I don't watch 60 Minutes, at least I haven't done so in a very long time. I guess it's a protest on my part from watching 80 year old men manipulate various subjects and interviews until the subject is portrayed as CBS wants the reality to actually become. Manipulators of the worst sort in my opinion, but it's not really the subject of this post anyway.An idea from Andy Rooney is the subject. It's an idea I was told about by my wife; remember I don't watch.
Apparently Mr. Rooney was discussing a tactic for dealing with the avalanche of marketing created by companies that issue credit cards. Maybe you have heard his idea?
I receive on the average about 12 such solicitations each week along with the other miscellaneous trifles and worthless things that clog everybody's snail mail box.
Most soliciations come with a postage paid envelope to tell the company YES, I would definitely like to be in debt to you and 20 other companies. Mr. Rooney suggests we write a short note that sez 'No Thanks', stick it in the envelope and return it at the solicitor's snail mail expense.
I sent 14 this week; with a note of course.
12 comments:
Yes, I'd heard of that...and have been VERY tempted to try it.
Did you REALLY return a note to 14 companies??? :)
Yes, really did!
Good for you! I really am going to have to do that...I get SO MUCH junk mail!
Thing is I don't know if it will help for me to do this, but I think Rooney's idea is that an entire nation doing it is gonna get really expensive for these chuckleheads.
You GO! I've heard about it but I'm too lazy to actually do it. I'm inspired though...perhaps I'll do it now.
I've read this before, and it's considered to be an urban legend. Read this article. It claims that by doing that, you will cost them a little but could actually be increasing the amount of mail they send.
If you continue, I recommend you increase your effectiveness by altering your thank you note to something like "...and if you continue to bombard me with your junk mail, the screams of those who have wronged me and the smell of charred human flesh will fill your offices." Let me know how that works. Or if you need bail money.
It is a good idea; however, what scares me is the mail volume will increase and postage will follow proportionally, with the now over crowded mail system.
In Mr. Rooney's fashion, I say- I wonder if "he" will get a form of "kick-back" from the postal agency from his "marketing" technique?
Just a thought
Reach
Grant and Reach,
My readers are quite bright and dsicerning!
I could be making Rooney richer, the mail system slower and my mailbox more full? ###*(#$*(#K )*D)#$(#) !!!!!
Hmmm... I might try this as well. What did you say in the note?
I am so compliant I did what Andy said, I just wrote 'no thanks', but read Reach and Grant's comments above.
I like Grant's idea the best! If nothing else, you'll provide their mail room staff with a good laugh...or scare. I'll chip in on the bail!!
http://brisketforchucklehead.blogspot.com/2005/09/ohhhh-this-is-good.html#links
Even better than returning the junk mail on their dime, you can send anything up to 40 pounds by taping the postage paid envelopes to a box. Got a few old tires you want to get rid of? How about all those rocks from your garden?
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