We got a "Warning" letter from Harper's Weekly.  I made copy of this, and
sent it to our serials rep.  She has taken care of this problem for us.
I had never seen this type of letter in the last 5 years of serials work.
Wonders never cease!!!

Karrie

Karrie Yukon
Adult Services Librarian
Bloomfield Township Public Library
(248) 642-5800
<yukonkar@METRONET.LIB.MI.US>

On Wed, 12 Jan 2000, Judith Stokes wrote:

> In the morning mail ... an invoice for $129 in my name, mailed to my
> institution: --
>
> "FOR PUBLISHERS WEEKLY SUBSCRIPTION
>
> CREDIT WARNING
>
> ACCORDING TO OUR RECORDS, WE ACCEPTED YOUR REQUEST FOR CREDIT AND MAILED YOU
> 10 ISSUES OF PUBLISHERS WEEKLY. ALTHOUGH YOU ACCEPTED THE ISSUES, YOU HAVE
> CHOSEN TO IGNORE OUR PREVIOUS REQUESTS FOR PAYMENT. YOU NOW HAVE THESE
> CHOICES:
> 1.      PAY THE ENTIRE AMOUNT DUE AND RECEIVE YOUR FULL SUBSCRIPTION.
> 2.      IF YOU CHOOSE NOT TO CONTINUE WITH YOUR SUBSCRIPTION, PLEASE INFORM
> THE CUSTOMER SERVICE DEPARTMENT AT 1-800-278-2991 IMMEDIATELY TO PREVENT ANY
> FURTHER ACTION BY OUR OFFICE.
> THANK YOU. IF YOU HAVE SENT PAYMENT PLEASE DISREGARD THIS NOTICE."
>
>  ... my "request for credit?" I never even requested the magazines. Of
> course, I know they have been sending issues to my name at my library, but
> I also know my rights and that I can discard this notice and let them
> "further action" themselves silly. But what a disappointment!  From PW?
> The industry leader? This is the professional approach for marketing
> magazines to librarians?  Maybe they don't know about this office in
> Torrance, CA that sends out threats of "further action?" Maybe they really
> thought I sent a subscription order? Well, no, they didn't ...
>
> I called the 800 number and complained about the "credit warning" notice.
> The operator offered to cancel my account. I said I want a copy of my
> "request for credit."  Well, she didn't want to hear about that. She "has
> no control over" what I complained about. I asked her to simply advise her
> supervisor that she received a complaint about the "credit warning."
> Again, she said she would cancel my account. I asked her again. She hung
> up.
>
> Have others received "credit warnings" from PW?"
>
>
> Judith Stokes, Serials Librarian
> Rhode Island College
> 600 Mt. Pleasant Avenue, Providence, RI 02908
> phone (401) 456-8165
> fax (401)456-9646
> JStokes@RIC.edu <mailto:JStokes@RIC.edu>
>