For those who have not purchased the Complete CL Cookbook

[Mandy]

If you go to oxmoorhouse.com you can now get the Complete Coooking Light Cookbook for 50% off!!! The total before s&h is $17.47.

Sorry to all those who just bought it at full price. http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/biggrin.gif

Mandy

[Beth H]

Warning -- I'm trying to purchase this now at the Oxmoor House web site, and it is absolutely crawling. Maybe they've been overwhelmed by requests for the special sale priced book.

[MrsReber]

I hate to ask this question, but I keep getting confused between this cookbook and the five star cookbook. Is the Complete Cooking Light the one with all the helpful photos and hints? I think that's the one that I want to buy. I will definitely check this out- thanks for sharing!

How long is the sale? I just tried to get on the website and it says the server is busy.

[This message has been edited by MrsReber (edited 01-04-2001).]

[kentgirl]

Beth--I can't even access their site. Also, according to CL newsletter, sale ends Jan 7th.

Guess I'll wait until later....hope they have enough copies!

[Cyn]

The oxmoor site and the links from CL are now working. The Best of CL is only $17.47...+ $4.95 shipping. Yippe!

[Laura B]

What makes me mad is that I was sent the Complete Cooking Light cookbook without having ordered it. I paid 34 dollars or whatever it was. I didn't want it that badly but it was in my hands, so... Now I miss out on buying at a deal. I was also sent the new Annual cookbook without asking for it. Maybe I should call CL and find out how to get OFF the automatic book list.

[goldilocks]

laura b:

when i receive books or cds in the mail that i didn't order, i immediately write "return to sender" on it and put it in my mail box. don't open the package or they will charge you to ship it back (learned this the hard way). if/when i get an invoice for it, i write on there that i did not order this selection and have sent it back. this always works for me. maybe this will help.

[RunnerKim]

I don't know if this is true but I was always under the impression that you have no obligation to pay for anything you receive unsolicited in the mail. If you okay sending things on trial that is different, but if items just show up, I don't think you're legally required to pay for them. Maybe the USPS would have a legal statement about this.

Kim

[kentgirl]

RunnerKim--you're right. Here's what the U.S. Post Office says about unsolicited materials (taken from their web site):

Unsolicited Merchandise
Federal law prohibits the shipment of unordered merchandise. Such a practice may constitute an unfair trade practice. Merchandise mailed in violation of United States Code may be treated as a gift by the recipient without any obligation to the sender. The laws governing this practice are enforced by the Federal Trade Commission. If you believe that you have received unordered merchandise in violation of federal law, contact the Commission's Bureau of Consumer Protection at: BUREAU OF CONSUMER PROTECTION FEDERAL TRADE COMMISSION WASHINGTON DC 20580-0001

[Nanci]

Hi, I just successfully ordered the cookbook and can't wait. A note of caution: before keeping the book without payment check with CL - I just read one of their solicitations for cookbook or recipes that said that you would continue to receive new books as they are published -- it did say if you weren't happy you could return, but I believe you would have to pay to ship it back

[lindrusso]

LauraB,

I had the same thing happen to me with Martha Stewart books. Usually I'm pretty careful to look for the fine print that tells you you'll receive more books to preview, but I missed it this time. I will most likely NOT purchase from Oxmoor in the future because they seem to do this regularly.

If this happens again, I can tell you what I did. I opened the package (shouldn't have, but couldn't resist seeing what was inside), so I couldn't stick it in the mailbox. I emailed Oxmoor and complained. They sent me info to print out a return label and closed my account so that I won't receive any more books.

What frustrates me is that these "clubs" also do not print their phone number anywhere!! So you either have to contact them by computer (which is fine for me, but not for those who don't have one) or contact them by mail which takes forever. They seem to want to make it difficult to get out of buying the books.

In the email they sent me, they included a phone number. You might want to file it away for future reference http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/wink.gif - 1-800-633-4910.

[BethR]

I've never ordered a book directly from CL because of this -- every single book offer I've ever seen in the mag or had mailed to me indicates you will receive future books automatically. They know this is a great way to sell books because so many of us will purchase a book once we have it in our hands at home! I can always find them cheaper elsewhere, anyway. Actually, I've been unpleasantly surprised that CL doesn't try to cut loyal subscribers a better deal on these books.

[SusanD]

Laura & Lindrusso - the same thing happened to me! However, the strange thing was that it came addressed to my husband, and my CL subscription is in my name! I sent it back, but was pretty irritated that I had to deal w/it.

[Laura B]

Thanks for that phone number. I will definitely call and ask NOT to receive the books. I should have known better than to keep the first one that came, as these types of things often happen! And it is a great tactic for them - of course I'm going to keep it because it is a pain to deal with sending it back. I will have to remember to refuse the package and write return to sender on it instead of opening it if I get any more of these things.

[Linda in MO]

Here's a tip...I just order the cookbook by calling 1-800-633-4910 (thanks for the # lindrusso!) and asked if I was agreeing to other cookbooks in the future. She told me that after I receive the cookbook, I should call them back to cancel any other books that might come. I can't remember exactly how she worded it, but basically just call them back and tell them you don't want any other cookbooks sent to you.

Oh also, if you order by phone, make sure you tell them about the 1/2 off offer from the internet.

[JennyLiz]

I just found the Complete Coooking Light Cookbook at WalMart for $26.20. Not quite as cheap as the website ($22.42 with shipping), but you don't have to mess with future (unwanted)books being sent to you. Anyway, it looks great! JennyLiz

[BarbaraL]

LauraB, the same thing happened to me; I received the Complete CL cookbook unsolicited (I think I bought the annual cookbook; I'm sure that's why I received it). I'd read on this BB that the book was cheaper at Costco, but Costco didn't have it (and I wasn't even a member at the time). I debated and debated and finally just bought it. Oh, well. I did get the latest CL annual at a discount at Costco though! It was something like $20 or $22. Once, I got an old CL Annual cookbook from the clearance rack at borders for around $5! Unfortunately , that only happened once.

[aka]

Hi. Another option is to try a used book store. Unfortunately, you have to wait longer, but sometimes you get lucky. I was in half price books yesterday and found 5-Star recipes for $10.00. I also found 2 old issues I needed (wanted) to complete my 1999 year. I've also found the annuals on E-Bay. Although I've didn't buy them (I was moving, so it would've been a hassle), I have bought other things on E-Bay with success. Lilia

[laughsandlaughs]

Alas, the Oxmoor House deal is over, it's back to regular price now.