This Is Absolutely Ridiculous

[bearman]

I didn't subscribe to Model Railroader to get the equivalent of a unsolicited credit card in the mail.  I don't care how hassle free it is to return the DVD, I didn't ask for it in the first place.  It is unsolicited and unappreciated.

[csmith9474]

Oh, boy.....

[davekelly]

I think you can just throw it away.

[tstage]

Bear,

If you received the DVD unsolicited, you are by law under no obligation to pay for it.  It's a gift.  Keep it and enjoy it.

Tom

[csmith9474]

You can throw it away, keep it to watch, hang it off the rear view mirror of your vehicle, or even use it for target practice (if it is that frustrating for you). They would appreciate it if you returned it, but otherwise it is yours. Do they still include the coin?

[bearman]

Yes, the coin is included, and I don't shoot, so target practice is out.  Hate guns as a matter of fact.  And, yes, it was unsolicited, but I'll send it back, this time.

[jktrains]

Bear,

If you received the DVD unsolicited, you are by law under no obligation to pay for it.  It's a gift.  Keep it and enjoy it.

Tom

Tom is correct.  You have no obligation to pay for something sent to that was unsolicited and they can not force you to pay.

[bearman]

I'm aware that Tom is correct. 

[tomikawaTT]

Hi, Bear.

I use those unsolicited credit cards to spread caulk for tracklaying.  Don't know how good the DVD would be for that purpose...

Chuck (modeling Central Japan in September, 1964)

[bearman]

Hi, Bear.

I use those unsolicited credit cards to spread caulk for tracklaying.  Don't know how good the DVD would be for that purpose...

Chuck (modeling Central Japan in September, 1964)

I tried using the cards, but being a hands on kind of guy I prefer using my finger.  Smitty's suggestions are the only ones that make sense for the DVD.  I dated a lady once who had all sorts of unsolicited aol CD's hanging from a tree in her back yard,  When the sun hit them at the right angle, it was a virtual kalidiscope (sp?) back there, especially if there was a slight breeze.

[Flashwave]

From one who's not yet subscribed, what's the DVD?

[G Paine]

I didn't subscribe to Model Railroader to get the equivalent of a unsolicited credit card in the mail.  I don't care how hassle free it is to return the DVD, I didn't ask for it in the first place.  It is unsolicited and unappreciated.

I assume you are referring to the Dream Plan Build DVDs. There has been a similar thread recently. If you do not want those DVDs, just call or e-mail Kalmbach customer service and ask to be removed from the mailing list. Problem and frustration solved!!

[bearman]

I didn't subscribe to Model Railroader to get the equivalent of a unsolicited credit card in the mail.  I don't care how hassle free it is to return the DVD, I didn't ask for it in the first place.  It is unsolicited and unappreciated.

I assume you are referring to the Dream Plan Build DVDs. There has been a similar thread recently. If you do not want those DVDs, just call or e-mail Kalmbach customer service and ask to be removed from the mailing list. Problem and frustration solved!!

That is, in fact, the DVD.  I got mine in the mail today and am unaware of any recent threads.  I can call or I can email but I will send the thing back.  However, as far as I am concerned, this is a crass as telemarketing or spam or junkmail.  You may have a different viewpoint.

 

[BlueHillsCPR]

Well now I'm ticked off cause nobody sent me any DVD's yet and I subscribed!!!!

 

[bearman]

Well now I'm ticked off cause nobody sent me any DVD's yet and I subscribed!!!!

 

 

Just wait, maybe they will send you the one that I send back to them.  But you will probably have to wait for the spring thaw.

[Anonymous]

LMAO

Well now I'm ticked off cause nobody sent me any DVD's yet and I subscribed!!!!

 

[andrechapelon]

Well now I'm ticked off cause nobody sent me any DVD's yet and I subscribed!!!!

You think you got problems, dude? I subscribed and I haven't even gotten the February issue yet, DVD's or not.

Andre

[steamnut]

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.

[beegle55]

Well now I'm ticked off cause nobody sent me any DVD's yet and I subscribed!!!!

 

Lol me too!!!

[Dallas Model Works]

Never heard people complain so much about free stuff!

I got one. Haven't watched it yet, but have the impression they sent it to only some subscibers in order to gauge the response.

It's marketing, gents. If it works, there will be more. But that will only be because people wanted it.

Have to admit, I was a bit surprised myself...

[NevinW]

I really don't see what the big deal is. It was free, you can watch it, toss it, use it as a coaster, send it back, it doesn't matter. It certainly doesn't seem like something to get upset about. - Nevin

[Bdewoody]

Me Either!

[Milepost 266.2]

Never heard people complain so much about free stuff!

I got one. Haven't watched it yet, but have the impression they sent it to only some subscibers in order to gauge the response.

It's marketing, gents. If it works, there will be more. But that will only be because people wanted it.

Have to admit, I was a bit surprised myself...

 

It's an odd marketing campaign though.  They send it to people who already are customers, it generates no advertising revenue, and they rely on the honor system for people to pay for it or return it.  

I've watched several of them (they never sent me any, but others have received them) and they range from inconsequential to really good.  The operating session on the N scale B&M layout was very well done.

[HEdward]

Perhaps they accidentally hired the guy from AOL that came up with, "Lets send everyone in the world a free CD-ROM, twice a month!"  In a thread a long time ago, we decided that a DVD as a coaster wasn't going to work.  However, several other uses beyond target practice and car decor were mentioned.  For example, If you cut a notch in five of them, then stack about fifty, you've got the base of an unusual lamp, courtesy AOL and now Kalmbach.  Actually, I CHOSE to subscribe to the series because I enjoy the layout visits, and by watching the how-to segments, I know what to accumulate as the time to move foward with the new layout draws near.

[MrKLUKE]

.

[HackSaw]

 unwanted CDs and DVDs make great coasters for your desk, night stand,coffee table, ect.   just my 2 cents ;-)

[eeyore9900]

The best piece of unsolicited mail I ever got was some 25 years ago. I got the video "Wheeling in the Rat Hole." Very strange was that I'd never ordered it, since I didn't have a VCR at the time. It was a $70 something vid at the time too. Not only that, the 1st part of it related to the NKP #765 operating on the now WLE just west of here-an area I'm familiar with. My relatives that knew of my trains interest said they didn't do it, & I knew few to none fellow railfans/model railroaders personally at the time. Either way, the receipt said it was paid for, & it's still a valued piece of my video collection & still dig it out from time to time!

[fiatfan]

When they first send it to you, the accompanying literature says they will ship one every 2-3 months.  When they started shipping them every two weeks, I quit.

 

Tom 

[KingConrail76]

I didn't subscribe to Model Railroader to get the equivalent of a unsolicited credit card in the mail.  I don't care how hassle free it is to return the DVD, I didn't ask for it in the first place.  It is unsolicited and unappreciated.

When I first opened it and read the liturature, I was quite P-O'd...

I have since gotten over my initial, unhealthy, reaction, watched the video, and yet, remain unimpressed with the content or the tactics.

my

[Midnight Railroader]

I didn't subscribe to Model Railroader to get the equivalent of a unsolicited credit card in the mail.  I don't care how hassle free it is to return the DVD, I didn't ask for it in the first place.  It is unsolicited and unappreciated.

Keep it. Or throw it out.

Federal law says if you didn't ask for it, it is a gift. No matter what MR "suggests."