MBCA Coffee table book

[Bob G ✝︎]

I received a yellow card in the mail that the Mercedes-Benz Club of America is doing for it's members a coffee table and CD roam of which cars members owners have and what brought them to join the club . They want some pictures and a story about each of the the cars  members own.
The phone number on the card is toll free 1-800-729-5614 you will need the ID number on the bottom of the card ,however if you do not have this card and and it was not sent to you you may inquire by giving them your MBCA membership number. The book and the CD are  a  total of $219.00 for the collectors edition. or you can just buy the coffee table book or the CD separately
Bob Geco
1968 280SL
1992 300-E sport -line

[mdsalemi]

Be VERY careful how you respond to this, MBCA members.  This is not a "coffee table" book by any stretch of the imagination; it is what is called an affinity book and it is published by Harris Connect, LLC.  Use your own judgment as to what they do and how they do it.  Many of you who might be graduates of private universities in the USA may have already had some experience with this company--they contract with alumni organizations to created directories and books, etc. and sell them.  Do your "due diligence" before deciding to even respond to something like this.

Here is the company--check them out: http://www.harrisconnect.com/  Go to the tab marked SOLUTIONS, and then COMMEMORATIVE PUBLICATIONS for the company explanation of what it is they offer.  Poke around the entire website.

Now, before you get serious, check these links out before making that call, and judge for yourself if this is something you want to get involved with:

http://damontucker.com/2009/10/22/uh-alumni-foundation-and-harrisconnect-what-is-really-going-on/
http://www.philadelphiaspeaks.com/forum/parenting-education/12231-harris-connect-extremely-careful.html
http://joshinggnome.wordpress.com/2007/03/30/i-am-apoplectic-in-my-rage-at-harrisconnect-and-boston-university/
http://www.facebook.com/note.php?note_id=10150148630636257
http://www.liberty1st.org/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=1546
http://whocallsme.com/Phone-Number.aspx/7579628857/3

This stuff was enough for me to say it's just a fundraising, telemarketing operation that I certainly want no part of.  YOU, judge for yourself.

[49er]

Michael, my sentiments exactly!

John

[Garry]

Michael, 

Even I had heard of this one.

Another classic spamming organisation.  Poor Bob must be on their mailing list and cops it and spreads it.  That is how they work.

Garry

[mdsalemi]

Sadly, it has nothing to do with being discovered on a mailing list...the MBCA's National Business Office made the contract to do this.  Note that is "contract", not "contact"...

[Jonny B]

Mike, Thanks for the heads up. I just got the card in the mail, and was indeed curious about it.

[john.mancini]

Mike,
I agree. I ripped my card up. The only MB coffee table book I want is yours!
John

[wwheeler]

I just received my yellow card and it was indeed curious. I was wondering why they only wanted you to CALL in. It's in the trash now. Thanks also for the heads up!

[mdsalemi]

Some more information is slowly coming out on this book, as people investigate it.

First, it is more of a directory than a coffee table book; what you get if you contribute, is a small one column photo and a paragraph or two.  It is normal page size format (near to A4 for you global folk), and set in two columns: it appears as if the maximum size allowed per entry is about 1/3 of a column, or 1/6 of a page.  That allows about a wallet size photo, and a couple of brief paragraphs beyond your name, city, and car(s).

There is some conflicting and unsubstantiated information that this is an "opt-out" program, something that if true, I find hard to believe.  They are not going to get anything from me, but would they fill this book with a large number of names, cities, and car listings, interspersed with the contributors who opt for purchase and contributing their 1/6 page?  I just don't know.

I saw a sample page and it appears as if they'll have to re-design it to bring graphic utilization of the MBCA trademark into allowed compliance.

[ghenne]

I received two emails which were signed by Doug Truitt, Executive Director of MBCA, about the book.

The emails were sent by Harris Connect, which means that MBCA has given their list to Harris, not something I like.

Doug's email is doug@mbca.org.

[Garry]

As I said earlier, someone had to give out a mailing list for these types of spamming offers to work.  Very surprised that it has come from MBCA.