Beware of This Common Leaflet Distribution Scam: Overquoting House Numbers

When it comes to marketing your business through leaflet distribution, you’re putting your trust — and your money — in the hands of the company you hire. But not all leaflet distributors are created equal. One of the most common and damaging scams we see in this industry is overquoting the number of houses in a given area, which leads to wasted leaflets, wasted budget, and zero results.

Let’s break it down. How the Scam Works

A dishonest leaflet distribution company might tell you that an area has 10,000 homes when, in reality, it only has 7,500. That sounds like a small difference, but here’s what’s really going on: You think you’re paying for 10,000 leaflet deliveries.They deliver to the 7,500 homes that actually exist.The remaining 2,500 leaflets are quietly binned or recycled.You’re overcharged for work that was never done — and worse, you’ll never see a return from those missing 2,500.This trick allows the company to earn more per thousand leaflets than they should. It’s dishonest, it damages the reputation of the industry, and it burns your hard-earned marketing budget.

Why This Hurts Your Business

When leaflets don’t reach real doors, your campaign results tank. You’ll see: Poor response rates, Lower ROI, Misleading data if tracked, Loss of trust in leaflet marketing. It’s frustrating, and it’s avoidable — if you know what to look for.

How to Spot a Potential Scam

Here are a few red flags to watch out for when choosing a leaflet distribution company:

1. Vague Numbers: If a company can’t provide accurate household counts based on verified data, be cautious.

2. Too-Good-To-Be-True Prices: Extremely low pricing often means they’re cutting corners somewhere.

3. No GPS Tracking or Reports: Without proof of delivery, you’re relying purely on trust.4. Lack of Local Knowledge: A company unfamiliar with the local area is more likely to guess or overinflate delivery numbers.

How We Do It at GPS Leaflet Distribution

At GPS Leaflet Distribution, we operate with full transparency and honest local knowledge. Here’s how we ensure you get exactly what you pay for:

Accurate Household Counts: We use real data and years of experience to tell you exactly how many houses are in your target area.

GPS-Tracked Deliveries: You’ll receive detailed GPS reports showing where your leaflets were delivered.

No Wastage, No Binning: Every leaflet is treated like it matters — because it does.

Reliable, Local Team: We know the streets, the estates, the blocks — and we cover them properly.

Your leaflet campaign should build your brand, not cost you trust and money. If you’ve ever been burned by shady practices like these, we’re here to help you do it right.

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Want honest, reliable leaflet distribution across Teesside and beyond?

Call us on 01642 946 946 or email hello@gpsld.co.uk to chat about your next campaign.

Let’s do leaflet marketing the right way!