I got to the office this morning to find a package in my box from Office Depot.

I didn’t order anything. The last two things I ordered the past couple months was a 8GB CompactFlash card and a 4GB USB flash drive.

When I opened the box, an Office Depot catalog is staring at me. I didn’t request it.

On the back of the catalog cover, small text says:

This 4-page cover is printed on paper containing 10% postconsumer fibers.

What about the rest of the catalog?

Ooh, and there’s a $20 off coupon (with an order of $100 or more). Office Depot murdered a tree to thank me and send a coupon.

To make matters worse, I don’t see any way to opt out of this catalog.

At the bottom of the enclosed thank you letter, it was signed by Christine Buscarino, Sr. Director of Marketing.

Until your website includes a check box to opt in requesting a catalog (read: Don’t just send me one for kicks!), you won’t see me again.

Update (seconds after I posted this) — In small text on the back of the catalog, it states:

To update or remove your contact information from our mailing list, please call 800.915.4624, send an email to mailoptout@officedepot.com or send a copy of the address panel to: Office Depot Mailing List, P.O. Box 5009, Boca Raton, FL 33431-0809.

I still shouldn’t have to opt out of a catalog just because I ordered something and had it delivered to my place of work.

While sifting through papers, I found that I needed to call Chase to opt-out of sharing information to third parties and affiliate companies.

Why isn’t there a way to do this online?

Calling wasn’t difficult. But, their prompts are confusing.

“Do you wish to limit information…?”

Then again, I’m not sure how I’d word it. Whatever.

Related: Chase sucks with new privacy policy, opt-out process is painful! (DygiScape, August 12, 2009)

I received a snail mail notice from 1-800 Contacts about my contact lens expiration. A few days later, I get a phone call. (It went to voicemail.)

There are currently no options in my account page that lets me opt out — why?!

As of March 2, 2009 in the Privacy Policy:

How do I remove my information from email, postal mailing and telephone lists?

If you prefer not to receive notice of promotions, reorder information or updates on contact lens laws by email, please click the “My Account” link at the top of any of the pages on http://www.1800contacts.com, enter your email address and password and click on “email options”. You will be able to specify your email preferences on this page. If you wish to be removed from all email communications not related to your order, you can call one of our Customer Service Representatives at 1-800 CONTACTS (1-800-266-8228). If you prefer not to receive postal mail, please let us know by sending us an email at info@1800contacts.com or call one of our Customer Service Representatives at 1-800 CONTACTS (1-800-266-8228).

PLEASE NOTE: Requests to be removed from the postal mail list may take up to 6-8 weeks to become effective. In addition, if you ask to remove your name and address from our email or postal mailing lists, we will maintain your name in a “do not mail” file to ensure that we can honor your request. When you make a purchase, we will send you an email to confirm your order, and send an email when your order is shipped. We may also need to contact you via phone, postal mail or email if we have other questions regarding your order.

Don’t make us do all this work to reduce junk mail and unwanted phone calls. We can easily get email notices, you know.