Oxmoor House Question

[ebobbitt]

I know we've discussed the arrival of un-ordered books from Oxmoor House before. Did anyone happen to receive one at the end of last week? I did but I have no idea what's in the box. I know I didn't order anything but allowing that box to remain closed is about to kill me. I just thought someone else might have gotten one and opened it. If so, will you tell me what book it is?
Thanks,
Elizabeth

[funnybone]

I have never ordered from them, but this is just a guess. Could it be Light and Easy Menus? There was this "order form" on the last magazine for it, so it could possibly be it.

[tperes]

Hi ebobbitt,

The most recent box I got from Oxmoor House was the Southern Living Annual Cookbook.
It is really good, I recently made some recipes from there that I lightened myself.
Could be that!?! http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif

[carolyn.1]

Elizabeth,
I would have to agree with funnybone, I believe it is Light and Easy Menus.
Carolyn--

[Jewel]

So just how old is Light & Easy Menus?? If it's brand new they'd be trying to peddle it by sending it out unannounced, but I bought Light & Easy about 3 months ago on Ebay for $5!! Could it be a different one?

Elizabeth, my advice would be to write 'refused' on it and hand it back to the post office. No matter WHAT that book is or how good it could be, you can always find it cheaper somewhere else. Besides, as long as people simply 'keep the book' when its unordered, Oxmoor House won't ever change their underhanded business practices! Why do they even offer a card in the mag for you to order it if they're going to send it to you anyway? Totally unethical, and I wouldn't feed the machine. Just my opinion...(blush).

[Mamasue]

When I receive books that I don't order I very carefully open the statement attached and read it. If it is something that I don't want I just close the envelope back up and tape it if needed. The mailman takes it with no problem. http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif

[Cindy Rafferty]

I had this happen to me with Oxmor House recently. I had ordered the Complete CL Cookbook from them last year. They sent me the CL Annual recipes book even though I didn't order it. If you message them, they will provide instructions for obtaining a postage-paid mailer to send the book back. What a nusiance! I agree, not a good way to do business.

[SandyM]

I must be in the minority. I've ordered one book from them - The Complete CL Cookbook last year - and I haven't yet received something I didn't order.

Watch.....I'll have a package waiting for me today, since I opened my mouth....... http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/biggrin.gif

[Mamasue]

Cindy and Sandy,

Once you order a book from Oxmoor you will start to receive the annual book of the one you have ordered previously. That is standard for Oxmoor House. If you don't want the book, don't open the box, check the statement like I do and write on the package return to sender. The mailman or post office will take it back (with no cost to you) as long as the packaging hasn't been opened. You can also write on the envelope cancel all future mailing. Its almost the same idea as joinng a club, such as, CD's, videos, books except you are not locked into buying a certain quota before cancellation.

[SandyM]

Thanks so much for the info Sue.

I'm a lousy fine-print reader. Is there something in the fine print somewhere that says "If you order this book you will be subject to receiving annoying future mailings of ours until you are either committed or we decide you've had enough of us"????

[Jewel]

Sandy, I have read the fine print on quite a few of the Oxmoor paperwork and I have NEVER seen anything written about being automatically signed up for future mailings. I may have missed something somewhere, but that's the main reason that I refuse to do business with them anymore. A reputable company should NEVER have to assault their customers to get business. They know their book prices are higher than Costco or Sam's Club, and the only way they can compete is to send you the book without being asked. They're banking on you saying 'Oh, what the heck it's only a few bucks more and I don't want to take the trouble to send it back...'. I refuse to support such a company. They've gotten the last of my money, and I wish CL would re-examine their association with them. http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/frown.gif

[Cindy Rafferty]

I'm not a happy camper. I received an invoice from Oxmoor House today for the CL book I returned un-opened on 4/9. Mamasue, thanks for the insight. Had I been aware of Oxmoor House's business practice, I would not have ordered through them. I'm writing to the editor-in-chief, Nancy Fitzpatrick Wyatt, of Oxmoor House to try and get this resolved. They don't even list a phone # on their invoices, I assume they don't want any calls!

[Jewel]

Good Luck Cindy! Give 'em Hell for all of us...I had quite an experience getting them to stop invoicing me for a book I'd returned. According to them, if I opened the package in ANY way, and that includes the statement, then I've accepted it. But then, someone on a previous thread stated that by law if you receive something that you did NOT order, it is considered a gift! You can't be charged!

I think if it happens to me again I'm just gonna write Miss Wyatt a really nice 'thank you' card for the wonderful gift. Praise it to no end, telling her how sweet it is that she knew I liked CL books and decided to send me one for free...because if I don't order it, I ain't payin' for it! http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/biggrin.gif

[lisas3575]

I'm glad I remembered this thread and was able to check to see what to do. Oxmoor House is evil.

[SandyM]

Guess I got lucky. Still haven't heard from them since my original purchase last year........

[msdaisy]

Boy, I guess we're lucky in California. There is a law here that if you receive something in the mail that you didn't order, it's considered a gift. I had this problem with Oxmoor House several years ago. When I finally decided that I'd had enough of their unsolicited books, I kept one. Sent the invoice back with a note thanking them for the gift. I've never received another one!!

[ebobbitt]

Last week I received a statement from Oxmoor House thanking me for my order of the Complete Cooking Light Cookbook. I thought that was odd because I had gotten the book from half.com, I had not received a book from Oxmoor House but yet, there's a statement. Yesterday when I got home from work the book was on my mailbox. It's so infuriating! Yesterday I sent Oxmoor House an e-mail explaining I had not ordered the book, had not received the book and would not be paying for the book. Today the book is being returned!

[Peggy]

These people are so annoying! This weekend I received an invoice thanking me for recently purchasing the Complete CL Cookbook. Mind you, I bought this book from Costco over a year ago. I don't even remember receiving an unsolicited book from them in the past few months.

Cindy, I am also irritated that they don't list a phone number on their invoive!!!:mad: However, they do list an e-mail address and I plan on using that. Don't want to waste the stamp on their mistake!

Peggy

P.S. ebobbitt - You must have been posting this while I was writing mine! It appears that the Complete CL Cookbook is their latest scam! Grrrrrr. I'm going to e-mail them right now!

[Jewel]

Peggy & Elizabeth, make sure you write 'refused' on the outside of the box and just leave it in your mail box or take it back to the post office without opening ANYTHING. Do not open even the envelope on the outside of the box! I opened only the invoice on one box just to see what it was, and they billed me for it anyway saying that I'd opened it. After a FLAMING bit of correspondence they stopped billing me, but I asked to be taken off their mailing lists. They didn't send you the book because of your buying the books anywhere else. Because you have a subscription to CL, you're on their hit list... :mad: Don't let them get away with it!

I think they're scared of ME now, 'cause I haven't received anything since the flaming! :D

[Peggy]

Jewel,

This time I didn't even receive the unsolicitated book!!!! Just the invoice billing me for it. Perhaps it will be in the mail today...:rolleyes: It's nice to know that they do respond to their mail, when you write enough times.

Peggy

[CSB]

:mad: I also received an invoice from Oxmoor House for a book (The Complete Cooking Light Cookbook) that I never received. After looking the invoice over closely I found their e-mail and plan to let them know how I feel about there service. Thanks for posting a thread letting us know that I am not the only one who received an invoice for something that I never ordered.

[MelissaB]

I also received the Complete CL Cookbook invoice last week, which was a blatant error. I bought it over 6 months ago at Border's. I also got a book in the mail yesterday that I haven't opened. I just sent an email telling Oxmoor House to correct the invoice problem and close my account so that I no longer receive unsolicited books. I have been guilty of keeping some in the past, but I agree that it does just validate their questionable business practices.

[clarksmom]

They just looove to keep sending me stuff. I ordered the Annual recipes book from 2 years ago, then again last years and suddenly stopped and thought "hey, jackass, chances are good you're duplicating your recipies" So I had to call them and say "Stop sending me things I didn't ask for anyway! "
If you order anything from Martha you default to becoming a "subscriber" to them sometimes as well. I had ordered a few books as gifts for friends and family and found about 3 oxmoor "books' on my porch. That was hellish. Once again, the calls.
I just keep thinking if I've ordered a 2000 cookling light recipies book does that mean that I can throw away all of my 2000 issues? I have next to mfind the time to double check, so I kept them all.
I'm rereading this and realizing what a moron I sound like today guys. Sorry. Very little sleep. DH is verry ill. Then again, never said I was bright, did I.

[RebeccaT]

I am having the same problem...

Ordered Cooking Light Complete (mistake #1 - ordering from them at all) and now, though I have yet to receive my cookbook, I have received a mysterious invoice.

It is good to know that others have experienced this, and that there are ways to handle it.

[Little Bit]

Thanks for reminding me why I haven't got an actual subscription to CL.
I really dislike trying to deal with companies that behave this way.

Having a subscription might be more convenient and cheaper in SOME ways, but I'd prefer to avoid the hassle of the junk mail and solicitations.

[Grace]

Little Bit

I just have to defend CL in saying that I have subscribed since July of 1991, and have NEVER had this problem. I have also given COUNTLESS gift subscriptions and never heard anyone tell me about this happening to them either. While I feel for the people who are being aggravated by OXMOOR HOUSE (not CL, although CL does choose to publish/market their books through this company....why exactly????), it is not something they do to every single subscriber.

I have been sent an occasional (and I mean occasional) solicitation to buy one of these books, but I always toss them, since I keep all my magazines. I have never been sent a book I didn't order, nor did I ever receive any invoice for any book/merchandise I didn't order.

My only point is that it's not a certainty that by subscribing you would be forced to deal with all of that.

[Lynn B]

Just my two cents...

I totally agree with Grace! I have been a long-term CL subscriber, too, and have never once been bothered by Oxmoor House! Little Bit, please don't let that dissuade you!

And Jewel... yes, there are two "Light & Easy" books!!! I know because I got one cheap on eBay, too... thought it was the new one! WRONG!!! They have similar titles, but the new one is called "Light and Easy MENUS" - and oh, it is a GREAT BOOK! I totally recommend it!!! (In fact, CL asked if they could publish my unsolicited praise of the book online! So I was pretty thrilled!)

Anyway - this new book is copyright "2001". At the top of the computer screen here there is a banner ad for it - so you could kinda check it out. (Although I know you won't be buying it from YOU-KNOW-WHERE!!!! ;) )

Lynn

[Grace]

Hi Miss Lynn!! (aka the resident CL CHEERLEADER!! RAH RAH SIS BOOM BAH!!) :D I'm right there with ya, sister!! Give us a set of pom pons and off we'd go.....

Anyhow, you're selling me on the new Light & Easy book here (just what I need, MORE RECIPES!!!!! :eek: :eek: :eek: )

But I just have some questions....is it repeat recipes or new stuff? You know I have every recipe already, so I don't want to bother with a book of repeats, but if you say I should have it, WELL...... :D

PS I saw your BEAUTIFUL picture on the other board......I sure wish we were neighbors....

Thanks for posting it. I put one up of my two pups the other day - don't know if you saw it or not. They are my "kids" while we wait for the real ones someday....

[Lynn B]

Oh, Grace! What a funny post!!!!

WELL... the pressure's on now !!!! I don't want to mislead OR persuade you... :) BUT... I THINK that they are all new (or at least RE-VAMPED) recipes!

I have all the magazines back to Jan 1990... and I checked out quite a few of the new book's recipes to see if they were duplicates, etc. And none of the ones I looked for were! Nor did they look familiar! But, granted, I didn't double check ALL of them! (I DO have a LIFE, you know!!!!) :)

But, I'm tellin' ya ;) this is a GREAT book! (And if you were personally dissapointed in it, you could easily "unload" it... it would make a TERRIFIC gift!)

So... to buy, or not to buy?!! THAT IS THE QUESTION!!!! :D

Lynn

(Give me a "C"... give me an "O"... give me another "O"...) :) :) :)

[Grace]

To Buy. That is the answer.

:D

[clarksmom]

Grace - you sold me. I'm all over it.

[Ralph]

Originally posted by Grace
Hi Miss Lynn!! (aka the resident CL CHEERLEADER!! RAH RAH SIS BOOM BAH!!) :D I'm right there with ya, sister!! Give us a set of pom pons and off we'd go.....

OK, I guess I'll be the male member of the cheerleading squad since the three of us seem to have the same opinions on things, including CL subscription & Oxmoor!

We've subscribed for many years, too, without any unsolicited solicitations (or "presents") from Oxmoor. I do remember ordering a book from them many years ago for my DW, but somehow avoided getting on their hit list!

[Peggy]

I came home from work today to find a box from Oxmoor containing some kind of unwanted cookbook. I assume it is the Complete CL Cookbook that they sent me an invoice for over 5 days ago! By the way the invoice state " Thank you for your order"!!:mad:

Sorry cheerleading squad...can't back you on this one. These people are obnoxious! I sent them an e-mail this morning, and still haven't received a reply. I think the way they do business stinks!

Peggy

[Lynn B]

Originally posted by Ralph


OK, I guess I'll be the male member of the cheerleading squad since the three of us seem to have the same opinions on things, including CL subscription & Oxmoor!



This thread is getting TOOOOOO funny!!!! :)

OK, Ralph... I wanna see you in your cheerleading skirt... ;)

Lynn

[56grapeape]

Originally posted by msdaisy
Boy, I guess we're lucky in California. There is a law here that if you receive something in the mail that you didn't order, it's considered a gift. I had this problem with Oxmoor House several years ago. When I finally decided that I'd had enough of their unsolicited books, I kept one. Sent the invoice back with a note thanking them for the gift. I've never received another one!!

Im VERY curious to know more about the "ca law" on this!
Im in ca, and recieved SOME book today! (glad i found this topic!) By peeking into a small rip (made by the mail people) i can see it's some yellow hard cover book. What could it be?
I certainly did NOT order anything from Oxmoor house, even paid my bill of a while ago (but they keep sending my notices saying i still owe $4.99! Im NOT paying it!!!)

Please tell me more about this GIFT us Ca get! lol.:confused:
Ive never heard of such thing.

PS, sorry Ive meen MIA (for a few mos! :eek: )! wow!

I hope someone sees this!!

[56grapeape]

bumping this back up!
Im real curious to know what book I may have gotten!:confused:

[56grapeape]

bumping this back up!
Im real curious to know what book I may have gotten!:confused:

[56grapeape]

Originally posted by 56grapeape


Im VERY curious to know more about the "ca law" on this!
Im in ca, and recieved SOME book today! (glad i found this topic!) By peeking into a small rip (made by the mail people) i can see it's some yellow hard cover book. What could it be?
I certainly did NOT order anything from Oxmoor house, even paid my bill of a while ago (but they keep sending my notices saying i still owe $4.99! Im NOT paying it!!!)

Please tell me more about this GIFT us Ca get! lol.:confused:
Ive never heard of such thing.

PS, sorry Ive meen MIA (for a few mos! :eek: )! wow!

I hope someone sees this!!

TRYING AGAIN, I just remembered I still have this package on top of my fridge!:eek: ;) :confused:

[SandyM]

If it hasn't been opened, why not just send it back?

[ellielk]

I don't think that's a CA law - I think that's the way it is anywhere. I remember hearing that if you get something unsolicited in the mail that it's a gift. I also think that if everyone handled their Oxmoor problems that way, they'd stop sending unsolicited books. You might try asking the postal service about this.

[ellielk]

In the interest of solving this problem:

http://new.usps.com/cpim/ftp/pubs/201/pub20110.pdf

search on unsolicited material.

[clairea]

Most of the offers I have seen from Oxmoor (and other similar publishers) say in the fine print that once you order one book, you agree to "preview" future books. If so, I think that technically the additional books are not "unsolicited merchandise" because you have agreed to preview them. Since, although it is annoying, it is not really that much trouble just to write "refused" on the box and give it back to the mailman, I would just do that (and did, when I used to be stuck on Oxmoor's mailing list).

[ML]

You can get the phone number to oxmoor house off the Southern Living website. I have used it in thepast to stop an order. You actually get to talk to someone.