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What does an Envelope Stuffer do?

Nicole Madison
Nicole Madison
Nicole Madison
Nicole Madison

An envelope stuffer fills envelopes with materials provided by the company that pays him. Typically, this person is required to stuff envelopes with advertisements. In some cases, however, a person might be hired to stuff envelopes with statements, invoices, or other materials. Unfortunately, envelope stuffing opportunities are often work-at-home scams. As such, a person may do well to thoroughly research such an opportunity before signing up for it.

Envelope stuffing is repetitive work that doesn’t require a significant level of education or experience. It may require a person to have the ability to pay attention to detail, however, in order to avoid putting too many documents in one envelope, forgetting to seal an envelope, or skipping an envelope altogether. Organizational skills and the ability to follow directions may prove helpful as well. While a legitimate company may have envelope stuffing tasks to complete, it usually won't hire people just to do this job. This task may be just one part of a clerical worker's job, or it may be outsourced to a printing or business service company.

An envelope stuffer fills envelopes with advertisements, often working from home.
An envelope stuffer fills envelopes with advertisements, often working from home.

Each year, untold numbers of people receive advertisements for envelope stuffer jobs. Many are drawn in by these ads because they promise easy money for something just about every person can do—stick paper in envelopes. Many people see it as the perfect part-time job. They may even envision doing it as they watch their favorite television programs each evening. Unfortunately, many pay for start-up kits in the hopes of becoming envelope stuffers, but what they usually receive in return is the opportunity to draw others into this scam.

Envelope stuffers might package items for a company in padded envelopes.
Envelope stuffers might package items for a company in padded envelopes.

Typically, when a person answers an ad to become an envelope stuffer, he receives more advertisements that make the opportunity sound too good to miss. Normally, however, the aspiring envelope stuffer is not given the chance to start this opportunity for free. Instead, he must pay for a start-up kit or welcoming package. Sometimes he may be charged a processing fee instead.

What an aspiring envelope stuffer usually receives after payment is a package of materials for scamming others. For example, he may be instructed to stuff envelopes with advertisements for the same opportunity for which he signed up. Essentially, he attempts to get others to send money to him in the hopes of becoming envelope stuffers. In variations of this scam, a person may receive information about posting ads for envelope stuffer opportunities or even creating websites to draw others in.

Most envelope stuffer opportunities are not legitimate. A person may make a living in a similar fashion, however, by starting a direct mail service. This may involve maintaining a mailing list for a client and sending his advertisements out periodically. In some cases, it may also involve creating sales letters, postcards, and other mailing materials for clients. With this type of situation, a person is starting his own business and seeking his own clients; it may take time and effort to build this business, but there’s no scam involved.

Nicole Madison
Nicole Madison

Nicole’s thirst for knowledge inspired her to become a PracticalAdultInsights writer, and she focuses primarily on topics such as homeschooling, parenting, health, science, and business. When not writing or spending time with her four children, Nicole enjoys reading, camping, and going to the beach.

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Nicole Madison
Nicole Madison

Nicole’s thirst for knowledge inspired her to become a PracticalAdultInsights writer, and she focuses primarily on topics such as homeschooling, parenting, health, science, and business. When not writing or spending time with her four children, Nicole enjoys reading, camping, and going to the beach.

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Discussion Comments

Cageybird

@Reminiscence- I remember my mom actually did answer one of those ads for envelope stuffing jobs. She thought it would be a good way to earn some money while she was unable to work outside of the house. We had no idea it was anything other than a piece work kind of situation.

The company sent out a large box filled with advertising brochures and unstamped envelopes. They didn't even provide actual addresses. Mom was expected to get out a phone book and address the envelopes based on that information. She also had to buy her own stamps, with the promise she would be compensated by the company later. It never happened. Her income from stuffing the envelopes depended on the number of sales the brochures generated. No sales meant no compensation for her. That was part of the scam.

Obviously, she stopped doing it after the first box of brochures ran out. We filed a complaint with the local Better Business Bureau, but the company packed up their operations and left town before anyone could get any legal satisfaction.

Reminiscence

I haven't seen nearly as many ads for envelope stuffers as I used to. Maybe there has been enough legal action taken to discourage scammers from getting into this kind of thing. Twenty or thirty years ago, I used to read ads in the local newspaper that said "envelope stuffers wanted". I almost responded to a few of them, but my parents told me it was a scam.

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    • An envelope stuffer fills envelopes with advertisements, often working from home.
      By: Mushy
      An envelope stuffer fills envelopes with advertisements, often working from home.
    • Envelope stuffers might package items for a company in padded envelopes.
      By: Shane Morris
      Envelope stuffers might package items for a company in padded envelopes.