Mail guides
Reading the label
Find the details that let a sender match the mail to the right record.
Tell a catalog customer number from an offer code
Catalog labels often carry several codes, and they do different jobs. A customer number points to your mailing record, while an offer code tracks a promotion. Copy what is printed and let the sender sort out which is which.
Use an old label covered by a forwarding sticker
A forwarding sticker over the original label means the piece carries two addresses: the one the sender mailed to and the one used for delivery. Both can matter in a removal request, but for different reasons.
Read a label with both a company and a person's name
When a label shows a business name and a personal name, the sender may have the record under either one. Copy both lines in the order printed and do not drop or reorder either.
Report a marketing label missing your apartment number
If the label leaves off your apartment number, the sender's record may not match your full address. Quote the label exactly as printed, then give your complete address separately.
Request removal when your name is misspelled
Senders match removal requests to the name and address in their records. If you correct the spelling in your request, the sender may not find the misspelled version. Quote the misprint first, then give your correct name separately.
Handle marketing mail under an earlier last name
A sender's record may carry a name from years ago. A removal request that uses only your current name may not match it, so quote the name as it is printed on the label.
Match marketing mail addressed to initials
A sender may store a name as initials only. Quoting a guessed full name may not match the record, so copy the initials as printed.
Deal with a catalog addressed to two people
A catalog addressed to two people may be filed under either name or as one shared record. A removal request from one person may end the mail for the other as well.
Find the sender when the return address is a mail house
A printing or mailing company handles mail for many brands, and the return address may be theirs. The brand name, logo, or fine print on the piece usually shows who is actually marketing to you.
Save several codes printed above an address
Codes above the name and address block can include postal routing codes, list source codes, and account identifiers. Do not try to interpret them yourself. Record every one as printed.