I never knew there was so much in it!

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Years ago that was the advertising slogan for one of the UK's most popular TV listings magazines. It referred to the additional content, such as articles, competitions, etc. But nowadays the same phrase could be used to describe the number of inserts in some publications. Today I bought 2 tabloid newspapers and also had a look at a couple of my subscription magazines. , One tabloid contained a leaflet about reclining chairs. This was in with the TV magazine, which seems appropriate enough. When I unwrapped the weekend magazine inside the other paper I found: 2 small mail order catalogues, 2 insurance company leaflets, a hotel brochure, a leaflet, a cruise leaflet and 2 leaflets of several pages each for high street hardware stores. The writing magazine had a pull-out listing all their prize competitions (very useful) and, for some reason, a leaflet with vouchers for a company selling goods that are completely white. I couldn't help thinking that this might remind blocked writers of the dreaded blank page. Then came the biggie... I enjoy the other magazine. It's aimed at the older reader and has a great range of rants, gossip, nostalgia, reviews, competitions and much more. At Christmas they always include a calendar featuring their brilliant cartoons. But they also include a phenomenal number of flyers and other advertising materials. Inside the wrapper this time were: the A4 leaflet with my name and address (fair enough). Then there were (TAKES DEEP BREATH): A £60 discount voucher for a wine company (not much use to this lifelong teetotaller), a 4-page, A5 leaflet for a magazine, a 24-page, A5 catalogue for a mail order book firm, an 8-page newspaper for a charity and 2 more charity appeals, both in envelopes, one with free gift labels inside. But that wasn't all.... Inside the magazine were: their own 32-page festivals travel pull-out plus 6 more charity appeals leaflets, ranging from 4 to 8 pages each, one of them in the form of a lottery entry form. Well, it's a good job I am a very keen recycler. I wish I could help those charities, I really do, because they're all worthy causes. But I can't help wondering whether having so many conflicting appeals in the same place pays off. I guess it must or they wouldn't keep doing it. Are you inundated with inserts and other flyers? Have you ever responded to any?