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In the Internet age, far fewer people still regularly turn to a paper version of the yellow pages, but that doesn't mean several companies aren't still delivering phone books to homes and businesses in Washington every year. We spotted about 5-6 brand new Yellow Books on the sidewalk on 9th Street NW in Shaw (around the corner from DCist HQ) over the weekend, having been delivered to what are clearly boarded up and abandoned buildings (a few of which are those same controversial Shiloh Baptist properties). The books were still there this afternoon, but now soaking wet.
In response to an inquiry from DCist, Yellow Book USA spokesperson John Hartz responded with the following statement:
We are in the process of delivering to the Washington, D.C. market and were not aware of any problems. Since we instruct our directory carriers not to deliver to homes that are empty or abandoned, we would love to have more detail on the locations referenced so that we can address the issue right away. Your readers can also let us know immediately of any problems with the delivery of the D.C. book by calling our toll free number, 1-800-YB-YELLOW.We took care of giving Yellow Book the details for this block of 9th St., but if you notice other Yellow Books that were delivered to abandoned houses, do your neighbors a favor and call the number above so that the company can take care of it.
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Wow.
Contacting Yellow Book. Waiting for Yellow Book's response. Recontacting Yellow Book. Taking photographs. Writing a post. Citizen outrage!!!! Waging war against an inexcusably dysfunctional system.
Over soggy phonebooks?
Wouldn't have been easier to pick them up and throw them in the garbage?
Any way to simply not have any of them delivered? I never use them and they are just a big waste with the internet's constant updates.
My apartment building has about a 80 book pile in the lobby right now. I'm surprised states haven't passed laws yet that make Phone Books an opt-in only option or at least at a minimum opt-out. i'm also surprised out building manager even let them drop off so many phone books. Who the hell wants or even needs them?
I agree Lionel, it's the same where I live - those bricks must be the death of thousands and thousands of trees each year - I'm surprised enviromental groups or the DC Statehood/Green Party haven't taken up this issue.
Sommer...if you get a second please shoot me an email tomorrow...I have been invited to a meeting and you might want to be part of it. Has to do with vacant houses...
Brian
offseventh.org
I wish there was a way to opt out. I never use them and usually when I recieve them I put them right into the recycle bin. If people would opt out it would save them money.
Whenever I get a phone book that I obviously won't use, I just rip it in half to show my disgust with it.
God, who has the time do all this calling, following-up, and photo-taking???
people who blog for a living