Conquering Eco-Guilt and Saving Money

Several years ago I signed up with a company called Green Dimes; they’re a company that does all the hard work of removing you from marketing and catalog mailing lists. It was around $36 a year and I figured it was worth saving me the aggravation.

Sometime at some point, our subscription expired and we started getting a new influx of catalogs and marketing mailers. This time, I figured I’d bite the bullet and make the calls myself. I started this morning and made 23 calls. I was surprised at how easy it was. Most companies have easy to use options via phone for removing your name and address. Often, you don’t even need to talk to a person. The majority of companies were pleasant and never once did anyone try to dissuade me. Each call, except one or two, only took a minute or less.

Some are harder than others. Target, Kenneth Cole, West Ways, and Trader Joe’s don’t make it easy. Target makes you visit their site, log into your account, and update your settings. The lady I talked to wasn’t able to help over the phone. I’m still not sure if we’re off their list. The catalog comes to AJB so I have no idea what his account info is. That one will have to wait. Kenneth Cole makes you dig through their website and fill out a form. West Ways requires a written request (see address at bottom). Trader Joe’s apparently, does not have a phone number. I couldn’t find one in the Fearless Flyer nor on their website. I ended up submitting a general inquiry form on their site asking to be removed. We’ll see if it works.

All in all, it wasn’t an unpleasant experience. It was a lot easier than I thought and I’ve done two very valuable things: I’m saving trees and reducing clutter in our home. Truth is, AJB and I are both catalog junkies, even though I know better. When they come, we both ooh and ahh over furniture and gadgets, but we hardly ever buy anything from them. I figure, if we want to actually buy something, we can visit the store or buy online. Besides, out of sight, out of mind. It helps us conquer our American-bred addiction to consumption.

Since I was 11 years old, I’m always trying new things to reduce my impact on the planet. It’s just what I do. I don’t do it because it’s trendy. I mean, please…since when do I follow trends? Not often, I can tell you. Green Dimes (now called Precycle) is a great idea if you just don’t have the time, but it really didn’t take that long and I just saved us $36 dollars. I’m keeping a spreadsheet of the companies I called and will watch the mail. This will be an ongoing process, but it beats eco-guilt over all the useless catalogs that pile up in our home that just end up in the recycling bin anyway. I figure, it’s something I can do as the piles accumulate and over time. It makes me feel better and it helps the planet. Hooray!

How To Tips:

1. Grab all your catalogs and make a pile
2. Locate their phone number (usually 800 or 888); most times it’s on the back or somewhere inside the catalog. I found that the inside numbers were usually on every page at the bottom or top or near the front.
3. Look at your address and find your customer number. Most companies will use this to identify you. 9 times out of 10, it’s in a blue box near your address.
4. Call and ask to be removed. Simple.

Because mailing labels are pre-printed, you will continue to receive up to two more mailings before you’re permanently free from their list.

Some companies want written requests, like West Ways Magazine. I’m going to send a postcard which saves on a full price stamp. Ain’t I thrifty?

Attn: Jim Dooley-Green
Westways and Journey Publications
3333 Fairview Rd., A327
Costa Mesa, CA 92626

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