Replies

1. 
   clark_carhart | Feb 25, 2000 01:07pm | #1

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   No, but I did keep the sticker.

2. 
   Guest_ | Feb 25, 2000 03:34pm | #2

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   My wife bought me a subscription a few years back. She had no idea what this magazine and club was all about, but thought I'd like it.

   I was supposedly a "charter" member, whatever the heck that means to them. I sure was not a founding member, nor was I one of the first.

   Anyway, I got all 12 issues for that year, and it was quite entertaining. It reminded me a lot of the "Dream House on HGTV" thread in the Tavern. In one issue I remember, a guy was installing slate tile on his small porch (probably a 5' x 5') and he didn't clean off the grout quick enough. About half of the article was about how to remove dried grout, and the importance of getting it off quicker.

   Lots of pics about home projects by readers, and they allegedly send tools to members to test and write up a small paragraph about how you liked it. You get to keep the tool. I never did get a tool, nor did I renew the subscription.

   This mag is for the DIYer, and it did not give me any useful info. Sometimes it got so ridiculous with their child like explanation and projects that I could not even read the whole thing.

   For a do-it-yourselfer that is just starting out, it may very well be a great mag to get. For a pro, it is like reading "See Jack Run" type of stuff.

   Of course, I could be wrong...

   James DuHamel

1. 
   Guest_ | Feb 25, 2000 04:05pm | #3

   *Did you keep your sticker? I recieved 2 foam sanding pads in my offer to join, then 2 weeks later they sent 2 more asking me to join again.MDM.

1. 
   Guest_ | Feb 25, 2000 06:26pm | #4

   *Yeah, I got 4 foam sanding pads too. My kids got the sticker in their treehouse.

1. 
   Guest_ | Feb 25, 2000 06:51pm | #5

   *I've buried half a dozen of their stickers in the framing of various projects just for s**ts and giggles.Steve

1. 
   Guest_ | Feb 25, 2000 10:01pm | #6

   *I didn't receive a membership offer -- my wife did. It included what looks like a credit card with HER name embossed on it. My wife isn't a bit DIY; she's more DIFM (Do It For Me), so Jeff is probably right about its discrimination.

2. 
   Guest_ | Feb 25, 2000 10:33pm | #7

   *Hey, I only got one sanding pad with each invite! But I'm up to 5, including the one my buddy gave me!That's surprising to hear no one was sent tools to test and keep! Why, that's almost dishonest! Must have been an accident! Jeff

3. 
   Guest_ | Feb 25, 2000 11:38pm | #8

   *I can't believe that all you guys got were a couple of sanding pads, they sent me a Powermatic Model 66 3HP table saw. All I have to do is let them know what I think of it. It was almost too good to believe.I figure that's gotta be worth at least twelve bucks.

4. 
   Guest_ | Feb 26, 2000 12:03am | #9

   *I got a stanley utility knife, and a nice set of shiny metal like stickers. Also was a charter member.Hope this helpsj.r.

5. 
   Guest_ | Feb 26, 2000 12:56am | #10

   *I put the stickers on the back windows of my competitors' trucks.

6. 
   Guest_ | Feb 26, 2000 02:02am | #11

   *I like that idea Steve!I've got a ton of foam sanding pads, stickers, and holographic trading cards. I think they are in a drawer somewhere. I ought to dig them out and follow Steve's idea.James DuHamel

3. 
   larry_the_home_hack | Feb 27, 2000 09:00am | #12

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   After three faithful years of subscribing I got aN extra thick sanding pad to "test" WooHoo. I am a D.I.Y.er and do get some useful stuff from the magazine. One word of warning though, don't buy the books. It's like Mail herpes, I send them back with letters telling them I don't want more and the books just keep coming.

4. 
   Guest_ | Feb 27, 2000 06:20pm | #13

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   I thought "handyman" was a swear word here? :)

   We only got one sanding pad. It may help that we added ourselves to the "Mail Preference Service" of the Direct Marketing Association, which allegedly reduces junk mail through the voluntary compliance of its membership. I won't bore you with my opinion of direct marketer mailings, telemarketing, junk e-mail (spam) ... but save a tree, and a lot of trash & aggravation, by letting them know you want out of all those great offers. There's a telephone pref. service too. Neither works for businesses, grrr.

1. 
   Guest_ | Feb 27, 2000 08:29pm | #14

   *i didn't get nothin' - no stickers - not even a powermatic. an ifun i had it would probably have been a delta! uknow - delta - quality workmanship - proud to be made in america an all. no wonder people buy hondas.

1. 
   Guest_ | Mar 06, 2000 05:19am | #15

   *I got the sanding pads as well and cut the hammer out of my sticker for my Hard hat.I did come across a tool that was 'tested' by the National Handymans Club of America.' I was a 3'x4'x5' square that folded down and was supposed to be accurate every time that you use it. The price was $49.95 for a couple of pieces of aluminum and some screws. I was laying out a 87 Unit Loft building at the time and I bought it. It lasted all of 2 weeks before I threw it away.The sanding pads did come in handy though.

1. 
   Guest_ | Mar 06, 2000 07:53am | #17

   *I have the same "A-Square". I've had it almost two years w/no pboblems. I think mine has rivits, not screws. Jeff

5. 
   Guest_ | Mar 06, 2000 07:53am | #16

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   Anyone do this? They claim they send you tools to test, you write a report about it, then you keep it. You get a magazine and perks for $1.00 a month. Feels like a scam, anyone cough up the $12.I don't think it's too exclusive, a membership application was also mailed to a friend of mine who has never bought a tool in his life!Anyone know the real deal? Jeff