Large Scale Central

Marketing Crap from Kalmbach

General Discussion
#1

I (like a lot of others) received an unsolicited DVD from Kalmbach Publishing, along with an invoice for $12.95. The package also contained a post paid return envelope with instructions to remove the DVD from the shipping sleeve and return it if I didn’t want it. I simply put the whole thing in my junk mail box and plan to send it to recycle sometime this year.

Now I have received a new letter from Kalmbach with the request / demand:

Please Pay for or Return Your DVD Today.

In the smallest readable print at the bottom there is a message titled “Service Guarantee” that actually admits that I don’t need to do anything with the crap they sent.

I find this marketing technique to be hostile and disgusting. I have been a subscriber to various Kalmbach Publications for at least 50 years, first with Model Railroader, then with Garden Railways since they took it over. I also have a large collection of Kalmbach books on everything from layout design to wiring to structure and bridge modeling. Their marketing technique is making me reconsider my next renewal along with my recommending their publications to new folks getting into the hobby.

I also have lost my respect for Dick Elwell and Gil Freitag (the modelers listed as featured on the DVD) due to their complicity in Kalmbach’s guerrilla marketing scheme.

I previously sent Kalmbach an email stating that the crap they sent was not welcome and that they could make an appointment to pickup the DVD anytime they wanted. No reply until this dunning notice arrived yesterday. I assume they plan on hassling me until I either send the DVD back, pay the ransom they are demanding, or just cancel my sub.

Does anyone else find this type of marketing to be over the top? Or are we each one responsible for paying for or returning the unwanted crap that arrives in the mail?

Rant Over & (Hopefully) Happier RRing,

Jerry

#2

Its a long and proven track record that anything that arrives unsolicited in the mail is yours to do what you will with it. Watch it, throw it away, use it for a Frisbee or a coaster, you don’t owe Kalmbach a dime, nor do you have to return it if they demand it.

Its not illegal, but it is definitely a shady business practice, hoping to catch the unawares.

#3

I got one of their DVD awhile back. I just look upon it as something “FREE”! I haven’t heard from them, but then I do throw out a lot of junk mail unopened.

I sure wasn’t impressed enough with the VHS video quality to pay for it; but, for free, it was OK. :wink:

#4

RE: Jerry and Bob’s above comments:
Unfortunately, Kalmbach just affirmed their clear message to subscribers is marketing desperation.
Bob’s legal interpretation and Jerry’s direct and clearly stated objection would be more than enough to stop the promotion.
The question for Kalmbach’s management:
Why continue to reinforce negative decision points within your subscribing consumers?

If any in Kalmbach’s management read this posting, we welcome their response.

#5
Wendell Hanks said:
.............

If any in Kalmbach’s management read this posting, we welcome their response.


They read, but I doubt that they’ll reply here.

BTW you guys are lucky, I don’t get any of this FREE ware.

#6

You can just toss the payment demand, its SOP for things like this, I remember Rene on the GR forum saying that these DVDs were being marketed thru an outside party and that they didnt have anything to do with their payment collection. but its been stated many times that if something is sent to you unsolicited its legally considered a gift and you can:

A: Keep it, if you like it, pay for it and wait for the next installment of the series.

B: Keep it and enjoy it and toss any subsequent payment notices, its a gift right?

C: Send it back, and your name will be removed from any subsequent installments.

D: Toss it and toss any subsequent payment notices.

Your under no legal obligation to pay for something you didnt request nor are you responsible for being bothered to mail something unsolicited back to the sender. I opted for C, wasnt a big deal, and I havent recieved anything since.

#7

I received a CD from Kalmbach a few years ago under the same circumstances. I also received one from an organization I belong to. I neither commented nor returned either. I haven’t received anything else unsolicited from them since. I believe they do keep track of who responds and who does not.

If somehow an obvious mistake was made that had nothing to do with a marketing trick I would of course return the merchandise under those conditions.

#8

The AMA did the same thing to me several years ago…They got a storm of angry emails, calls, and letters from angry members. It may be legal to keep the “gift” but it should be illegal to engage in the practice in the first place. Shameful.

#9

Thanks for the replies. I did try to make it clear in my original post that I know neither payment for, nor return of the DVD is required. That is not the point.

My angst is centered on Kalmbach’s continuing efforts to capture my response. Quality companies don’t (or at least didn’t use to) employ the kind of marketing tactics being used here. As Wendell wrote above, Kalmbach ‘continues to reinforce negative decision points within their subscribing consumers.’

As to the suggestions that I respond to get them to stop sending me notices, I believe that is exactly what Kalmbach wants. Sure, they might stop with the dunning notices and future offers for these DVDs, but I am certain they will use any response to add to their future marketing efforts. Kind of like the emails that have an ‘opt out’ button. Using that opt out button just confirms to the intruder that someone is at that address, thus making the address more valuable!!

Bottom line is that I have lost my respect for Kalmbach as well as the two model railroaders who are assumedly cooperating in this. I just renewed my GR sub in November, but will seriously consider not renewing it late this year.

Happy RRing,

Jerry

#10

Non-profits and charities are starting to use this tactic as well. They send you a “gift,” then follow-up in a few weeks with a letter asking why you have not given them a donation for their “gift.” I have made a couple of labels on my computer to put on these “gifts” before I even open them. The first is a “Return to Sender” label that fits over my address. The second requests to have my name removed from their mailing list.

Then I drop the “gift” into the appropriate slot at my post office. I don’t know whether USPS returns it to them or not, and I don’t care. If they don’t get it back, I can still honestly say that I tried to return it. If they do get it back, they have had to pay for its return, and will probably diligently remove me from their mailing list.

Takes a little extra effort, but minimal cost to me (paper, ink, tape). I feel it’s worth it to inconvenience them, and it keeps me honest.

Just my $0.02,
David Meashey

#11
Jerry Bowers said:
Bottom line is that I have lost my respect for Kalmbach as well as the two model railroaders who are assumedly cooperating in this.
Jerry, Don't hold it against the two modelers. Once you sell your content, you have no control of how they market it. Ralph
#12

Why not take the DVD, or whatever, tape it to lead brick and send it back with the postage paid return envelope?

I bet they would LOVE that.

Brian

#13
Ralph Berg said:
Jerry Bowers said:
Bottom line is that I have lost my respect for Kalmbach as well as the two model railroaders who are assumedly cooperating in this.
Jerry, Don't hold it against the two modelers. Once you sell your content, you have no control of how they market it. Ralph
Ralph:

You are probably correct in that.

Still, these modelers have allowed something to be created using their work and advertised using (in fact featuring) their names. By naming them along with the primary instigators of this crap, perhaps the two modelers in question will also be encouraged to take issue with Kalmbach Publishing’s disgusting tactics.

It might also make potential content providers (read “modelers”) reconsider, thus hurting Kalmbach’s ability to produce further crap. I know I wouldn’t want my name attached to something that elicits a large negative public outpouring. Especially when all I did was build a model railroad and allow it to be photographed.

Exerting large amounts of public pressure would seem to be the only way to get Kalmbach’s attention.

Happy RRing,

Jerry

#14

It must work on their end if they keep sending them out. Someone new to the hobby might like them and subscribe to the series. If it was garden railroads i would considere subscribing (if the price was right) I once received a guide book from national geographics the same way. I actually liked the free book so much I subscribed to the book series. If Kal wants to send me the dvds with no obligations, then let them. No sweat off my back. Ill watch it and if its good I might buy it. As long as im not obligated to send it back I dont care.

#15

I just wrote “DO NOT EVER SEND ME ANYTHING LIKE THIS AGAIN” on the invoice and sent it back. If it happens again, I’ll write to Kalmbach, cancelling my subscription to GR, and explain exactly why I’m doing it.

Steve

#16

I have been known to send their postage paid envelopes back totally empty. Just lick the flap and drop in the mailbox.

Roger

#17
Jerry Bowers said:
Does anyone else find this type of marketing to be over the top?
Yes
#18

Here in the UK it’s charities. Three or four a week sometimes - a few with plastic bags in the mail slot wanting clothes or bric-a-bac…They must think we own a chainstore. …and besides…the people who are in charge of these charities are really well paid…
I often think 98% goes to runningt the charity/salaries etc., wth 2% to the “good cause”.

Unsolicited items received…ignore money requests…enjoy!!

#19

My, my. We certainly have thin skins here. Observing the Large Scalers of my acquaintance, I’d say we’re all over 21 here. We know that unsolicited mail requires nothing from us.

End of story, if not hysteria. I got one. No big deal, thanks Kalmbach. I got the “bill,” too. No big deal, thanks Kalmbach.

#20

I went through this two years ago with Reader’s Digest. Three months in a row, I received a set of six DVD’s on travel highlights in Egypt, along with a letter demanding instant payment. This apparently was a six part series (36 DVD’s). I did not apply for them, but apparently my wife responded to one of their sweepstakes lottery scams. She guarantees that no boxes were ticked as regards receiving DVD’s from them.

I returned the items each month paying several dollars each time for registered mail and repackaging to ensure receipt of the items. Now I am aware of my legal rights as regards receiving unsolicited material, however, what is to stop the company placing the recipient on the credit blacklist for non payment. One is only aware that one is on the list when one applies for credit/loan. If one finds oneself on the list then it is up to the debtor to prove innocence, along with a substantial application fee. The company is under no obligation. They simply report you for non-payment.

Several years ago I changed my electricity supplier after 30 plus years with the same company. On termination no invoice was forthcoming as regards the final amount payable. Days later I received a letter of demand from a debt collector stating that unless payment was made immediately then I would have my power supply cutoff. All was sorted out within an hour, but it shows the extent a company can go to after my thirty years of impeccable custom.