[net.consumers] sorting through jumk mail

ark@rabbit.UUCP (Andrew Koenig) (03/13/84)

When I get a piece of mail, I will open it if:

	(1) the printing on the envelope gives me a clear idea of what is
	    inside AND I am interested in what I think I will see, OR

	(2) the letter was sent first-class.

An envelope that says "NOTICE OF CANCELLATION" and contains no other
information does not meet test (1).  Thus, if it is sent third-class,
it will go into the trash unread.  I don't much care what is being
cancelled:  if whoever sent it thought I would really care, they would
identify themselves or send it first-class to make sure I got it.

presley@mhuxj.UUCP (Joe Presley) (03/13/84)

Last week's *Stamp Collector* newspaper had an article on the way that the
USPS helps the junk mailers in the battle between the consumers who don't
want to even open the letter and the junk mailers who try to fool us into
opening their letters. 

The gist of it was that the mailers want their letters to look like first
class, but don't want to pay the full postage.  The USPS' solution?  Issue
stamps which say "FIRST CLASS", but allow lower rates for presorted, etc. 
-- 

   Joe Presley (mhuxj!presley, ihnp4!j.presley)