Date: Wed, 27 Nov 2002 06:37:42 -0800
From: Rick Anderson (Univ. of Nevada Reno)
<rickand_at_unr.edu>
Subject: Re - Business Directory Scams (yet 3 more replies)
"I spoke with our Legal department and they are now drafting a
form letter for this and future scams. We still have to take the staff
time to send the materials back, however."
No, actually you don't. And it's a good idea not to, actually. I've
found that it's a very effective deterrent to tell scam publishers that not
only am I not going to pay their invoices, but I'm also not going to return
the unsolicited materials they send me, even if they include a call tag or
post-paid mailing label. I say that to them on the phone at every
opportunity.
Why? Because according to Title 39 of the U.S. Code, Section 3009, I
don't have to return unsolicited materials; I can consider them a gift and
dispose of them as I see fit. It's not that I want the stuff; in fact, in most
cases we probably throw the things away. But keeping the stuff is just
one more way I can make scamming my library an unprofitable proposition for
these companies.
-------------
Rick Anderson
Director of Resource Acquisition
The University Libraries
University of Nevada, Reno "Beware any theory that
1664 No. Virginia St. explains everything and
Reno, NV 89557 predicts nothing."
PH (775) 784-6500 x273 -- Richard C. Galbraith
FX (775) 784-1328
rickand_at_unr.edu
Received on Mon Dec 09 2002 - 20:32:16 EST