. I'll continue but it is so tiring, I hope this huge waste of paper, time and energy to postal people can be nipped eventually. Thank you for trying ! I have submitted so many and they are still coming and I resubmit and nothing happens. I think this is wonderful and at first they had backed off but are back full force. I’ll continue but it is so tiring, I hope this huge waste of paper, time and energy to postal people can be nipped eventually. Thank you for trying !

]]> By: 2309 http://blog.catalogchoice.org/2008/11/14/how-did-my-name-get-on-that-mailing-list/comment-page-1/#comment-9404 2309 Sat, 22 Nov 2008 17:20:08 +0000 http://blog.catalogchoice.org/?p=419#comment-9404 Would you please remove me from your mailing list. I can not afford your products. My address is: Patti Morgan 2309 N. University Peoria, IL 61604 Cust# new Code# W6B42 Would you please remove me from your mailing list. I can not afford your products.
My address is:
Patti Morgan
2309 N. University
Peoria, IL 61604
Cust# new
Code# W6B42

]]> By: David B. Gomes http://blog.catalogchoice.org/2008/11/14/how-did-my-name-get-on-that-mailing-list/comment-page-1/#comment-9399 David B. Gomes Sat, 22 Nov 2008 07:56:09 +0000 http://blog.catalogchoice.org/?p=419#comment-9399 We receive not only dozens of unwanted catalogs monthly but also hundreds of unwanted solicitations for non profits each year. Would it work if I were to write "DECEASED, DO NOT MAIL, DO NOT SELL" on the address, put the thing into their prepaid envelope, and send it back to them. We receive not only dozens of unwanted catalogs monthly but also hundreds of unwanted solicitations for non profits each year. Would it work if I were to write “DECEASED, DO NOT MAIL, DO NOT SELL” on the address, put the thing into their prepaid envelope, and send it back to them.

]]> By: Ann http://blog.catalogchoice.org/2008/11/14/how-did-my-name-get-on-that-mailing-list/comment-page-1/#comment-9397 Ann Sat, 22 Nov 2008 00:55:53 +0000 http://blog.catalogchoice.org/?p=419#comment-9397 I think we all know that this kind of movement for change takes time. Most of us feel an urgency to stop the catalogs NOW, especially since the companies seem to have turned up the tap now that it's holiday time. And some of us will be too frustrated to stick with this very intelligent effort to effect change. But persevere we must if we want to make a difference and lead the way to a more sane relationship between the catalog companies and consumers (or non-consumers, as the case may be!). There's no doubt in my mind that the catalog businesses that are not cooperating with CC are counting on us giving up and going away. I'm not giving up on Catalog Choice and the ideas it stands for, and I'm not going away. Keep up the good work, CC! I think we all know that this kind of movement for change takes time. Most of us feel an urgency to stop the catalogs NOW, especially since the companies seem to have turned up the tap now that it’s holiday time. And some of us will be too frustrated to stick with this very intelligent effort to effect change. But persevere we must if we want to make a difference and lead the way to a more sane relationship between the catalog companies and consumers (or non-consumers, as the case may be!). There’s no doubt in my mind that the catalog businesses that are not cooperating with CC are counting on us giving up and going away. I’m not giving up on Catalog Choice and the ideas it stands for, and I’m not going away. Keep up the good work, CC!

]]> By: Chuck http://blog.catalogchoice.org/2008/11/14/how-did-my-name-get-on-that-mailing-list/comment-page-1/#comment-9389 Chuck Fri, 21 Nov 2008 17:34:31 +0000 http://blog.catalogchoice.org/?p=419#comment-9389 Dear RC and Ellen: I am sorry to hear that the service is not working for you. We have heard from many members that the service is effective, while others are still receiving catalogs. We know, first hand, that the effort to stop unsolicited catalog mailings is significant and the job is far from done. In terms of the name rental issue, the 350+ catalog merchants who have signed our merchant license have pledged to honor your request and not rent or sell your name. We make the same request of the others we contact on your behalf. Many companies have resisted honoring requests submitted at our site because they want you to get frustrated and abandon the service. They would like to have things work the way they used to - where each consumer had to contact each company directly to inform them of their mail preference. We don't believe that this is a sustainable model. That is why we work every day with direct marketing executives to get them to honor requests entered by over a million consumers at Catalog Choice. There is no doubt that if you take the process into your own hands, you can get off mailing lists. We are aiming for a process that works for consumers and companies on an on-going basis. Dear RC and Ellen:

I am sorry to hear that the service is not working for you. We have heard from many members that the service is effective, while others are still receiving catalogs.

We know, first hand, that the effort to stop unsolicited catalog mailings is significant and the job is far from done.

In terms of the name rental issue, the 350+ catalog merchants who have signed our merchant license have pledged to honor your request and not rent or sell your name. We make the same request of the others we contact on your behalf.

Many companies have resisted honoring requests submitted at our site because they want you to get frustrated and abandon the service. They would like to have things work the way they used to – where each consumer had to contact each company directly to inform them of their mail preference.

We don’t believe that this is a sustainable model. That is why we work every day with direct marketing executives to get them to honor requests entered by over a million consumers at Catalog Choice.

There is no doubt that if you take the process into your own hands, you can get off mailing lists. We are aiming for a process that works for consumers and companies on an on-going basis.

]]> By: Ellen http://blog.catalogchoice.org/2008/11/14/how-did-my-name-get-on-that-mailing-list/comment-page-1/#comment-9388 Ellen Fri, 21 Nov 2008 15:58:18 +0000 http://blog.catalogchoice.org/?p=419#comment-9388 Just reporting in to say that I've had the same experience as RC. I gave up on catalogchoice.org months ago and started contacting companies directly, which has helped quite a lot. Then I got a catalog from a very expensive clothing store in Colorado that I'd never heard of. When I called to ask to be removed from their list, the extremely nice customer service rep asked me if I wanted to know where they got my name. He had me read him the source code and then told me which direct marketing company had that code and how to contact them. He also gave me the contact info for two other direct marketers. I called them all and got off their databases on also requested DO NOT SELL. One of them actually called me back (they all have "get out of database" options on their voice mail systems - and assured me that even when they buy lists, if my name shows up on one of them, it will be suppressed when they sell that list. I am down to 2-3 catalogues per week now - sometimes none! - and that's a huge improvement. Plus most of the catalogues I am getting now are the residual "we print 3-4 catalogues in advance" copies. I also was able to opt-down on the 2-3 catalogues I actually want and buy from (thanks, Territory Ahead/Isabella Bird!). Just reporting in to say that I’ve had the same experience as RC. I gave up on catalogchoice.org months ago and started contacting companies directly, which has helped quite a lot. Then I got a catalog from a very expensive clothing store in Colorado that I’d never heard of. When I called to ask to be removed from their list, the extremely nice customer service rep asked me if I wanted to know where they got my name. He had me read him the source code and then told me which direct marketing company had that code and how to contact them. He also gave me the contact info for two other direct marketers. I called them all and got off their databases on also requested DO NOT SELL. One of them actually called me back (they all have “get out of database” options on their voice mail systems – and assured me that even when they buy lists, if my name shows up on one of them, it will be suppressed when they sell that list. I am down to 2-3 catalogues per week now – sometimes none! – and that’s a huge improvement. Plus most of the catalogues I am getting now are the residual “we print 3-4 catalogues in advance” copies. I also was able to opt-down on the 2-3 catalogues I actually want and buy from (thanks, Territory Ahead/Isabella Bird!).

]]> By: RC http://blog.catalogchoice.org/2008/11/14/how-did-my-name-get-on-that-mailing-list/comment-page-1/#comment-9387 RC Fri, 21 Nov 2008 14:43:11 +0000 http://blog.catalogchoice.org/?p=419#comment-9387 I am sorry to say that after pushing Catalog Choice to friends and catalogs alike, I am not going to use it anymore, because a few weeks go by and I find myself getting mailings again, plus there seems to be an increasing number of catalogs I have selected that do not participate. And the biggest problem and secret that I just found out from a catalog rep: YOU MUST ALSO REQUEST TO BE ON THE DO NOT SELL LIST. IT IS NOT ENOUGH TO ASK TO BE REMOVED FROM THE MAILING LIST, because your name gets sold and you're back to square one again. I just get catalogs with new customer numbers assigned. So now, I am back to calling each catalog individually and telling them to do both. It takes some time, but really no more time than it used to take me to enter all the info into Catalog Choice, and I know immediately that it's been done and nothing is in limbo. Sorry Catalog Choice -- I think you have the right idea, but it's not going far enough. I am sorry to say that after pushing Catalog Choice to friends and catalogs alike, I am not going to use it anymore, because a few weeks go by and I find myself getting mailings again, plus there seems to be an increasing number of catalogs I have selected that do not participate. And the biggest problem and secret that I just found out from a catalog rep: YOU MUST ALSO REQUEST TO BE ON THE DO NOT SELL LIST. IT IS NOT ENOUGH TO ASK TO BE REMOVED FROM THE MAILING LIST, because your name gets sold and you’re back to square one again. I just get catalogs with new customer numbers assigned. So now, I am back to calling each catalog individually and telling them to do both. It takes some time, but really no more time than it used to take me to enter all the info into Catalog Choice, and I know immediately that it’s been done and nothing is in limbo. Sorry Catalog Choice — I think you have the right idea, but it’s not going far enough.

]]> By: Susana Green http://blog.catalogchoice.org/2008/11/14/how-did-my-name-get-on-that-mailing-list/comment-page-1/#comment-9377 Susana Green Thu, 20 Nov 2008 20:57:05 +0000 http://blog.catalogchoice.org/?p=419#comment-9377 My problem is that whenever I opt-out thru Cat Choice, the company just issues me a new customer number & sends me another catalog! I have 6 cust numbers with one company, & I get 2 catalogs per WEEK from them! My problem is that whenever I opt-out thru Cat Choice, the company just issues me a new customer number & sends me another catalog! I have 6 cust numbers with one company, & I get 2 catalogs per WEEK from them!

]]> By: Gail http://blog.catalogchoice.org/2008/11/14/how-did-my-name-get-on-that-mailing-list/comment-page-1/#comment-9367 Gail Wed, 19 Nov 2008 19:08:43 +0000 http://blog.catalogchoice.org/?p=419#comment-9367 Thanks for all the helpful comments. One thing I have not seen mentioned, and people may not be aware of - when someone sends you a gift from a catalog company, you will also get on the mailing list (ex: Harry & David, Wolferman's, Fruit of the Month, etc. are popular during the holiday season). As soon as I receive something like that, I call the Customer service no. and ask to not be put on their mailing list. Thanks for all the helpful comments. One thing I have not seen mentioned, and people may not be aware of – when someone sends you a gift from a catalog company, you will also get on the mailing list (ex: Harry & David, Wolferman’s, Fruit of the Month, etc. are popular during the holiday season). As soon as I receive something like that, I call the Customer service no. and ask to not be put on their mailing list.

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