1 September 2006 - The suspension by Royal Mail of Postman Roger Annies, who advised people on his round how to avoid junk mail, has led to an enormous increase in the number of people wanting to know how they can opt-out of receiving door-to-door junk mail.
As the Royal Mail's 0845 7223344 phone line went on a meltdown and the Mailing Preference Service web site had a hard time dealing with unprecedented visitor numbers, Royal Mail released a statement warning customers that if they opt-out, they might miss out on miss out on key Government information.
On their web site the Royal Mail warns people who wish to opt-out that:
In other words, the message is that opting-out is not that effective, as the direct mailing industry has already figured out that they can sent junk addressed 'To the Occupier', and that you are likely to miss important information about anything from rubbish collection to elections material.
Postwatch, the organisation set up to ensure customers are getting a decent service from Royal Mail, post office and Parcelforce, has asked Royal Mail to clarify whether people who opt out of the door-to-door service will continue to receive local and national Government publications.
In a letter to the Royal Mail the organisation writes: "[…] we are concerned about the ambiguity of the information surrounding opting out. Both your website and phone message state that, if a customer chooses to opt out, then they may not receive communication from national and local government […].
"We would ask you to ensure that there is clear and consistent customer information for door-to-door opt-out which states that, should customers choose to opt out, relevant government and public information material will continue to be delivered and that this is properly publicised."
Stop Junk Mail is pleased with Postwatch' intervention. By using the auxiliary may Royal Mail suggests that people are likely not to receive government and public information. Information about rubbish collection or elections is fundamentally different from junk mail. It would be highly unprofessional if Royal Mail is unable to sort out the material they deliver. Royal Mail should recognise that their statement causes confusion and they should now explain in clear language if it is able to deliver government information to all households.
Postwatch' letter also brings to Royal Mails attention that people who try to opt-out from the door-to-door service often find the process frustrating. People are often referred to the Mailing Preference Service, which is designed to stop direct mailings, and it can take several attempts to opt-out. Postwatch is asking the Royal Mail to simplify this process.
The letter finally asks for clarification on 'To The Occupier' items. Postwatch states that at the moment it is unclear whether or not people who have asked Royal Mail to stop sending junk mail will indeed not receive this type of junk mail.