Hints from Heloise

Mon., Feb. 26, 2007

The Spokesman-Review

Dear Heloise: About receiving too many mail-order catalogs and duplicate catalogs, please remind your readers that they can simply call the catalog’s customer-service department’s 800 number and request that the catalogs be discontinued (or reduced to only one copy).

This technique also works for any unwanted mail, including donation requests from charities and other nonprofit organizations. After donating to a charity, I don’t want that money spent on additional direct-mail appeals to me. Once a year is enough.

You also can donate the catalogs to hospitals and clinics (please call and ask if they are receptive. – H), just like you donate magazines. Just be sure to remove the order form and any other personal ID info. – Gee in Eden Prairie, Minn.

If you are persistent, the catalogs will stop. Persist, persist and don’t give up, and they will stop one day. – Heloise

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