I'm sick of Cooks Illustrated's marketing

I agree Randy, I won't deal with any company that sends things I have to send back even if they pay for shipping. If I want to buy their product I'll order it.

My understanding of the law and postal service regs is that if you didn't order it, you don't have to pay for it. Enjoy your FREE book.

That scam has a name. "toner phoners" . They call and get a name and say their checking to make sure they have your models correct in their records.
The companies that actually sell copiers don't actually have problems keeping track of the machines.
If you get this kind of call the first clue is the person will say they are "justa dispatcher" when you ask there name. I don't know many justa's.

Their process is in violation of USPS standards. If they send you items that you did not order then you have no responsibility to pay for it or to return it. A duty to pay arises only when you take some affirmative action to request the item prior to it being shipped to you.

https://postalinspectors.uspis.gov/investigations/MailFraud/fraudschemes/othertypes/UnsolicitedFraud.aspx

My favorite part is this:

If you do not wish to pay for unsolicited merchandise or make a donation to a charity sending such an item, you may do one of three things (in each case, by law, you have no obligation to the sender):

* If you have not opened the package, you may mark it "Return to Sender," and the Postal Service will return it with no additional postage charged to you.

* If you open the package and don't like what you find, you may throw it away.

* If you open the package and like what you find, you may keep it for free. In this instance, "finders-keepers" applies unconditionally.

That's really helpful, Rod. I bookmarked the link. I thought that was the case but it's nice to have a reference. Thanks!

RP, what are you going to do? Just keep it and see if they dun you?

Randy...I too am a fan of Cooks Illustrated, but have never recieved anything shipped to me that was not preceded (about 6 weeks ahead) with a little card asking if I wanted the book, or not. Just check the box, drop it in the mail, and the book follows.
Sorry to hear this doesn't seem to be how it is working for you..... :huh:

Now the Politicians are doing the same thing to us---making us take a healthcare bill that is NO GOOD! If the healthcare bill is so good then the Congressmen and Senators (including Obama) should be required to use the plan also!! That's my rant and I'm smoking!

I don't pretend to know the law here but I think if you receive something from them that you didn't request then you are able to keep it without recourse.

I had this happen with a gardening "club" and after keeping their book I never had any other problems. Again, I don't know the laws that apply here but am just spelling out my experience.

BD

Way to go Randy,

I absolutely hate that tactic.

Out of curiosity...are you an online subscriber to Cooks Illustrated...I had assumed that is how they got to me. I did go through the trouble to return as they had my CC number and would bill me if I did not return it!!

they did the same thing to me 2-3 years ago...and I received it just a week or so prior to Christmas. I subscribe to their online website so I can access recipes...and so they have my CC number! I have also been a PAST subscriber to the magazine.

I was forced to go the post office and stand in line to return a box that I did not order at Christmas time...I was pissed off.

I spent some time on the phone ... finally yelled and told them to NEVER do it again or I would pull my subscriptions. I have not received another one since..but I do have a bad taste in my mouth. As it was explained to me...their "publisher/distributor" does this..and methinks cooks illustrated/americas test kitchen knows nothing of it. I did write a note to Chris Kimball...but you know how far that got me.

I understand your frustration...such a great company and such a scumball tactic. Thankfully they have not done that to me again since.

RiverRat wrote:

mkc wrote:

At least you got a book with an invoice. Last year they sent me an invoice (with a threat of collection agency) for a book I neither ordered nor received.

How did you handle that, Michelle? I would have been steamed!

It took some arguing over the phone, but it was finally resolved. I had a heck of a time convincing them that since I didn't order the book in the first place, I did NOT want a replacement sent while they tried to locate the first one.