Consumers 65 and older are targeted with the most unwanted direct mail, according to a second quarter survey conducted by stopthejunkmail.com and Harman Research Inc. More than 40 percent of individuals surveyed were 65 years old.
The Junk Mail Report is the result of an anonymous survey offered at the end of each quarter. Sample size varies by quarter but represents a statistically valid sample within a 3-percent accuracy range.
The 11-question survey tries to identify the reasons for consumer distaste in receiving unwanted or unsolicited mail. The Survey also identifies the top catalogs and direct mail for which opt outs (or stop notices) were sent.
Stopthejunkmail.com, Boulder, CO, releases its consumer opinion survey quarterly in an effort to determine how best to reduce the environmental impact of postal junk mail.
The report found that 16.4 percent of respondents receive six to 10 catalogs each week. Of these, 55.6 percent keep mail order catalogs less than one day and 25.6 percent would like to see catalogs come once every three months.
More than a third of those responding said they would rather shop online catalogs than receive them in the mail.
Seventy-six percent of respondents claim they receive too many different direct mail fundraising letters through the US Postal Service.
The report said that the top catalog opt outs were for Frontgate, Ballard Designs, Home Decorators Collection, Pottery Barn, Travel Smith, Restoration Hardware, The Company Store, Soft Surroundings, Linensource and Victoria’s Secret.
The top 10 direct mail opt outs were made to the Direct Marketing Association, Experian, Equifax, infoUSA, Geico Direct, Bank of America, ShopWise, Capital One Credit Card Applications, Chase Bank and ValPak Direct Marketing.
