The Junk Mail Opportunity

The other day in the mail I received some junk mail. This does not frustrate me as it used to. I now receive it almost daily and often send for more.

You do, of course, realize that when you accept one free trial, ten more are likely to follow. I think it has something to do with G-d's law of tithing.

Do not dispair. You can turn even junk mail into a lesson for your children. Begin by designating one of your children as "resident" and another as "occupant". Then have roll call as the mail is opened. We began a while ago with just these pieces of mail.

Read the mail with the younger children. Let the older ones read it to you. Discuss just what the offer is. Is it a product in which you would not be interested or of which you cannot be supportive? (For example, "69 Magic Spells to Get Rich With") Discuss why. Now is a good time to pass on your standards. Is this offer a free sample or a trial subscription that you must later cancel? Read them carefully and explain to your children the marketing technique motivating you to purchase. Teach them now to be wise and discerning "before striking hands in a pledge". Show them their obligationin the offer. "If we accept this deal, we must buy four more books (or shipments) in the next two years."etc..

Sometimes the only price you pay is diligence. "We will send your FREE gift with Volume 1. If you do not say to yourself --- 'I can't live without this set!!', just return volume 1 within 10 days and owe nothing. Postage guaranteed!" Of course, if you keep the free gift, now the package does not fit volume 1 and you must repackage it, And since they do not think you can live without their product, a return label is not included. You must enclose your return postage receipt with a request for reimbursment, and occassionally you must request their return postage label to return an item.

I am not trying to paint a picture too bleak for you, and for some I have passed that threshold but you must be aware of their procedures. So should your children.

It is true, you cannot get something for nothing, but sometimes the only price is a little time and thought. We can all afford just a measure of that if the benefit to our children is great enough. I chuckle to myself as I remember "Homeschooled kids do not learn to live in the REAL world." Purchasing, marketing, contracts, and discernment ARE part of the real world.

HELPFUL HINT:
It is much easier to keep ahead of things if you address the situation immediately. For example, if you need to write cancel on the bill and return it within 10 days, do that when you open it. Then put it in the mailbox to go back by return mail. The 10 day deadline was invented by marketers to trap procrastinators into a contract.

One other thing: Have these offer sent in your kids names. They love to get their own mail. (Note: There are some negatives to this.)

In a short time, you can join us in saying, "We got it free in the mail." The Kramer family owns cassettes, books, toys, books, recipes, books, gadgets, and more books. I could pass up their product but ----"I could NOT live without their FREE GIFT!"

What can I say? I like JUNK MAIL!!!