The environment and pre-paid envelopes.

Published on February 12, 2005 By Angloesque In Current Events

I used to hate the absurd plethora of advertising (Link) that abounds in America. I swear there are people who would sell their souls for a few bucks--the idiot from eBay who is selling his forehead space not withstanding. But lately I've come to embrace a part of it, being the concerned environmentally conscious citizen that I am.

Anyway. Today I opened up our credit card bill (oh gee what a thrill!) and out tumbled not one, not two, not three, but four slips of paper for various companies obviously affiliated with my company: Geico, FedEx, and two others.

I very calmly and sensibly wrote my check out, stuck it in the envelope, and added the ads that had been sent to me. If I don't want 'em, the kindest thing I could do would be to send them back to the company, eh? I mean c'mon: These are four-color two-sided spreads--someone went to a lot of trouble and cost to design and print them. Not only my credit card company, but also our Internet provider. I send the ads back to them, too. It's my way of recycling (our town charges us $24 - $39 per month for recycling; this is cheaper).

Oh, and then there are all those crazy credit card companies: Since I don't want the services they're so kind to offer, I send them right back in the envelope so they can send those suckers to someone else.

You'd think they'd get the drift; alas, I am yet another account number to them.

Oh well. At least I'm doing my part for the environment.

Comments

Danny Bassette

on Feb 12, 2005

haha, I can just imagine the look on the face of whoever opens up that letter, good job

BlueDev

on Feb 12, 2005

Awesome idea A. I just may have to follow your lead.

dharmagrl

on Feb 12, 2005

I don't mail checks out anymore; I prefer to pay online. However, the next time I have occasion to send a check, I'm going to take your advice and send the company back all the junk they sent me.

Excellent idea!!

Dr Guy

on Feb 12, 2005

I prefer to mail the prepaid envelopes back, empty of course! They dont pay unless you do! It all winds up in the dump, but at least they are paying a price for it.

Gideon MacLeish

on Feb 12, 2005

Actually, my preferred method is to take prepaid envelopes from company A, insert junk mail from company B, and vice versa, and mail. These people need to know about these spectacular offers as much as we do!

Angloesque

on Feb 12, 2005

I don't mail checks out anymore; I prefer to pay online.

That would take away all my fun, though! It's totally worth the $0.37 cents to mail their crap right back at 'em.

I prefer to mail the prepaid envelopes back, empty of course! They dont pay unless you do! It all winds up in the dump, but at least they are paying a price for it.

Actually, if you fill them with rocks or pennies or magnets or other stuff that weighs a lot (paper clips work well), then it costs them even more.

Ooooh, good one. Actually, H collects all these fake credit cards they send you in the mail, so one time I stole about 10 of them and put them in another company's prepaid envelope (a hefty weight, too) and sent it to them with a Post-it that said, "I get this many offers in a month. You're going to have to do a lot to top any of them."

Try it , BleuDev (heh, I'm leaving that typo--you're french!). I got the idea from one of my friends who does it, though I'm sure there are plenty who already do.

-A.

chiprj

on Feb 15, 2005

I read an email about doing this a while back. Never got around to it, though, I keep promising myself I'll share the joy of opening junk mail with the junk senders. Also, included in the email was advice on dealing with telemarketers. One was to keep an airhorn next to the phone! The other was to tell the person you were interested, but ask if they could hold just a moment. Then set the phone down and wait for it to make the 'please hang up now' noises. I've done that one.

Angloesque

on Feb 15, 2005

The other was to tell the person you were interested, but ask if they could hold just a moment. Then set the phone down and wait for it to make the 'please hang up now' noises. I've done that one.

I've done that one, too. I've also done the one where they called during a large family dinner, so I held the phone up and said, "Everyone say hello to the telemarketer" and everyone said "Hello!" and I hung up.

Oui, random.

-A.

ParaTed2k

on Feb 15, 2005

Great ideas for dealing with both junk mailers and telemarketer!!!

I take it a step further, when I'm of the mind to do so. I run the ads through my shredder, fill the return envelope with the confetti, send it to them... then pay the bill online. ;~D

Dr Guy

on Feb 15, 2005

While I hate telemarketers as well, I kind of feel sorry for the people who have to do it. SO I try not to be rude. I am sure there are a lot out there that are really nasty to them, and they are just trying to make a few bucks for their family. Now if they get too pushy..........

Angloesque

on Feb 15, 2005

I kind of feel sorry for the people who have to do it

I doubt there are too many telemarketers who haveto telemarket for a job. Also I'm not very sympathetic, so I don't feel sorry for the ones who have to. Usually I just say "Sorry, no, take me off your list," but when they call during a family dinner....

-A.

foreverserenity

on Feb 17, 2005

You're one smart cookie!

Muggaz

on Feb 18, 2005

That my friend is a marvellous idea indeed!

beside's the fact I don't want to be tempted by offers for $25,000 Amex cards... i don't care for junk maile...

*sigh*... you think America is bad, a couple in Perth, Western Australia were going to sell their childs naming rights on ebay!

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