Direct Mail Returns

[Michael Chase]

Regarding direct mail, what should I do with the pieces that are returned to me labeled "Return To Sender, Not deliverable as addressed, Unable to forward"?

[Dev Horn]

#1 Get your list from a quality data provider.

#2 Use a direct mail vendor that runs the list thru the USPS validation - that's where you want to reject addresses - from the data. You don't want ANY returned mail.

#3 Send your direct mail via STANDARD BULK RATE (pre-sort) which requires the addresses to read:

<name of recipient>
OR CURRENT RESIDENT
<address of recipient>

With this process, you get ZERO returned mail & ZERO marketing dollars wasted!

Now, if you're just doing it yourself, you can CHECK addresses on the USPS website for small lists. Main thing is CLEAN THAT LIST. Otherwise, if you get returned mail, you just take those bad addresses off your list and move on. But I'd say, design your process so there is NO returned mail.... Best wishes!