Did any of you guys get this Tips of the Pro's book a few months ago? I did. And I read the wording in their letter very carefully, and it very much sounded like you were free to keep the book if you wanted to. The whole thing irritated me so much, I did keep the book, plus it's a pain in the ass for me to go to the post office anyway to mail it back because I work all day. So today I got this letter saying they wanted the book back or they wanted 9 bucks. HELLO. There's no way on earth I'm sending that stupid book back. What are they going to do, sue me for 9 bucks? Seems like the dumbest thing BASS could ever do. I know I'm pissed off about it. What gives?

a few years back, BASS sent my dad a "yearly logbook" - kinda like a fishermans' journal/diary. they said it was free. a month later they sent him a bill. he sent them an "I don't think so" letter. They sent him another "yearly logbook". maybe they'll send you another book?

Hey Rob, they did the same thing to me also. I just wrote on the return tab, "never recieved this book"! I haven't heard back from them yet. BASS shouldn't do these kinda things. They could loose members to things like this. I was pissed off with the whole deal also!

Josh D

The sad thing is that you read the book and there is almost zero good information in there anyway. These pro's aren't giving away any secret tips, it's just the same ol stuff you've been reading for years and years. I typically skim through my Bassmaster issues in about 10 minutes and chuck them. At least in Bass West magazine you can read some decent info from time to time. I think that we will soon see the demise of print media in fishing anyway as more and more people gravitate toward the internet. But that's another topic :)

Rob I totally agree! :-) The Internet and Bass West magizine is where the info is at!

This is the magazine I wait on the curb for and kiss the mailman when he delivers it! :D

Rob-- My dad's gotten them before too... In California however if you are sent anything unsolicited in the mail and then asked to pay or send it back, you are not required to pay, and are allowed to consider it a gift or something like that. Basically you don't have to pay and there is nothing they can do.
Erik

________________________________

Pretending to be a swimbait fisherman since 2001.

Rob:

I received the same book. I was unhappy with their marketing tactics. I sent the book back with a letter (and also emailed them) stating; it is burdensome to take an item I did not order to the post office. If I receive further items I did not order I will treat the situation as if the item is a gift.

Henry

Sounds like another money making scheme dreamed up by the big wigs at E.S.P.N.

Ever since E.S.P.N. took over B.A.S.S. things have gone downhill. One of the best things about B.A.S.S. for all the years was that even though they were the biggest they were always handled like a "small" business. They catered to all bass anglers and equipment manufacturers - big and small. Now E.S.P.N. wants to turn it into what Nascar has become and the people at B.A.S.S. who have been there forever think it's a horrible idea. I agree. I think the big wigs at E.S.P.N. view their new investment (B.A.S.S.) as just that - a money making investment - not a fishing organization. They know nothing about fishing or running a large fishing organization they just view it as another sport in which they can profit from.

Sending a bunch of products out to your customers, then hitting them up with a payment months down the road is definetely something a large corporation would do.

I got the book also. If they want it back I will tell them to send me a postage paid self-addressed envelope and I will gladly drop it in my mailbox.

I got the same book. NO!! you do not have to pay for it or send it back!!

It is a violation of the Federal Trade Commission Act to send unordered merchandise through the mail unless it is a free sample marked as such or is sent by a charitable organization asking for, but not requiring, a contribution. Most states treat unordered merchandise as a gift. Persons sending unordered merchandise through the mail are prohibited from demanding payment, and you have the right to keep the goods or to dispose of the goods in any manner you wish. Moreover, billing for unordered merchandise may constitute mail fraud and/or misrepresentation.

They are even required to provide you with return postage! And you're right, it wasn't very informative. If you read your Bassmasters Magazine, then you've already read this book :(

Just remeber it is not ESPN it is our friends at Disney who own BASS

ESPN, ABC, & BASS - all part of the family tree of Disney.

Hey Pete,

I swear ESPN.com ran a feature on you and your plastic swimbaits for the longest time. Did not seem to tackle seller un-friendly in that case... Perhaps you were unaware?

Asking for payment or return of un-ordered items does seem kinda shady though.

BillH

I wasn't aware of that if it did happen. I'm not sure how it would've happened though.

I don't mean to bash them at all. The message is more that ESPN has a bit to learn about the fishing industry. Stunts like the BASS book are not going to work.

Pete,

Here is the link

http://espn.go.com/outdoors/fishing/s/f_fea_bassbait_trout.html

It is about using "bass" swimbaits for trout...

BillH

First, I got a free subscription/membership to BASS as they say I was chosen from somewhere--whatever... I didn't mind the free magazine. I have gotten the same deal from mountain bike mags, etc. Never billed, genuinely free.

Now for the book. I got it too. Makes for fun bathroom reading. I saw the "no obligation" text too. I was wondering if I should return it (guilt) but after seeing this post I'm not. It's a hassle for me to wrap it back up, drive to the P.O.--even with their enclosed paid postage sticker. My first reaction was, "the nerve of those idiots". My wife gets books sent unsolicited too. Thanks for the regs./rules that were shared here.

Big Hammer Swimbaits-Hammerhead Jigheads
www.swimbait.com
Pro-Cure Scents
www.pro-cure.com