Insults in the mail

[eye2dry]

Cleaned out my magazine/junk mail rack and was amazed by the stuff I have been getting in the mail. Even more amazing is why the heck I even kept this crap.

For the past year I have been bombarded by flyers and small catalogs to "help me". They consist of hand grippers for stuborn jar lids, non slip rug backings, a chair that you sit on and it glides you up the stairs, a walk in bath tub, designer walkers and canes, an alert/panic necklace...on and on it goes.

When I was 47, AARP was after me with literature. Now somehow it appears these companies know I have sjogrens/RA, how is that possible? Do rheumys sell your names to these companies? do pharmacies sell your name?

Good grief, I am only 54! I am getting ready to walk down to the mailbox right now..I better not find any more "help" there. I think this weekend we will build a nice fire in the fireplace and burn this literature with the kindling.

eye2dry

[Joe S.]

I once read about a fellow that acquired all the junk mail he could and burned it in his fireplace to heat his home. He thought it was really nice of them to pay to deliver heat to his home. We do not have a fireplace but we are allowed to recycle it.

[Madison Granny]

My husband has received several of those offers from the mortuaries.  He has also received several advertisements from hearing aid companies.  How did they know that he drives a big truck for a living?  From what I've read that there is a list that advertiser can purchase with our names and address on them and send us the junk mail we get. 

[genko_b]

There was an article in the paper recently about how easily companies like Target can track your purchases, and also the searches you do online - not just advertisements, but articles you may have read. Anything you click on when you are on the computer is recorded somehow.

Also, if you have frequent buyer cards at the grocery store or pharmacy giving you discounts, your purchases at these places will be tracked and the information may be sold to other companies. There are lots of ways in which catalogue companies can find out if you might want their stuff.

As far as the mortuary ads, there are lots of ways to find out how old you (or a former resident) might be, and after a certain point they start sending those, figuring there will be people who want to lock in a good deal. On the other hand, I still get ads for baby goods, even though both kids are grown and long on their own. Maybe they figure I would buy for grandchildren.

Take care,

Genko

[irish]

Speaking of funerals. Check out Cosco folks. If I remember correctly that business has caskets for sale. I didn't even know that you could buy them anyplace but a funeral home. Irish

[Madison Granny]

We have a story near where we live that sells caskets.  It's the first and only one I've ever seen.  I'm like you I thought only funeral homes sold caskets.  I guess this is a sign of the times.

[Pisces24]

How would you like the EXACT day you turn age 50 (the ones ending in 0s are the hardest) and getting yourself acclaimed to it  ---- you get letter from AARP wanting you to join??   

[eyeamdry]

If you're about to turn 50, get AARP.  You can get discounts for motels, food etc and they have the best informative magazines!  I am serious.  This is the best deal going.  Lucy

[Pisces24]

Here is another funny:
When I moved to the house I live at now, I let all the untility companies and everyone know. Well on the actual day I moved I got mail in MY NAME.   It was Ed McMan telling me I might have won a million. How they manage to get your change of addresses so quick, I have no idea. 

Oh by the way. There are companies that make and sell lists to advertisers. They can narrow down to age, demographics, etc etc. They make a living selling the lists.

[Joe S.]

A while after we moved to our rescue home, we started getting mail related to having a new baby. First for my wife, then for our daughters that have families of their own. Every time I see one of these pieces I have a little chuckle.

[WildThing]

I get stuff like this too and I'm only 35!

[Patze]

Same here...  My goodness, someone must be selling our info to them! 

And I'll have to look into getting AARP Irish, they sure send me enough stuff about them!



Patze

[slccom]

When I was 10 I started getting offers for "life insurance you can't be turned down for" in the mail. They were buying the hearing aid dealers mailing lists. The funny thing is, I moved out in 1977, and just last fall my  mom got a letter for me. Someone really should get their money back on that mailing list!

Sharon

[Bucky]

OK - which one of you gave AARP my address??  Yesterday, I got an envelope in the mail!      

HA . . . nah, this isn't the first time (nor will it be the last time) I get mail from them. 

Guess we should look at it as a fan club . . . LOL . . . everybody wants us!!   

Bucky

[Patze]

I'm in Bucky!   It would be a  club indeed!


Patze