Is "return service requested" necessary to catch dead ends?

Question

I've read about the use of "return service requested" in here to get the PO to send you a bill for a buck or so to get the address of an unoccupied property. Should I append that message to all my first mailings, or will I get anything returned to me that doesn't have a recipient on the other end?

I'm assuming not as we've all seen abandoned homes with full mail boxes so those aren't being returned. Is that a matter of the practices of the area and /or particular mail person? Should I just type the message on each first mailing to be safe? What do you guys do to catch as many dead ends as possible? Thanks!

Benjamin Cowles · Answer

Thanks Rick. I think it may be worth doing the first mailing out just to save time determining the duds, then after that I can stop putting the RSR message, obviously. Yes, I will implement a way of tracking my progress...

Rick H. · Answer

If you send by first class mail, including first class presort, your nixies should be returned at no additional cost to you.

If you measure response rates (hopefully you do) there may be a trade off by including the return service requested message which now discloses to the recipient that this is business  mail.

Since you seek a particular kind of seller, you may want to experiment with different types of carriers (what DM industry calls the envelope).

The only way to find out is to test and measure.