Martha Jacoby from Down East wrote Northeast COMBAT a letter in the Spring 2004. She was one frustrated lady in regard to a business called International Library of Photography in Owings Mills, Md.

It seems they placed an advertisement encouraging consumers to enter a photo contest. For those who submitted photographs deemed winners, their work would be placed in a book which they would publish and supposedly sell throughout the United States in bookstores.

After the initial selection of photographs, Martha was declared a winner. She was informed she would be sent the finished copy of the book in September 2004 and be charged $77.95. Martha was happy when she received notification that her submitted photograph depicting the sun setting over the ocean had won. However, she wondered why she had to pay $77.95 for a copy of the book, considering she was a winner. She believed the book should be provided gratis.

Thinking it would be nice to have her submitted photograph published, Martha went ahead and mailed the required amount of money. Martha received a letter from International Library of Photography telling her the publishing date would not be until November 2004. A second letter arrived noting the publishing date would be delayed until January 2005. The business also wrote that she would receive her copy two months before its appearance in the bookstore. Martha called several different bookstores in both the Down East area and Bangor. She gave them the ISBN number of the book and each, in turn, replied they had never heard of International Library of Photography. It was at this point Martha Jacoby contacted Northeast COMBAT.

One of our caseworkers wrote a letter to the president and CEO of International Library of Photography:

“Northeast COMBAT, Maine’s advocate for consumer protection and better business practices, is contacting you on behalf of Maine consumer, Martha Jacoby.

“Martha Jacoby sent a check to your place of business in the amount of $77.95. This was to cover the purchase of a book in which her winning photograph had been placed. A copy of that check is enclosed for your perusal. She was told the book would be published in September 2004, which was later changed to another date. Those dates have come and gone without the book being received. She contacted BookMarc’s, Borders, Mr. Paperback, Betts Bookstore and other smaller stores and provided them with your ISBN number and inquiring when the book would be coming in.

“The bookstores all replied that they had never heard of International Library of Photography.

“At this time we are requesting that a refund in the amount of $77.95 be sent to Martha Jacoby within the next 14 days with notification to Northeast COMBAT of the transaction. Then, and only then, will we drop this matter. We are relying on your integrity.”

One week later, we received a reply from this business. They wrote:

“This letter comes in response to your letter which we just received. Please understand that we take this complaint very seriously, and we want to make sure that we address all of your concerns. Martha Jacoby, through Northeast COMBAT is requesting a refund of $77.95 that was paid for the anthology. I have notified the accounting department to refund the above amount. The refund check will be sent within 15 business days. As we are unable to stop the shipment of the book, I am requesting that your client refuse delivery so that it will be returned to our office. We apologize for any inconveniences in this matter and thank you for your time.”

Three weeks later COMBAT received a call from Martha. She said, “Finally, would you believe, I received my money back. If it had not been for you, I know I would not have received a refund. Thank you so much. Incidentally, I never did receive the book and more than likely, there never was a book. Am I getting skeptical or what?”

We think you covered it all, Martha. It is better to be a bit skeptical than overly trusting.

Consumer Forum is a collaboration of the Bangor Daily News and Northeast COMBAT-Maine Center for the Public Interest, Maine’s membership-funded, nonprofit organization. For help, write: Consumer Forum, Bangor Daily News, P.O. Box 1329, Bangor 04402-1329.