Al Lewis
Posts: 1791
Joined: 7/5/2005 From: Port Orchard WA, USA Status: offline
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I received the first one they did. At least I think it was the first, along with a coin with the Mustang on it. I was amazed at the studipity behind this. I wasn't mad at them but did get annoyed when I got several letters later asking me for payment. I'm sure they have to be losing money on this but could be wrong. Seems that if they have all of these great things to market that they could do just that instead of ending up probably giving 2/3s of them away. I had honestly thought that they gave up on this program but they obviously haven't. Good part is they stopped sending them to me after I refused to pay for, or return, the first one. Maybe they thought the new generation had never heard of the law stating that if you receive anything in the mail unsolicited you don't have to pay for it or return it. Maybe some had never heard of it and paid. Either way, it's a very bad idea and whoever came up with it should have their continued participation in these matters scrutinized carefully. It would be interesting to read the Federal Mail Fraud Laws and see what, if any, violations this caused. I'm sure it wouldn't take too much to google them up. Oh, there they are.... MAIL FRAUD DEFINITION AND PUNISHMENT Whoever 1) having devised, or intending to devise any scheme or artifice to defraud, or 2) for obtaining money or property by means of false or fraudulent pretenses, representations, or promises, or to sell, dispose of, loan… 3) something of value or some item…and 4) places in any post office or authorized depository for mail matter 5) any item to be delivered by interstate carrier shall be fined …or imprisoned for not more than 20 years, or both. Here's a better one.... Receipt of Unsolicited Merchandise A company sends you a gift in the mail--a ball point pen, a key chain, a tie. But you didn't order it. What do you do? If you are the type of person this company is looking for, you may feel guilty about accepting the item without paying for it. Don't feel guilty! It's yours, and you are under no obligation to pay anything. You, the consumer, may only legally be sent two types of merchandise through the mail without your consent or agreement: Free samples which are clearly and conspicuously marked as such. Merchandise mailed by a charitable organization that is soliciting contributions. And in these two cases, you can consider the merchandise a gift if you wish. In all other situations, it is illegal to send merchandise to someone, unless that person has previously ordered or requested it. These rules are codified in Title 39, United States Code, Section 3009. That section of the Postal Reorganization Act of 1970 incorporates these protections for American consumers and makes the mailing of unordered merchandise unfair methods of competition and unfair trade practices under the law. 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. Furthermore, it is illegal for a company that sends you unordered merchandise to follow the mailing with a bill or dunning communication. If you are aware of violations of the federal law prohibiting the mailing of unordered merchandise, or if you have personally had difficulty with such items--especially if you are sent statements demanding payment for the merchandise--you should contact you local postmaster or the nearest Postal Inspector.
< Message edited by Al Lewis -- 1/4/2008 4:31:00 AM >
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Take Offs are Optional, Landings are Really Nerve Racking!! Al Lewis AMA #821623
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