Feedback Please!

[Guest tnrider]

A while back I followed an add in 1st Freedom for a concealed carry magazine. (I have not made direct name because I don't want to break any rules but I am guessing others here will knoow what I am talking about.) Long story short, they did not provide a vidio they promised in their ad. Being of a synical nature, I decided not to go any farther. Now I continue to recieve more ads and emails from this company. Just curious if anyone else here has had any contact with them and what your experience and how you would evaluate them. Thanks

[Guest Lester Weevils]

Dunno if it is the same company, but a couple of years ago I received an unsolicited DVD that appeared to be from NRA or some NRA partner. I tossed it in the trash, same behavior as with all those AOL CD's that used to show up in the mailbox, and all those NRA mass mailings, and all the junk mail from a zillion other political groups and charities.

I pay the NRA dues, but don't have time to read all their mailings. They could find better use of my dues money than mail a ton of crap that goes straight to the trash unopened.

Anyway, a few months later I received some letters insisting that I either pay for the sample training course or return the product. I just ignored the letters and after awhile they got tired of sending them. I don't pay for what I don't order. It ain't my job to return stuff I didn't order or even read unsolicited mail before it hits the circular bin.

[Oh Shoot]

...Anyway, a few months later I received some letters insisting that I either pay for the sample training course or return the product.....

Probably most of us NRA members got the one you're talking about. "American Rifleman Video Collection presents Personal Firearm Defense DVD Series".

Actually the first DVD wasn't bad (for free), "Combat Focus Shooting and Home Defense Tips".

It plainly stated in the original mailer that it was not necessary to return it.

It also said this in the followup come on letters that followed, but was buried in the smaller print.

It was a pretty shoddy campaign in that regard, but fully endorsed by NRA.

- OS

[Angus]

I never got a dang DVD. I love free crap, especially if it comes in the mail. Send me everything you got, and multiply it by 100 next week! Man I love to find my mailbox crammed with useless crap from free tampons to DVD's!

[Guest buttonhook]

yeah I got the video and the letter this week....If I didn't order it I'm not paying for it!!!! I'll wipe my butt with the letter next time and return it instead!! (return to sender of course)

[vontar]

I have always heard that if I didn't order something I was not required to pay for it or send it back as it was their fault for sending it.

That being said, I randomly got some promo material from North American Hunting Club asking me to sign up. I did not and I kept what they sent me.

[laktrash]

I got some kind of personal defense dvd about a month ago, pretty much said pay for it if I wanted to keep it or return if I didn't want it, but keep the commerative gold coin "plastic" whhoppee. I didn't request it but sent it back because I didn't want them sending more crap I did highlight send nothing else. I also thought if you didn't request anything in the mail you didn't have to send it back.

[Oh Shoot]

I got some kind of personal defense dvd about a month ago, pretty much said pay for it if I wanted to keep it or return if I didn't want it, but keep the commerative gold coin "plastic" whhoppee. I didn't request it but sent it back because I didn't want them sending more crap I did highlight send nothing else. I also thought if you didn't request anything in the mail you didn't have to send it back.

If you had read closer in the body of the missive, it said "since you did not order this, there is no need to return it".

The followup letters have said the same thing.

Indeed, I kept mine.

In both cases, however, that little tidbit was not acknowledged in a prominent manner, which is why I called it "shoddy" on the part of NRA.

- OS

[Guest Lester Weevils]

When did you receive your DVD and "bills" OS?

I probably did not read the fine print if it was there, but my DVD and "invoices" incident was at least 1 or 2 years ago, and maybe the scam was worded differently at that time.

It was worded and played about the same as the old book clubs in the 1960's, who would send out un-ordered books and then hound you to the ends of the earth to collect payment.

But maybe the fine print was in my letter as you report.

[Oh Shoot]

When did you receive your DVD and "bills" OS?

I probably did not read the fine print if it was there, but my DVD and "invoices" incident was at least 1 or 2 years ago, and maybe the scam was worded differently at that time.

It was worded and played about the same as the old book clubs in the 1960's, who would send out un-ordered books and then hound you to the ends of the earth to collect payment.

But maybe the fine print was in my letter as you report.

Oh, dunno...at least 9 months ago, maybe a year.

Got a couple of followup letters a couple months apart after that.

Pretty sure it's the same deal, as is the only one I've gotten, and believe me, I seem to get EVERYthing NRA and NRA-ILA sends out.

Since it was sponsored through American Rifleman, could be those who opted for a different magazine than that one upon joining did not get the scam (I mean, offer).

- OS