Homeowners Group, Ctd.

How many hoops do you have to jump through to cancel the Briefing paper? The ever-vigilant Merriman Park/University Manor homeowners association has an e-mail update:

We have learned that The Dallas Morning News has changed the number to call if you wish to stop the “Briefing” paper being thrown in your driveway. When you speak to the “Account Manager” you can also stop the Neighborhood Shopper if you no longer wish to receive the ads in your mailbox.

To stop receiving the “Briefing” and/or the “Neighborhood Shopper” just call (214) 745-8383

You can also use their web interface to stop the Briefing but need to call the above number if you want to also stop the Neighborhood Shopper.

Here is where you can go online to cancel the Briefing:

http://www.dallasnews.com/subscriberservices/

And, while we’re on the subject, a fed-up FBvian offers a cautionary tale:

I just thought I’d write you about our experience on calling to get the Briefing stopped – we had to call FOUR times before they stopped coming. And, on that last call, we told them we were going to cancel our subscription (weekend) to the DMN altogether if they didn’t stop throwing it in our yard. That threat, or the “fourth time’s a charm” rule got them stopped. But, it did take some perseverance.

Homeowners Group: Briefing Helps Bad Guys

Ed Bark wrote about the problem in D CEO. Now the Merriman Park/University Manor homeowners association has chimed in with an irritated-sounding e-mail alert, contending the DMN freebie called Briefing can be a “neon sign to criminals saying you are not at home”:

Many of you have complained about the Dallas Morning News creating a lot of litter around the neighborhood and your own driveways with their small “Briefing” edition of the paper being tossed in driveways.

After visiting with the Morning News about this, they tell me they sent a postcard out telling residents this paper would be delivered and if they did not want it, they needed to opt out. Some number of residents do not recall receiving this postcard so that opportunity to opt out was missed. The Dallas Morning News should have reversed this with their postcards and asked people to opt in. But then they would not be able to deliver to as many homes as they most likely figured out that less people would take the time to opt in. That resulted in residents receiving something they did not want.

Whether or not you received this opportunity to opt out, if you want these papers discontinued at your residence, all you have to do is call The Dallas Morning News Briefing Delivery at 214-977-8333 and request your paper be stopped.

If you wish to continue receiving this paper then do nothing. However, if you are going to be away for anytime, please ask your neighbors to pick yours up for you because when these are allowed to collect, its like a neon sign to criminals saying you are not at home.