The Bells Have Made Me Deaf

I was listening to the coverage on the radio about the postman who has been suspended for advising people how to stop the junk mail that fills their letterboxes via Royal Mail. He was distributing his own leaflets with basically the same information that Royal Mail have available but not widely publicised since junk mail generates a lot of revenue. I for one didn’t know that there was a choice to stop all the unsolicited crap that comes by post. Mine usually goes straight to the recycle bin. What a waste of resources. So I wrote to the e-mail address given (optout@royalmail.co.uk) out in the program and got this reply with the address to write to if you want to stop all those advertising leaflets coming through but be aware that it stops everything unless addressed to the occupier. Hmmm. Does that mean everything? Like no more free newspapers, no more council information leaflets etc.? I think the pros outweigh the cons.

From Opt_Out@royalmail.com

Royal Mail Door to Door

Opt Outs

Kingsmead House

Oxpens Road

OXFORD

OX1 1RX
.
Dear Customer

Thank you for your recent correspondence. I understand from your
letter/telephone call that you are considering “Opting Out” of receiving
Door to Door items. As a company we are quite happy to put the wheels in
motion to arrange the cessation of these deliveries to your premises but
before doing so, I need to make you fully aware of the implications of
“Opting Out” and once you have considered these, get your final written
authorisation to cease deliveries of this nature.

The main areas to be considered are:

· This service only relates to unaddressed mail. Mail bearing your
address and “To the Occupier” or any other generic recipient information,
Royal Mail is still legally obliged to deliver.

· It is not possible for us to separate advertising material and
information that you may want, such as leaflets from Central and Local
Government and other public bodies. Opting out from Royal Mail Door to Door
stops all unaddressed items.

· Opting out means no one at the Delivery point will receive mail of this
nature, is this acceptable to everyone inhabiting the property?

· If you simply want to reduce the amount of direct mail addressed in full
to yourself you can do so by registering with The Mailing Preference
Service. They can limit or reduce targeted direct mail by up to 90%. To
obtain an information pack please contact them at:

MPS, DMA House, 70 Margaret St., LONDON, W1W 8SS

www.mpsonline.org.uk

If you still wish to Opt Out of receiving Door to Door, please complete the
form enclosed and return it to the above address and we will process your
request. Every effort will be made to prevent the delivery of Door-to-Door
items by Royal Mail. Exceptionally, if relief staff are used, an
occasional delivery may occur.

Please be advised that it may take up to 6 weeks or more for the
implementation of unaddressed mail to not be delivered by Royal Mail.

Finally, there are, a number of other companies that deliver material
through your letterbox. We have no control over their actions. Again, the
Mailing Preference Service, can offer advice on firms operating in your
area:

Yours sincerely

Barbara Miller

Barbara Miller
Opt Out Co-ordinator

|—————————————————————————–|
| ‘Stop Door to Door’ Confirmation Form |
|—————————————————————————–|

|————–+———————————————————————-|
| To:| Door to Door Opt Outs |
|————–+———————————————————————-|
| | Royal Mail Door to Door |
| | Kingsmead House |
| | Oxpens Road |
| | OXFORD |
| | OX1 1RX |
|————–+———————————————————————-|
| | |
|————–+———————————————————————-|
| From:| |
|————–+———————————————————————-|
| Address:| |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| Postcode:| |
|————–+———————————————————————-|
| | |
|————–+———————————————————————-|
| Reference:| Request to stop Door to Door mail being delivered to my address |
|————–+———————————————————————-|

I confirm that I have read and fully understood your letter advising me of
the implications of “Opting-Out” of receiving deliveries of Royal Mail
unaddressed ‘Door to Door’ items to my address.

I understand that I may miss important information from local, national or
government publications that are sent using this service.

From time to time, Royal Mail would like to contact you with information
about our products and services that may be of interest to you. If you do
not want to be contacted, please tick here.

Name:

Signature: Date: /
/20

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you must not use, disclose, reproduce, copy
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Posted on Tuesday, August 29th, 2006 at 2:17 pm.
Tags: Daily Life, Royal Mail, Junk Mail.
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