Mail for the trash

When it comes to mail, there are usually only two stacks. Trash or bills.

The other third, less common stack are the surprises – actual letters from people you want to hear from and birthday cards that don’t come from NTUC income, your insurance agent or any other company you do business with. Actually those never form a stack. But I can hope.

Most times, you can’t wait to get rid of the trash stack.

But there are times when they are worth a look.

Like the mailer I received today.

I almost missed it.

Blue, with a single line “We are moving…” along with a POSB logo said everything.

Almost.

I assumed that it was the branch were I hold my account that was moving. But it wasn’t.

In fact, it was about the move of a branch where I only use the ATM. I was pleasantly surprised.

POSB had used their records to find out which of their POSB customers frequented the ATM and branch there. Pretty cool. This shows a bank that is thinking about its customers.

What would’ve really been impressive is if they told me if the ATM (located separately, but next to the branch) would still remain or not, since I have never set foot in that particular branch in my entire life.

In contrast, UOB Visa, that has all records of where I spend my money whenever I charge my card, persists in sending me stupid SMSes on sales at Zara and many other fashion labels I have never heard of, shops I’ve never swiped my card at.

But I never get any information on great deals at restaurants.

I know they exist. Their printed mailers tell me so.

Plus, haven’t they noticed that whenever I claim for my rewards that I only select vouchers for restaurants and ice cream?

For the amount of food I’m charging to this card, can’t they guess I can’t fit into anything that belongs to some fashionable fashion label?

And how’s this for exclusivity? For sale, properties at “Litter India” and “Jalan Ulu Sembanwang”. One and only locations in Singapore offered by Agent Albert Seow.