Anyone else get unsolicited "freebies" from Strings and Beyond?

LakewoodM32Fan · #1 03-03-2021, 02:49 PM

So a USPS priority mail package arrived for me today from Strings and Beyond. I hadn't ordered anything from them in a while (but when I do, it tended to be a big order, like when they had a BOGO for D'addario EXPs I bought over a dozen sets).

Thinking my account had been hacked, I checked my online account with S&B, as well as my credit cards. No recent activity on either front.

So I opened the package. Within is a set of DR Veritas Acoustic 12-54 strings "bonus 2 free strings" it says on the package, and a NuTone Clayton Premium Series heavy pick. Oh and a postcard sized "free JamPlay membership" whatever that means.

No receipt.

No packing slip.

No sign of the package being pre-opened (it was sealed when I got it). The address label is clearly to me, but there is nothing inside indicating a sale, nothing in my account on their website indicating anything was ordered or shipped to me in months (since their BOGO sale over the summer). And nothing on my credit cards.

This happen to anyone else? Don't get me wrong, if it's a "thank you for doing a lot of business with us" I'm totally down for that, but a note of appreciation to explain why I got this would have been nice.

Or maybe this is karma. I ordered a Nutone Clayton pick months ago from Guitar Center which never arrived. Their CSR claimed they'd refund my money. They never did. It was only $5 so I just chalked it up as a loss, it's not worth my time to keep going at it with their CSR...guess I got that Nutone pick after all!

Brucebubs · #2 03-03-2021, 03:23 PM

I wish!
I've been waiting for their yearly 'Free International Shipping' offer tp place a good size order but they haven't had one since the pandemic.

Dryfly · #3 03-03-2021, 03:25 PM

No but do check out the Veritas strings. They're really good on the right guitar, in my case the Santa Cruz.

dwasifar · #4 03-03-2021, 03:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LakewoodM32Fan

Within is a set of DR Veritas Acoustic 12-54 strings "bonus 2 free strings" it says on the package, and a NuTone Clayton Premium Series heavy pick. Oh and a postcard sized "free JamPlay membership" whatever that means.

No receipt.

No packing slip.

No sign of the package being pre-opened (it was sealed when I got it). The address label is clearly to me, but there is nothing inside indicating a sale, nothing in my account on their website indicating anything was ordered or shipped to me in months (since their BOGO sale over the summer). And nothing on my credit cards.

This happen to anyone else? Don't get me wrong, if it's a "thank you for doing a lot of business with us" I'm totally down for that, but a note of appreciation to explain why I got this would have been nice.

I'm guessing it's a mixup. They were intended for someone else, probably with a similar name, and they picked your address out of the database by mistake.

If it were me, I'd contact them and ask. If it's not a mixup, you'll learn the real reason; if it is a mixup, you'll have the satisfaction of having done the right thing, and they'll appreciate you for letting them know they still owe the other guy something.

Wellington · #5 03-03-2021, 09:02 PM

Not with strings, but the exact thing happened with a $450 dollar smart watch from Amazon in late November/ early December. We posted about it, I've contacted Amazon twice, the first time through email and the second over the phone, a claim thing was started and they never got back to me either time. I decided not to spend more of my time and energy trying to straighten it out with a company owned by the richest man in the world, I'm going to sell it now I guess, I could really use the money right now anyway, trying to sell one of my guitars as it is to pay the bills!

Anyway, accept the gift and try them out!

dwasifar · #6 03-03-2021, 09:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wellington

I could really use the money right now anyway, trying to sell one of my guitars as it is to pay the bills!

Which one?

Ralph124C41 · #7 03-03-2021, 10:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wellington

Not with strings, but the exact thing happened with a $450 dollar smart watch from Amazon in late November/ early December. We posted about it, I've contacted Amazon twice, the first time through email and the second over the phone, a claim thing was started and they never got back to me either time. I decided not to spend more of my time and energy trying to straighten it out with a company owned by the richest man in the world, I'm going to sell it now I guess, I could really use the money right now anyway, trying to sell one of my guitars as it is to pay the bills!

Anyway, accept the gift and try them out!

It's my understanding that the FTC says you don't have to return items that you get that you did not order. In fact, legally you are not even obligated to contact the seller. Again, that's my understanding so maybe somebody can fill in the blanks. Ethically, of course, you would try to contact the seller. But legally, you're home free.

Wellington · #8 03-04-2021, 07:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dwasifar

Which one?

My S&P, not worth much, $500 CAD.

Wellington · #9 03-04-2021, 07:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ralph124C41

It's my understanding that the FTC says you don't have to return items that you get that you did not order. In fact, legally you are not even obligated to contact the seller. Again, that's my understanding so maybe somebody can fill in the blanks. Ethically, of course, you would try to contact the seller. But legally, you're home free.

Good to know! I'll have to look into it

Nymuso · #10 03-04-2021, 07:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ralph124C41

It's my understanding that the FTC says you don't have to return items that you get that you did not order. In fact, legally you are not even obligated to contact the seller. Again, that's my understanding so maybe somebody can fill in the blanks. Ethically, of course, you would try to contact the seller. But legally, you're home free.

That is correct. I used to belong to an organization that is famous for bombarding you with requests for money for various “urgent” projects. Easy to ignore. Then one day I got a DVD instructional course in the mail that I had not ordered. They said I could send it back or pay for it. I did neither. What I did do was contact them telling them I was done with them and threw the “course” into the trash.

dwasifar · #11 03-04-2021, 08:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nymuso

That is correct. I used to belong to an organization that is famous for bombarding you with requests for money for various “urgent” projects. Easy to ignore. Then one day I got a DVD instructional course in the mail that I had not ordered. They said I could send it back or pay for it. I did neither. What I did do was contact them telling them I was done with them and threw the “course” into the trash.

You were within your rights to do so, of course, and it was probably the right thing in that situation, but I don't think this is analogous to OP's situation. The law about being entitled to treat unsolicited merchandise as gifts is to protect consumers from unscrupulous merchants with predatory billing schemes. OP isn't being asked to pay for anything. This looks like a genuine mistake by a forum sponsor well known to be a decent company.

Tnfiddler · #12 03-04-2021, 10:24 AM

If you want to donate those Veritas strings to me, I’ll take them!! My D41 LOVES those strings!!

wguitar · #13 03-04-2021, 10:53 AM

No, but I would guess you either won some periodic drawing they might have or it's a mistake. They are nice folks, and if it were me I would give them a call and solve the mystery. If they made a mistake and mailed it to the wrong person I'm sure they'd appreciate the heads up.

All the best,

Cheers!

Dru Edwards · #14 03-04-2021, 03:03 PM

Strings & Beyond are great. I've placed about 15 orders over the years. Unfortunately, Canadians now need to pay for shipping but I decided it was worth it and receive my last order a couple of weeks ago.

Freebies = good.

rllink · #15 03-04-2021, 04:18 PM

I just got an order from them. They used to include a couple picks but there were none in the package. A little disappointing on one hand, but on the other, I don't even want their picks. I guess I just want to feel special. I'm not going to hold it against them.

I think in this case my curiosity would get the best of me. I would have to ask. I doubt they would make anyone send back a set of strings and a pick. Maybe, but even if they did, you're not out anything.