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LeeDillingham Loyal user Las Vegas 263 Posts |
I just got an email from "International Brotherhood of Magicians" <LDQ_pcr@harrisconnect.com>. It stated...
We are currently in the final stages of editing your biographical information to be included in the International Brotherhood of Magicians Membership Directory, but we need your help! A brief telephone call will ensure your listing is completely accurate and up-to-date. Please, give us a call at your convenience this week so that we may verify your information with you. CALL TODAY - TOLL FREE 1-800-653-8945 (Eastern Standard Time) Mon. - Fri. 8:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. Sat. 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Sun. 12:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Thank you in advance for your cooperation in making the International Brotherhood of Magicians Membership Directory a success. If you have already called, thank you for your quick response and your help. Please do not send updates in response to this message. _________________________ It turned out to be nothing more than a sales pitch to purchase an overpriced directory of IBM members. Does anyone know anything about this? |
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Skip Way Inner circle 3771 Posts |
I just got that same card and was getting set to call. Thanks for the heads up. Pretty low tactics if you ask me. I'm disappointed in the IBM.
Skip
How you leave others feeling after an Experience with you becomes your Trademark.
Magic Youth Raleigh - RaleighMagicClub.org |
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mrunge Inner circle Charleston, SC 3716 Posts |
Hi Lee,
This is a project that was begun a year or two ago to create a directory of all the IBM members and their contact info. The IBM hired Harris Connect, a publishing company, to collect and print the info. Part of the agreement allows Harris to market the directory for sale to those whose information is included. This helps them make some additional money for their efforts. In return, the IBM gets a small percentage of the take and the members, who might have an interest, can obtain a "phone book" of some type with everyone (only those who actually responded) in it. This was done several years ago and the IBM must have figured it was time to do it again. Some people find this useful, mostly for marketing purposes to other IBM members, or as a way to get back in touch with long lost friends. It is legit, but it is expensive! Mark. |
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Scott Compton Special user Hampton, VA 747 Posts |
I. like Skip, was going to call today. Thanks for the heads up.
Scott Compton
Magic is an art. I am merely a tour guide.
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Scott-Compton-Magician/160270640674735 "You are the magic" Jay Ose to Albert Goshman |
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mrunge Inner circle Charleston, SC 3716 Posts |
I spoke with a friend who actually called the 800 number. It was a sales pitch and he bought it, figuring it would be good for business purposes since he is a full time, professional magician, giving him the contact info for others he might want to get in touch with.
He said it cost $100 (US) for the CD version (figured it was easier to search for specifics) of the directory and, for another $15 (US), was able to get the hard cover version as well. Hope this helps those who are either wondering or considering. Mark. |
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Skip Way Inner circle 3771 Posts |
I'm aware of the directory and approve. I DISAPPROVE of the underhanded sales technique. A more honest approach would have been..."A brief telephone call will allow our high pressure sales staff to pretend to care that your listing is completely accurate and up-to-date...oh, and consequently try to convince you to buy this overpriced compendium. Please, give us a call at your convenience this week so that we may pretend to verify your information while hitting you up for cash."
The other organizations manage to produce a member directory without added cost or such underhanded sales tactics. I, for one, am very disappointed with this. Thanks again, Lee. Skip
How you leave others feeling after an Experience with you becomes your Trademark.
Magic Youth Raleigh - RaleighMagicClub.org |
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LeeDillingham Loyal user Las Vegas 263 Posts |
I am a full time professional and I can not see how purchasing this directory will help my business. I already have a directory of every person in my Ring. I have free access to the Magic Castle's directory. I have access to this forum.
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Rodney Palmer Inner circle 1317 Posts |
C.mon people liven up a bit. The IBM sent out an email to all of us stating that Harris Direct, was once again publishing our directory. So the card or email you received was not a sales pitch. Why? because we aleady knew we would be contacted by Harris to buy the directory. Quit complaining, this is not a scam. If you are not interested delete the email or toss out the card it is just that simple. The Directory is $ 79.94 and that includes Shipping & Handling
they (Harris) will send you a bill in the mail which is due net 30-days. The directory will be published and sent out in April 2007. Why should you own a directory? it is a good reference tool to look up old, new, lost, misplaced, friends in the Magic World. It is a good resource. It is very simple buy the directory or NOT!!!
"Creating Memories That Last A Lifetime"
In order to keep "MAGIC ALIVE" Please become a Mentor to a Young Person. |
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Skip Way Inner circle 3771 Posts |
Quote:
On 2006-09-08 01:45, First Class Magician wrote: "Don't be left out! Call to reserve your copy of the 2006 IBM Membership Directory today!" <-----This is a sales pitch. "We are currently in the final stages of editing your biographical information to be included in the International Brotherhood of Magicians Membership Directory, but we need your help! A brief telephone call will ensure your listing is completely accurate and up-to-date. Please, give us a call at your convenience this week so that we may verify your information with you." <----- This is an underhanded method to have you unknowingly call their sales department. There's a difference. It's as clear as if I were to call a client: "Thanks for calling me back. I just wanted to go over the details of our contract one more time...hey, since I have you on the phone let me tell you how I can upgrade your show for a mere $350.00..." False pretenses are what they are. How many members, like me, will not call now because they know a sales pitch is the focus of the call? Sorta defeats the purpose, eh? For the record...I have every intention of ordering a copy of the directory. I simply don't approve of this tactic. And the phrase is "Lighten up." Skip
How you leave others feeling after an Experience with you becomes your Trademark.
Magic Youth Raleigh - RaleighMagicClub.org |
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LeeDillingham Loyal user Las Vegas 263 Posts |
Please let us know how the directory turns out.
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Mike Gorman New user Cary, North Carolina 58 Posts |
For years, some IBM members have asked for a total membership directory. The last one Harris did for the IBM was several years ago and many members purchased it and were satisfied customers. Recent requests for an updated directory by members was brought up at the last IBM Board meeting and the directory was approved again. The IBM gets a few bucks for allowing the directory to be published, but the main reason is to give members what they want. Many members bought the first one, and Harris was enthusiastic about producing an updated one.
Of course, Harris being a publishing and marketing company (and the main provider of high quality directories for many organizations), is going to try to sell you the book, but they were very polite to me when I called and did not give me a "hard sell" tactic. I don't consider the postcards a deception, because the do want to make sure the data is correct and if you call a marketing company (you didn't have to call) you should expect a sales pitch. Harris does not want to offend potential buyers because they will want to do this again in the future, but some operators might get overly enthusiastic and hopefully Harris, by recording the call, will correct that situation. Buy, or not buy, it's up to you. I just want to say that the books are very high quality and if you don't want to pay the price that's up to you, but many of us think the directory is good, the marketing fine, and will enjoy them when they come out. |
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bsears Inner circle Cincinnati, Ohio 1040 Posts |
Yes, it was a sales pitch. And the lady I spoke to last year would hardly let me off the phone. I did not fall for their trick again this year.
My issue is that the postcard was designed to make it look like you were calling to "verify your information," not to hear them go on and on about why you need this. Shame on the IBM and whoever appoved this company to use these sales tactics which are deceptive and take time out of busy people's days. Maybe the directory would actually be affordable if the company didn't spend so much on all these postcards and the postage! |
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mrunge Inner circle Charleston, SC 3716 Posts |
Good point!
Mark. |
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jwebyra Regular user New Jersey 140 Posts |
I received a few e-mails and postcards. I filled the form with as much of the information I wanted to give them but it not enough for them.
Ron |
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DerZauberer Elite user Southern California 468 Posts |
I live in Germany and I got the “Important Notice” postcard to "Verify and Update" my membership information. Which by the way was inaccurate and the technician I spoke too was unable to input my telephone number and other European details on her American database form. (The number of digits in a European telephone number for instance).
I was disappointed to say the least that she could not update my biographical information in a European format. I had to repeat myself several times to get my web-address/email-address correct, since she had no way of inputting my telephone number. (English is my primary language to clarify). Then the sneaky way she sold me the directory. "Can we count on your participation with this directory?" Then I got slammed with the bill within 24 hours of the telephone call. I want my money back - who should I contact to reverse this underhanded sale? I don't need this directory. The way the salesperson worded the information; I had no idea it would cost so much. I can't afford this and I really have no need of it. Perhaps I’ll telephone the 800 number again? |
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mrunge Inner circle Charleston, SC 3716 Posts |
Wow! That is exactly what I would do. Call the 800 number so they pay for the call. Then tell them you do NOT want to directory and to cancel the order.
You might also send a complaint to the IBM about what happened. If this has happened to others (I'm sure it has) and they get enough complaints from the membership, they might be able to contact this company and discuss this with them. At least it might help them re-evaluate this little "enterprise" in the future if, and when, they decide to do this again. Mark. |
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Bill Wells Elite user Lexington, VA 457 Posts |
All -
I have passed on these messages to the IBM Board in the hope that the situation related by "DerZauberer" might be looked into. Bill |
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DerZauberer Elite user Southern California 468 Posts |
11:00 PM Germany Time. I telephoned the 800 number on the postcard and spoke to another representative. (I pay for 800 calls by the way because this was an international call).
I re-verified my information and I had to change my address because it was incorrect. They could not input my telephone number because their database only accepts 3-digit-7-digit telephone numbers (i.e. area code and telephone number). In Germany it is country code, 4 digit area code and 2 – 7 telephone number. I told the representative that I know he is bound by the computer form in which he has to fill out but it is a little silly to lock a form to only accept U.S. style telephone numbers for an “International” organization. What good is updating my information in a directory if I cannot even list my telephone number? Well, aside from the telephone problem, all of my information was corrected. The representative then gave me the customer service number to arrange for a refund of the directory book. I called Customer Service (another international charged call) and the this representative tried to sell me a softbound book or CD instead of the hardbound book, but ultimately agreed to give me a full refund. She wasn’t hard-sell and she was friendly, so I wasn’t upset. I am getting my money back. I suppose my only issue now is that why is an International Organization bound by United States address and telephone number formats for this directory? I am wondering if I should write a grievance to IBM, or are they already aware of this? |
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Dave V Inner circle Las Vegas, NV 4824 Posts |
I don't know if they were aware of it, but as many of them read this they know now. I wouldn't worry about filing a grievance as that's probably the wrong way to go about it. I'm pretty sure IBM has little to do with how Harris Publications runs their business, but maybe IBM can let them know that their International members aren't happy about the situation.
No trees were killed in the making of this message, but a large number of electrons were terribly inconvenienced.
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Steve Hart Veteran user Cocoa, FL 388 Posts |
Hello George,
Thank you for bringing this to our attention. This is frustrating to hear. I will pass this information along to the I.B.M. executive committee. Steve Hart I.B.M. membership committee Chair
www.SteveHartSpeaks.com
www.magic2motivate.com "Motivational Magicians are some of the highest paid magicians, find out why?" |
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