merlin@hqda-ai.UUCP (David S. Hayes) (05/14/87)
See the previous article for background information.
This is the complete text of my letter to Prentice-Hall:
------------------------------------------------------------
28 April 1987
Mr. Richard Snyder, President
Prentice-Hall, Inc.
1 Gulf & Western Plaza
New York, NY 10023
Dear Mr. Snyder:
In January I attended the Uniforum convention in
Washington. While there, I purchased a copy of "Operating
Systems" by Andrew Tanenbaum. Your representative informed me
that they were not allowed to accept cash at the show, but I would
be billed. I was quoted a list price of $36.95, and a show
discount of ten percent.
In March I received the bill. To my surprise, the book was
listed at some $43. Also shown was $4.98 shipping and handling,
and 5% Maryland state sales tax. The show discount did not
appear. I called your customer assistance section, and was told
that a corrected bill would be sent. On receiving the corrected
bill, the detail lines have disappeared, but the total due is
still $46.53! This is bill number {DELETED}.
This has been very annoying. Prentice-Hall has produced a
fine book. I'm sure the companion computer software will show
equally high quality. I have no objection to paying everything
that Prentice-Hall is entitled to, but it seems I must calculate
the amount myself:
Operating Systems by A. Tanenbaum $39.95
Show discount, 10% 3.70 CR
Subtotal 33.25
Sales Tax, 5% 1.66
Total Due $34.91
Please accept the enclosed check in settlement of this account. I
look forward to your response, as I know several other people who
have also received incorrect invoices. Thank you for your
assistance.
Sincerely,
/s/ David S. Hayes
------------------------------------------------------------
I allowed the sales tax as being DC sales tax.
The reply came from Joseph Feriola, Manager of Accounts Receivable
for Simon & Schuster. (I guess that Prentice-Hall is a
subsidiary.) The complete text of his reply:
------------------------------------------------------------
May 8, 1987
Mr. David Hayes
5993 Springhill Drive #204
Greenbelt, MD 20770
Dear Mr. Hayes,
We acknowledge receipt of your payment in the sum of $34.91 as
full settlement of your account, number {DELETED}.
Please accept our apologies for the difficulty we created by
invoicing you at a price different than the one quoted to you. We
simply were not informed of this condition.
Should you receive any further notices which may have preceeded
our corrective action, please disregard them. Your account is
paid in full.
Regarding your comment that some of your acquaintences [sic]
received similar incorrect billings, if possible, please have them
forward the necessary information concerning their invoices and
payments directly to me for immediate correction.
Sincerely,
/s/ Joseph Feriola
------------------------------------------------------------
Mr. Feriola's address is:
Mr. Joseph Feriola
Manager, Accounts Receivable
200 Old Tappan Road
Old Tappan, NJ 07675
------------------------------------------------------------
--
David S. Hayes, The Merlin of Avalon PhoneNet: (202) 694-6900
UUCP: *!seismo!sundc!hqda-ai!merlin ARPA: merlin%hqda-ai.uucp@brl.arpa