Have you tried putting flyers on cars?

[Whitman]

We are only four blocks from a university and college students are our target market. Everyday the streets are lined with cars. It seems to me that flyers put out on a Wednesday and Tuesday the week before midterms/finals would increase name recognition. I understand that it frustrates some people, but I was wondering if any of you had tried this in the past and had any luck with it.

 

[phaZed]

I did it one time. Never again. 3000 flyers, a BUNCH of walking and time later and I think I got 2 or 3 calls from it. People don't want stuff on their car, including me. I also did half of the flyers on mailboxes.

 

[katz]

If you do want to do that, check to see if it is permitted. No malls/stores/schools, etc., will permit that in my area because the flyers usually end up all over the ground.

 

[Doc_Brohn]

FWIW, I never look at them myself.

 

[pctutor]

When I find something left on my car, I make a mental note to never do business with that establishment. And I believe it is actually illegal to leave a flyer on or in a mailbox (at least I think that is the case here in the US).

 

[phaZed]

And I believe it is actually illegal to leave a flyer on or in a mailbox (at least I think that is the case here in the US).

It is illegal to leave something IN the mailbox, but not outside of it.

 

[pctutor]

It is illegal to leave something IN the mailbox, but not outside of it.

So to be legal, you need to wedge it between the mailbox and the flag arm, or wrap it with a large rubber band, or some other clever method I guess. I think that would annoy me more than the junk mail that is inside the box legally.

 

[AlexT]

We had a threat of a €120 littering fine for putting leaflets on car windscreens, we did get a few jobs from it though Also got a phone call from a building management company and an email from a local shopping center to stop with the leaflets.
Unfortunately they both caught me in a sarcastic mood and and ended up frustrated

 

[AlexT]

Oh and i have since decided to hire two people to stand outside the shopping centers both doors at dinnertime Saturday and Sunday and hand people leaflets on the way in there just because the guy was quite rude in his emails

 

[nlinecomputers]

It is illegal to leave something IN the mailbox, but not outside of it.

That's not true. You can't attach anything to a mailbox either.

"The Domestic Mail Manual (which you can find on the Internet at www.usps.com) goes into more specifics. It states that no part of a mail receptacle may be used to deliver any matter not bearing postage, including items or matter placed upon, supported by, attached to, hung from, or inserted into a mail receptacle."

 

[phaZed]

So to be legal, you need to wedge it between the mailbox and the flag arm, or wrap it with a large rubber band, or some other clever method I guess. I think that would annoy me more than the junk mail that is inside the box legally.

Ya, pretty much wedge it between the flag or where the post and box *might* have a gap to slip a flyer in enough to hold it. The inside is considered US gov't federal property and any tampering by unauthorized personnel is a federal crime. Destruction of a mailbox or it's post with your car or kids with bats is a federal crime; albeit usually dropped to a simple fine or less depending on if they hit-and-run or if it was malicious in intent; multiple mailboxes.

I targeted a specific neighborhood, a middle to upper-class one with association fees and upkeep stipulations; hidden trashcans, etc.
The mailboxes are all the same and have a "newspaper" hole which was ideal.

This was one of the first things I tried, and like I said.. never again. Even though I was within my "right" I felt kinda low doing it. I spent ~$100 on the flyers and got around $250-$300 in jobs from them - about a break-even return when considering the amount of time it took.. now I'm so busy I would certainly lose money for the hours used in flyer distro. We live and we learn.

 

[phaZed]

That's not true. You can't attach anything to a mailbox either.

Lol, I see that now.. certainly not enforced and around here you wouldn't know there is a law for that! Guess all the football fans can't represent their teams and birthday parties can't be marked by floating balloons. Point is if you go putting 3000 flyers inside mailboxes your going to get a visit from the cops.

They also don't enforce:
3.2.5 Advertising
Any advertising on a mailbox or its support is prohibited. (Your own home business, I'm breaking that law now by having a stenciled computer case underneath )

3.2.4 Mailbox Post
The post or other support for a curbside mailbox must be neat and of adequate strength and size. The post may not represent effigies or caricatures that tend to disparage or ridicule any person. (Holy Cross, Jesus or other religious flags need to be removed.)

 

[nlinecomputers]

No you wont get a visit from the cops it would be the Postal Inspector.(Who technically IS a cop.) And all he will do the first time you violate it is send you a nice form letter as a warning telling you to stop. Been there had that happen. If you were really bad about it they will send you a bill for postage due. After THAT they will file misdemeanor charges for violating postal regulations.

 

[katz]

That's not true. You can't attach anything to a mailbox either.

"The Domestic Mail Manual (which you can find on the Internet at www.usps.com) goes into more specifics. It states that no part of a mail receptacle may be used to deliver any matter not bearing postage, including items or matter placed upon, supported by, attached to, hung from, or inserted into a mail receptacle."

Where can I find this info. on USPS site? They don't make it exactly easy to find...

 

[nlinecomputers]

http://pe.usps.com/archive/html/dmmarchive1209/DMMTC.htm

 

['putertutor]

I'm with pctutor on this. I never do business with people who feel they can put their sh.... er, stuff on my car, like its some sort of public bulletin board.

 

[acesdeals]

when people put flyers on cars it makes me think that is how much their business is worth

no value

 

[JustMe]

Wife is a mail carrier. They are instructed to bring back and report items left inside or outside the mailbox that does not have postage affixed to it (like flyers).

It is the Postmasters discretion to either handle it themselves or to get the Postal Inspectors involved.

Guess all the football fans can't represent their teams and birthday parties can't be marked by floating balloons.

Alot has to do with the mail carrier's discretion as well. Balloons and sports paraphernalia usually will not result in anything. But if the carrier sees your flyers in mailbox after mailbox while delivering the mail, they will remove it (and become upset/mad because of the extra work) and bring them all back to the postal station as evidence.

Either way you'll get a phone call/visit from the post office.

 

[rsarceno]

I did it one time, it works but I wont do it again. I got several negative calls and it's not worth it to destroy the company names since there are other methods.

 

[callthatgirl]

I just mailed out brochures early on, did the whole thing by hand too. Got 2 calls. One client has paid me $1000's in training and support. Well worth it for the one good one.

I went to the library and got a list of businesses in one zip code, then mailed those out.