It can be hard coming home to a mailbox full of junk mail.It may be time to take action if the constant barrage of credit card offers and insurance promotions is never going to end.Sending the mail back to the companies that sent it can be an effective way to deal with the problem, though it may take a few tries to get their attention.
Step 1: The envelope should have a return stamp.
If you try to return junk mail this way, you'll waste post office resources.If the envelope is marked "address correction requested" or "return postage guaranteed," you can send it back.The postage will be paid by the original company.
Step 2: Write "refused".
The post office will return a piece of mail if it is marked in such a way.If you don't want to receive any more mail in the future, the company that's sending you the junk mail will hopefully get the correspondence back.It is important that the message is easy to read.If it gets wet, it's a good idea to use a felt tip marker to mark the envelope.If you can't read your handwriting, you may want to use block letters.
Step 3: Drop it off at the post office.
You don't need to add postage when you write "Return to sender" on your junk mail.If you want to send it through the postal service, place it in the mail.If you want to return junk mail in a mailbox, it's best to hand it to your mail carrier or the post office.If you don't see the return to sender message on the mail, it may wind up in your mail a few days later.
Step 4: You can open the envelopes.
You may need to take a more direct approach to stop junk mail from turning up in your mailbox if you've tried sending it back via a return to sender message.The junk mail needs to be opened so you can sort through it.If you get a lot of junk mail, it can be difficult to open the envelopes.If you collect it on a weekly basis, you can open it all in one sitting.
Step 5: Get the pre-paid return envelopes.
When it comes to junk mail such as credit card offers, the companies usually include a return envelope with pre-paid postage so you can return the credit application, charity donation, or other requested item.You can correspond with the company without paying for postage by setting aside all of the return envelopes.
Step 6: Write something down.
Your name might not come off the company's mailing list even if you've sent previous correspondence back.It is possible to stop receiving the mail in a written request.Don't be rude in the note.Don't use foul or abusive language.Please remove me from your mailing list if you're not sure what to write.If you include your name and mailing address on the note, your contact information will not be included in the pre-paid return envelope.
Step 7: You can mail it back.
You don't need to add postage to the note because you're using the pre-paid envelope.You can either place it in a mailbox or leave it for the mail carrier to pick it up.
Step 8: Pick up pre-paid return envelopes.
You want to take advantage of the envelopes that are included for you to send items back, so you don't have to pay for postage.It is possible to save multiple return envelopes from the same company.They are more likely to notice if you send back more than once.
Step 9: There is junk in the envelopes.
If a note asking a company to stop sending junk mail doesn't get your name off their mailing list, you may want to make more of a statement.Stuffing the pre-paid envelope with items from around the house makes it weigh more, so the company has to pay more when you send it back to them, which will hopefully make them think twice about sending you junk mail.The easiest way to stuff the envelopes is with paper items, such as napkins, newspaper or magazine clippings.Stuff the envelopes until they can't hold any more.If you're worried that they won't stay closed, you might want to use tape.
Step 10: The envelopes should be sent back.
They'll be sorted by an automated system if they're dropped in a mailbox.An extra thick envelope may not get back to the company if a mail carrier or post office clerk throws it away.