The proliferation of de-junk-mailing services

De-junk-mailing's becoming big business! Suddenly, the Internet's full of companies that want to get rid of your junk mail for you -- for a small fee.

However, having cleaned up my own mailbox without spending any money -- and having just written about the free ProQuo service -- I'm now wondering why anyone would willingly fork over money for a service they can get free. Of course, ProQuo just launched in Oct., while most of these for-free services launched -- a few months before that.

Still, some of these offer unique services. I've listed them from best to worst, according to my personal opinion based on the info offered on their websites. If you've used any of these services, pipe in with comments about your experience.

41pounds.org. $41 covers you for five years; a third of that money goes to community and environmental organizations. The fee covers you even if you move, as long as it's within four years of subscribing.

GreenDimes. $20 covers you for about a year (read on for details on the "about" part); you'll also get 10 trees planted on your behalf. Green Dimes says it'll monitor your account every month to make sure you say off the lists -- but then recommends you pay an extra $10 "after the 1st year if your junk mail returns or anytime you move." The moving part I get, but I don't understand why junk mail would return if GreenDimes is indeed monitoring mailing lists.

Stop Junk Mail $19.95 covers you for a year; $1 of that fee goes to American Forests. However, the fee only covers you for a single year -- and probably not if you move.

CatalogEnd.com. $17 covers you for a year, sort of (read on), and the planting of one tree; 5% - 10% of CatalogEnd's profits (read: $0 if the company does not turn a profit) go to environment related charities. The fees don't end at $17: For lists that require your signature to get your name removed, this company will send you UNSTAMPED postcards (other companies usually send pre-stamped postcards) so you'll still be paying postage. In addition, if you want your name taken off more than 150 lists, you'll have to pay an additional 10 cents per list. You'll also have to pay $10 if you change addresses within the year.

My conclusion's that 41pounds.org and Green Dimes services might be worth considering -- the former because it covers you for about 5 years and could actually save you some hassles if you're planning to move, the latter because even without the junk mail reduction dealio, getting 10 trees planted for $20 is pretty sweet.

However, for most people, the free ProQuo will yield the same results for a few minutes more time.

If you really want to go the DIY route, here's the four-step plan I used to clean up my mail box. The advice remains the same, except now, it's free to get off the Direct Marketing Association's list online -- though you'll still need a valid credit card for identification purposes.

Comments

[Laura-LosAngelesRealEstateTalk.com]

I when through the ProQuo process a while ago and notice a HUGE difference in the amount of junk mail I'm having to thumb through. I'd say...go FREE!