Consumer Blog
Unordered merchandise is a gift
A Missouri consumer recently received a survey in the mail, along with a $10 bill (cash) for taking the time to fill out the survey. So what does she do - can she keep the cash? Does she have to do the survey?
The answers are yes and no. Yes, she can keep the cash, and No, she's under no obligation to do the survey.
Missouri law says any unordered merchandise can be considered a gift. So if you got something in the mail you never asked for, you can either send it back or keep it. And you don't have to pay for it.
That's why you can keep and use those return address labels charities send you in the mail, with no obligation to donate to the charity.
Keep in mind, none of this applies if you ask for the merchandise, whether it's return address labels or anything else. It must be unsolicited.
Technorati Tags: unordered goods, unordered merchandise, unsolicited goods, unsolicited merchandise, moagoconsumer, consumer protection
Posted by on March 25, 2008 10:34 am :: Comments (4) :: Permalink
4 Responses to "Unordered merchandise is a gift"
says:
March 25, 2008 11:52 pm
I have some friends that are asking me to join Team National MLM. Can anyone tell me about Team National and is it a scam?
says:
March 26, 2008 9:37 am
To Shirley:
We have seven complaints against this company going back to 2002. Can't tell you much about them other than that.
A lot of info appears to be available via a quick Internet search.
We have a publication that may help you determine if a company is an illegal pyramid. Note - there are plenty of legitimate and legal multi-level marketing companies.
An illegal pyramid has two main distinctions:
1. Money is made through recruiting new members, not selling products.
and / or:
2. If there is a product, it is typically overpriced and not appealing to the general public as a retail item. In other words, the only people buying the product are those looking to get into the business.
says:
May 7, 2008 11:44 pm
Hi im doing a class assignment about unordered and unsolicited goods and i need some more information about why victims can get scammed in this way?? I also need advice to tell me how to recognise if its a scam or not. Please reply back
says:
May 12, 2008 10:10 am
To Raymond:
The Missouri statute (see link above) is short and sweet and clear on this. Also, the Federal Trade Commission has more information on the topic.
