I used to belong to a gardening club. One of the benefits of membership was participation in the gardening forum. Sure, there was a magazine, but there are better magazines out there than what they provided. There were also test opportunities of products, but I never got anything useful, and really didn't care so much about that part.
What I really enjoyed was the forum. No, I didn't participate often but I did get some useful information from it.
Yesterday I cancelled my membership because the hassles outweighed the benefits.
See, when you join the club, they start sending you books to preview. Several of them I liked and kept. Then they got to really stupid stuff, so I refused them. After the first refusal, the books started coming, not once a month, but every two weeks. Then one week I got a book on Wednesday and a book on Friday.
I called the club and told them not to send me any more books. The sounded doubtful that I was actually receiving books that fast, until she looked at the shipment record. So, that was on the 14th of last month.
For the last year, at least once a month (and often once a week), the club has called me to see if I will become a life member. I keep refusing and also tell them not to call me any more.
Saturday, I got another book. I called yesteday to cancel membership.
"But why?" the service rep wanted to know.
I outlined my reasons and he said that he would put a stop shipment on the books. I explained that had already been done.
"Yeah, but it wasn't entered until the 21st." he exclaimed. (Yes, I called on the 14th and they didn't get it entered until the 21st, even though the gal assured me that it took effect immediately)
"Well, I got another book yesterday."
"Oh, it must be XYZ Title, it shipped out a couple of days ago."
"And that was several weeks after the stop shipment order was entered, I've had it, cancel my membership."
After further trying to persuade me to stay on, the young man finally cancelled my membership.
As for the forum, I've found another one that is usefull and I don't have to belong to a club to get to. In fact, if I just want to lurk, I don't have to do anything but got to their website. Goodby Home Gardening Club and Hello GardenWeb!
"Service" is not a part of their name. Not even a part of their culture. Well rid of.
Posted by: Cop Car | August 15, 2006 at 08:16 AM
yeah, i once belonged to a book club like that. its very frustrating.
Posted by: bod | August 15, 2006 at 01:57 PM