tricks of the trade
1. Don't feel obligated to choose only from the albums listed in the print catalogs you'll receive every three weeks or so. Instead, use the online catalogs to find the albums you want.
2. Don't buy any more than the minimum, no matter how enticing the "buy one, get one half price" offers become. If you have the patience, hold out on buying your full-price selection until they offer a 3-for-1 catalog special.
3. Don’t get yourself on the shit list by not paying what you owe. This is not about fraud. Many people have joined more than once under variations on their name, or by using their home and work addresses. The clubs don't seem to mind as long as the bills are paid. Don't go to extremes, of course: One 60-year-old loser recently pleaded guilty to mail fraud for receiving 26,554 CDs addressed to 2,417 fake customer accounts at 16 post office boxes in Lawrenceville, New Jersey. He faced up to five years in prison.
4. When you join, phone or write asking that your name not be sold to other marketers. If you don't, expect junk mail.
5. If you remain a member of BMG after fulfilling your requirements (i.e. you buy one album), phone and ask to be placed on the "Order-Only" option. In the biz, this is known as changing from "negative option" to "positive option." Before its demise, Columbia House had switched to a "positive option" default (i.e., "Never return a card again!").
6. If you have trouble and need to reach customer service for any reason, phone 317-692-9200 or write cs1@bmgmusicservice.com. The club doesn't have a toll-free number.