[RHolcomb]

About 3 weeks ago, I received a DVD entitled Essential Woodworking Techniques, in the mail from Woodworkers Guild of America. I didn't order this DVD, and I have no idea why I received it. I have never signed up for anything from their website, don't have any subscriptions to any woodworking publications and I don't know how they even got my name or address unless some online company where I bought a tool sold my name to them. I haven't even watched the DVD. I put it in my library of DVD's and forgot about it. Yesterday, I received correspondence from them requesting that I either pay $13.95 to keep the DVD or return it in the product return envelope that came with the DVD which was tossed in the garbage along with all of the other envelopes, advertisements etc. that came with it by my wife as she thought it was garbage. I'm inclined to just ignore their request because I didn't ask for it in the first place and to return it will now cost me shipping charges because I don't have the return envelope. What would you do?

 

[scrollgirl]

I would try to contact them and let them know your circumstances and that you shouldn't be required to spend your time or out of pocket expenses to send back something that you didn't even request. If they aren't agreeable, I would then take the matter to the Better Business Bureau. This has "Scam" written all over it.

Sheila

 

[knotheadswoodshed]

I would watch it,enjoy it, and forget about it…unsolicited items sent to you are "free"..I have had this happen many times with Woodworkers Journal sending me DVD's and books. You are under NO obligation to pay for or return the items.

United Postal Service Publication 300a gives the following advice regarding Unsolicited Merchandise

"A company sends you a gift in the mail - a tie, a good luck charm, or a key chain. You didn't order it. What do you do? If you're the kind of person they are looking for, you'll feel guilty and pay for it. But you don't have to. What you do with the merchandise is entirely up to you.

 

[mojapitt]

My understanding is that if you never ordered it then you don't owe for it. However, be careful that a fight over it doesn't damage your credit report.

 

[RobertT]

I received a set of router bits a couple years ago that I had not ordered. Sent them back and still got a dirty letter requesting payment. Keep the dvd and ignore them.

 

[Moai]

don't waste a single second of your precious time with idiots like them.

 

[joeyinsouthaustin]

Write a letter stating that you did not specifically solicit this DVD, and are requesting postage paid return materials in order to return it. State in the letter that you are requesting notification in writing, in 30 days, that all accounts that have been created in your name are closed, with a zero balance, and that your name is removed from their mailing list, not to send any further materials, and that if you do not receive the return materials or notices in 30 days, you will not be held liable for the return of the DVD, any future DVDs, or any accounts, charges, or others held in your name. Send signature required certified mail. Note: you are not really writing this to get the DVD returned, great if they send you a postage paid envelope, you are writing this for when this mysteriously shows up on your credit report in 1 year, and you have something to send to the credit agency to get it removed. Ironically, This may cost more than just sending back the DVD, but IMO you should follow through. They are obviously running some old school aggressive BS on ya!!

 

[PittsburghTim]

I second Francisco's advice. Don't was a moment on it. I've received this and others and have never fallen prey to this, nor have I suffered for it. I question the quality of the product if they can send hundreds or thousands out for free, just hoping that some small percentage will bite.

 

[joeyinsouthaustin]

Now that I have read all the other responses that were being written at the same time (It cracks me up when that happens +1 to sheila on reporting it to the BBB. Another good resource for this is Face Book (if you do that) A simple statement "Such and such business is employing unfair practices...like this and send it to a friend" gets A LOT of traction these days. IMO FB is crack to waste your time on the computer….errr.. but not LJ's…. it is different

 

[Stephenw]

They need more than just your name and address to damage your credit score.

As already stated, unsolicited items sent to you in the mail are free. Ignore their threats.

 

[joeyinsouthaustin]

I have personally had unsolicited offers like this show on my credit report. They need more than just your name and address to damage your credit score They already got the information to send it with out asking…. is it that hard, in this day, to get what they need to turn it over to collections… This scam has evolved from a mail fishing scam to get the money of the few who feel they need to pay, to a vehicle to get a high pressure collections person on the phone pressuring you to give them money, with the threat of your credit score, that you don't owe them. IMHO and from experience, I would follow through with the certified letter… Even if this is not a full scam, NiP it in the bud, and protect your self right now. If you ignore it there is a smallish chance it could get messy, if you don't, there is no chance it will harm you later. In action is often interpreted as compliance by small claims court and credit agencies.

 

[History]

I've never been impressed with Woodworkers Guild of America. They constantly want you to signup and pay for a premium membership, DVD's, etc. And I don't think much about some of the advise thats given by George, it's almost allways sales driven, and he doesn't seem to know much more then most rookies.

 

[EdwardR]

I received the same CD and same response. I called and faxed the letter to my state attorney generals office consumer fraud division. they said ignore them and if they put a bad mark on your credit the state will prosecute. Since the state responded on my behalf i have not heard a word.

If you read the origanal letter carefuly you will see it says you do not need to respond or return the cd in a very unclear manner.

I am in pa.

 

[MShort]

I have received that item in the past and I did not order and did not pay or return it. I have not received anything more than on reminder to pay for it and ignored that as well. They send these out in mass hoping that some will pay rather then return or ignore it. My suggestion it that if you didn't order it and don't want it, then ignore it and move on with your day or send them something and send them a bill or return notice and let's not forget the reminder notice and see how they like it.

 

[tefinn]

When I got mine I opened it and watched it. Then put it in the return envelope and sent it back.
They had to pay postage both ways and got a used DVD back!

 

[RHolcomb]

Well, I guess I should have Googled "Unsolicited DVD from Woodworkers Guild of America" before starting this thread. It appears that this marketing tactic has been going on for years by them! There are 20,200 results LOL. From what I've read, the video is 3 hours long and on how to build a cabinet. I might just watch it some day that I feel lazy but I'm not returning it, or responding to them in any way. Most are saying that if you acknowledge that you got it, return it or buy it, you become a "hot lead" and then get crap from all sorts of companies. I get enough junk mail as it is!

 

[Manitario]

You should send them something and then a bill for it…

 

[LukieB]

I also agree with Fransisco, don't waste any of your time dealing with these scam artists

Although, I also like Rob's idea^, LOL

 

[gtbuzz]

I got one of these DVD's a while back. Kept getting letters about how I either need to pay or send it back. Ignored them all since it was unsolicited. After a few months I stopped hearing from them and never got any nasty collections letters or anything of that sort. I check my credit report a couple times a year as well and I never saw anything there either.

My advice? Ignore the solicitations. I wouldn't even spend any time sendig them a letter saying you never ordered. The solicitations will stop and they have absolutely zero legal grounds for dinging your credit report.

If anyone out there dislikes these garbage solicitations as much as I do, you should do what, ahem, a friend of mine (yeah, we'll go with that) does and just send the return envelopes back with a bunch of trash from other mailers. Just make sure there's nothing on the envelope or any other soliciation that could trace it back to you. Occasionally "my friend" will see a barcode on the back of the envelope. Those just get tossed.

 

[MrRon]

Best advise is to ignore it. For one thing, they have NO proof that you have it, so don't even contact them. If they try to force any action against you, just say "what DVD"? "I don't know what you are talking about". By not communicating with them, you won't be acknowledging that you had ever received the DVD.