steamnut wrote:Bearman, personally I agree with you. I got one too and although the "fine print" acknowledged that it was legally an unsolicited gift and - to be fair - larger than fine print acknowledged that it would only be a courtesy to return it (as a one-time postal employee I already knew it, but many people do not), I personally think this is an extremely low form of direct mail solicitation. I also noted that NOWHERE in the accompanying printed materials was the actual cost mentioned. I did watch it and found it to be (a) mostly just eye candy, and (b) terribly disjointed. I'll probably return it just because they made it so convenient but the devil in me says just toss it. BTW this is a costly marketing campaign - I speculate that they are doing poorly with sales.
Hey there Steamnut,
I started the last thread about this yesterday. Being a complete noob to the hobby I must say that I found the DVD fun and interesting. It definately had the effect of pushing me a little closer to actually starting a layout. I agree that the marketing method is almost evil, but in this rare instance it may have worked on me. I need lots of information, and the DVD provides it in an understandable, if disjointed, format. I actually understand DCC an how it works. Anyway, just my 2 cents.
HackSaw wrote: unwanted CDs and DVDs make great coasters for your desk, night stand,coffee table, ect. just my 2 cents ;-)
That's what I have been doing with them for years.
Dave
Lackawanna Route of the Phoebe Snow
Bear "It's all about having fun."
BlueHillsCPR wrote: Well now I'm ticked off cause nobody sent me any DVD's yet and I subscribed!!!!
Well now I'm ticked off cause nobody sent me any DVD's yet and I subscribed!!!!
Who knows? You may get the one I just returned. I should have put some sort of identifying mark on it.
Since they only want the disk back, not the packaging, and the packaging costs more than the mass produced disk, my bet is that they won't even open the returns, just use the returns to modify their mailing list and shred them unopened.
The major cost is production, making the master, and packaging. Individual mass produced disks cost pennies.
The cost of inspecting and repackaging them would exceed the cost of just sending new factory packaged units.
Phoebe Vet wrote: Since they only want the disk back, not the packaging, and the packaging costs more than the mass produced disk, my bet is that they won't even open the returns, just use the returns to modify their mailing list and shred them unopened.The major cost is production, making the master, and packaging. Individual mass produced disks cost pennies.The cost of inspecting and repackaging them would exceed the cost of just sending new factory packaged units.
Darn, and here I thought that I was onto something, sort of a chain letter. My disc gets sent to Canada from where it is returned only to be sent to Finland from where it is returned only to be sent to Illinois from where it is returned. Well, you get the picture. And we could track its progress right here on this forum.
bearman wrote: Phoebe Vet wrote: Since they only want the disk back, not the packaging, and the packaging costs more than the mass produced disk, my bet is that they won't even open the returns, just use the returns to modify their mailing list and shred them unopened.The major cost is production, making the master, and packaging. Individual mass produced disks cost pennies.The cost of inspecting and repackaging them would exceed the cost of just sending new factory packaged units.Darn, and here I thought that I was onto something, sort of a chain letter. My disc gets sent to Canada from where it is returned only to be sent to Finland from where it is returned only to be sent to Illinois from where it is returned. Well, you get the picture. And we could track its progress right here on this forum.
By George, I think you've got it!!
I'm gonna slap an Athern sticker on mine and send it right out...
...Posts of sightings under thread "DPB DVD Sightings"...
KingConrail76 wrote: bearman wrote: Phoebe Vet wrote: Since they only want the disk back, not the packaging, and the packaging costs more than the mass produced disk, my bet is that they won't even open the returns, just use the returns to modify their mailing list and shred them unopened.The major cost is production, making the master, and packaging. Individual mass produced disks cost pennies.The cost of inspecting and repackaging them would exceed the cost of just sending new factory packaged units. Darn, and here I thought that I was onto something, sort of a chain letter. My disc gets sent to Canada from where it is returned only to be sent to Finland from where it is returned only to be sent to Illinois from where it is returned. Well, you get the picture. And we could track its progress right here on this forum. By George, I think you've got it!!I'm gonna slap an Athern sticker on mine and send it right out......Posts of sightings under thread "DPB DVD Sightings"...
bearman wrote: Phoebe Vet wrote: Since they only want the disk back, not the packaging, and the packaging costs more than the mass produced disk, my bet is that they won't even open the returns, just use the returns to modify their mailing list and shred them unopened.The major cost is production, making the master, and packaging. Individual mass produced disks cost pennies.The cost of inspecting and repackaging them would exceed the cost of just sending new factory packaged units. Darn, and here I thought that I was onto something, sort of a chain letter. My disc gets sent to Canada from where it is returned only to be sent to Finland from where it is returned only to be sent to Illinois from where it is returned. Well, you get the picture. And we could track its progress right here on this forum.
Go ahead! We could start a movement, a la Arlo Guthrie's advice in Alices's Restaurant.
I received one the other day as well, and I thought it was a gift because I was a valued and important customer (), only to read through the literature and find out I was expected to return it. It's kind of annoying to have something sent to you that you didn't order that you're expected to return. Weird marketing strategy.
It would make a nice coaster if it didn't have a hole in it.
Nelson
Ex-Southern 385 Being Hoisted
My personal opinion is that they do not make good coasters. Liquids just bead up on the surface. There is no absorption.
Tom
Life is simple - eat, drink, play with trains!
Go Big Red!
PA&ERR "If you think you are doing something stupid, you're probably right!"
As my parents always said, never look a gift horse in the mouth. I wish I had received a free DVD from Kalmbach.
Charlie
MP 53 on the BNSF Topeka Sub
Hmmm, let's see.
You subscribed to Model Railroader to get information on, let me take a wild guess here ... model railroading.
They sent you a free CD, chocked with model railroading articles, how to's, and other information, FREE, which you don't have to return unless you want to and for which you are under no obligation to pay for.
And you're highly incensed.
Sorry, but I find that rather odd.
I got mine the other day, don't intend to subscribe to the CD series, but will keep it and enjoy the information. Guilt free and un-incensed.
Mike Tennent
CofGaMike wrote: Hmmm, let's see.You subscribed to Model Railroader to get information on, let me take a wild guess here ... model railroading.They sent you a free CD, chocked with model railroading articles, how to's, and other information, FREE, which you don't have to return unless you want to and for which you are under no obligation to pay for.And you're highly incensed.Sorry, but I find that rather odd.I got mine the other day, don't intend to subscribe to the CD series, but will keep it and enjoy the information. Guilt free and un-incensed.Mike Tennent
It is very obvious there are two Trains of thought here....
after reading opening comments I wonder how this indival reacts to all the other unwanted mail that comes every day from all the local and non local advertisers . To me this topic was started for no other reason than to complain and/or had no better topic to talk about and wanted to start a post.
I got mine the other day and kinda wish I would have kept it but i sent it back yes I knew legaly I could and not have to pay as I didn't ask for it.
Life's hard, even harder if your stupid John Wayne
http://rtssite.shutterfly.com/
It is very obvious there are two Trains of thought here.......and I have already stated my opinion.
And Mike, I am not singling out your Post. I quoted yours because your opinion was clearly stated, and well written.
I just want to further ad, that for me, it wasn't the "getting something for free" that bothered me, It was the Tactics. I don't like getting phone calls from telemarketers, or from people taking surveys (even the one from my Car Dealers Service Dept. Quality Control people...), and I rank the Tactics of Kalambach, with this DVD, right there with "those" people.
Kalambach has my Email address, they send me a newsletter every Thursday. They could have asked if I would be interested in recieving this DVD with no obligation BEFORE wasting their (our) money on packing and shipping something that I probably would have said "no thanks" to.
Just my ...for what there worth (about 1.62c Canadian)
I recived one of these dvds also, so im speaking from expierence here. If you keep the FREE DVD, and dont pay for it you will get constant letters in the mail reminding you, hey we havent recived payment from you,or got the DVD back, where sure you must have forgot or somthing. I kept forgetting to drop the thing back in the mail, I got so many letters I finaly made sure to send it back. It was alot of harasment for a FREE gift that I never asked for.
machinist wrote: I recived one of these dvds also, so im speaking from expierence here. If you keep the FREE DVD, and dont pay for it you will get constant letters in the mail reminding you, hey we havent recived payment from you,or got the DVD back, where sure you must have forgot or somthing.
I recived one of these dvds also, so im speaking from expierence here. If you keep the FREE DVD, and dont pay for it you will get constant letters in the mail reminding you, hey we havent recived payment from you,or got the DVD back, where sure you must have forgot or somthing.
KingConrail76 wrote:Just my ...for what there worth (about 1.62c Canadian)
Actually it is a bit more than that now.... weeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee
Well, I think we've sufficiently talked this one through. Everyone back on the bus! Next stop?...Trainworld!
https://tstage9.wixsite.com/nyc-modeling
Time...It marches on...without ever turning around to see if anyone is even keeping in step.