Destination Print, Inc.

When solicited by telemarketers offering business supplies, we urge extreme caution. Complaints against this type of company generally allege the telemarketers misrepresented products offered, that orders were shipped which were not authorized, that prices were exorbitant, and that customers were led to believe that the company was their regular supplier. Insist the caller send a catalog or brochure containing the items in question along with a price sheet. To minimize misunderstandings, designate one employee to whom all calls regarding office supplies must be directed. If unordered merchandise arrives, immediately write to advise the company of your intent to keep the shipment as a free gift unless pickup is arranged within a reasonable amount of time. Send your letter by certified mail to obtain proof of receipt. Before you accept or pay for any merchandise that arrives under less-than-clear circumstances, protect yourself by insisting on proof that an order was placed. If no proof is provided, offer to return the merchandise at no cost to you. Give them a specific and reasonable amount of time (30 days etc.) to pick up the merchandise. Tell the sellers that you reserve the right to keep the merchandise or dispose of it after the specified time has passed.

Under federal law you are entitled to regard unordered merchandise sent through the U.S. mail as a free gift. The same law makes it illegal to mail bills for such unordered merchandise. If you do not wish to pay for unsolicited merchandise, you have three options. In each case, by law, you have no obligation to the sender. If you have not opened the package you may mark it "Return to Sender " and the Postal Service will return it with no additional postage charged to you. If you open the package and don't like what you find you may throw it away; or, if you like what you find you may keep it for free. In this instance "finders-keepers" applies unconditionally. If unordered merchandise arrives by private delivery, do not accept the shipment. If you have already accepted the shipment, send the shipper a certified letter with return receipt requested demanding proof of your order. If there is no valid proof, inform the sender that unless the merchandise is picked up within 30 days you will dispose of it. By giving the sender an opportunity to recover the merchandise, you invalidate any claim that you accepted an offer of sale merely by keeping the shipment. If an invoice for the unordered merchandise arrives, withhold payment and do not use the merchandise. If the firm fails to respond to your letter or if the sender threatens you with legal action, contact an attorney and your state attorney general's office.