UPDATE: The Almanac responded to my letter on Aug. 9, 2017. Here’s what they had to say:
Dear Mr. Gargulinski,
We apologize for the inconvenience. You were on a continuity program. We have cancelled the billing and removed you from the program. You may keep the Almanac with our compliments.
Sincerely,
Kaye Dunn
Almanac Products, EMail Customer Service
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Moral of the story: Don’t let the big guys push you around.
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EDITOR’S NOTE: I used to adore the Old Farmer’s Almanac until I met with unscrupulous actions like those outlined below. This letter was emailed to the company Aug. 5, 2017 (without the Scam Alert Bug illustration).
Dear Old Farmer’s Almanac:
Thank you! for the free gift you sent my way. After all, I am assuming the hardcover 2018 Old Farmer’s Almanac you sent is a free gift since:
- I did NOT ORDER IT.
- I do not want it.
- I am not paying for it.
- I have not the time, energy or desire to deal with sending it back.
Since this is a free gift, please adjust my account balance to zero and credit out the invoice for $20.90 that accompanied my free gift. I refuse to pay an invoice for an item I did not order. I also refuse to waste my time, effort and packing tape to send it back.
Unsolicited items = free gifts.
If you do wish for me to send back the unsolicited item I neither want nor need, I would have to bill you for my services and supplies:
- Return shipping rate: $7
- Handling charges: $11
- Time to pack item and ensure it is placed in location for outgoing mail: $25
- My general hourly rate for services is $50; I would expect this hassle to take about 30 minutes, provided the packing tape dispenser doesn’t jam.
What you owe me to return item: $43
The choice is yours. You can either:
- Wipe out the invoice and charge for the item you sent my way WITHOUT my order or consent
- Mail me a check for $43 and I’ll send back your book
Any action on your part other than the two options listed above will result in a report to the Better Business Bureau.
And please don’t give me a song and dance about being on an “automatic mailing list” that gets the almanac sent every year. You tried that one on me a few years back, and I called one of your reps to be removed from this unscrupulous list.
Have a nice day,
Ryn Gargulinski
