Fons & Porter DVD in mail

[she-quilts]

Today in the junk mail pile was a mailing from Fons & Porter. First off, let me say that while I've subscribed to their mag for several years, I had already decided to let my subscription expire. One time through and it gets put away. I never get them back out.

Now this.

I have a DVD inside the envelope. There is a bill for $12.95 and a return envelope. I can either pay or send it back. DUH!! I never asked for them to mail it to me, they can have it back and pay the postage to get it back.

I just don't get it. I think this is a poor way to sell something.

I haven't viewed the DVD yet. I will before I return it. Just not happy with this form of sales.

Did you get one? What do you think?

Joyce,
who needs to fix her siggy here.

[she-quilts]

It's my understanding that if you receive something like this in the mail, that you have not requested, you are under no obligation to pay for it, or even to send it back. Whether you do either is your choice. It doesn't cost them more than a few cents to send these things out, and they'll more than make their money back even if everyone doesn't "pay" for them. It's probably worth it to them to get their products into your home, thinking you'll buy more.

Times must be getting desperate for many businesses. I'm getting many offers for discount subscriptions and memberships, even buy one, get one free coupons at restaurants.

[she-quilts]

I would call their on line phone service / store and voice your objections. I would also follow it up in writing. I frequently send back unsolicitate offers in their pre paid envelopes with DECLINE TAKE ME OFF YOUR MAILING LIST.

AS FOR THE DVD it is up to your conscience. I have dropped all subscriptions to all the magazines because they are more advertisement then substance and they just repeat the same patterns trying to sell the new fabric lines.

I love quilting but I am tried of paying for a repeat of what I already have.

[she-quilts]

Though I haven't had this happen in a really long time, I process these automatic mailings the same way as ladyrags does. Otherwise you will continue to receive the mailings and bills. Normally the mailings happen when you sign up for a "book of the month" type thing. It even states that a monthly mailing will be sent and if not interested, mail it back. So for me I would return and write discontinue mailings. Good luck

[MontanaGramma]

I got one in the mail, too, and I must say that it really irritated me. Their magazine has always been one of my favorites and is the only subscription I kept for a long time (until Alex and Ricky's magazine). But this method of marketing irritates me so much that I may not renew my subscription. I returned the DVD without watching it.

[she-quilts]

It's my understanding that if you receive something like this in the mail, that you have not requested, you are under no obligation to pay for it, or even to send it back. Whether you do either is your choice. It doesn't cost them more than a few cents to send these things out, and they'll more than make their money back even if everyone doesn't "pay" for them. It's probably worth it to them to get their products into your home, thinking you'll buy more.

Times must be getting desperate for many businesses. I'm getting many offers for discount subscriptions and memberships, even buy one, get one free coupons at restaurants.

Brita, that was what I was thinking... How can they bill me when I never requested it?

I don't want to get in the zillion bills thing tho either. There is an 800 number I can call. I'll do that on a day I have the gumption! :twisted: :wink:

Joyce

[she-quilts]

In the last week I have received bills for magazines I have not had in years. I guess they figure we don't know what we have ordered and will just pay it. Same thing with renewal notices when you just renewed. No more!

[kfstitcher]

In the last week I have received bills for magazines I have not had in years. I guess they figure we don't know what we have ordered and will just pay it. Same thing with renewal notices when you just renewed. No more!

Me too. Aren't they tricky?!

[kfstitcher]

There were a few where I really needed to think about if I really owed them $$$ or not. So confusing. like quite a few people, I am letting a lot expire just because....
It's not just quilting. My Dh's biking and brewing magazines are also the same way.

[Judymc]

I didn't receive a DVD, but I do subscribe to their magazine. It's my understanding, too, that you can keep anything sent to you in the mail that you didn't order. It's not a good way to do business. I think most of the magazines are now owned by these huge corporations, but still keep the celebrity quilters names.

[gran5]

I got the same type thing from McCalls Quilting a while back and didn't respond. Then I recently got a follow-up letter reminding me to send the DVD back if I didn't want it. I didn't ask for it, I'm not responding, and I'm not sending it back.

[gran5]

I also received got one from McCalls. When I complained to them about their marketing scheme, they canceled my subscription (to the magazine!) and refunded my money.

[Lorchen]

I put everything I get and didn't ask for in the bin (trash can for all of you in the US). If I send it back it would still cost me in terms of time.

What I do like is a reduction in price if I subscribe for two or three years, rather than one.

[Lorchen]

Maybe we should contact CUSTOMER SERVICE at F&P and McCalls and let them know what we think of their products.



.

[BettyD]

I received the DVD yesterday. The last line of their info states "Because you didn't ask for this special DVD, you don't have to participate or send it back and can consider it a free gift". Betty D in Delaware, OH