Zumbox Tries to Re-imagine the Post Office
Many people are drowning in email. Others complain about the junk mail delivered to their homes. A Southern California startup Tuesday is announcing a new way to reduce the latter, without relying on the former.
The closely held company, Zumbox, plans to offer consumers the equivalent of an online mailbox that is linked to their postal addresses. The virtual boxes can be used to receive electronic versions of documents such as personal correspondence, bills and promotional mailings.
Companies would pay to send electronic versions of paper catalogs or other marketing materials to the mailboxes. Zumbox plans to provide the mailing service for free to government agencies, non-profits, consumers and businesses for bills and other non-promotional purposes. Users’ mailboxes would be organized in the equivalent of folders, so that advertising-type messages are kept separate from traditional correspondence; they will also be able to block messages from specific senders.
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