NCOA Addresses makred Undeliverable -- Advice?

Daniel Noga 2

Hello everyone,



We recently did an NCOA update using a data broker, and as part of the package, we received coding for all addresses classifying the deliverability of each address on a scale of 1-5, with each in turn broken into further subcoding. The 5 major codes are:

1. Accurate, Mailable Addresses
2. Probably Deliverable
3. Possibly Deliverable
4. Probably Undeliverable
5. Undeliverable - Do NOT Mail

From experience, I know that NCOA updates cannot be trusted 100% to determine deliverability; how many times have I had mail pieces bounce as undeliverable when the org knows good and well an address is current and valid (even if not necessarily formatted optimally--a whole 'nother ball of wax)? For that reason, I have held off on categorically marking any of these as Invalid in RE: I'm only inclined to do this for now with group 5, the most egregiously incorrect addresses. I can already see some potential issues.



The list of addresses marked with a 5 code is 1500+ records long, so it's not practical for all of them to be reviewed. For now, I'll be sending around a file with key Constituencies and Major Donors of a high enough level highlighted, and I think this will reduce any potential backlash from good addresses being marked Invalid to a minimum.



Has anyone else had experience with NCOA imports like this? What do you do with these undeliverable addresses? If I am missing any blind spots, I would appreciate having them pointed out. Thanks in advance!

Rachel Slager 2

My two cents...

Our current mail house returns our NCOA list with the original address we provided if that is the address which the occupant listed as previous home when they updated their information through the USPS.  When the list returns with No Forwarding Address, we interpret it as the USPS not having updated information.  So, the question I would ask your broker is whether they matched the address you provided to the list of changes in the NCOA database, or if they matched it by the person's name.  The name to name matching is where we've experienced more errors than accuracy.



NCOA has some consistent issues for military or seasonal addresses.  Eg. a military APO address might change frequently in their database, but that service personnel has not actually moved.  Often this relates to the fact that there are other personnel at that location, with that same name, who did indeed move.

Daniel Noga 2

Rachel Slager:

My two cents...

Our current mail house returns our NCOA list with the original address we provided if that is the address which the occupant listed as previous home when they updated their information through the USPS.  When the list returns with No Forwarding Address, we interpret it as the USPS not having updated information.  So, the question I would ask your broker is whether they matched the address you provided to the list of changes in the NCOA database, or if they matched it by the person's name.  The name to name matching is where we've experienced more errors than accuracy.



NCOA has some consistent issues for military or seasonal addresses.  Eg. a military APO address might change frequently in their database, but that service personnel has not actually moved.  Often this relates to the fact that there are other personnel at that location, with that same name, who did indeed move.

Thanks Rachel! I would not have known to ask about what type of match was done. I will get in touch with the broker and ask, but I would not be surprised to learn that this vendor matches by name--we've had a couple of known instances of addresses that were "updated" to the address of some stranger with the same name. This resulted in an acknowledgement letter being sent to a person who has never donated to us.



Thank you for your perspective, this will help be determine how delicately we'll need to treat these addresses. If our broker does match by name, I think a switch may be in order.









 

Jen Claudy

You may also want to ask how many years they screen...I believe the options are to screen against 2 years of the NCOA database or 4 years.  The mailhouse we use for our screenings uses 4 but told me once that most places only use 2.  If you're looking for a change, I'd be happy to share their contact info.  They charge $25 for each screening, regardless of how many records you have.  And can usually work in a short turnaround time if needed/requested.

Daniel Noga 2

Jennifer Claudy:

You may also want to ask how many years they screen...I believe the options are to screen against 2 years of the NCOA database or 4 years.  The mailhouse we use for our screenings uses 4 but told me once that most places only use 2.  If you're looking for a change, I'd be happy to share their contact info.  They charge $25 for each screening, regardless of how many records you have.  And can usually work in a short turnaround time if needed/requested.

I'd definitely appreciate that, Jennifer. I'll PM you, I have a couple of other questions about them and how they compare to ours.