Dear RPB,

I tried to track this particular case with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). No luck! I waited for l7 minutes trying to talk to someone in the Bureau of Consumer Protection. I finally got through to someone in marketing. The FTC says that a rule of thumb answer is, "You're not responsible for something you didn't lawfully order."  In my opinion, you acted wisely and promptly - you did the right thing.  You contacted the company in writing.  It was smart to contact the firm and say NO, advising that you did not want shipment of that unordered merchandise.  Nevertheless, we will raise this matter with Maryland Attorney General Curran's office in Baltimore.  We will also check with the Montgomery County Director of Consumer Affairs, George Rose.  There is a likely possibility that the health supplements company is directly tied into the Vitamins group. If so, you can be assured that your name and address was passed on to them. Otherwise, your name showed up on one of the thousands of mailing lists purchased by mail order companies. The unorthodox way of making you decline the merchandise before a certain date before shipment is executed is unsavory.  This is poor marketing and not a way to win new customers.  The Bottom-Line: It pays to review junk mail just to make certain you are not "hoodwinked" by such negative marketing strategies. They call this "opt-in-opt-out."  This is where you legitimately order an item.  You're name is passed on to another affiliated group and you get a letter similar to the one you received, giving you a deadline to "opt out" or decline the item or your credit card will be charged.  If this happens to any of our readers, please contact the Federal Trade Commission's Consumer Response Line immediately: l-877-FTC HELP (382-4357).

October 2001