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From: cosmos@druhi.UUCP (GuestRA)
Newsgroups: net.consumers,net.legal
Subject: Re: Mail order scam -- BEWARE
Message-ID: <188@druhi.UUCP>
Date: Mon, 10-Mar-86 10:43:34 EST
Article-I.D.: druhi.188
Posted: Mon Mar 10 10:43:34 1986
Date-Received: Wed, 12-Mar-86 02:16:17 EST
References: <545@nsc-pdc.UUCP>
Distribution: net
Organization: AT&T Information System Labs, Denver, Co
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Xref: watmath net.consumers:4477 net.legal:3085

In article <545@nsc-pdc.UUCP>, joemu@nsc-pdc.UUCP (Joe Mueller) writes:
> I just got burned for the insured return postage for a set of books from
> the Harlequin Reader Service of "Harlequin Romance" fame. The way they suckered
> me is they sent me a box with an envelope attached that states
> "official sweepstakes entry" on it. The box is stamped "free sample enclosed".
> I open the box and it contains a set of four romance novels and a free
> steak knife. I open the envelope and it contains a #@!@&# bill for the books!!
> 
> I am under the impression that if I get a product that I did not send for
> it's perfectly legal to keep the product. I have absolutely no desire to
> read or posess romance novels so I decided to send them back anyway. The
> mailperson wouldn't pick up the package so I went down to the post office to
> send it back. They claim that the "return postage guaranteed" that is stamped
> on the box only applies to UNOPENED parcels. Since I opened the box, I have to
> pay the return postage. I wanted proof that I sent the books back so I sent
> the books with a return receipt requested.
> 
> Is this legal? Can anything be done to punish them if it isn't? I personally
> don't like to see them get away with this type of thing. I'm tempted to send
> them a bill for the $3.00 postage that they screwed me out of.
> 
> I plan to file a postal fraud claim, I recommend that anyone else that receives
> this "free sample" file a claim also; the more that complain the better.
> 
> What do you think netlanders?

You are under no obligation to pay for anything you receive in the
mail unsolicited.  It can be considered a free gift.