Stop ads despite sticker: This is how the postal service makes millions with annoying election ads

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Have you ever wondered why your mailbox is always full these days? The yellow giant is currently delivering tons of electioneering propaganda to the mailboxes of Swiss households. Some people are really uncomfortable. Not just because they fill the mailbox to the top – despite the stop ad label. Because you cannot express your request more clearly, you do not want any kind of advertising. This is disturbing!

The Post justifies its disregard for electioneering glue with democratic arguments. He instructs his mailmen to deliver election ads even though there is a stop advertising sticker on the mailbox. The Post Office says in its report that it treats election advertisements in the same way as regular election materials and official letters, i.e. as “official mail”. Glue does not apply to this. 20 years ago, consumer protection also accepted this interpretation.

There is no legal basis

At first glance, this is a noble move from the post office. But the real reason is probably different: The state-owned company makes almost three times more money if it distributes programs to homes with ad stop stickers, as the “SonntagsZeitung” study shows. Because there are so many more shipping addresses, the post office makes more money from political propaganda by ignoring labels. The Post Office opposes this.

But consumer advocate Sara Stalder confirms the post office’s ruse. Because even if there is a Stop Ad sticker on your mailbox, you will still receive all the ads, leaflets and election newspapers. Without any legal basis. “Consumers are complaining that they are constantly being exposed to election ads despite having a stop ad sticker on their mailbox,” she says.

And today in the “SonntagsZeitung” he explains the 20-year contract with the Post: “We are no longer completely satisfied with the fact that the wishes of many customers can be ignored in political advertising.”

“Post wants to make more money”

It’s also clear that for Stalder, post office glue is just a nuisance. “The postal service wants to make more money by delivering advertising mailings to more households.” The yellow giant wants to save the postal business. “But this is the wrong way.” The postal service has tried several times before to encourage customers to remove the stickers with campaigns. (pbe)

Source :Blick