"History Book Club" -- anyone a member?

J Lee · January-12th-2005, 05:18 PM

I'm very curious to know whether anyone here has become a member of the History Book Club -- whose mailing I've just received.

It *appears* that one can "choose" "4 books for $1 each" (+ about 12 bucks s/h total) in return for becoming a member of the Club. It also appears that one is free to cancel at any time (in my case, this will be after receiving my loot); however, for each three-week period one is subscribed, upon receiving a mailing, one must accept or reject the purchase of one of their books. One is apparently not obliged to actually purchase anything from them ever.

Is this really the deal? I'm a little short on funds for books after going wild at yourmusic.com, and there are a couple of interesting reference works I'd like to pick up cheap....

Thanks,

John

Monte Smith · January-12th-2005, 05:35 PM

I'm not a member, but I have been a member of the Book-of-the-Month Club. Is it a scam? It can be. They wear you down with book offers, their prices aren't great, shipping and handling is pricey. They must sell enough books to make it worth their while, though. However, occasionally they do make an offer you can't refuse, which in my case was a free Compact OED. But if you really are short on funds, as you say, well, why spend anything?

groover · January-12th-2005, 05:45 PM

I'm a member, and I'll agree with Monte that they can wear you down with offers. If you don't respond promptly to each offer, they'll ship you the publishers' selections and bill you. You can mark them refused and send them back postage due, but it gets very tedious.

Are you sure they'll let you cancel immediately after getting the intro offer? I'll bet they'll find a way to keep you on the line so they can shove more books down your throat at full price.

J Lee · January-12th-2005, 06:06 PM

Excellent points, groover and Monte -- sounds like these guys operate within a similar structure as BMG's, where I've been a member for some time, although without quite as many perks, perhaps.

Th CD-ROM of the OED is quite a nice offer, however, Monte -- I'm sure you're profiting from that edition more than I enjoy my Compact, which is often disfavored for quick searches because of its sheer weight.

If I may ask you a question about your CD-ROM version, Monte: is there a way to configure the dictionary to run entirely from your computer, i.e., without chasing down the disc(s)?

Anyway, thanks guys,

John

Monte Smith · January-12th-2005, 06:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by J Lee

Th CD-ROM of the OED is quite a nice offer, however, Monte -- I'm sure you're profiting from that edition more than I enjoy my Compact, which is often disfavored for quick searches because of its sheer weight.

If I may ask you a question about your CD-ROM version, Monte: is there a way to configure the dictionary to run entirely from your computer, i.e., without chasing down the disc(s)?

You misunderstood me, John. I have the Compact Edition, not the CD-Rom. In fact, I have the compact version of the older OED, not the latest edition. I love it, I exhalt it, but you are right about the weight. And there is also the readability problem. For quick look-ups, rather than forays into erudite wordsmithing, I use a paperback dictionary or Rand. House Webster Unabridged.

frankenmeister7 · January-12th-2005, 07:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Monte Smith

I'm not a member, but I have been a member of the Book-of-the-Month Club. Is it a scam? It can be. They wear you down with book offers, their prices aren't great, shipping and handling is pricey. They must sell enough books to make it worth their while, though. However, occasionally they do make an offer you can't refuse, which in my case was a free Compact OED. But if you really are short on funds, as you say, well, why spend anything?

same here.

once they have your identity,fingerprints, ssn and whatever else they can confiscate you are a fish in a barrel. shotgun in hand with two cartridges.

your first and last name.

J Lee · January-12th-2005, 08:19 PM

Ah -- I see I did misread you, Monte. Not quite the thing for the odd game of Scrabble or cheating at the crosswords, but as prized as the tail of a Maine Coon.

frankenmeister7 · January-12th-2005, 10:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by J Lee

Ah -- I see I did misread you, Monte. Not quite the thing for the odd game of Scrabble or cheating at the crosswords, but as prized as the tail of a Maine Coon.

that, and then some