RE: [ALCTS-acqnet] Strange boxes from Taiwan

I also recall receiving material from countries from time to time.    Recently I have received a 3 or 4 page Biblical reading form the LDS (Mormons).  Apparently they are involved in mass mailings to various organizations/individuals to spread their message.     If anything, I hope they have me ancestry info correct.
Leslie

From: acqnet-request_at_lists.ala.org [mailto:acqnet-request_at_lists.ala.org] On Behalf Of Desmarais, Norm
Sent: Saturday, August 26, 2017 9:56 AM
To: acqnet_at_lists.ala.org
Subject: RE: [ALCTS-acqnet] Strange boxes from Taiwan

People make donations to the library for a number of reasons.  Often, it's to get a tax deduction, to clean out inventory, for self-promotion, etc.  Companies and countries do the same thing and often have other motives. Sometimes, governments want to promote their country’s language, history and culture which can translate into increased tourism. Other times, they want to build a better public image or to gain greater public support for their positions, particularly when the country is sharply divided politically and partisans want to get a greater voice in the public arena. Sometimes organizations want to present their ideologies to as wide an audience as possible and want libraries to make them available on their shelves. For example, several years ago, the Church of Scientology distributed the complete works of L. Ron Hubbard to many libraries and offered multiple copies if so desired. Distinguishing legitimate publication from propaganda can sometimes be difficult, particularly when one does not know the language.


Norm

Norman Desmarais
Professor Emeritus
Providence College



From: acqnet-request_at_lists.ala.org<mailto:acqnet-request_at_lists.ala.org> [mailto:acqnet-request_at_lists.ala.org] On Behalf Of B.E. Swetman
Sent: Friday, August 25, 2017 10:16 AM
To: acqnet_at_lists.ala.org<mailto:acqnet_at_lists.ala.org>
Subject: [ALCTS-acqnet] Strange boxes from Taiwan

Starting in June we have been receiving boxes of books from Taiwan with packing slips almost entirely in Chinese. The address labels show From: Books.com.co.ltd on Chang Chun road Taipei.

I have no idea why we have been getting these packages. As we have no record of any orders with them. They have correct names and addresses. Twice I have received phone calls from DHL express with a recording telling me there is a package on the way.

I think I found them at http://books.com.tw and used Google Translate to read the site and found a form to contact customer service, http://www.books.com.tw/question/inquiry/


I have not had a response, but today I got another call from DHL telling me a package is on the way only a week after the last package.

Nothing has shown up on our library credit card and we have not received any invoices or statements in the mail.

Is anyone familiar with this bookstore and it's method of operation?

Thanks for any help.
Barbara Swetman                                                bswetman_at_hamilton.edu<mailto:bswetman_at_hamilton.edu>
Acquisitions and Serials Librarian                        voice (315)859-4470
Library and Information Technology Services
Hamilton College
198 College Hill Rd.
Clinton, NY 13323