Forum Topic

Junk mail

I was wondering how residents who have no junk mail stickers on their letter boxes feel about having political leaflets delivered?Obviously I dont think the leaflets we deliver for the ICG are junk mail and I am sure our opposition feel the same about their own ones but if you have a no junk mail sticker do you consider that to only mean pizza leaflets and mini cab cards or election leaflets as well?

Paul Fisher ● 4611d19 Comments

I know people who have picked up an election communication printed on shiny paper and just bunged it in the bin thinking it was an advert for pizza! And that was someone very involved in politics! So it's easy done with all the tripe you get these days. Lots of people also complain if they haven't heard from the various parties whether it's by 'phone, door knocking or leaflet, it's probably a case of you can't win whatever you do. I can well remember some houses never, ever, seemed to have anyone in no matter how many times you canvassed - weird that.

Vanessa Smith ● 4611d

It’s a difficult one as I wouldn’t have thought party election leaflets was junk mail but,  having  said that, when I was delivering 1000’s  leaflets advising people of their last chance to register their interest in the Mogden Group Litigation, I respected the wishes of  residents displaying  ‘no junk mail’ stickers and did not leave a leaflet. Naturally,  when some of those people heard from their neighbours that compensation cheques were being received they were quick to complain that they were not aware of the litigation,  by which time it was too late!! 

Steve Taylor ● 4611d

I have a NO JUNK MAIL sticker but i want Political leaflets so i put a small message beside my sticker saying so...Ohh after 17yrs living in Isleworth i had my FIRST ever knock on the door last week by 3 candidates of the Tory Party for May's elections. I was so shocked as i have never had any Political party knock on my door canvassing.

Simon Anderson ● 4611d

I suppose getting these propaganda leaflets will be inevitable as one man's junk is another man's living. I just hope they are not the glossy type...;-0

Keith Iddon ● 4611d

Personally I've never understood these junk mail stickers: I've never found it a great burden to stick a pizza advert in the recycling along with my daily mailing from MBNA which is delivered by the Royal Mail, and every now and then a leaflet actually has something of interest.If they didn't, people wouldn't distribute them, since this is not a cost free exercise!Furthermore when my ex-wife put one up on our door it made no measurable difference: the person who runs a pizza parlour does not regard his brochure as junk, any more than the ICG regard their election leaflets as same, and will deliver his brochure anyway.

Guy Lambert ● 4611d

If I'm delivering leaflets on behalf of the current MP..I ignore the "No Junk Mail" stickers...and if an irate householder were to open the door and complain..I'd answer back..politely of course!With normal political leaflets I mostly ignore the sticker except in a few cases. I always recall a couple of houses in Braemar Road, where the male occupants always seem to stride out and chuck my leaflet into their dustbins. Unfazed on one occasion I bumped into a Labour Party leafleter in Braemar Road...and I asked him to deliver my leaflet as he was just across the wall at the next house. And he did so. Laughter all around. Mrs Keen was sitting in the passenger seat of a nearby waiting Landrover...doubtless wondering what had been happening.  One day a hardcore anti-Conservative chap gave me a hard time on his footpath in Clitherow Road having delivered what he considered to be my junk. We had a good chat..and he and his wife finished up inviting me in for tea!In my old age, I avoid filthy pathways and staircases covered in moss etc...having had a nasty fall a couple of years back in Avenue Road when I slipped down an unlite flight. I pity the postmen.Generally I ignore the "No Junk Mail" stickers.  As you know it's frustrating delivering to block of flats with locked front doors etc.where access is a problem. Little did they know they're missing some written words of wisdom!

Jim Lawes ● 4611d

"..and he and his wife finished up inviting me in for tea!"Oldest trick in the book Jim, taking an opponent out of action for half an hour! :)

Phil Andrews ● 4611d

I don't appreciate junk mail. As far as I am concerned the letter box is for the postman, but it's not a real problem. I do have a problem with cold callers, although since the sticker on my door saying 'No cold callers' was put up the number has reduced but not diminished to none. I work shifts and don't appreciate being woken up by a tap on the door by an uninvited caller who is selling an idea or goods. I don't buy brushes, dusters or ideologies at the door.

Keith Iddon ● 4611d

Caroline sends her apologies Keith.

Phil Andrews ● 4611d

It's ok Phil I realise that you politicos can't help yourselves..;-). I have already made up my mind who I am voting for btw. A 5 minute conversation at my front door isn't going to get me to change my mind.

Keith Iddon ● 4611d

I tend to stick a leaflet through unless it actually says ' no leaflets' or something exactly akin like ' no circulars'. Leaflets are by definition not mail as in coming by post, and as someone else pointed out, the deliverers don't think they are junk. Theoretically you could argue the postman ought to open every printed envelope addressed to these people to make sure it's a bill or something important rather than just a mailshot. A couple of years back I managed to throw my road tax disc away because I thought it was a mailshot without bothering to open it! You even get people saying 'no free newspapers', but there are others like me who are frustrated we don't the Chronicle in our road and have to buy it, and as Steve says, you can't complain if there's a plan to convert the local baker's into a lap-dancing club and you end up not protesting because nobody's leafleted you or delivered a free paper.

Ian Speed ● 4611d

Because different people mean different things, I tend to deliver to them regardless unless there is a very specific instruction not to deliver newsletters and/or information leaflets.  This means that on occasions complaints will be received, in which case I ask for the address of the complainant and if it is forthcoming I ensure that no further deliveries are made to that address.Incidentally the Royal Mail delivers a fair quantity of junk mail itself and posties are under instructions to ignore any such notices.  The only way to stop receiving unaddressed items via the post is to contact RM directly and ask specifically for an opt-out, which will then be honoured.

Phil Andrews ● 4611d

Can I write to the RM and request that they DO deliver my mail. Since I moved, nothing seems to come apart from the odd bit of (usually junk!) mail redirected because I paid RM to do it. I have missed not one but TWO Private Eyes which they swear were properly addressed. I also ordered a grill pan from ebay which also allegedly was delivered by RM but hasn't been. Where do I go to pick it up from the sorting office? (TW8 0 address!) I'm b*ggered if i'm going to pay for RM's 0845 number to find out.

Guy Lambert ● 4611d

GuyWhen visiting in person you would go to the office opposite Brent Lea - off London Road between the junctions of Field Lane and Beech Avenue.If there is an ongoing issue with your mail I would suggest you report it.  Everybody makes mistakes from time to time but if it's a recurring problem my advice would be to make the office aware of it and ensure that somebody checks it out.

Phil Andrews ● 4611d

There are a couple of free parking spaces outside the sorting office Guy or if they are full there's a parking rank outside Glad's newsagent opposite and 25yds nearer to Brentford.

Keith Iddon ● 4611d

...or park at Majestic Wine or the Pets place.The Brentford Delivery Office is open till 8pm on Wednesdaysbut closes about Noon on other days.

Jim Lawes ● 4611d

MON, TUE, THU, FRI - 7am - 12pmWED - 7am - 8pmSAT - 7am - 2pm

Phil Andrews ● 4611d

Thanks chaps - most helpful

Guy Lambert ● 4611d

http://www.junkbuster.org.uk/The above has lots of info about the different ways of stopping so much of this unsolicited material coming through the door together with why you perhaps shouldn't sign up to all of it."One man's junk is another man's treasure" is very true.If you miss some of the info about your local community you will miss out.

Philippa Bond ● 4607d