So seems to be the motto of our friends, the yellow pages publishers. I know that Dex One, Seattle’s biggest yellow pages publisher, has picked up unwanted phone books in the past, but this email from SuperMedia to Slog reader Lauren just shows that this billion dollar industry doesn’t really give a shit about Lauren, or anybody else for that matter. This fight is not about the First Amendment folks, it’s about money.

Lauren emailed me her interactions with SuperMedia after reading my post on the frustrations of continuing to receive stacks of yellow pages even after opting out.

From: Lauren
To: supercare@supermedia.com
Received: 12-17-10

I have signed up with every single ‘do not under any circumstances send me any more phone books’ list I could find, yet I received a sack of superpages phone books on my doorstep the other day. Please let me know how I can return these to you. Thanks.

To: Lauren
From: supercare@supermedia.com
Date: Tue, 21 Dec 2010

Thank you for contacting SuperMedia!

We know that it doesn’t make sense to deliver Yellow Pages directories that are unwanted. It’s not good for our customers or the environment. The problem is made worse when people are inundated with directories that have nearly identical information. But not all Yellow Pages are created equal. We’ve introduced something different… the SuperGuarantee program.

Our program is designed to put your mind at ease. When you hire a contractor, auto mechanic, painter, plumber or other of our service providers with the SuperGuarantee shield, we will stand by their work. In the unlikely event the customer isn’t satisfied, we’ll help resolve the issue.

If you are still wanting to opt out of receiving our directories, please contact The Directory Store by calling their help line at 1-800-888-8448 or clicking the link below:

http://my.supermedia.com/directoryoptout/

Please let us know if we can be of additional assistance.

Sincerely,
Amber Fonseca
SuperMedia

From: Lauren
To: supercare@supermedia.com
Date: Tue, 21 Dec 2010 16:01:09 -0500

So does this mean that you will send someone out to pick up the mis-delivered books? Because they are still sitting on the doorstep.

I need to get rid of these books. Recycling them just encourages organizations like Superbooks to print/deliver unwanted phone books (ignoring the other opt-out sites, for whatever reason); I expect your organization to correct its mistake.

Lauren did end up getting a response from someone else at SuperMedia to her last email, but deleted it in frustration (it basically said no, we won’t pick it up, it was not our responsibility, or that it was not feasible).

“If it is SuperMedia’s policy to leave sacks of garbage on people’s doorsteps, I would be more than happy to respond in kind,” Lauren told me. “If I didn’t lose momentum, I probably would have contacted Frank P. Gatto, who is the Executive Vice President in charge of printing and distribution (among other responsibilities), and who I think makes enough money to deal with these issues.”

Fun fact, it doesn’t look like Gatto is listed in Superpages.com.

11 replies on “We’ll Dump ‘Em But We Won’t Pick ‘Em Up”

  1. Is there a SuperMedia office nearby that I can take all of the soggy books decomposing outside my apt and stack them up in front of their door?

  3. If you need another reason to hate SuperMedia, formerly Idearc, formerly Verizon Business Services; then, know that they used to have big office up just south of Everett, but closed it and put hundreds of people out of work so they could save a few pennies by outsourcing to companies in India & Bangladesh. They really don’t care about the Pacific Northwest at all.

  4. The word “sack” should be used more often. I always say “bag” instead of “sack” but like the sound of “sack” more. I wonder if it’s a Northwest thing?

    Just thought I’d share!

  7. I seem to have defecated in the bag these phone books came in, I’d still like to return them though if you can find the address…

  8. there are 8 units on my floor. dex dumped their garbage in front of each unit two weeks ago. ALL OF THEM ARE STILL THERE. what law gives these corporations the right to dump their trash on my doorstep? i hope they are torn apart in hell by furious trees.

  10. As I posted last Friday, I contacted the district manager for Super Media and he had someone come out and pick up the unwanted phone books within several hours.

    http://www.thestranger.com/slog/archives…

    (I’m #6)

    First, I contacted City Councilman Mike O’Brien’s office and they gave me the name and phone number for the district manager of Super Media. The staffer I talked to was very helpful and took down my info.

    I then contacted the district manager, who was very polite and who had someone come out within a few hours. He also said I would be placed on their opt out list. Hopefully it works this time.

    O’Brien’s office number is 684-8800.

    Super Media’s district manager’s number is 425-478-3252

    Give them a call if you get a phone book that you do not want.

    I hate phone books and I prefer the opt in approach rather than the opt out approach. But still I have to give credit where credit is due.

    Thank you O’Brien staff. Thank you district manager for getting your company to come back and pick up your junk. Now don’t send me one again!

  11. Our program is designed to put your mind at ease. When you hire a contractor, auto mechanic, painter, plumber or other of our service providers with the SuperGuarantee shield, we will stand by their work. In the unlikely event the customer isn’t satisfied, we’ll help resolve the issue.

    Y’mean, you’re willing to theoretically stick your nose in any time it’s an issue with someone else (and let’s not hold our breath waiting on that), but if the issue is with your company. . . no.

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