| Score 1 to 5 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Fit | |||
| Capabilities in-house | |||
| Price transparency | |||
| Proofs and QC | |||
| Data handling | |||
| Postage and permits | |||
| Reporting | |||
| Terms | |||
| Total (of 40) | – | – | – |
What each line means
- Fit. Do they work with businesses your size, mailing your volumes and formats?
- Capabilities in-house. What they do themselves versus pass to partners. Partners aren't bad, but you should know.
- Price transparency. A quote you can read line by line, with postage shown separately.
- Proofs and quality control. How you approve the job, and what they check before mailing.
- Data handling. How they clean your list, who can see it and whether you get it back.
- Postage and permits. Whose permit, which mail class and whether postage is passed through at cost.
- Reporting. Proof that the mail was dropped (USPS paperwork) and, for full-service vendors, response tracking.
- Terms. Minimums, contracts, cancellation and who owns the design files.
Red flags
- A single price per piece with no breakdown
- Vague answers about postage or whose permit is used
- No proof before printing
- No paperwork showing when and how much was mailed
- Long contracts before you've tested a single mailing
- Response-rate promises with no way to verify them
FAQ
How do I choose a direct mail company?
Compare several on the same spec with a scorecard: fit, in-house capabilities, price transparency, proofs, data handling, postage, reporting and terms.
Should I pick the cheapest quote?
Only after you've confirmed every quote covers the same spec and the same work. The cheapest quote often leaves something out.
How can I tell my mail was actually sent?
Ask for the USPS postage statement or mailing receipt for each drop.