Boycott Columbia House

[Merrick]

I got a check from them in the mail yesterday that looked for all intents and purposes like a payroll check (the sort of self contained mailer you tear the stubs off and unfold). There was nothing else enclosed other than this check for $2.50. Upon close inspection of the back, in small print above the line you sign to endorse is the dislaimer that by cashing it you agree to renew your membership. Now this comes on the heels of my receiving another small check from them related to a class action lawsuit I was apart of that they lost... so is this not a sleazy scam or what?

Not that I was planning on doing business with them anymore, but I think something like this justifies a boycott.

[bif]

1. I'll join you!

There, that makes two of us.

[Rainbowreflect]

2. I got one like that as well.

[HEyHEY]

3. I fucked them over so good once

Back in the dark ages when CD clubs were new. I signed up and got my cds then sent them a letter saying I was under 18 so their contract meant shit.

[Adenoid_Hynkel]

4. a classic scam

lord knows i did it to columbia house, bmg, and some other now-defunt club many times (we moved a lot in my teenage years, so i always got to reapply from a new address)

[roguevalley]

5. they outsourced their billing to India, laying off three women with 25-30

years in the job. Was on 60 minutes.

[Merrick]

6. Cool. I'm going to email them this thread now.

[Merrick]

7. My email to columbia house:

I just wanted to register my disgust with the scam this company recently launched where checks designed to look like official payouts (i.e. similar to ones that were issued for the class action lawsuit) were mailed to former members with the obvious intent to decieve them into renewing their membership against their will and/or better judgement.

These checks (mine was for $2.50) arrive lacking any other material whatsoever and lack any notice apprising the recipient that by cashing it his/her membership will be renewed other than some small print on the back above the endorsement line. Obviously you're counting on one, two or both of the following to happen: 1. people will assume the check is related to the class action payout, and 2. they wont read the fine print above the endorsement line - and they'll be caught in your trap.

Anyway, this is dispicable and I'm writing this in part to notify you that I'll never do business with your company again while extending the consideration of offering you the chance to save some trees and a few cents by reducing the amount of junk mail you send me every month from 10 pounds to zero.

Yours,
X-Member

Now I feel like that guy Rik from "The Young Ones". A real anarchist.