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Dec. 14, 2004 at 7:06pm

Business Reply Anti-Mail challenge

Volumes of new software out there help computers rid their systems (the computer's, that is) of malware, spyware, spam, and viruses. Well, my friends, the time has come to do the same with the constant deluge of business reply mail received by us everyday. No, there's no special program you have to install on your computer to do this nor is there a government run do not call list for paper mail. The plan, ladies and gentlemen, came to me from Sarah one recent day when she told me about a more constructive way of sending a message back to companies than tearing up their solicitations without even opening them: send them back.

Any envelope marked "Business Reply Mail" will head straight back to the company that sent it (or at least to some related processing facility) on their dime. So, why not send back everything but the forms they hope you fill out to sign up for credit cards and warranties you don't need? The other day I tore up whatever marketing material was sent to me and stuffed it in a business reply envelope as a big "F-You" to the company. Today, I sent back some reply mail going to someone at Sears that contained info about a JCPenny's holiday deal for $10 off something in their stores.

Although I have no idea of the legality of this I call upon all of you to spread the word. Don't send feces or sharp objects or white powder or anything but just be creative with it and have some fun at the expense of all these company's marketing budgets! Let the "Business Reply Anti-Mail" begin!

Send photos of the creative things you send back to businessreplythis@kevinfreitas.net and I'll post the most creative ones for all to see.

posted by Kevin under business reply mail, snail mail spam