I just read an article in Direct Newsline that cites do not mail legislation under consideration in 15 states. Do we really want no mail? I don’t think anyone wants no mail. Some of the mail that arrives is appreciated. For example, I always like receiving a new fishing catalog. I don’t have the stats here in front of me, but I would guess that mail is welcome in most homes (perhaps in contrast to attitudes towards telemarketing).
Then why all these do not mail bills? What to we really want? I have a theory…
We want more control over our mailbox. When I get something in the mail from a company with whom I’ve never had a relationship, I would like to know "how did they get my name?" And, if I feel the mail was inappropriate or not relevant, I want an easy way to stop it from happening in the future (opt out).
Maybe what we really need is a universal "how did they get my name tool" with an opt-out feature. What do you think? Would this work? What would it look like?