Thank you for your recent subscription to Runner's World Magazine. As promised, you're invited to enjoy a FREE 21-day preview of the RUNNER'S WORLD 2010 Calendar, with no risk or purchase obligation! It features beautiful, full-color scenic running photos, dates and details on the best races from coast to coast, expert training tips, nutrition advice, and inspiring words for top runners!
Yeah, that's cool. I actually have the 2009 calendar, I bought it at REI for $15 or so. Yes, it includes all that information, and costs about the same price as other calendars do this time of year. The next part, however, made me a little bit upset.
Your RUNNER'S WORLD 2010 Calendar will be shipped in just a few short weeks... and you have a full 21 days after it arrives to preview it. If you decide to keep it, pay just $15.95 plus shipping and handling. If you don't like it, simply return it within the 21-day preview and owe nothing. You're under NO OBLIGATION to purchase anything.
Important: To receive your 21-day FREE preview you don't have to do a thing right now! We've already arranged to have your calendar sent out. Return the "No Thanks" card below ONLY if you do NOT want to see the RUNNER'S WORLD 2010 Calendar.
Wait a minute! You mean, you've already arranged for the calendar to be shipped to me? You're letting me preview it for 21 days?
I'm required to take action, lest it cost money.
- If I return the card, I have to take action. It costs me a stamp, because it's not a business reply postcard.
- If I do nothing, they'll send me the calendar. I'm then required to take action, either with buying it, or by sending it back.
- Like Columbia House, if I decide to take the "preview" and open it, then decide to return, I have to pay shipping. If I don't open it up, I still have to put it in the mail somehow.
- If I decide to pay for it, I'm also paying for shipping. In the end, it costs more than in the store.
Obviously I'm going to do something. I'm inclined to return the postcard. I'm also inclined to cancel my subscription, since I really don't like these sales tactics and think less of Runner's World as a result.
Someone posted about this in the Runner's World Forums about it. One customer service responder gave an 800 # to call, likely the method I'll use. But again, I have to take action. Another responder said that unsolicited packages such as these can be kept under no obligation, but I'm not so sure about that one.
What's your opinion on this? I'd love to hear suggestions.
1 comment:
I received the calendar yesterday along with a bill for $19.90. I called the 800 number on the bill, navigated the phone maze, supplied my account number twice and finally reached a live operator who gave me a webiste (RODALERETURN.com) that I could use to print a postage paid return mailing lable. However, the webisite requires you to supply an e-mail address which I do not want to do - especially to a company that uses these types of sales tactics. Ultimately, I have no satisfactory means of returing the calendar.
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