Doubleday Book Club Review

I have been buying from Doubleday on and off for years now. For the first time I went to the site to activate my membership. I always cancel it after I have fulfilled my obligations and then I'll get a "please come back" letter or e-mail. This time though I solicited them.

A Closer View

Depending on when you order you will be offered a variety of goodies. This time I got 5 books free and chose the option of getting the 6th one for $5.99. With shipping that brought my order of 6 books, which arrived on time and included shipping to $14.69. The shipping and handling charges were $5.74 for the first book and then $1.99 for the others.

My contract is for me to buy 4 more books in two years. The downside is that they are hardcover so they are heavier to put in a suitcase and they are brand new so you won't get the benefit of waiting months and getting them at half price. Still for me Doubleday is a great once a year choice.

Every type of book can be bought including health books, diet books, craft books, self help books, romance novels, mysteries, and biographies.

There are a couple of great differences from today's Doubleday over yesterday's Doubleday.

• I won't get reminders telling me that if I don't order a book I'll be sent the featured book. For someone like me who travels a lot those notices used to make me very nervous. I do have to accept or decline online so it is up to you to keep on top of this. I just got 6 books and what I usually do is fulfill my contract well within a year so I don't have to worry about getting the wrong book. If that happens by the way (Be careful how you open the box.) just write declined on the box and send it back. I have found that to work successfully though luckily I think it has only happened one time.

• I like that I can order right online. I don't have to wait for a newsletter. I just go to the site and choose best sellers since for the most part that's what I like to read.

I now charge my orders with a credit card rather than having them bill me later - again I don't want to deal with paper work.

"Satisfaction is guaranteed; membership is risk-free. If you're not completely satisfied with your introductory package, you may return it within 20 days at their expense. Your membership will be canceled and you'll owe nothing." You can rush or decline your featured selections (no cards to return!), order from our online catalog and check your account balance 24 hours a day.".www.doubleday.com

Jo's Viewpoint

I like it!