Unsolicited Cooks Illustrated books?
 

While I've always liked the Cooks Illustrated magazine, and even have
a few of their books, for the last two years I've had problems with
them sending (and billing for) unsolicited books, despite my
repeatedly telling them not to send anything.

Anyone had luck with getting them to stop? Fighting with the credit
card companies and Cooks has gotten rather old.

--
Richard W Kaszeta

http://www.kaszeta.org/rich

In article >, Richard Kaszeta
> wrote:

> While I've always liked the Cooks Illustrated magazine, and even have
> a few of their books, for the last two years I've had problems with
> them sending (and billing for) unsolicited books, despite my
> repeatedly telling them not to send anything.
>
> Anyone had luck with getting them to stop? Fighting with the credit
> card companies and Cooks has gotten rather old.

I'd send them a registered letter explaining you desire to receive no
more books from them. And tell them that if they send anything else to
you you will regard it as unsolicited merchandise, a gift, and will keep
it. Copy your state's AG's consumer affairs office. Be nice to get a
name there that you can stick on the letter.
--
-Barb, <www.jamlady.eboard.com> Updated 9-18-04; Sushi Story
"Peace will come when the power of love overcomes the love of power."
-Jimi Hendrix, and Lt. Joe Corcoran, Retired; St. Paul PD, Homicide Divn.

In article >, Richard Kaszeta
> wrote:

> While I've always liked the Cooks Illustrated magazine, and even have
> a few of their books, for the last two years I've had problems with
> them sending (and billing for) unsolicited books, despite my
> repeatedly telling them not to send anything.
>
> Anyone had luck with getting them to stop? Fighting with the credit
> card companies and Cooks has gotten rather old.

I'd send them a registered letter explaining you desire to receive no
more books from them. And tell them that if they send anything else to
you you will regard it as unsolicited merchandise, a gift, and will keep
it. Copy your state's AG's consumer affairs office. Be nice to get a
name there that you can stick on the letter.
--
-Barb, <www.jamlady.eboard.com> Updated 9-18-04; Sushi Story
"Peace will come when the power of love overcomes the love of power."
-Jimi Hendrix, and Lt. Joe Corcoran, Retired; St. Paul PD, Homicide Divn.

In article >, Richard Kaszeta
> wrote:

> While I've always liked the Cooks Illustrated magazine, and even have
> a few of their books, for the last two years I've had problems with
> them sending (and billing for) unsolicited books, despite my
> repeatedly telling them not to send anything.
>
> Anyone had luck with getting them to stop? Fighting with the credit
> card companies and Cooks has gotten rather old.

I'd send them a registered letter explaining you desire to receive no
more books from them. And tell them that if they send anything else to
you you will regard it as unsolicited merchandise, a gift, and will keep
it. Copy your state's AG's consumer affairs office. Be nice to get a
name there that you can stick on the letter.
--
-Barb, <www.jamlady.eboard.com> Updated 9-18-04; Sushi Story
"Peace will come when the power of love overcomes the love of power."
-Jimi Hendrix, and Lt. Joe Corcoran, Retired; St. Paul PD, Homicide Divn.

Melba's Jammin' > writes:
> > While I've always liked the Cooks Illustrated magazine, and even have
> > a few of their books, for the last two years I've had problems with
> > them sending (and billing for) unsolicited books, despite my
> > repeatedly telling them not to send anything.
> >
> > Anyone had luck with getting them to stop? Fighting with the credit
> > card companies and Cooks has gotten rather old.
>
> I'd send them a registered letter explaining you desire to receive no
> more books from them. And tell them that if they send anything else to
> you you will regard it as unsolicited merchandise, a gift, and will keep
> it. Copy your state's AG's consumer affairs office. Be nice to get a
> name there that you can stick on the letter.

I've pretty much done this (the local library now has a handsome copy
of "The Best Recipe, 1st Edition" after they insisted on sending me a
copy of the 2nd Edition, BTW), but it doesn't stop me from having to deal
with the credit card company every time they do, and that's getting to
be a bigger irritation (although why the credit card company just
doesn't deny their transactions is a good question).

--
Richard W Kaszeta

http://www.kaszeta.org/rich

Melba's Jammin' > writes:
> > While I've always liked the Cooks Illustrated magazine, and even have
> > a few of their books, for the last two years I've had problems with
> > them sending (and billing for) unsolicited books, despite my
> > repeatedly telling them not to send anything.
> >
> > Anyone had luck with getting them to stop? Fighting with the credit
> > card companies and Cooks has gotten rather old.
>
> I'd send them a registered letter explaining you desire to receive no
> more books from them. And tell them that if they send anything else to
> you you will regard it as unsolicited merchandise, a gift, and will keep
> it. Copy your state's AG's consumer affairs office. Be nice to get a
> name there that you can stick on the letter.

I've pretty much done this (the local library now has a handsome copy
of "The Best Recipe, 1st Edition" after they insisted on sending me a
copy of the 2nd Edition, BTW), but it doesn't stop me from having to deal
with the credit card company every time they do, and that's getting to
be a bigger irritation (although why the credit card company just
doesn't deny their transactions is a good question).

--
Richard W Kaszeta

http://www.kaszeta.org/rich

Richard Kaszeta > wrote:

> I've pretty much done this (the local library now has a handsome copy
> of "The Best Recipe, 1st Edition" after they insisted on sending me a
> copy of the 2nd Edition, BTW), but it doesn't stop me from having to deal
> with the credit card company every time they do, and that's getting to
> be a bigger irritation (although why the credit card company just
> doesn't deny their transactions is a good question).

So close your credit card and send a written request to the credit
card issuer to deny any further charges.

Richard Kaszeta > wrote:

> I've pretty much done this (the local library now has a handsome copy
> of "The Best Recipe, 1st Edition" after they insisted on sending me a
> copy of the 2nd Edition, BTW), but it doesn't stop me from having to deal
> with the credit card company every time they do, and that's getting to
> be a bigger irritation (although why the credit card company just
> doesn't deny their transactions is a good question).

So close your credit card and send a written request to the credit
card issuer to deny any further charges.

Richard Kaszeta > wrote:

> I've pretty much done this (the local library now has a handsome copy
> of "The Best Recipe, 1st Edition" after they insisted on sending me a
> copy of the 2nd Edition, BTW), but it doesn't stop me from having to deal
> with the credit card company every time they do, and that's getting to
> be a bigger irritation (although why the credit card company just
> doesn't deny their transactions is a good question).

So close your credit card and send a written request to the credit
card issuer to deny any further charges.

Richard Kaszeta > wrote:

> I've pretty much done this (the local library now has a handsome copy
> of "The Best Recipe, 1st Edition" after they insisted on sending me a
> copy of the 2nd Edition, BTW), but it doesn't stop me from having to deal
> with the credit card company every time they do, and that's getting to
> be a bigger irritation (although why the credit card company just
> doesn't deny their transactions is a good question).

So close your credit card and send a written request to the credit
card issuer to deny any further charges.

Richard Kaszeta wrote:

> I've pretty much done this (the local library now has a handsome copy
> of "The Best Recipe, 1st Edition" after they insisted on sending me a
> copy of the 2nd Edition, BTW), but it doesn't stop me from having to deal
> with the credit card company every time they do, and that's getting to
> be a bigger irritation (although why the credit card company just
> doesn't deny their transactions is a good question).

I can't tell you how many times I've heard people complain about the
same problem, here. Order one book and good luck getting them to
stop sending you them. I will never order anything from them besides
the magazine.

nancy

Richard Kaszeta wrote:

> I've pretty much done this (the local library now has a handsome copy
> of "The Best Recipe, 1st Edition" after they insisted on sending me a
> copy of the 2nd Edition, BTW), but it doesn't stop me from having to deal
> with the credit card company every time they do, and that's getting to
> be a bigger irritation (although why the credit card company just
> doesn't deny their transactions is a good question).

I can't tell you how many times I've heard people complain about the
same problem, here. Order one book and good luck getting them to
stop sending you them. I will never order anything from them besides
the magazine.

nancy

On Tue, 21 Sep 2004 23:45:14 -0400, Nancy Young >
wrote:

>Richard Kaszeta wrote:
>
>> I've pretty much done this (the local library now has a handsome copy
>> of "The Best Recipe, 1st Edition" after they insisted on sending me a
>> copy of the 2nd Edition, BTW), but it doesn't stop me from having to deal
>> with the credit card company every time they do, and that's getting to
>> be a bigger irritation (although why the credit card company just
>> doesn't deny their transactions is a good question).
>
>I can't tell you how many times I've heard people complain about the
>same problem, here. Order one book and good luck getting them to
>stop sending you them. I will never order anything from them besides
>the magazine.
>
>nancy


I have even had trouble with their magazine's subscription tactics, so
that part is not so terrific, either. When I started a subscription
some years ago, they sent me 2 back issues as part of my pricey one
year sub. I wrote and told them I did not want back issues, but a
current subscription. They insisted I take what I was sent (which I
had already purchased individually before I subscribed) & I refused to
pay. They threatened a collection agency and I told them they were
welcome to try. As I recall, this all took about 4 months of letter
writing until they backed off.

The magazine is wonderful, but it is if their business unit is run by
Tony Soprano.

Boron

>Melba's Jammin' writes:
>
Richard Kaszeta wrote:
>
>> While I've always liked the Cooks Illustrated magazine, and even have
>> a few of their books, for the last two years I've had problems with
>> them sending (and billing for) unsolicited books, despite my
>> repeatedly telling them not to send anything.
>>
>> Anyone had luck with getting them to stop? Fighting with the credit
>> card companies and Cooks has gotten rather old.
>
>I'd send them a registered letter explaining you desire to receive no
>more books from them. And tell them that if they send anything else to
>you you will regard it as unsolicited merchandise, a gift, and will keep
>it. Copy your state's AG's consumer affairs office. Be nice to get a
>name there that you can stick on the letter.

Unsolicited merchandise received through the US Mail is a GIFT, for which it is
an *illegal act* to bill. If you receive a bill file a complaint with your
local Post Master and the billing will cease.


---= BOYCOTT FRANCE (belgium) GERMANY--SPAIN =---
---= Move UNITED NATIONS To Paris =---
*********
"Life would be devoid of all meaning were it without tribulation."
Sheldon
````````````

>Melba's Jammin' writes:
>
Richard Kaszeta wrote:
>
>> While I've always liked the Cooks Illustrated magazine, and even have
>> a few of their books, for the last two years I've had problems with
>> them sending (and billing for) unsolicited books, despite my
>> repeatedly telling them not to send anything.
>>
>> Anyone had luck with getting them to stop? Fighting with the credit
>> card companies and Cooks has gotten rather old.
>
>I'd send them a registered letter explaining you desire to receive no
>more books from them. And tell them that if they send anything else to
>you you will regard it as unsolicited merchandise, a gift, and will keep
>it. Copy your state's AG's consumer affairs office. Be nice to get a
>name there that you can stick on the letter.

Unsolicited merchandise received through the US Mail is a GIFT, for which it is
an *illegal act* to bill. If you receive a bill file a complaint with your
local Post Master and the billing will cease.


---= BOYCOTT FRANCE (belgium) GERMANY--SPAIN =---
---= Move UNITED NATIONS To Paris =---
*********
"Life would be devoid of all meaning were it without tribulation."
Sheldon
````````````

Richard Kaszeta > wrote:

>Melba's Jammin' > writes:
>> > While I've always liked the Cooks Illustrated magazine, and even have
>> > a few of their books, for the last two years I've had problems with
>> > them sending (and billing for) unsolicited books, despite my
>> > repeatedly telling them not to send anything.
>> >
>> > Anyone had luck with getting them to stop? Fighting with the credit
>> > card companies and Cooks has gotten rather old.
>>
>> I'd send them a registered letter explaining you desire to receive no
>> more books from them. And tell them that if they send anything else to
>> you you will regard it as unsolicited merchandise, a gift, and will keep
>> it. Copy your state's AG's consumer affairs office. Be nice to get a
>> name there that you can stick on the letter.
>
>I've pretty much done this (the local library now has a handsome copy
>of "The Best Recipe, 1st Edition" after they insisted on sending me a
>copy of the 2nd Edition, BTW), but it doesn't stop me from having to deal
>with the credit card company every time they do, and that's getting to
>be a bigger irritation (although why the credit card company just
>doesn't deny their transactions is a good question).

IFRC there is something on the order that seems to give them
permission to send more books. Look real hard at any order form. I
just tell them when they call that I can get most of the books at
about 1/2 price from Costco. www.newbookscheap.com is also a great
source.
--
Susan N.

There are 10 types of people in the world. Those who understand binary and those who do not.

Richard Kaszeta > wrote:

>Melba's Jammin' > writes:
>> > While I've always liked the Cooks Illustrated magazine, and even have
>> > a few of their books, for the last two years I've had problems with
>> > them sending (and billing for) unsolicited books, despite my
>> > repeatedly telling them not to send anything.
>> >
>> > Anyone had luck with getting them to stop? Fighting with the credit
>> > card companies and Cooks has gotten rather old.
>>
>> I'd send them a registered letter explaining you desire to receive no
>> more books from them. And tell them that if they send anything else to
>> you you will regard it as unsolicited merchandise, a gift, and will keep
>> it. Copy your state's AG's consumer affairs office. Be nice to get a
>> name there that you can stick on the letter.
>
>I've pretty much done this (the local library now has a handsome copy
>of "The Best Recipe, 1st Edition" after they insisted on sending me a
>copy of the 2nd Edition, BTW), but it doesn't stop me from having to deal
>with the credit card company every time they do, and that's getting to
>be a bigger irritation (although why the credit card company just
>doesn't deny their transactions is a good question).

IFRC there is something on the order that seems to give them
permission to send more books. Look real hard at any order form. I
just tell them when they call that I can get most of the books at
about 1/2 price from Costco. www.newbookscheap.com is also a great
source.
--
Susan N.

There are 10 types of people in the world. Those who understand binary and those who do not.

PENMART01 wrote:

>>Melba's Jammin' writes:
>>
>
> Richard Kaszeta wrote:
>
>>>While I've always liked the Cooks Illustrated magazine, and even have
>>>a few of their books, for the last two years I've had problems with
>>>them sending (and billing for) unsolicited books, despite my
>>>repeatedly telling them not to send anything.
>>>
>>>Anyone had luck with getting them to stop? Fighting with the credit
>>>card companies and Cooks has gotten rather old.
>>
>>I'd send them a registered letter explaining you desire to receive no
>>more books from them. And tell them that if they send anything else to
>>you you will regard it as unsolicited merchandise, a gift, and will keep
>>it. Copy your state's AG's consumer affairs office. Be nice to get a
>>name there that you can stick on the letter.
>
>
> Unsolicited merchandise received through the US Mail is a GIFT, for which it is
> an *illegal act* to bill. If you receive a bill file a complaint with your
> local Post Master and the billing will cease.
>
>
> ---= BOYCOTT FRANCE (belgium) GERMANY--SPAIN =---
> ---= Move UNITED NATIONS To Paris =---
> *********
> "Life would be devoid of all meaning were it without tribulation."
> Sheldon
> ````````````

Sheldon hit it. I had the same problem with Food & Wine doing that with
thier annuals that I never ordered and thier quick from scratch
cookbooks that I ordered one of. Having worked in marketing in the past
I scruitinzed the hell out of the order form for any "auto-ship"
information, there was none. And I kept a scanned copy of the completed
order form. The postmaster about fell over when I had that to support
my claim. They sent me two more books after that....however it never
went to collections and isn't on my credit report. The books which I
didn't want anyway went to the library.

Jessica

PENMART01 wrote:

>>Melba's Jammin' writes:
>>
>
> Richard Kaszeta wrote:
>
>>>While I've always liked the Cooks Illustrated magazine, and even have
>>>a few of their books, for the last two years I've had problems with
>>>them sending (and billing for) unsolicited books, despite my
>>>repeatedly telling them not to send anything.
>>>
>>>Anyone had luck with getting them to stop? Fighting with the credit
>>>card companies and Cooks has gotten rather old.
>>
>>I'd send them a registered letter explaining you desire to receive no
>>more books from them. And tell them that if they send anything else to
>>you you will regard it as unsolicited merchandise, a gift, and will keep
>>it. Copy your state's AG's consumer affairs office. Be nice to get a
>>name there that you can stick on the letter.
>
>
> Unsolicited merchandise received through the US Mail is a GIFT, for which it is
> an *illegal act* to bill. If you receive a bill file a complaint with your
> local Post Master and the billing will cease.
>
>
> ---= BOYCOTT FRANCE (belgium) GERMANY--SPAIN =---
> ---= Move UNITED NATIONS To Paris =---
> *********
> "Life would be devoid of all meaning were it without tribulation."
> Sheldon
> ````````````

Sheldon hit it. I had the same problem with Food & Wine doing that with
thier annuals that I never ordered and thier quick from scratch
cookbooks that I ordered one of. Having worked in marketing in the past
I scruitinzed the hell out of the order form for any "auto-ship"
information, there was none. And I kept a scanned copy of the completed
order form. The postmaster about fell over when I had that to support
my claim. They sent me two more books after that....however it never
went to collections and isn't on my credit report. The books which I
didn't want anyway went to the library.

Jessica

Richard Kaszeta > wrote in message >...
> Melba's Jammin' > writes:
> > > While I've always liked the Cooks Illustrated magazine, and even have
> > > a few of their books, for the last two years I've had problems with
> > > them sending (and billing for) unsolicited books, despite my
> > > repeatedly telling them not to send anything.
> > >
> > > Anyone had luck with getting them to stop? Fighting with the credit
> > > card companies and Cooks has gotten rather old.
> >
> > I'd send them a registered letter explaining you desire to receive no
> > more books from them. And tell them that if they send anything else to
> > you you will regard it as unsolicited merchandise, a gift, and will keep
> > it. Copy your state's AG's consumer affairs office. Be nice to get a
> > name there that you can stick on the letter.
>
> I've pretty much done this (the local library now has a handsome copy
> of "The Best Recipe, 1st Edition" after they insisted on sending me a
> copy of the 2nd Edition, BTW), but it doesn't stop me from having to deal
> with the credit card company every time they do, and that's getting to
> be a bigger irritation (although why the credit card company just
> doesn't deny their transactions is a good question).

But once you have the receipt for the REGISTERED mail, you can prove
your side should they do the same afterwards, and thus file an
affidavit of criminal fraud. That will get their attention and stop
future abuses.

Dean G.

>But once you have the receipt for the REGISTERED mail, you can prove
>your side
>
>Dean G.

Only proves you recieved mail, not what was in the envelope, if anything....
that's why courts and lawyers use process servers.


---= BOYCOTT FRANCE (belgium) GERMANY--SPAIN =---
---= Move UNITED NATIONS To Paris =---
*********
"Life would be devoid of all meaning were it without tribulation."
Sheldon
````````````

>But once you have the receipt for the REGISTERED mail, you can prove
>your side
>
>Dean G.

Only proves you recieved mail, not what was in the envelope, if anything....
that's why courts and lawyers use process servers.


---= BOYCOTT FRANCE (belgium) GERMANY--SPAIN =---
---= Move UNITED NATIONS To Paris =---
*********
"Life would be devoid of all meaning were it without tribulation."
Sheldon
````````````

On 2004-09-22, Boron Elgar > wrote:

> The magazine is wonderful, but it is if their business unit is run by
> Tony Soprano.

Their business unit is Pompous Bowtie Man himself. Chris Kimball is not a
chef, a cook, or anything of the sort. His training is that of a
journalist. He simply chose food as a launching point for his current
businesss, namely enticing you to buy his ridiculously overpriced and lame
magazine and books and getting your money any way he can.

nb

In article >, says...
> While I've always liked the Cooks Illustrated magazine, and even have
> a few of their books, for the last two years I've had problems with
> them sending (and billing for) unsolicited books, despite my
> repeatedly telling them not to send anything.
>
> Anyone had luck with getting them to stop? Fighting with the credit
> card companies and Cooks has gotten rather old.
>
Maybe atypical, based on the other posts, but I got them to stop sending
unsolicited stuff with one phone call. When the person on the other end
of the conversation said that I had somehow agreed to receive future
volumes when I ordered a book by returning one of their postcards, I
mentioned sending appropriate inquiries to the Postal Service, the BBB,
the credit card company and I forget whom else. In any case, the
unsolicited stuff stopped arriving.

Bob

> wrote in message
...
> In article >, says...
> > While I've always liked the Cooks Illustrated magazine, and even have
> > a few of their books, for the last two years I've had problems with
> > them sending (and billing for) unsolicited books, despite my
> > repeatedly telling them not to send anything.
> >
> > Anyone had luck with getting them to stop? Fighting with the credit
> > card companies and Cooks has gotten rather old.
> >
> Maybe atypical, based on the other posts, but I got them to stop sending
> unsolicited stuff with one phone call. When the person on the other end
> of the conversation said that I had somehow agreed to receive future
> volumes when I ordered a book by returning one of their postcards, I
> mentioned sending appropriate inquiries to the Postal Service, the BBB,
> the credit card company and I forget whom else. In any case, the
> unsolicited stuff stopped arriving.
>
> Bob

this happened to me a couple of years ago as well. i marked the package
"return to sender". mailman took it and never heard anything else. but i
must admit, ATK is one of my favorite cooking shows.

bd

> wrote in message
...
> In article >, says...
> > While I've always liked the Cooks Illustrated magazine, and even have
> > a few of their books, for the last two years I've had problems with
> > them sending (and billing for) unsolicited books, despite my
> > repeatedly telling them not to send anything.
> >
> > Anyone had luck with getting them to stop? Fighting with the credit
> > card companies and Cooks has gotten rather old.
> >
> Maybe atypical, based on the other posts, but I got them to stop sending
> unsolicited stuff with one phone call. When the person on the other end
> of the conversation said that I had somehow agreed to receive future
> volumes when I ordered a book by returning one of their postcards, I
> mentioned sending appropriate inquiries to the Postal Service, the BBB,
> the credit card company and I forget whom else. In any case, the
> unsolicited stuff stopped arriving.
>
> Bob

this happened to me a couple of years ago as well. i marked the package
"return to sender". mailman took it and never heard anything else. but i
must admit, ATK is one of my favorite cooking shows.

bd