Survey results released this week by the Consumer Federation of America, Washington, found that in general, Americans find unwanted mail solicitations irritating. The survey, conducted in May by Opinion Research Corporation International for the CFA, found that 78 percent of respondents believe the current volume of junk mail they receive irritates them “a lot or a little.” This is a two percent increase over last year’s survey. Of the 78 percent who find it irritating, 48 percent said that junk mail irritates them a lot.
The survey reveled that irritation level is related to age, income and education. For example:
* 63 percent of those 65 and over and 58 percent of those aged 55-64, said junk mail irritates them a lot. But only 34 percent of those aged 18-24 and 40 percent of those 25-34, expressed this degree of irritation.
* 83 percent of those with household incomes of at least $50,000 — but only 71 percent of those with incomes under $25,000 — said junk mail irritates them a lot or a little.
* 81 percent of those with a college degree said junk mail irritates them a lot or a little but only 65 percent of those without a high school degree were similarly bothered.
