[net.wanted] Better Living Mag. -- BBB report

zemon@felix.UUCP (11/17/83)

After receiving a letter from "Better Living" magazine and
noting the previous article in (I think) net.wanted, I contacted
to the Better Business Bureau.  As I suspected, "Better Living"
seems pretty shady.

Following is the letter from the BBB.  You can obtain your own
copy from your local BBB.  You don't have to write to New York.
(I got mine from the Los Angeles BBB.)  I have used "BBB" in all 
references to "Better Business Bureau" to save my fingers.

======================================================================

The Better Business Bureau of Metropolitan New York, Inc.
257 Park Ave. South
New York, NY  10010

FILE REPORT			February 11, 1983

BETTER LIVING
1775 Broadway
New York, NY  10019

BETTER LIVING, a monthly publication, is published by Humdinger 
Publications, Inc., 1775 Broadway, New York, NY  10019.  Ralph 
Ginzburg is publisher.

The BBB has known of BETTER LIVING since July, 1980.

Based on our file, this firm does not meed BBB standards of 
business practice.  This firm has an unsatisfactory business 
performance record.  During the last three years, the BBB file 
shows a record of unsubstantiated advertising and selling claims 
challenged by the BBB.

During mush of this period, BBB files also showed a record of 
unanswered complaints, alleging nondelivery of the publication.  
Starting in the latter part of 1982, the BBB did receive 
responses to complaints, indicating adjustments ahd been or would 
be made.  The advertising questions raised by the BBB have not 
been resolved.

In May, 1982, the BBB wrote to BETTER LIVING concerning 
unanswered complaints and claims in promotional literature.

The company responded, stating that "We consistently and 
conscientionsly reply to all subscriber complaints--whether 
forwarded by the BBB or anyone else."  The firm also stated that 
they stopped informing the BBB of such replies because, the 
company contends, the BBB's records are inaccurate.

The BBB challenged phrases used in promotional mailings seeking 
subscriptions for the magazine.  The phrases challenged included 
"And the winner is ...," "Congratulations, you have won the right 
to obtain ...,"
	[there is a full paragraph of such quotes, AZ]
which the BBB believes can convey the impression that the offer 
is limited to a select number of people.  Based on the volume of 
inquiry to the New York BBB and other BBBs, a large number of 
persons are being solicited.

Also, some inquirers have received a solicitation for a 
subscription at $4.95 described as "An astonishing offer."  Other 
persons contacting the BBB have received the same offer for 
$2.95, also described as "an astonishing offer."  The BBB 
suggested phrases in the promotional piece for the $4.95 
solicitation can convey the impression of a superior value.  The 
BBB advised that these phrases be deleted so long as BETTER 
LIVING continues to solicit for the $2.95 offer.

In response to the BBB's suggestions, the company stated it would 
not cooperate with the BBB's efforts to "censor our advertising 
and/or promotion."

If you have a complaint, send a letter stating your experience to 
the BBB and a copy to the U.S. Postal Inspector in Charge, P.O. 
Box 555, New York, NY  10001.  Be sure to encolse copies of 
cancelled checks (both front and back) or charge statements.

=================================================================

Art Zemon
FileNet Corp.
(714)966-2344
...!{decvax, ucbvax}!trw-unix!felix!zemon

wetcw@pyuxa.UUCP (11/22/83)

Ah youth.  Come on folks, don't you recognize who the publisher
is?  That's Ralph Ginzberg, long of porno fame here on the East
coast.  He currently spends more time in court than the NY
Judges.  Ralphie has been putting out strange magazines for
the past 20 years.

arora@sunybcs.UUCP (Kulbir S. Arora) (11/24/83)

Well some of us 'innocents' had not heard of Ralph Ginzberg's notoriety.
Anyway, folks stay away from not only Better Living, but any magazine
offered by one Virginia Cunningham.
Who is she, anyway ?