Unsolicited Merchandise

The last time it happened to me I sent it back with a very nasty note, followed up with an equally nasty email and threatened to cancel my subscriptions.

 

Haven't received any unsolicited DVD's since.

 

Rusty

Had the same problem, I sent the 1st one back. Then sent them an email about it and so far no more unsolicited items. Told them any future items would not be returned or paid for and if I wanted anything from them I would order it.

 

This kind of stuff really is annoying!!!

You are correct in that you didn't ask for it so it is yours free of charge.  According to the postal regulations, they are subject to being fined if they subsequently ask to be paid for it.  You might send them a note in their postpaid envelope pointing this out and telling them you'll report them to your postmaster if they persist.

That is correct!  I just keep them if I want to keep them, and toss anything that I don't wish to retain.  Unlike some others, I cannot be "shamed" into buying something I did not order or request.

 

I have no intent of going to the time, trouble, and expense of returning unsolicited items.

 

The first one I received from that source was actually pretty good.  I've watched it a couple of times.  

Yeah, I got it to. Immediately put it back in the envelope - never looked at it.

 

"They" have done this before, and it's annoying.

 

If "They" are reading this Forum (of course They do): don't do that any more.

I'll just keep it next time. 

Have had this happen 3 times from same "publisher".  Watched the DVDs and enjoyed. Received requests to return or pay.  Did not return, pay for, contact or complain to the sender.

Sometimes, silence is the best answer.

 

It's not an issue.  Blow it off.  Lotta needless complaining lately.  Could  it be due to the "holidays?"  Merry Christmas, for gosh sakes.

 

Pete

From one of my favorite movies:

 

"It's Christmas, we're all in misery!"

 

My response would be...what DVD???

Hi, I received 1 of those DVDs also a couple of weeks ago.  I watched it then filed it with the other ones I received from them a few years ago.  The nice thing about the vids a few years ago is that they were sending these nice RR coins also.  I still have the few vids that I kept without paying and the coins.  I'm really surprised that they would try this again.

 

Rick

everyone read this from Allan

 

"I cannot be "shamed" into buying something I did not order or request."

 

because that is all it is!!

Gee, I never get so lucky to have DVDs sent to me.  Maybe because I don't subscribe to anything.  I just don't have the time to read magazines anymore.

Every time this comes up, I have to just shake my head. It's a free model railroad DVD! The material clearly states that you're under no obligation to return it and you may consider it as a gift. Obviously, they have to ask for the sale. They do that by attempting to make you feel guilty for not responding. It's called Marketing 101. See it for what it is, then sit down and watch your free DVD.

 

Merry Christmas!

The last one I got I kept, didn't pay for it....and they stopped sending them....EZ solution!!

Take it back to the post office unopened. Return to sender.

 

Andrew

Got one as well despite the fact I haven't subscribed to ANY magazines in years. I threw it in the trash. Not paying for it either. Any more "letters" or DVDs will also go to the trash. 

Don't take it anywhere, just keep it, trash it or whatever. I would not waste my time going to the PO. 

You might pass by a Post Office while you are out driving to someplace else.

 

Andrew

Good grief, Charlie Brown.

 

Lessee.... I suppose we can throw into this discussion all of the return address labels, happy stickers, generic greeting cards, native American-made knick-knacks, bookmarks, magnetic calendars to grace refrigerator walls, etc., etc., etc. ....all unsolicited merchandise...so plentiful in my post box in the last quarter of each and every year, all from suitors of subsidies of seemingly worthy causes.  Boy, what a drag!  There must be a way to stop this!?!?!

 

 

OK, we understand.  You don't like Kalmbach Publishing.  Of course, this is just a duplicate complaint from the rant left on Kalmbach's forum, right?  For OGR's benefit...right?

 

I'd MUCH sooner get this "unsolicited merchandise" in the mail than the 10+ times/week unsolicited phone calls from a computer or paid stooge trying to convince me to replace the windows in my 2-year old house, remind me for the umpteenth time that the warranty on my car is about to expire (2 years ago!), or that my credit card balance (paid off each month) is suffering cardiac arrest without immediate authorization for a new, upgraded card,...etc., etc., etc..  And, I can HARDLY wait for the unsolicited EVERYTHING in advance of next year's elections!!

 

I got the same DVD.  The message clearly said it was free.  I played it at the store (LHS) on our Trains Dept. DVD player for customers and employees for an 8-hour day. Hey, it's free entertainment!  I then decided we'd seen enough, put it into the envelope, checked the 'no more' box, put it into the mailbox on the way home.  Big deal.  (Boy, that was tough!)

 

Merry Christmas.

 

  

Please send them to me I dont belong to that magazine but I will take all the free dvd's if you don't want them

 

2513 Joel st

Ashland KY 41102

I got those too. It says right on them yours to keep because you did not ask for it, but they then send letters one after another asking you to pay for them. I finally called them and told them to cut it out.

Rob

I watch them and then give them away........Greg

To me it's a bad thing for a company to try and push stuff like that. I have droped them and don't plan to resubscribe.

I returned mine with a note saying not to send anymore.

 

As I understand it, in the mail order industry, a 5% response with an order is very good. And if you respond, that opens the door to even more solicitation, because you are pegged.

 

Best not to encourage it.

Unsolicited = free. I got something like that once and sent a 3 sentence note thanking them for the gift. They STOPPED.

 

I also got a model RR DVD, but it clearly said you may keep this but we ask you to return it if you are not going to enroll for more purchases.

 

I did keep it. Haven't watched it.

 

If we don't make statements by our action then this thing will get worse, and worse.

dkdkrd wrote:
Lessee.... I suppose we can throw into this discussion all of the return address labels, happy stickers, generic greeting cards, native American-made knick-knacks, bookmarks, magnetic calendars to grace refrigerator walls, etc., etc., etc. ....all unsolicited merchandise...so plentiful in my post box in the last quarter of each and every year, all from suitors of subsidies of seemingly worthy causes.
***********
Like dkdkrd, we never get anything worthwhile items, just the junky throwaways.  Wouldn't mind a worthwhile train freebie once in a great while (like a new PS3 engine ).  But our luck never runs that way.  SIGH... 

Send them all to me. For some reason I never got one of these and would love a good DVD to watch. 

unsolicited merchandise is yours to keep. thus, it is not a scam it's just gutsy advertising. 

You guys make a BIG DEAL out of nothing - if you don't want it - throw it out or give it away.

 

You keep discussing these stupid topics to BURNOUT.

 

DO SOMETHING CONSTRUCTIVE ON YOUR LAYOUT INSTEAD !!

Sorry, but I view guerrilla marketing tactics like this the same as unsolicited robo-calls that wheedle their way around the "Do Not Call" lists.

 

Rusty

Now here is a man who knows what he is talking about. Heed his advice!!

 

This subject comes up a couple times a year------enough already!!!!

I have found with robo-calls is that after answer you just put down the phone and go on with your business. When they finally get to a point that they need a response from you they find out your not there and they just wasted their time. Worked for me, I never get robo-calls now. 

The cd was coming to me often.  It finally stopped, when I shredded it and sent the shavings back.

I see this as an example of crossing a line in terms of aggressive sales techniques and this particular company also places very in your face advertisements as "pop-ups" that will not let you proceed ( even if you are a subscriber) unless you interact with them to shut them off. I think this sort of thing is in bad taste..the word rude comes to mind. After the eight millionth time of seeing the same freaking ad in my face that I have to shut off, I do not visit there often. BTW..it is a big deal to me when I pay to play. I made the fatal error of suggesting Frank 53's site as a great place to visit and guess what? I was banned from the forum there for simply making a suggestion, even though I was a subscriber.

Easy James....It's Christmas season.  Lighten up my friend.

Here is a suggestion or two:

 

If you are a member of a club you can collect all the unwanted videos, and at the next train show, give them out to people who show an interest in the hobby.  Or you could offer them as a raffle.  Have people submit their email addresses to win and use the list to advertise club events to the public.

 

Mike A.

I threw mine in the can without opening it..its simply junk mail. I dont like being pushed around. Thats why I avoid car dealerships and their annoying high pressure tactics.

I never give a verbal response to robo-calls.  Don't even say "hello" anymore until a live person says something on the other end.  However, the robots keep calling... 

 

Most of the time I hear three clicks as the robot resets, then a dial tone.  Some are already jabbering away as I'm putting the phone to my ear.

 

The latest one's been from "John in Shipping" trying to push a Life-Alert kind of thing that's already "paid for."  All I have to do is give shipping information. 

 

Yeah, right...

 

Another one begins something like "There's nothing wrong with your credit card,  We've sent you three courtesy letters before we close this investigation..."

 

I've never received those so-called letters and I never say anything.

 

I once had a robo-call that tied up my phone for twenty minutes.  I hung up, picked up the phone a few minutes later and it was still going strong.

 

They go away for a while, then come back a few months later with no prompting from me.

 

Rusty

The reason I like this Topic is simple, I am a born complainer. I have

received this DVD.  I have watched it, and enjoyed it.  I have never,

and never will send it back.

 

The publication in question has never written and demanded payment.  

Once they do, good night sweet heart, good night.  Canceled. I have read

the comments above, you all make excellent points.

 

Many thanks,

 

Billy C