Conference cookie::notes$archive:cd_v1

I've been a member of the Musical Heritage Society (of NJ) off and on for 
several years.  They have a nice selection (on LP's), and I think they are 
starting to get into CD's.  All classical.

The reason I left was that I don't like clubs that send you the monthly 
selection(s) unless you send in the little card.

__Rich

I belonged to MHS for several years. You can get some real gems from
them if you're willing to take some losers as well. The nicest thing
about MHS was that they have some VERY unusual software. They were the
only company I could find Gregorian Chants from that used a counter tenor.

If they're getting into CDs I think I'd be willing to rejoin. If anyone
knows for sure, could you let me know?

Thanks,
Ray

When I dropped the MHS, they put me onto another UADVERTISED scheme
where they don't use the negative-option cards. (UNADVERTISED)

I am in the Int'l Preview Soc now, and am on the verge of telling
them to stop sending me those things.

I remember the CD letter from IPS.  Seem to recall it had something
to do with RCA.  In general, I am not impressed with record "clubs".
Harold Moore will ship me CD's by airmail for $10.95, from Europe.

How do you find out more about Harold Moore and the air mail 
approach?

thanks,
ray

See note 27.5 and 27.7.

I now subscribe to "Grammophone" and it is indeed a very good source
of reviews and ads for mail-order places in the UK.  Something like
50 or so reviews in each issue.

MHS is indeed carrying CDs now.  They generally list several in each issue.

Incidentally, I find MHS a real pleasure to belong to.  I've bought many
records from them that I never would have gone out looking for; and David
Greene's reviews in their Review make membership worthwhile all by themselves.

	-Neil

I belong to IPS. If you want to get off the "negative option" arrangement,
it's simple. On two occassions, I didn't manage to send the card back in
time, and had unwanted disks sent to me. Without batting an eyelash, I
sent them right back. Soon after, I got a notice from them saying that
instead of the "negative option" default, they'd only send me the selections
if I order them. Who am I to complain?

I'd like to join their CD club, or at least find out more about it, but I've
got to see just how my budget can handle it. I went a little mad buying CD's
when my housemate got the player, and I really need to cut back a little.

--- jerry

	I just got a mailing from Discount Music Club, Inc (DMC). They
want $6 for a years membership, and offer discount prices on ANY record,
tape, and disc in Schwann. There is no minimum, and they claim a refund
on the works if you are not satisfied. They claim discounts up to 73%, a
minimum discount of 20%, with specials of 30%-40%. Has anyone heard of
DMC or had any experience with them. For 6 bucks, and a full refund if I
am not satisfied, it seems that I have little to loose by trying it out.
Unless I see something to the contrary here by the weekend, I will give
them a try, and let you know what happens. 

Yeah, I belonged to DMC for about 7 years. They started as $4 a year, with
discount certificates based on percentages (7% off, for example).  The
ordering "catalog" was (and still is) a copy of Schwann.   What follows is
my experience with LP's, I've never ordered any CD's from them.

Basically, they aren't too bad.  I have NEVER gotten anything but PERFECT
quality  records  from  them,  I  cannot  say that for any other store. I've
always had a few that needed returning for scratches or warps.   Other good
things are that you can order just about anything, I've only had one or
two orders unfilled due to the age of the record and its being out of
stock.

Why did I drop them ? Well, I wasn't ordering too much from them anymore and
even with their discounts (more on that later), it turned out to be just as
cheap to buy records at a local store.  From time to time I consider rejoining,
but basically, I'm pretty lazy about some things.   That's one of them.

The discounts are from LIST price, that's pretty high to start.  The larger
discounts are on items that never appealed to me.   Overall, the prices
with discounts are about what you'd find in a local store, sometimes less
on some of their special deals.

So, if you buy a reasonable number of selections, want items that never
need returning, and want a large choice, try them.  It's only $6.

- Ben

Has anyone tried the Discount Music Club mentioned in .8 and .9 for
CDs?  What are their discounts like?  Selection?
						Thanks,
						B.J.

        I tried to join one of the clubs, probably about 8 months
        ago.  I never received anything from them.  One thing I
        noticed when I was looking at the brochures--several of the
        clubs are really the same.  They use different names but
        offer the same set of choices for a first disc and the
        addresses are the same except for the last digits of the
        P.O. Box.
        
        Has anyone succeeded in joining any of these clubs?
        					B.J.

I joined the Compact Disc Club out of Indiana.  I got my free disk.  With each
of the two additional disks I bought, I got a coupon redeemable for half off
another disk.  I sent the two coupons in, which the club rules state you can do,
but they only gave me credit for one and sent me a bill for the remainder.  
I wrote a letter but my only response was another bill.  They give a customer
services phone number but it is not a 800 number.  You can only call during the 
day when rates are high so I can't see making a $8.00 phone call about a $8.00
bill.  Not even from a DEC phone.  I have written a letter telling them to 
remove me from the club.  I suppose if it goes as far as them threatening a
collection agency I will pay.  I can't see letting these b******s screw up my
credit rating over a small bill.

    We just received something in the mail from CBS disc club.  You
    get 2 discs for $1 for an introduction and you have to buy 2 more
    discs at regular price in a year.  So we said "well, what's regular
    price???".  Regular price is 14.98 & 15.98 + shipping & handling
    which isn't all that bad.  Also, after we've fulfilled our obligation
    to buy, (I think this is how is goes) for every 2 we buy, we get
    1 at half price.  Sounds similar to Columbia House Records and Tapes
    and oddly enough, it's the same address.  So we decided to go for
    it.  I'll update on the service when I can.
    
    Has anyone else dealt with CBS????
    
    Donna 

    Well, CBS stands for Columbia Broadcasting system, so don't
    be too surprised!
    
    Brian

    RE:.14
    My facts were wrong about the 1/2 price after obligation is fulfilled.
    I went home and checked the literature and for every 1 you buy,
    you get 1 at 1/2 price, so it's even better than I had previously
    stated.  Now, let's just hope the selection is OK.
    
    Donna

    Did you get this flyer in the mail, or was it in a magazine?
    (If a magazine, which?).
    							-Roy-

    I got one of these "fliers" in the mail...
    
    
    at the office (correct mail stop and all). Where did they get the
    address? 
    
    /. Ian .\

    I JOINED THE CBS CLUB TWO.  SEEMS LIKE A GOOD DEAL TO ME. THEIR
    SERVICE HAS BEEN GOOD SO FAR FOR ME. THE SELECTION IS SOME WHAT
    LIMITED BUT I STILL HAVE BEEN ABLE TO FIND A LOT OF CD'S THAT I
    WANTED.
    
    DOES ANYONE KNOW IF THEY HAVE A REFERRAL PROGRAM FOR THEIR MEMBERS
    TO GET FRIENDS TO JOIN. SIMILAR TO THEIR RECORD CLUB.
    
    BRUCE

    This may be a great idea!  For one thing,  CDC and others probably
    get their discs from distributors, for quantity prices that are
    well below what you see in stores.  I don't know how you find the
    distributors, but I'm sure you'd get a better price directly from
    them than from any retailer.  I think a CD CO-OP could work.  There'd
    be details to work out ... someone would have to act as the focal
    point, and would have to mail discs out to individuals.
    
    Does anyone know how to contact wholesale distributers?  Or what
    quantities put one in the "dealer" league?

    Unless you have tens of thousands of dollars to invest in inventory
    expenses, etc., I wouldn't bother.  CDC buys from distributors,
    like everyone else, but they maintain their own large inventory.
    Distributors won't sell to you unless you buy huge quantities
    (hundreds) of discs at a time.
    
    What you might consider is contacting a good mail-order place like
    CDC and ask if they're willing to offer an additional discount for
    larger orders.  I've placed two orders with them so far, grouping
    together with 4-5 other friends, and my orders are usually about
    30 discs.
    
    				Steve

    I think we could easily place orders for 100 or more.
    
    Glenn

    My guess is that it would have to be hundreds OF THE SAME TITLE.
    
    What are you going to do with one hundred copes of Michael Jackson's
    Thriller?  What would you do with one?  :-)
    
                                Roak
    

    I don't think that is necessarily true.  We got hold of a distributors
    catalogue for car stereo equipment.  We called the number on the
    catalogue, and asked for specifics.
    
    They told us that any company (we made up a name, and had as it's
    address, one of the orderees home address), could order.  Minimum
    order was $25.  We were getting $200 pieces of stereo equipment
    for $25-$60.
    
    I'm sure te specifics are different for each distributor, but i
    really doubt that have tremendous minimum.  They may however have
    shipping charge incentives for large orders (ie: over some dollar
    value or quantity value, and they pay the shipping).
    
    						-Roy-
    

    RE .24
    (MICHAEL JACKSON'S THRILLER)
    
    I HAVEN'T SEEN WHAT HAPPEN'S TO CD'S WHEN BAKED IN THE OVEN FOR
    AWHILE?!? I.E. LP'S.

    I realize this is almost a year late, but better late than never.
    There is a referral program for the CBS Disc Club, it constists
    of you paying $1.00 plus shipping and handling get two discs and
    agree to buy two more in one year and the referrer get one free
    disc.
    
    If anyone wants the referral form and to see a catalog send mail
    to:
    
    		skylrk::shore
    
    		     or
    
    		Jim Shore
    		WRO2-2/H48
    		Santa Clara, CA

    
    RE: .-1
    
    	I also have the information if anyone is interested:
    
    	MRO1-1/M31 (pole JK32) 297-7167, GNUVAX::, etc...
    
    	The sad part of this is, you can find adds in magazines and
    newspaper supplements whereby CBS will let you get three for $1
    and you can buy a fourth for $6.95 -- agreeing to but only two more
    during the next year.  With postage and handling, their $14.98 disc
    costs you $17.50 (x2) = 35$ + 7.95$ = 42.95 for six discs = 7.16$
    per disk.  A damn good deal if you ask me.
    
    RCA also has one.  4 for a $1.00 with 3 more to buy in a year.
    
    								-rjk

    This month's Discover Magazine has an ad from one of these CD clubs
    where you get 3 CDs for $1 and has no further obligation.  I know
    nothing about it...just thought I would mention the sources.
    
    Burns
    

    As far as I know, all of these clubs operate on the negative reply
    card basis.  In other words, they send you a flyer every 4 weeks
    or so indicating that "month"'s featured CD, and some alternates.
    If you don't send back the card with the NO box marked (you pay
    postage), they send you the featured selection automatically, and
    bill you for it.
    
    

    
    RE: .-1
    
    	yup.
    
    	-rjk

    Re .2  And you record it and send it back. Of course this is illegal
    and I'd never do it.
    
    Ed

    Most book clubs operate in the same way... The trick is to take the
    package out of your mailbox, write "REFUSED, return to sender" on it,
    and put it back in the mailbox... Pretty soon the club gets sick of
    paying postage and they put you on a "Preferred" customer list where
    they don't send you anything unless you specifically ask for it...

-mike

Columbia Record and Tape [and CD] Club ran an add in last Sunday's "Parade"
Magazine:

	o Four CD's for $1 (that includes shipping/handling),

	o You agree to buy three more in the next two years,

	o Current prices are $14.98 and $15.98, plus shipping/handling,

	o Usual practice of "speak up or we ship you this month's
	  selection,"

	o Decent selection of CDs in the ad.

I noticed a few of the CD's in the ad were marked "double selections -
count as two selections," even though I know its a single CD.  It looks
like a carry over from records/tapes.  Hmmm...

Paul

    If you use the 'refused, return to sender' method, you must NOT
    open the package.  Once the package is opened, YOU must pay the
    return postage.  So long as it is unopened, you don't pay a thing.
    
    			George

    They changed it!!!
    
    RE: .28 & .29
    
    They changed the offer so that it matches the add in the mags.
    

    re: .29  -  CD club offer in Discover magazine is International
                Preview Society.

    Has anyone been a member of one of the disc clubs and later cancelled
    after having fulfilled your obligation to buy 2(?) discs at regular
    prices?
    
    I joined the RCA music club sometime last year (records/tapes). I kept
    my side of the deal. I've been buying my music on CD lately, so a
    couple of weeks ago I wrote "CANCEL MEMBERSHIP" on the return card. I
    got a call a few days later offering me lifetime membership, no
    obligation, but I could buy anything from the catalogue at half the
    regular price.
    
    I'm wondering if the disc clubs would make the same offer. That
    would be a pretty good deal I think.
    
    - roger 

 re .38 

>    Has anyone been a member of one of the disc clubs and later cancelled
>    after having fulfilled your obligation to buy 2(?) discs at regular
>    prices?
    
I was a member of the RCA CD Club and dropped out to join Columbia (seemed
to be a better deal).
No remarks from RCA at all, I just stopped receiving the mail.

P.

I joined both the RCA and CBS CD clubs after purchasing a player 
recently. Both operate out of Indiana. 

I noticed on the invoices that I was being charged sales tax in 
addition to the expected shipping and handling. Is this right?
Does Indiana charge sales tax on out of state purchases (I'm in Mass.)?

Chuck

	I just got a letter from Compact Discounters, Inc. They claim:
	
	o They carry every CD presently available in the US, plus some
	imports
	
	o Any disc can be returned within 15 days for replacement or
	credit, no questions asked
	
	o "Lifetime warranty" if it ever fails to perform like brand
	new (in "normal use") they'll replace it free
	
	o Shipping charge is $2.95 per order, regardless of size
	
	o Orders shipped same day they're received, even if payment is
	by check (they don't wait for the check to clear) - it
	anything is out-of-stock the rest of the order is shipped
	immediately, missing items are shipped the day they arrive
	with no additional shipping charge
	
	o toll-free order line
	
	o one-time fee of $4.95
	
	Unfortunately, they did not include a catalog or any
	indication of what their prices are (other than a reference to
	"discount prices"). Has anyone else had any experience with
	CDI? Any idea what their prices are like?
	
	Mike

    re: .40
    
    Companies who receive the major source of their income from mailorder
    sales are required by law to charge sales tax if such a tax is
    applicable. In the case of Masscahusetts, they will afix a 5% tax,
    whcih they pay to the Commonwealth.

    Re .40 & .42
    
    The real question is why do they charge tax on shipping and handling?
    
    						-- Geoff
    

    
    RE: .41
    
    Mike,
    Could you post the address?  
    
               Thanks
                HOOT
    

    Generally, mail-order firms don't have to collect sales tax for
    out-of-state shipments unless that firm does retail business in
    the state.  Maybe Mass. has different rules.
    
    They can charge tax on shipping and handling because that is a
    service - they don't represent it as "postage" (which ought not
    to be taxed).
    				Steve

    .45> Generally, mail-order firms don't have to collect sales tax for
    .45> out-of-state shipments unless that firm does retail business in
    .45> the state.  Maybe Mass. has different rules.

    Most states will pay *out-of-state* mail-order firms a commission on
    any sales tax collected and forwarded to the state treasury.

    I'll bet that the record club in question is collecting sales tax
    because they get to keep some of the tax money for their trouble.

    -- Ward

    
    For what it might be worth...
    
    Many people who have belonged to mail-order record "clubs" have
    noticed that records and tapes not on the parent label (CBS or RCA)
    come stamped with "manufactured under liscence from...." or some
    such notice.  Often these copies are not as good quality as those
    from the real label...in particular if that label is say, Philips,
    DG, etc. who use foreign pressing plants.
    
    I received two Nonesuch CDs today from the CBS CD club and they
    are marked "manufactured by Columbia House"....
                                             
    I don't know if there will be any quality difference noticable,
    but I found it interesting to say the least....
    
    Let you know what I think once my player *comes back from the shop*...
    

    Re:  .47
    
    Look on the bright side (of "mfd. under license by Columbia House",
    etc.) --
    
    When you were talking about vinyl or cassette, it was not only possible
    but almost guaranteed that manufacturing short-cuts (cheap vinyl,
    fast pressing cycles, cheap tape, cheap cassette shells, fast duping)
    woud introduce audible differences.   With CDs, if they use the
    same digital source tape, and the disk isn't so gross as not to
    track, it should sound the same (shouldn't it?).
    
    dq

    I joined CBS CD club in January (got my CD for Xmas).  So far, the
    CD's I've received have been of excellent -- I repeat -- those I've
    "r e c e i v e d"
    
    I'm "still" waiting for my last "free" CD to fulfill my introductory
    offer -- everything I picked was 'TEMPORARILY OUT OF STOCK' so I
    had to wait.  I then got 2 coupons for free CD's -- I sent them
    in -- both those CD's were T.O.O.S!
    
    I ordered CD's on 2 flyers -- I'm still waiting - they're -- you
    guess it T.O.O.S.  
    
    I'm now checking the "send no selection box".  Until I get what's
    coming to me I'll keep on buying from the stores -- at least you
    then I can see what's IN STOCK!
    
    CBS came highly recommended to me but I'm having doubts now.
    
    Pat_who_rushes_to_her_mailbox_daily!
    

Re .49	That's really strange.  I've received 50+ CDs from the CBS CD
    club and have only had a very few be on back order, and they arrived
    within a few weeks of being back ordered.  What's nice too is that
    I've received free CD certificates, 1/2 price certificates, and
    just lately a bonus CD that I didn't order (too bad I already had
    it!), all of this in addition to regular buy 1, get 1 at 1/2 price.
    I have no complaints except that their selection is limited.
    
    						-- Geoff

    
    RE: .-1
    
    	Yea, I agree.  I figured I'd stay in for my enrollment, then
    dump it (5 disks for ~7.50 a disk).  But they're fairly prompt with
    delivery, and I've had a few disks back ordered, but I get the notice
    telling me so (about the time the disk WOULD'VE been delivered)
    and except for one instance, recieved it within 7 to 10 days after
    that.  The one instance I didn't -- they sent me a rain check 1/2
    price CD certificate for my 'time'.
    
    	I've been a member about a year now, and yes, their selection
    tends to look a bit limited, but there's so much out there I like,
    and so much I don't have ...
    
    	They also have specials all - the - time.  Dics listed at $8-10.99
    , or buy one -- get another half price (even if you haven't fulfilled
    your enrollment yet!).  I recently bought the ST to Stand By Me,
    and with one of their buy one-get one 1/2 price specials, ordered
    Fantasia (24.95) for 1/2 price!
    
    	It's got it's drawbacks, but it's got its plusses also.
    
    								-rjk

    re: 50 & 51
    I guess I'm just "jinxed" - so far I have 3 CD's and 17 little T.O.O.S.
    card notices.  As I mentioned in my earlier note, they have sent
    me certificates for free CD's to compensate for my inconvenience,
    but I got the "cards" for those too.
    
    I'll just have to wait it out and not order anything more until
    they get caught up -- and then give them the benefit of the doubt
    -- another try.
    
    Pat
    

I have noticed problems with the CBS club as well.  It seems to take quite a 
while to get what you ordered.  My big problem is that it takes 2 weeks 
between when they say they ship and when I receive the CD.  About 1.5 weeks 
after they ship, they send me a "Did you know we have not received the money 
yet?" notice.  My last order was for 4 cds, including 2 doubles.  After about 
10 weeks, I got one, with a bill, and a notice that the rest were out of stock, 
on a Tuesday.  On Wednesday, I got the second with more of the same.  Thursday 
brought the 3rd, and Friday, the 4th.  Monday brought the annoying notice.  I 
barely had time to listen to them all!  I deceided to call 800 information for 
a phone number, and got one.  I called the office, and the people were very 
nice.  They said that the 2 weeks was an unusual long delivery time, and they 
would mark my account to indicate that "reminders" should be sent accordingly.
They also let me change an existing order when I explained that I accidentally 
ordered the same CD on 2 successive orders (I pointed out that it was probably 
due to the rapid fire mailings of catalogs, and the sloooow delivery time).

						     
							- JP

	Sorry for the delay, I'm not a regular follower of CD any
	more...
	
	Compact Discounters, Inc.
	2205 Decker Boulevard
	Columbia, South Carolina 29206
	
	re: the sales tax question, they say there's no sales tax
	except for SC residents.
	
	Mike

    Sales Tax Collection:
          Only a few mail order companies I've dealt with (CBS CD club,
    Spiegels) attempt to collect sales tax for the recipient state.
          When I have withheld such tax the merchandise is sent to me
    anyway.
    
    CBS Record Club is continually out of what I order, even when what
    I am ordering is available in record stores.  Mysterious.  
    
         The pattern seems to be that they are out of your 3 free
    selections, but paid merchandise seems somehow to be available.
    
    RCA CD club has, I think, the same address as CBS CD club in Indiana.
    When I tried to join them too, they crosschecked my address with
    CBS and said there could not be two members in the same household.
    Am I a household?
    
    Addendum: there is now a CBS VIDEO club out of the same Indiana
    address.
    
    Moral: Somewhere in Indiana there is a farm making a fortune.
    
          I am a  

    
    RE: .-1
    
    	Maybe you were being facetious (I imagine so), but I got all
    three of my free CBS selections, and rather quickly.  None were
    out of stock.  I've found that either something very popular, or
    very obscure, is usually what's out of stock.
    
    	I also do not believe they cross-check.  As I've stated before,
    I was a member of the CBS club (twice, at two different addresses),
    and of the RCA club (at one of the two CBS addresses) -- ALL at
    the SAME time -- no problems.
    
    								-rjk

    I got three our of four of my initial selections from the CBS club.
    The only reason I didn't get the forth one was that I somehow
    screwed up the catalog number on one.
    
    It did take about a month+ to get the initial signup, but my other
    shipments took two weeks or less.
    
    The CD's I've gotton thru the club are:
    
    
    	Chicago's Greatest Hits
    	Then & Now ... The Best of the Monkees
    	Foreigner Records (ie. Greatest Hits)
    	ELO's Greatest Hits
    	CCR - Chronicle
    	A Decade of Steely Dan (ie. Greatest Hits)
    
    If anybody at LKG, ZK, or MK wants to join the club, I will give
    them $5, after I get the free CD for signing you up.

    Has anyone heard of Compact Discounters, Inc.?  They seem to
    be a club/mail order distributor.  To get on their mailing
    list you have a "one time fee".  They look like a pretty good
    deal if they stay around.  For the membership fee they send
    a catalog and "regular" updates.
    
    If you know something about please post a reply.  I'll post
    more information if asked.  Their address is:
    
    	Compact Discounters, Inc.
    	2205 Decker Boulevard
    	Columbia, South Carolina
    	29206
    	(803)-782-9251

    I have dealt with these folks.  They were reasonably prompt and
    they filled a backorder eventually, when they received stock.
    
    Problem: They sent me (all credit customers, I assume) a form letter
    informing me of an erroneous $50 charge to my credit card--explaining
    that a credit would be issued.  I haven't yet seen the credit, so
    they are using my money.  I have notified my credit card that it's
    not a valid charge.  I suspect that CDI is in trouble
    financially, they keep sending me "lifetime membership" offers that
    appear to let me pay them money now in return for discounts later.
    
    	Eirikur
    

    re: .-1
    
    Thanks.  Anybody want my membership form?  First mail received
    at nabeth::alan will be the "lucky" person.  Please include
    your mailstop.
    

    I just got an invitation to join CDI as well.  What are the average
    disk prices?  Are they better than in the stores?  Is it better to not
    send them your credit card number and just pay by check? 

    Thanks for the info.  I just threw my "CDI" enrollment card in the
    trash.  Someone can make gobs of money when they sell memberships
    for five bucks a whack.  I may have joined if they could've showed
    me what I'd be getting.

	I joined CDI, paying my $5 fee by check just in case. They
	somehow lost track of me, and when I called some months later
	to ask where my catalog was I had to send a photocopy of my
	cancelled check to prove I had indeed enrolled. I finally got
	the catalog and found I could do much better with CDC, which
	has always given me good service and good prices. CDI has
	since offered me the chance to be a "preferred member" or some
	such thing - $50 (?) and I'll get a $4 discount on all orders.
	I'm using it as a bookmark, this operation just sounds too
	fishy to throw any more money away on.
	
	Mike

I recently cancelled my membership in the Columbia House (CBS, Inc.)
club.  I wrote a letter, giving three basic reasons (in no particular
order):

  o  CBS' involvement with "copyguard"

  o  Their prices, even with the "buy one, get one for half price"
     deal, were no longer particularly competitive with sales at
     retail stores

  o  Their rather small selection

When I talked about the selection, I said that they offered few, or
no, CDs, from some groups I picked off the top of my head (Beatles,
Dylan, Grateful Dead, Moody Blues), even though I'd seen many CDs from
all these groups in most record stores.

I got a (sort-of form) letter back, saying "Recordings by any artists
listed below are not available through the Club".  The only entry in the
list was the Beatles.  They also enclosed three other pages, listing
their selections from the other three artists.

That was nice, and there were several titles I hadn't seen in their
catalogs...but then I realized that not all the titles were available
in CD.  They listed one Moody Blues title - not in CD format (and it
was pre-_Days Of Future Passed_ anyway).  Of 11 Dylan titles, only
four are available (through them) in CD.  Four of the seven Dead
titles come in CD, including two that I hadn't seen in their catalogs
before.

In summary, I never had any problems with them (except for two CDs
I'd ordered and didn't get because they were "no longer available",
though I've seen them in the stores since then), but the selection
makes them quickly uninteresting.

Jim Stratton

    
    Argh, I must admit that more often than not I find acronyms to be
    a perfect pain in the a**.  It is even worse when nobody thinks
    of clarifying the meaning; in this case, I am going crazy over t.o.o.s.
     What the &$%$&^ does that stand for.  Why can't digital employees
    just spell like NORMAL HUMAN BEINGS....GRRRRR*&^#*^$
    
    /Sunil

From context:

t.o.o.s.	:= Temporarily out of stock.

    < Note 67.66 by CHIRPA::OUELLETTE "But what about the R.O.U.S." >

    Noting the lack of any fire swamps near DEC facilities, I think
    you will be ok.  If you do have any problems, I suggest you consult
    Jerry Boyajian's personal name...  :-)
    

    Does anyone have a recently old catalog that they no longer need
    from the the "Compact Dics Club" (the one that services the CD
    club for the "RCA Music Service")?  I want to join this one to
    take the 4 free, buy 1, get 1 more free offer but from the list
    they had in the newspaper I can only find 3 selections I like.
    
    My mail stop is LKG1-3/L06
    
    Thanks in advance!

    re .68
    
    6 CDs for the price of one??!!!  Sounds like a no lose situation.
    Which paper did you find this in?  I could use a deal like that.  
    Hmmmm.  I could cut down on the amount of money I spend on CDs without
    cutting down on the number I buy per week.  Sounds Great.
    
    							Dave

    Re: .-1
    
    It was on the last page of the "USA Weekend" insert in last Sunday's
    Nashua Telegraph.  I have also heard it talked about in this notesfile
    (maby even this topic, but I haven't checked yet).

    re .70, .68
    
    Be aware that the cd clubs will sometimes use different part numbers
    for the CD's in their normal catalog and those in the magazine ads.
    Usually it's something simple like just prefixing the regular number
    with a 1 but I have seen cases where they use totally different
    numbers.

Re: < Note 67.69 by CADSYS::SHEPARD >
                               -< What a deal! >-

>    re .68
>    
>    6 CDs for the price of one??!!!  Sounds like a no lose situation.
>    Which paper did you find this in?  I could use a deal like that.  
>    Hmmmm.  I could cut down on the amount of money I spend on CDs without
>    cutting down on the number I buy per week.  Sounds Great.
>    
>    							Dave

I recently sent in my membership to this club.  I got the original ad from
a TV Guide - its in an issue about every month.  The deal was get 4 CDs for
1 cent (you tape a penny to the form!), commit to buying 1 at full price
over the next year (or maybe 2?) and then get a 6th CD free.  On the free
ones you only pay shipping and handling.  I sent it in about 6 weeks ago -
first after 4 weeks I got a simple postcard acknowledging receipt of my
membership, and then about a week ago I got 2 of my first 4 disks (Bruce
Hornsby & the Range and Led Zeppelin IV) and was billed $3.30 for shipping.
Not sure when the other 2 will arrive - I'm wondering if I have to pay
shipping for these two first to get the others shipped (you know,
establishing good credit history with the club, etc).

In the catalog that came with my first two disks, they are running a
Christmas special for this catalog only where you buy one at full price
(most are $15.98 +shipping) and gt one FREE, plus a third CD on the order
is at the half-price bonus rate (normal method for the club). I just filled
out my order today, and marked down 4 CDs - 1 at full price, one FREE, one
at bonus rate, and (hopefully) one FREE again as per my 6 for 1 membership.

So , if this all works out as expected, I will ultimately get 8 disks as
follows:

5 free		*1.65 each shipping = $ 8.25
1 full price	incl shipping	    = $16.63
1 half-price	incl shipping	    = $ 8.62
1 free Xmas special incl shipping   = $ 1.65
                                      ------
                                      $35.15 / 8 = ~ $4.40 each

I may be off a bit on the state tax, etc, but thats minor.  Still one heck
of a bargain.
   

    After purchasing my CD player a few months ago I checked in to both
    the RCA CD Club and Columbia's.  After running through the numbers
    I joined both.  Essentially, if you join and only complete the 
    requirements, the average cost per disk is great, much below what
    you would pay at stores.  If you remain a member of the clubs after,
    and go through their buy two (or one) and get one at half price deal
    you do not do so well.
    
    So I quit the club, wait a few months, and then join again.  It's
    always worked with their record club divisions.  In fact, after
    quitting they always send notices asking you to join again.	
             
    They obviously do not make much profit from me.

    <they obviously do not make much profit with me>
    
    betcha they do! 
    They just make an even bigger profit from those
    who retain and use membership
    
    				:-)

	re .72
>>membership, and then about a week ago I got 2 of my first 4 disks (Bruce
>>Hornsby & the Range and Led Zeppelin IV) and was billed $3.30 for shipping.
>>Not sure when the other 2 will arrive - I'm wondering if I have to pay
>>shipping for these two first to get the others shipped (you know,
>>establishing good credit history with the club, etc).

	They're not doing it to you on purpose.  I got all 4 all at one
	time, but the shipping and handleing is a "fixed price" per CD,
	not an actual postage  charge.    So  you  don't win or lose by
	getting partial shipments.  I  don't  believe  they are holding
	back just to see if you pay for the first 2.

>>is at the half-price bonus rate (normal method for the club). I just filled
>>out my order today, and marked down 4 CDs - 1 at full price, one FREE, one
>>at bonus rate, and (hopefully) one FREE again as per my 6 for 1 membership.

	Read  the fine print at the  back  of  the  catalog,  purchases
	during this special don't qualify in meeting  your committments
	(buying one at the reg price).

	I only have two complaints about this "club".    The  first  is
	that you get "many" deals throught the mail.  If you DON'T send
	the card it, then you get sent a special CD.   You HAVE to send
	the card in saying you don't want it, and it cost  YOU 25 cents
	for  postage.   When you start to add up all the 25  cents  and
	factor  that  into  the cost formula, it begins to get a little
	more expensive  (but  not  too  bad).    I  wish the card had a
	pre-paid envelope.

	The second problem,  is  I have no idea how to claim the "free"
	CD after purchasing the one at full price.  The card you use to
	order the CD's doesn't have  a  catagory  for that.  I'll cross
	that road when I come to  it,  but  if  anybody  knows how that
	works, please let me know.

								JCE

    re .75
    
    After fulfilling your obligation they will send a certificate which
    entitles you to your "free" cd.
    
    I've just joined this club again to take advantage of the intro
    offer, they had no qualms about accepting my membership two months
    after previously cancelling it. I think they must make some profit
    on the "shipping and handling"!
    
    mike

Re:
< Note 67.75 by SPIDER::EGOLF "John C. Egolf MLO21-3/E87 x223-3481" >

>	Read  the fine print at the  back  of  the  catalog,  purchases
>	during this special don't qualify in meeting  your committments
>	(buying one at the reg price).

I *did* read the back page and the next-to-last page in the current
CD Discovery catalog.  I saw NO restrictions as to buying a full-priced CD
(not the monthly selection!) and using it towards fullfilling my
obligation.  I believe you are wrong.

Regards,

	Al

P.S.  Is there a toll-free number for this club like the CBS club has?

RE: .76

>	I think they must make some profit on the "shipping and
>	handling"!
    
The 'Shipping & handling' is their most lucrative product. I joined 
the club when they offered a "get 3 free, buy nothing, ever" deal. 
The 3 'free' discs cost me about $7 in S/H, plus about $5 in stamps 
to mail the refusal notices, until I canceled about a year later. 
During that year, I also ordered a few discs at 'half price'. When
you figure S/H in, the 'half price' discs cost very close to $10 
each. Not a bad deal, but not an earth-shaking bargain, either. 

I canceled because the savings, such as they are, do not compensate
for the hassle (they twice sent me discs I did not want, because my
refusal slip got lost in the mail, or took three times as long as
any other mail to get to them) and for their smallish selection. I'd
rather pay a couple of bucks more at a well stocked store, or buy
through the CDSWAP notefile. 

-- Ron

    It is perfectly legal to NOT send in the monthly form, and simply
    write "RETURN TO SENDER -- UNSOLICITED" on the CD when it comes
    in the mail.  This way it doesn't cost you postage to say, "No,
    I DON'T want Donny&Marie Sing The Blues".
    
    ScottR

    <it is perfectly legal to NOT send in the monthly form, and simply
    write "RETURN TO SENDER...>
    
    Many of these clubs have a statement that one signs when joining,
    that commits the signer to accept the merchandise if the signer
    does not send in the monthly form.
    
    I have never had to actually accept the merchandise, on a couple
    of occasions after forgetting to mail in the card. However, it sure
    elicited "nastygrams" from the clubs. Including a threatening letter that
    if I did it again, my membership would be cancelled & I would be
    immediately responsible for the balance of my purchase committment.
    

    re .75
    
    	Actually, post card postage is not $.25, but $.15, regardless
    of what the note in the stamp corner says, but I agree with you
    about the cost of sending the cards in, it does add up.

    re: .80
    
    It's an empty threat with no legal validity.  Unless they make you
    promise to send the card back registered mail, they can't prove
    you haven't sent it - they could have lost it themselves - I've
    had that appear to happen more than once.  As for their nastygrams,
    they can be ignored as easily as the card.  If they want to cancel
    your membership, say "Fine!" - they can't make you pay for your
    commitment because they can't prove you didn't send the card back
    as stated above.  As someone else noted, if they threaten you, you
    can always send in an address change to a foreign country - the
    clubs ALL have a policy that they let you off the hook if you move
    out of the U.S. since they don't want to deal with the hassle.
    
    BTW, I looked at the applications for the clubs that I have lying
    around and I don't see any fine print on any of them where you have
    to sign agreeing to return the card...
    
    B

Re: < Note 67.75 by SPIDER::EGOLF "John C. Egolf MLO21-3/E87 x223-3481" >


>	re .72
>>Not sure when the other 2 will arrive - I'm wondering if I have to pay
>>shipping for these two first to get the others shipped (you know,
>>establishing good credit history with the club, etc).

>	They're not doing it to you on purpose.  I got all 4 all at one
>	time, but the shipping and handleing is a "fixed price" per CD,
>	not an actual postage  charge.    So  you  don't win or lose by
>	getting partial shipments.  I  don't  believe  they are holding
>	back just to see if you pay for the first 2.

I got the other two discs Friday afternoon in a small 2-disc mailer. Plus
another small bill for $3.30 shipping.

Then on Saturday I got the new CBS Club catalog - their Xmas special is buy
one at full price, take a bonus at half-price, and *then* - ALL single discs
in the entire catalog are (only) $10.99, or $15.99 for 2-disc sets. You can
order  in unlimited quantities once the first two are out of the way. I
suppose it might be a little cheaper for some stuff, but I bet the same
order through Noteworthy, etc, would be a lot cheaper in the long run.

Also just got Noteworthy's latest catalog - sure wish they'd revamp the
classical listings somehow.  Can't tell one from the next when multiple
versions abound...

Regards,

	Al

    Well, I found a great way to avoid using the reply cards altogether,
    though I discovered it inadvertently.
    
    While going through my relocation last spring, several mailings
    from RCA were received after the due dates for getting the cards
    back to them.  I short order, the unrequested LPs/CDs arrived as
    well.
    
    After sending back about 3-4 packages, they sent me a letter saying
    that since I was so bad at sending back the cards on time, they
    would no longer send me any automatic mailings.  The only time they
    would send me anything was if I sent them back the card.  Think
    this bothered me???  NO WAY!!
    
    It's great.  Now I just throw their whole mailing out if I don't
    want anything.
    
    I wonder if anyone else out there is having this "problem"?  Not
    that I would suggest anything, of course.
    
    Have fun,
    
    /art mann

RE: .84

>    Well, I found a great way to avoid using the reply cards
>    altogether... they sent me a letter saying ... they would
>    no longer send me any automatic mailings.

This is nothing short of amazing... After getting totally disgusted
with sending the refusal cards and then getting the CDs anyway, I
wrote the club, telling them to either stop automatic mailings
(which is exactly what .84 got without even asking for it), or
cancel my membership. They chose to cancel the membership.... 

Art, what club exactly was it? I would gladly sign up again if I
could get this deal. 

-- Ron 

    
    
      I just received my disks from CBS/Columbia CD Club.  It doesn't
    seem to be to bad at all.  But then, I'm new.
    
      Don't *EVER* use the application forms you find in papers.  I
    say this because the club offers two free CDs if you sign up someone.
    Now, approach anyone who is a member and say; "Well, what am I going
    to get out of this?"  They'll say; "You get to join the Club." 
    You say; "I was going to do that anyway!  What do I get out of letting
    you reference *ME*?"  They say;  "Hmmmmm, Okay. I'll take one free
    CD and you can have my other free one."  You say; "Great, let's
    do it."
    
       Now you get the the six free CDs and you can buy another for
    only $6.95, on top of that you get a free one from the guy who uses
    you as a reference. The 6.95 plus shipping cost ended up being $10.84.
    
       If you make it a point to chose only the $15.98 Cds when ordering,
    and chosing the 10.98 -12.98 CDs to complete your membership, it
    works out well.  
                                  Retail/SH       Your cost/SH
       Initial   7 Cds          111.86   3.89      0.00  3.89
                 1 CD @6.95      15.98   N/A       6.95           
                ------------    -------------      -----------  
                                  ---> 131.73        --->  $10.84
                                                    
      Membership    1 CD        (10.98 + 1.79)       12.59               
      required/4    2           (10.98 + 1.79)       12.59
      over two      3           (10.98 + 1.79)       12.59
      years         4           (10.98 + 1.79)       12.59
                               ----------------      ----------
                                    $51.08            $51.89
             
        TOTAL      12 CDs           $182.81           $62.73
                   ------           -------           ------
                   Price per         $15.23            $5.22 
    
    
       This all gets better as you sign up someone else as a reference.
    Each time you lower your cost per disk. 
    
       Now, since I spent allllll this time writting this up,  if you
    want to join, please give me a call at 264-7661.  I'd like to get
    a freebie out of all this.  Then it can be posted for the person
    who called me for the next freebie.  It's legal and fair!
    
    
      Rick.
           
    

    Re: .-1
    
    The last time I joined CBS that was what I did (got someone with
    a membership to be my sponser).  The deal we had was that I
    would give him some of the old offer forms (3 for $.01, buy 2 more,
    sponser gets 1 free) in exchange he would be my sponser and I
    would get the free disk for the sponser.
    
    Well I wrote in the sponsers membership number on the card and gave
    the same mailing address for both the new suscriber (me) and for
    the address to mail the free sponsers CD.  I never got the free
    sponsers CD.  My sponser claims he never got it either.  I called
    up the club and they said that they were going to send the sponser
    a free CD voucher.  Unfortunenutly I think my sponser got greedy.
    
    Whats the lession?  "Use a sponser you know well enough vs. a stranger
    from the CD notesfile".

    
      re:.86
    
          It will only change your calculations slightly, but CBS does
    not count a $10.98 CD towards your membership requirements.  I think
    its $12.98 or higher.
    
                                                  Tom

    
    
    
      Re; -1
    
      Yup, just checked. You're right.  It has to be at 12.98 and up.
    Two CD sets at $19.98 and up count as two towards your fulfillment
    of four.
    
      I should also mention that I didn't include the cost of stamps
    for returning the selection of the month card.  But all and all,
    it's still a good deal.
    
      Re; -2
    
      Some guy got greedy and screwed you?  Call the guy, tell him he
    owes you money or a CD.  If that doesn't work, shoot the rotten
    SOB.  I can't *stand* scum bag jerks who rip me or anyone off.
    Come to think of it,  It's a shame that DEC has these kinds of
    people working here.  Get rid of them.  Send them to Big Blue or
    any other company.
    
      I wonder if you can post the guys name and not break any Personell
    Policy and Procedures?   Naw, bad idea.  Revenge *is* sweet, I don't
    care what anyone says.
    
      Rick.
    
    

    
    To all peoples thinking of joining CBS CD club.  I am a current member
    and would be more than willing to do the deal previously mentioned in
    this note (i.e., of the 2 CDs the sponsor gets, you get one, and I get
    one - we both win :-)  Just send me mail at Pool::eikenberry or give
    me a call at DTN: 381-0166.  
    
    John            

    re: .85
    
    The club which I was referring to was the RCA Music Service.  To
    intentionaly duplicate what happened to me by luck you would have
    to not send the reply cards back a few times, receive the LPs/CDs,
    and then just send them back to RCA 'return-to-sender'.
    
    If the same procedure is in affect at RCA now as it was before,
    you should quickly receiving the letter stating that they will no
    longer send you the automatic mailings.
    
    I guess you would then have to 'suffer' like I have!!
    
    /art