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From: nairb@ihlpg.UUCP (b. enke)
Newsgroups: net.sf-lovers
Subject: Re: SCIENCE FICTION BOOK CLUB
Message-ID: <196@ihlpg.UUCP>
Date: Tue, 19-Feb-85 18:45:51 EST
Article-I.D.: ihlpg.196
Posted: Tue Feb 19 18:45:51 1985
Date-Received: Thu, 21-Feb-85 06:04:38 EST
References: <512@topaz.ARPA> <27@unc.UUCP>
Organization: AT&T Bell Laboratories
Lines: 52

> I have to agree. I belonged to the book club briefly back in the early
> '60s, and joined again about 2-3 years ago. I've purchased very few
> books since rejoining, and recently got a form letter asking why I
> hadn't purchased any books recently, and did I still want to be on
> their mailing list?  
> 
> Typical recent offerings include every Stephen King book ever written,
> Star Trek and Star Wars novelizations, a fictional account of a Third
> World War by a retired military officer, and (as the above writer
> points out) VERY few hot new titles. The quality of the books
> themselves is mediocre: cheap paper, inexpensive binding, many typos
> in the text. I've decided to buy titles I'm interested in at my local
> bookstore in quality hardcover editions, and hang the SF Book Club
> membership. I can't really recommend this book club to anyone.

*** REPLACE THIS LINE WITH YOUR MESSAGE, KLINGON SCUM ***

Although I am not totally satisfied with this book club, I still have to
completely disagree with about everything you've stated.

I also joined about 2-3 years ago, but I've purchased a lot of books and
have been completely satisfied with them.  As far as Stephen King, Star
Trek, Star Wars, and WWIII are concerned, you forgot Dune and the 
Hitchhiker series.  All of these books are heavily demanded right now, so
isn't it just common business sense to offer what the public wants?

I just can't believe what you stated about the quality of the books.  I
haven't purchased a single book yet that I have thought was cheaply
produced.  In fact, I've bought several from major bookstores that were
much more cheaply made.  Not many typos either.

As far as hot new titles is concerned, they do offer MANY, but not as many
as you could find in a bookstore.  

What dissatisfies me is their billing policies.  They made a couple of 
mistakes on my account, and they occasionally sent me books that I didn't
order (they did take them right back, though, minus postage).

I guess that overall, I would recommend the club.  My membership has
expired, and I plan to rejoin.



-- 
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> It's a poor atom-blaster that won't point both ways :  Salvor Hardin.


					President, T.A.S
					(Tribble Adoption Society)