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.

Comments (16) | To Top

12/15/2004 @ 9:02am

Fabulous idea Kevin! I'll be giving that a try very soon. And by the way, I liked all of your pictures from your last post. It's funny to see all of these people I went to High School with. I'm glad that they're doing well.

by Britta

12/15/2004 @ 10:27am

Yes, it's like a high school reunion everyday here at KevinFreitas.net! ;) Only difference is me -- I swear I'm the only one who doesn't look the same, what with the hair loss (head) and gain (face) and all.

Even if you don't get pics of your Business Reply Anti-Mail, drop a comment with details.

by KevinFreitas

12/16/2004 @ 3:32am

I too (when in America) went on an anti Business Reply mailing campaign. I too decided to send it back in the reply envelope. But the only thing that stopped me was this: I recycle, and I don't trust those receiving it at the other end to do that. Now perhaps if the people sending them get enough of their own junk mail back to them, that it would stop them from sending it out, but I'm doubtful of that. But I say, try everything and perhaps, one group of fun-loving individuals at at time, the world will actually change in small, for-the-better ways.

by Toni Freitas

12/16/2004 @ 6:28am

I thought about the recycling thing, too but concluded that it's really only the envelope and that little something inside that may not get recycled. The original contents certainly get that here. Besides, I'd like to think that large portions of corporate America these days make the effort if not for the environment but because they can make some sort of money off it.

by KevinFreitas

12/27/2004 @ 8:29am

The business reply mail is a great start, but would you like to add insult to injury? Here's a method to get even more bang for their buck. When sending back the business reply mail, rather than folding it nicely and placing it into the envelope, try rolling or folding it into an odd or bulky shape. This has the effect of causing the USPS to mark it as "unmachineable" meaning they have to sort it by hand. On the Post Office side, that gives a human worker a bit of job security, and on the business end it causes an additional $0.12 non-machinable surcharge to be added to the reply mail cost. Just another little way to hit their pocket book a tiny bit harder. Enjoy!

by Jeff Bailey

12/31/2004 @ 8:22am

That's an awesome addition to the original idea, Jeff! I've done that already without knowing the effects but it works for me. Someone I talked to at work, however, told me companies pay in advance for any business reply mail -- I have a hard time believing that since it would mean a lot of change down the drain. Makes more sense for them to be charged on the send back.

by KevinFreitas

8/10/2005 @ 10:17pm

Jeff - that idea really sucks! It only drives up the cost of postage for everyone- including you! By the way it is mail fraud. I once received a piece of tile in a BRM. Know what I did with it? I threw it away and laughed at the "cleaverness" - then kept on mailing! Probalby someone who read your site. If you REALLY want to stop receiving advertising mail the described method on this site won't accomplish that. Why? 1. The mailer isn't going to stop mailing. 2.It is too profitable. 3. They don't know who sent the BRM back. A better approach, and it won't cost you a dime, is to place a slip of paper with your name and address on it and a simple request that your name be removed from the mailing list into the BRM! You can also contact the Direct Marketing Association for information on being added to the DMA Do Not Mail list -yes Kevin there is such a thing! Its not Gov’t sponsored but it is industry sponsored. Mailers really don't want to send mail to people who don't want it. If you let the mailer know, they WILL take you off their lists. You can do the same thing with Courtesy Reply envelopes but that will cost you a First Class stamp. Sending the mailer a three by five card with your name and address is only 23 cents if you’re worried about cost. If you are still hell-bent on "getting even" know this: it costs the mailer $3-5 dollars to remove you from their lists - they have to manually find and flag your name do not mail. By the Kev, if I don't see this posted I will refer your URL to the Postal Inspection Service. I am sure they would love to hear about your ''creative solutions". Like I said it is mail fraud.

by John

8/10/2005 @ 11:22pm

John: Thanks for the tips, actually. Believe me, a couple of pieces of paper sent back in an envelop is as bad as I got. I wrote this more as a protest than a call to arms. I've since completely lost interest in wasting my time trying to frustrate some company somewhere by tearing up their BRM and sending it back. No need to go on the attack here, just some harmless fun stuff to write about.

May I ask, however, what's your occupation that would get you so fired up about this topic?

by KevinFreitas

8/28/2005 @ 4:32pm

i gotta say, i love the idea.. thats why friends and i have been doing this for years now :)

check out our site.. i would love to link to you as well..

by nos

11/15/2005 @ 1:54am

mail fraud my ass. John go play with yourself

by bong

3/19/2007 @ 7:45pm

to john: why should I pay a fee to keep you from putting your trash in my mailbox? I didn't ask for it, I don't want it. I have sent notes back to companies before to take me off the list without it doing a bit of good.

And as for the idea that it would cost $3-5 to flag my name "manually" hah! This is the computer age buddy, all they have to do is hit a button to sync their database with the master list.

As to your claim that it is "too profitable" according to http://www.mc.vanderbilt.edu/copypost/brmpdue.htm
a return rate of only 20% would make the value of BRM questionable and 50% wouldn't be worth sending them out.

Why don't you do something worthwhile with your life instead of wasting everyone's time and deforesting our planet you waste of space.

by emptyenvelopes

7/4/2007 @ 11:05pm

guess they will not like my 5lb answers with their BRM will they yaaaHooooo

by larry

7/8/2007 @ 2:18pm

I don't think people realize this but if a BRM envelope looks a little too thick or is stuffed with odd shaped items it gets tossed out and the mailer does not get charged. I'm a postal clerk and I have seen people mail a pieces of greasy bacon, nails, dirt, toilet paper rolls, bricks, etc. The person who handles this mail is trained pick this stuff out and throw it away. Just some info. here.

by star

7/8/2007 @ 5:45pm

Yea, I imagine that sort of thing would be picked out. Though sending back a fun note may slip through and reach some human on the other end.

by KevinFreitas

10/8/2007 @ 10:21am

I enclose a nice little note with all correspondence "No thank you to the offer of a new exciting no APR credit card, But I thank you for supplying postage paid recycling envelopes for the junk mail you send me. Your efforts have proven to keep postal workers everywhere employed. "

by B

11/18/2008 @ 6:21am

I have been sending junk mail back for years. Also have labels for junk mail that doesn't have BRE's. I just slap them on the line below my name...REMOVE FROM LIST.

I don't know if it works, especially with presorted, non first class mail, but at least I feel I am doing something to stop the slaughter of innocent trees.

In terms of recycling, If only half the mail results in getting my name removed, it does a lot of good.

Richard

by Sir Not-Appearing-In-This-Flim