Conference noted::sf

    
    I've been in the SFBC for probably over 10 years now. I have
    never been disappointed by them. This is not your run-of-the-mill
    mail order house. Unlike the 10-records-for-a-penny clubs, the
    SFBC doesn't just want to hook you into a life-long obligation.
    As a matter of fact, I think the SFBC membership obligation is
    ridiculously easy to fulfill. And unlike the 10-videos-for-a-buck
    clubs, there are no "buy at the intorductory $2.95" prices and then
    buy the rest at the "regular $79.95" prices. All of the SFBC books
    are reasonably prices (for hardcover) and prices are all within
    a reasonable range (3.50-15.00) with plenty of selections at all
    points along the price scale. And last of all is the SFBC service.
    If there's a screw-up they WILL fix it. None of these "Oh yes,
    Mr. Smith your bill has been credited" and then the next day you
    get a nasty letter from a bill collection agency threatening to
    reposses your wife and children for an outstanding $3.95 bill.
    In short, as far a book clubs go, I think the SFBC is one of the
    best, and would not hesitate to recommend it to a friend (even
    if I get a free book for every friend I get to join!).
    
    			-Steven R. Taschereau
    

    As a long-time member of SFBC, I recommend it highly.  The book's
    are usually quite good (although I question their selection of the
    month sometimes) and the prices are quite reasonable.
    
    I have to disagree with .2 on one item, though.  SFBC does do the
    10-books-for-a-buck trick for new entries.  It's a good way to get
    those books that mildly interested you, but not enough to make you
    want to buy it even at paperback prices.  As an interesting sidenote
    to you SFBC people.  It is possible to cancel your membership and
    get back in under the above named program.  I was a member for 5
    years before I did it.  There don't seem to be any special benefits
    for being a long-time member.

    
    Is there any easy way of joining the SFBC if you're not in the states
    (ie. in Reading, UK)?  If not, then does anyone know of a similar
    service on this side of the pond?
    
    Mat.
    *:o)
    

    I don't know what the postal regs are about shipping books to the
    UK.  I don't think you can, though.

The SFBC will not ship to the UK.   When I moved there temporarily, the SFBC
cancelled my membership, rather than changing the address.  

    As was pointed out elsewhere in this conference, if you find it
    annoying to have to check off books you DON'T want and send the
    order back, you can send a letter quitting the Club. Magically,
    you will be invited to remain a member and to send in orders only
    when you actually want something. I just went through this.
    
    I've been a member for several years. I seem to find fewer and fewer
    books that I really want to order from them. That seems to be a
    result of the growth of fantasy and sword-and-sorcery novels, most
    of which I do not particularly like. (That's putting it politely.)
    
    However, I've gotten many books over the years, and still find some
    that satisfy my tastes. I'm torn between the space-saving qualities
    of paperbacks and the satisfaction of having a "real" book. I prefer
    the "real" book, and will remain a member of SFBC. Now that I don't
    have to send back "NON-orders", I'll be a happier member.
    `
    - Richard

	I recently acquired a complete list of the club's currently
	available books: no, I know longer have it - I threw it out.
	I was interested in seeing what the club had to offer, having
	seen the adds in Galaxy way back when. In other words, I've been
	reading SF for many moons. 

	The list was long enough, but not terribly interesting. Fantasy,
	Elves-with-Swords and the like took up a major portion of the
	list. "Classic" SF was well represented. But the quirky authors,
	the daring authors, the hot authors, the lit'ry authors, and
	the crazed authors - i.e. the interesting authors, are vastly
	neglected.

	The SFBC needs to realize that the writers and books that once 
	made SF a vibrant and far-sighted literature, now make it a
	tired rehash. Offer us something new.

    Ah, but _you_ need to understand the purpose of the SFBC.  The SFBC
    is designed to bring the non-SF reader into SF.  The so-called daring
    and innovative writers would drive a non-SF oriented person away
    so fast, it would make your head spin.  (Could you imagine reading
    _Neuromancer_ as your first SF book?)
    
    The fantasy/SF classics are designed to bring new people in.
    
    You also need to realize that the only books that are picked by
    the SFBC are the ones that are going to sell. 

    Lots of people would read "Neuromancer" and say "Wow!  This is 
    great! Is this what SF is like?"  Then they'd pick up the latest
    Asimov...
    /jlr

>>    Ah, but _you_ need to understand the purpose of the SFBC.  The SFBC
    is designed to bring the non-SF reader into SF.  

	Then why does the SFBC do its primary advertising on the back
	of SF magazines? How does that reach the non-SF reader?

>>	The so-called daring
    and innovative writers would drive a non-SF oriented person away
    so fast, it would make your head spin.  
    
	Obviously, this is a subjective opinion. And my response, like
	the previous noter's, is a subjective disagreement. I (and 
	I'm sure many others) like to be challenged in my reading; 
	SF or mainstream.
    
>>    The fantasy/SF classics are designed to bring new people in.
    
	You want to bring people in? Hit your local used bookstore
	with ten bucks in your pocket and buy your friend 5 or 6
	paperbacks that once fired your imagination. Most people
	aren't interested in a hardback library at the start.

>>  You also need to realize that the only books that are picked by
    the SFBC are the ones that are going to sell. 

	Absolutely.
	Such is life ...

    
    
      The only thing I found is that if you are going to order then
    you should arder at least three books or more at the same time because
    of the shipping costs. Otherwise the price of just one book goes
    way up. For the last year I got tired of sending the "non-order"
    forms in to them so I diden't bother. When the books came in I looked
    to make shure they were not books I had ordered and sent them back
    "Return to Sender". They just sent me a letter saying that if I
    wanted I could go on to a plan where WANTED this month's selection
    to mark the box. So that choice does exist and probally if you wrote
    them thay would set up your account to be the same way
    
    
    					Joe
    

    
     I've been a member on and off for about 7 years. I stay in a year
    and them quit. After aout 6 months they send me a new offer to rejoin
    at a better deal than the one I originally got. Sounds chincy, but
    I've done this about 4 times now, and if they don't mind, I don't
    mind.
    
    PKB
    

    re: -.1  Yass. Last time I joined/quit I ended up with 18 books for
    about twenty dollars.  Sounds mercenary, but I quit when I get sick
    of sending in the cards with the NO box checked.  When I see an
    ad offering enough titles I like to make the intro order plus first
    one/two choice (depending on offer) I re-join.

    Also, you are not restricted the the titles in the offer.  One time I 
    used a couple title #s from a friend's "Things to Come".
    
    						Don

    This is an old string, but I thought I'd update a point in here...
    
    Once you've finished you obligatory purchases from joining SFBC, a 
    simple phone call will suffice to get switched from the 'tell them 
    NOT to send' to the 'tell them you want' mode of operation. 
    
    One thing I've noticed... Don't know if it's intentional, but it seems
    as though their offerings go through cycles. I'll go monthes without
    seeing anything I really want to buy (I prefer "real" SF to Fantasy etc)
    and then I get a catalog or two with quite a few attractive offerings.
    Anyone else observed this?
    
    BTW, I remember from many moons ago an SF book club that sold paperbacks
    at a very low price. Is there still anything like this out there??
    
    Dave

    Dave,
    
    	Could you post the number, please??  I couldn't find one in the
    pile of papers the send every few weeks . . .
    
    					Thanks!
    
    					Jim C.

    It was in your first packet, the "Welcome" pamphlet.
    
    	Member Service Center
    	6550 East 30th Street
    	P.O.Box 6325
    	Indianapolis, IN 46206-6325
    	317-541-8920
    
    Make sure you have your account number when you call/write.
    
    Dave

    Thanks!!
    

    
    Another good strategy is to cancel your membership after buying your 
    initial 4 books.  Then they start sending you these really tempting
    offers to rejoin.  I got one yesterday that gets me six books for $2
    and then I have to buy the 4 books again, before canceling.  I've
    done this a few times now:  join, buy my 4 books, cancel, get sent
    many offers to rejoin, join again.
    
    jc