deepsky
super member
Reged: 12/04/05
Posts: 194
Loc: oregon
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Today I received a package from Astronomy magazine containing a DVD "Life and Death of a Star".
The reply form gave me two options: pay 12.95 and sign up for more DVD's to preview every 2-3 months, or return the DVD in the enclosed envelope.
Did I mention they sent the DVD unsolicited?
I for one do not appreciate receiving unsolicited merchandise in the mail.
Oh they do say " because you didn't ask for it" you can keep as a gift, but only after examining all the literature sent with the DVD, and not on the reply form itself.
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jim jackson
Astroleague Observer Award junkie
Messier Club-Honorary
Lunar Club
Binocular Messier Club
Double Star Club
Herschel 400 Club
Urban Observing Club
Deep Sky Binocular Club
Caldwell Club Silver&Gold
Southern Sky Binocular Club
Southern Sky Telescopic Club
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bicparker
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 02/07/05
Posts: 1346
Loc: Plano, TX
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I think, by law, you get to keep it regardless of what they say, if it is sent to you unsolicited.
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Bic Parker
17.5" f/5 dob
10" f/10 SCT
5" f/8 refractor
80mm f/6 refractor
66mm f/6 refractor
Plus a few others out of the rotation
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bsim
professor emeritus
Reged: 01/04/08
Posts: 551
Loc: New York City
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$12.95 for an episode from season 1 of the History Channel's "Universe" series is expensive since you can buy the complete series for $25 from Amazon.
What wasn't clear in the promotional material was whether all the future releases will be single episodes from the "Universe" series.
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Ben
New York City
Teeter's 10" F/6 Truss Dob / Round Table Platform / Sky Commander DSC
Orion XT8i, Orion XT4.5, William Optics ZS66
Celestron C80ED / MoonLite CF Lefty Tri-Knob / AT Voyager Mount / Manny's Pan Handle
Hyperion, Pentax, TV EPs
Lunt LS60THa/B1200 Solar Telescope (Pre-Ordered)
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Rick Woods
Post Laureate
Reged: 01/27/05
Posts: 3914
Loc: Inner Solar System
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Another organization did the same thing to me. I didn't like it either. They've been pestering me for months to either send their DVD back or buy the package. Their envelope is long gone, but even if it weren't, I'd just ignore them. That's what they get for pulling such a blatantly manipulative stunt. (These guys didn't say anything about a gift).
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- Rick
14" LX200GPS
8" Meade 826C
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desertstars
Say What?
Reged: 11/05/03
Posts: 28597
Loc: Tucson, AZ
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What they said. Keep it, or stuff it in the envelope (if they're paying the postage) - whatever suits ya. Either way, it's not your problem.
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Tom W.
SVP8 'She turned me into a 3-legged Newt' EQ
Ralph, the All-Purpose 102mm Refractor
Under the Desert Stars
It is a plain road from the earth to the stars though mortal feet can not tread it. Garret P. Serviss 1888
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orion9
member
Reged: 11/08/07
Posts: 82
Loc: North Carolina
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I received the same offer except the DVD was "Saturn, Lord of the Rings". The offer stated that I could keep the DVD as a "gift". I haven't watched it yet but their lit states that these episodes were specifically produced for this offer. Did anyone else get that? I never saw the "Universe" series so I wouldn't know if this is a rehash or not.
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bsim
professor emeritus
Reged: 01/04/08
Posts: 551
Loc: New York City
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It's certainly a rehash. Like I mentioned in an earlier post, you can buy the complete season 1 of Universe for $25 from Amazon.
Here's the episode guide to season 1. You can find "Saturn, Lord of the Rings" mentioned. It's actually an interesting episode. You should watch it.
Universe Season 1 episode guide
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Ben
New York City
Teeter's 10" F/6 Truss Dob / Round Table Platform / Sky Commander DSC
Orion XT8i, Orion XT4.5, William Optics ZS66
Celestron C80ED / MoonLite CF Lefty Tri-Knob / AT Voyager Mount / Manny's Pan Handle
Hyperion, Pentax, TV EPs
Lunt LS60THa/B1200 Solar Telescope (Pre-Ordered)
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orion9
member
Reged: 11/08/07
Posts: 82
Loc: North Carolina
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Thanks bsim, for the info. I did finally watch the Saturn DVD and enjoyed it. Armed with the knowledge of where this comes from I would be more interested in the complete set and not the more expensive piecemeal offer. Again, thanks.
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deepsky
super member
Reged: 12/04/05
Posts: 194
Loc: oregon
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Quote:
Today I received a package from Astronomy magazine containing a DVD "Life and Death of a Star".
The reply form gave me two options: pay 12.95 and sign up for more DVD's to preview every 2-3 months, or return the DVD in the enclosed envelope.
Did I mention they sent the DVD unsolicited?
I for one do not appreciate receiving unsolicited merchandise in the mail.
Oh they do say " because you didn't ask for it" you can keep as a gift, but only after examining all the literature sent with the DVD, and not on the reply form itself.
O.K. today I receive another letter from Astronomy magazine suggesting I either sign up for the Infinite Cosmos DVD series by sending a first payment of $12.95 or return the DVD I received earlier. Oh- and I should send back the reply form in any case so they won't send any further DVD's.
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jim jackson
Astroleague Observer Award junkie
Messier Club-Honorary
Lunar Club
Binocular Messier Club
Double Star Club
Herschel 400 Club
Urban Observing Club
Deep Sky Binocular Club
Caldwell Club Silver&Gold
Southern Sky Binocular Club
Southern Sky Telescopic Club
Edited by deepsky (07/29/08 03:00 PM)
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desertstars
Say What?
Reged: 11/05/03
Posts: 28597
Loc: Tucson, AZ
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I think from this point on I'd be marking everything that came from them about this DVD "Return to Sender," then dropping it back into the mailbox. Sheesh... 
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Tom W.
SVP8 'She turned me into a 3-legged Newt' EQ
Ralph, the All-Purpose 102mm Refractor
Under the Desert Stars
It is a plain road from the earth to the stars though mortal feet can not tread it. Garret P. Serviss 1888
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csa/montana
Astro Ambassador
Reged: 05/14/05
Posts: 25523
Loc: montana
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I was about to renew an expired subscription to Astronomy, this gives me pause for thought; I don't like to be bothered this way.
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Carol
AstroTech 16" Dob (Thanks ASTRONOMICS!)
AstroTech 66ED / Vixen 80MF/AstroTech Voyager
Masuyama's 7.5, 15, 25W, 35mm,
Tak LE 5mm
7mm Pentax XL, 10mm Pentax XW
14mm Meade 4000 UWA
22mm Pan, 35mm Pan
DreamCatcher Dobservatory, #2
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Rick Woods
Post Laureate
Reged: 01/27/05
Posts: 3914
Loc: Inner Solar System
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I hope the guys from S&T are following this thread, just in case their marketing people suddenly decide that something like this would be a good idea.
(That's another thing I like about the folks at S&T - at least, the remaining ones: They get in here and mix it up and talk to us.)
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- Rick
14" LX200GPS
8" Meade 826C
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swalker
Imaging Editor - Sky & Telescope
Reged: 01/22/07
Posts: 361
Loc: 42.9225°N, 71.2242°W
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;-)
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12.5" f/5.1 Newt
10" f/4.5 Newt
4.25" f/4 Astrograph
80mm f/10 refractor
70mm Mak Cass
40mm PST
Millennium Mount EQ
TI ProDome #002
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bsim
professor emeritus
Reged: 01/04/08
Posts: 551
Loc: New York City
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Quote:
I was about to renew an expired subscription to Astronomy, this gives me pause for thought; I don't like to be bothered this way.
Likewise. I find Astronomy's "in your face" marketing aggressive and distasteful. If they send another DVD unsolicited, I will return to sender and lodge a complaint with the Better Business Bureau.
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Ben
New York City
Teeter's 10" F/6 Truss Dob / Round Table Platform / Sky Commander DSC
Orion XT8i, Orion XT4.5, William Optics ZS66
Celestron C80ED / MoonLite CF Lefty Tri-Knob / AT Voyager Mount / Manny's Pan Handle
Hyperion, Pentax, TV EPs
Lunt LS60THa/B1200 Solar Telescope (Pre-Ordered)
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