A. How many names do you want to order? B. How do you want the names supplied (Materials)?  C. When do you want to receive the names? D. Exactly when will the names be mailed? E. Where do you want the names sent?

Be aware that sometimes an offer will be denied by the list owner as being too competitive or for other reasons. We pre-clear all mail pieces before an order is placed to ensure list owner approval.

All list orders are for a one-time use only. You may be asked to sign a one-time use agreement. All mailing lists are "seeded" with decoy names so list owners can determine if their file is mailed more than once. It is the mailers responsibility to ensure that names are not misused. Severe consequences will result from the mailer using names for an additional mailing without the list owner's approval. Once someone responds to your offer they are a part of your "House File" and you may then mail to them as often as you want.

Most lists require a minimum order of between 5,000 and 10,000 names. These names can be selected by state, zip code or "SCF" (sectional center facility i.e. the first three digits of the zip code). There is normally an additional cost per thousand for selects. All names will be pulled on an "nth" names basis which is a cross section of the file across the country pulling every "nth" (random select such as every fifth name for instance).

It takes between 5-7 working days for a list to be processed. Add an additional 1-10 days for you to receive the names; depending on what shipping method you request.

The list can be supplied on many different materials; Pressure Sensitive Labels (peel and stick labels) this method has an additional cost per thousand added; cartridge, diskette or magnetic tape (a service bureau is needed to run/output labels for you with an additional flat fee of $25.00-$50.00); E-mail and FTP are available on a case-by-case basis.

When using more than one list it is best to assign a "key-code" to each list. It is necessary to make sure that the customer knows to include the key-code in the order form and that your telephone order department knows to ask for the key-code.

Mailing lists range in price from $75 per thousand to $150 per thousand (or more), depending on the list. Pricing is set by the list owner. Net name arrangements are usually available for quantities of 50,000 or more names. The typical starting point for these arrangements is 85% net. With this type of arrangement you pay for at least 85% of the names or what you mail; whichever is higher. You will pay a base price and "run charges" on this amount and selection charges on the total amount of names received.

There is no guarantee that a specific list will work. You must pay for the list even if it does not work as you hoped or expected. Your list broker can help you to target lists to maximize your response but no one can guarantee that a specific list will work.

An average list will have a very small percentage of undeliverable names. This number is usually too small to be of any significance.

Your list broker must be aware of the exact dates you will mail your piece.

Duplicate names from several lists can be identified by going through a "merge-purge" (a computer program that merges the lists together and purges duplicate names). This can be done at service bureau on lists that are received on cartridge, magnetic tape, ASCII diskette or an electronic format. A merge-purge will also identify undeliverable names (which you do not have to pay for). The merge-purge process can not be done when ordering labels.

Lists are maintained at service bureaus of which there are hundreds throughout the country. Changes are if you order more than one list, you will receive materials from more than one place.

Catalog or merchandise mailers can expect to have a 75% response finished by 4-6 weeks out from the mail date. By 8 weeks initial response should be viewed as final. Publishers with free trial offers typically wait months to finalize returns, conversion, etc., after initial response is in.