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Online Store:

US/Mexico/Canada shipping charges are $12.00 for the first book and $3.00 for each book thereafter.
Shipping charges for UPS Second Day Air for US/Mexico/Canada orders is $25.00 for the first book and $5.00 for each book thereafter.

Return Policy:

Returns will be accepted for a period of 30 days after the invoice date for domestic orders and 90 days after the invoice date for international orders.

Returns must be undamaged and in resalable condition.

Returns made after the specified time frame will be charged a 15% restocking fee. The restocking fee will be deducted from your total refund amount.

Returns are made at the expense of the customer. Please use a shipper that allows you to trace the package. Shipping fees are non-refundable.

Ship Returns To:

ASM Warehouse
C/O The REPRO Center
Customer Returns
25001 Rockwell Dr.
Cleveland, OH 44117

Member Related:

How do I limit the number of e-mails I receive?

If you no longer wish to receive e-mail from ASM, the quickest way to stop almost all e-mail communications is to update your member profile online in the Members Only area. You can also e-mail Customer Service to indicate you no longer wish to receive messages from ASM. Please note that this will also stop your chapter from being able to reach you via the e-mail tools as well. If you no longer wish to receive certain promotional e-mail messages, simply follow the Preferences link at the bottom of each e-mail to remove yourself from that list.

Where can I find a comprehensive and updated list of member benefits?

The best source of information on member benefits can be found here.

Why are we invoiced so many times and so early for member renewals?

To make sure that a membership renewal doesn't fall through the cracks, ASM mails four invoices to each member. The first invoice arrives three months before the membership is due to expire; the second arrives two months before expiration, and the third arrives some time during the final month of membership. If necessary, a fourth invoice is sent one month after the membership expires. Remember, you're always credited for the months you pay, even if you pay the first invoice (sent three months before your membership expires).

This schedule is based on the input of our members (more than 70 percent tell us that they submit their membership invoices for payment by their employer, and need at least 90 days notice to complete the internal payment process within their organization). Unfortunately, our billing center does not know that your invoice has been submitted to your accounts payable department, so another invoice is mailed (and sometimes a third). We appreciate your patience and your understanding of why this takes place.

ASM mails more than 6,000 monthly invoices to members at all stages of the renewal process (approximately 75,000 invoices a year) through our computer controlled billing center. Because of the timing involved in mailing these invoices, you will occasionally receive an extra invoice after you have already paid a previous invoice. As a member, you can help ASM control our printing and postage costs and reduce waste by paying promptly.

Why does the cost of membership keep increasing?

The ASM Rules of Government state: "From time to time the Board of Trustees shall examine the amount charged for membership fees and may adjust them to account for costs of service to members."

Dues increases are analyzed by the ASM Finance Committee. External factors such as economic conditions, the national cost of living and dues for other technical societies all play a role. The Finance Committee makes a recommendation to the ASM Board of Trustees and a vote is taken by the Board to approve any dues increase.

ASM dues increases have traditionally been in the range of two or three dollars annually. In 1998, a one-time increase of $10 helped to defray the cost of providing access to the ASM Desk Editions Online as a benefit of membership, increases in the cost of sending Advanced Materials & Processes magazine, and a $1.25 increase in the Chapter Rebate to aid chapters in providing programming and ongoing operations. Because the internal cost of making small incremental changes on an annual basis is less efficient and less cost-effective for the society, future increases are likely to be considered in alternate years, but at slightly higher amounts.

What are Life Members charged for membership?

In October 2002, the ASM Board of Trustees voted to assess annual dues of 40 percent of the full member fee renewal rate for those members who achieved Life Membership status after January 1, 2003. Those who were Life Members prior to January 1, 2003 were not affected.

It is generally perceived that something "free" is valued less than something that one pays for, even for a nominal charge. The Board made this decision to assess Life Members this special fee in order to "re-engage" them with our society and to encourage their active participation in their local chapters. In addition, these dues help to defray the costs of continuing to mail Advanced Materials & Processes magazine to Life Members.

What are the requirements for "Retired" and "Life" Member status?

We're very proud of our Life Retired and Life Members for the years of support and participation they have given to ASM, and we look forward to their continued involvement.

Retired Member status must be requested by an ASM Individual Member who has been an ASM Member continuously for 10 years, who has attained the age of 60 and retired from regular work. The years the Individual Member is in the Retired Member category accumulate toward Life Membership. The Retired Member status does not apply to Chapter Sustaining Membership; however, it does apply to representatives of Chapter Sustaining Memberships when they are no longer representatives. Retired members dues are reduced to 60 percent of the regular fee.

A Life Member is any Individual Member who is in good standing, who has reached the age of 65 and whose years of membership combined with years of age equal 100 or more. A Chapter Sustaining Member is not eligible for Life Membership, but the voting representative becomes a Life Member by fulfilling the above requirements for age and for consecutive years of membership, either as an Individual Member, as a voting representative of any Chapter Sustaining Member or in any combination. Classification as a Life Member does not affect
with the rights or privileges of any person as an Individual Member.

For more information, please contact ASM Customer Service.

Why, as a Life Member can I not renew my membership online?

Life Membership with ASM International is a unique opportunity to recognize our long-term members with special membership pricing. Because of the complex calculation involved, we do not have an automated way to enable online renewals for Life Members, however, you can renew by calling ASM Customer Service’s toll free phone line.

How should we notify Materials Park about the death of a chapter member?

Please obtain as much information as possible, including full member name, membership number (if possible) and business/employment information, and submit this information via the chapter secretary to Materials Park in any format. Contact ASM Customer Service at 800/336-5152, press 0. Fax: 440/338-4634 - Attention: Customer Service. E-mail Customerservice@asminternational.org.

Why does ASM send me membership mailings? I'm already a member!

As we constantly search for new members to join our society, we sometimes rent names of engineers and materials scientists from many sources, in an effort to convert these prospects into members. Nearly one-half of the names we mail every three months are obtained from magazines, other societies and list providers. The other names are obtained internally as customers who have purchased or inquired about a book or other ASM product or service.

We use state of the art mailing software to remove member names before each mailing, but even the best direct-mail software is only 96 percent accurate. Members have told us they belong to two or three other societies, so it is not uncommon for us to rent member names back from other societies - and, due to slight variations in name spellings or use the use of a home address instead of an office address, the record doesn't match the one we have on file. Our software thinks you're a prospect, and a membership recruitment form is sent to you.

We always strive for accuracy and efficiency, so we encourage any member who receives a membership mailing to send the actual printed piece back to us. That's the only way we can compare exactly how you were mailed to how your record is maintained in our ASM membership database. (Better yet, please pass that membership offer along to a colleague who could benefit from ASM membership.)

Why can't chapters give discounts on membership during membership drives?

Membership dues are not subject to discounts. Chapters should note that whenever ASM conducts a sale on products or services, membership dues are always excluded. (Also excluded are journals, books offered by ASM that are not published by the society, and certain other products and services.)

Rather than focus on the price of dues, there are many ways to highlight the value of membership, including information, networking and career enhancement. Annual dues (ASM is typically mid-priced as compared to other technical information societies) are rarely mentioned as the reason someone joins or cancels their membership. Chapters that focus on the benefits of membership will be successful in their membership campaigns.

How do sustaining memberships work?

When a local company wishes to directly support a local chapter, we encourage the company to become a Chapter Sustaining Member. The company applies for Sustaining Membership and pays a fee determined by the local chapter. Part of the fee goes to Materials Park to cover the cost of the membership, and the remaining amount is returned directly to the chapter.

The Sustaining Membership lists the company as an ASM member, with one individual at the company (the Sustaining Membership Representative) receiving an individual membership with all the benefits and privileges of a standard individual membership in the society.

We have a job opening. Can I search the ASM Membership database for a candidate?

The ASM membership database is confidential and not available for candidate searches or renting for marketing mailings. The following options are available:

The ASM Career Center is the first place to turn for posting job openings and internship opportunities. The $125 per month fee for job postings includes a free listing in our ASM e-Newsletter, which goes out every week to more than 36,000 members and customers. Job openings are always highly read!

Recruiters should consider a paid Help Wanted ad in the monthly member magazine: Advanced Materials & Processes. Contact: Joanne Miller at 440/338-5151, ext. 5662.

Chapter Related:

Why are reports due twice a year?

For tax reporting purposes, ASM operates financially on the calendar year. Since ASM serves as the parent group for all chapters, financial statements are due by Feb.15 each year. Chapters, however, operate on a "Chapter Year" similar to the school year, so annual chapter reports and officer lists are due June 30 each year.

Who do I contact for help with my chapter?

You have several avenues for assistance regarding your chapter operations. Your first stop for operational issues is to contact the ASM Chapter Relations Staff for assistance:

• Chapter Relations, 440/338-5151, ext. 5651
  

If your chapter question involves chapter policies or developmental issues, you should contact your Chapter Council District Representative.

How do I arrange for an ASM Trustee to visit our chapter?

To arrange a trustee visit, review the available candidates and their presentation topics.

Fax or e-mail the completed form to Chapter Relations, 440/338-5151, ext. 5651.

Once this form is received, we will contact the trustees in the order you've selected. Once a trustee is "booked," your chapter will be notified. Your chapter will be given the trustee's phone number and e-mail to correspond about travel arrangements, hotels, etc. You will be asked to provide information that will assist the trustee in making a successful visit.

What chapter reports are required and when are they expected?

Financial Report: Feb. 15
Annual Report: June 30
Chapter Officers List: June 30
Technical Programming Report: June 30

What are the requirements for Leadership Days?

To keep up with the latest developments and improvements in the chapter system and to share your insights and advancements with others, Chapter Council, the governing body for the chapter network, requires that all chapters attend the Leadership Days event every other year and will be notified from Materials Park about when to attend.

How can my Chapter receive financial assistance to attend Leadership Days?

Any chapter can apply for financial assistance by contacting their local Chapter Council District Representative. Visit the web page or send a request to the ASM Chapter Relations Department explaining the need. This request is then sent to the Chapter Council for consideration.

What do we have to do to become a Five-Star Chapter?

To be recognized as a Five-Star Chapter:

• All reports must be submitted on time.
  
• Required Leadership Days attendance conditions must be met (every other year).
  
• The Chapter Recognition Program form must be completed with a self-assessing report of points for chapter performance based on chapter size.

How do sustaining memberships work?

When a local company wishes to directly support a local chapter, we encourage the company to become a Chapter Sustaining Member. The company applies for Sustaining Membership and pays a fee determined by the local chapter. Part of the fee goes to Materials Park to cover the cost of the membership, and the remaining amount is returned directly to the chapter.

The Sustaining Membership lists the company as an ASM member, with one individual at the company (the Sustaining Membership Representative) receiving an individual membership with all the benefits and privileges of a standard individual membership in the society.

What do I do with returned mail from my members?

To improve the accuracy and efficiency of our mailing efforts, it's important to keep track of returned mail and identify why the mail is being returned. If mail is returned due to:

• Insufficient Address
  
• Attempted Not Known
  
• No Such Number/Street
  
• Not Deliverable as Addressed - Unable to Forward

Please contact Chapter Relations, at 800/336-5152, ext. 5651. Provide detailed member information so that we can de-activate the mailing address in the membership database.

How can our chapter get a discount on courses?

The education chair of the chapter should ASM Customer Service, 800/336-5152, press 6, to request reduced pricing. ASM generally offers chapters a 40-percent discount off the non-member or "list" price of self-study materials. This translates into a chapter cost of around $285 for a $475 self-study, giving your chapter a useful means of raising money by offering an ASM course.

How should we notify Materials Park about the death of a chapter member?

Please obtain as much information as possible, including full member name, membership number (if possible) and business/employment information, and submit this information via the chapter secretary to Materials Park in any format. Contact ASM Customer Service at 800/336-5152, press 0. Fax: 440/338-4634 - Attention: Customer Service. E-mail: CustomerService@asminternational.org.

How are event sites determined?

Event locations are selected based on a variety of factors including market needs of the target audience, number of hotel rooms in potential locations, proximity to international airports, collaborations with other organizations and cost for individuals and ASM. We continually evaluate these factors.

In the past, ASM has not selected sites too far into the future. As the size of ASM events increases, it is more important for us to schedule events further in advance. This will have an impact on our planning. A committee of ASM volunteers that will report directly to the ASM Board of Trustees will handle future event site decisions.

What do we need to do to attract a major ASM event to our city?

Chapters wishing to host an ASM event should contact Rita Forman-House, Events Manager, at 800/336-5152, ext. 5471 to discuss details and options.

Online Related:

How do I use the online officers tools?

The key to using the officers tools -- and any of the Members Only areas of the site -- is to log in:

1. Go to http://www.asminternational.org.

2. Enter your 6-digit ASM member identification number, and your password. The default value for your password is your last name. (You can change your password, and we recommend that you do, by updating your member record online.) If you've forgotten your password, just follow the "forgot your password" link and we'll e-mail the current password to the e-mail address we have on your account.

3. The ASM website has tiered levels of access, where casual web-surfers can't see as much as ASM members; and chapter officer or committee members can access areas that regular members cannot. To go to the chapter officer's tools, click on the "Membership & Networking" tab, "Professional Chapters", then on "Manage Your Chapter".

Several tools are available online to assist you.

Chapter Change: An executive summary of the membership activity in your chapter for the month. It tracks membership changes, new members and members who have "transferred in."

Download Your Roster: Download an Excel-compatible file from ASM's association management system of everyone currently in your chapter. You can easily pull this file into a Word file to make labels for your mailings.

E-mail Your Chapter: This tool allows you to send an e-mail to everyone in your chapter that has an e-mail address registered with ASM. (Please encourage your members to update their member record and include their e-mail address so you can reach them with this cost-effective tool!)

Chapter Visit Forms and Reports: Get easy online access to the documentation you need to request a trustee visit, report on your monthly activities and complete your year-end reports.

Why is the website so difficult to navigate?

All websites strive to be easy to navigate, and the information architecture of ours has evolved several times over the years in an attempt to improve the user experience. We always welcome your feedback - and have implemented many of our users suggestions - over the years. Send suggestions to improve the navigation to onlineservices@asminternational.org.

Why can't I attach a document to the broadcast e-mail function?

The most common way that computer viruses are spread is through attachments to e-mail, so the ability to attach files has not been implemented on the e-mail tool. In addition, ASM would have to develop policies addressing the size, nature and content of allowable attachments.

Should the website be more secure?

Much has been made of the risks of sending your credit card information over the Internet. Our secure server software (SSL) is the industry standard and among the best software available today for secure commerce transactions. It encrypts all personal information including credit card number, name and address, so that this information cannot be read as it travels over the Internet. As far as we know, no one has yet been able to break this encryption code, so our members and customers can order online with confidence.

Under the Fair Credit Billing Act, your bank cannot hold you liable for more than $50 of fraudulent charges. In the event of unauthorized use of your credit card, you must notify your credit card provider in accordance with its reporting rules and procedures.

Materials Information Products currently cannot be purchased via the website. Will this ever be an option?

Because of the variety of product options and subscription options, we believe it is necessary for potential subscribers to work with one of our Materials Information Online sales team members to determine the information package that is right for them.
don.lensner@asminternational.org
denise.smith@asminternational.org

How do I download the article that I just purchased?

Electronic downloaded documents can be viewed directly on our Community Website by:

a. Visiting the ASM Community, TSS Community or HTS Community

b. Login with your UserID and Password

c) Click on the "Research Library" link

d) Click on the "My Bookshelf" link

e) Click on "My Downloads"

e) Click on the title of your electronic document and select "Open Document"!

The AM&P/HTP article that I am trying to access is not available. Why aren’t the entire contents of the current magazines available to members electronically?

ASM International is working the systems and processes necessary to make this happen. Watch for announcements later in 2008.

What are the shipping charges?

US/Mexico/Canada shipping charges are $12.00 for the first book and $3.00 for each book thereafter.
Shipping charges for UPS Second Day Air for US/Mexico/Canada orders is $25.00 for the first book and $5.00 for each book thereafter.

How do I limit the number of e-mails I receive?

If you no longer wish to receive e-mail from ASM, the quickest way to stop almost all e-mail communications is to update your member profile online in the Members Only area. You can also e-mail Customer Service at CustomerService@asminternational.org to indicate you no longer wish to receive messages from ASM. Please note that this will also stop your chapter from being able to reach you via the e-mail tools as well. If you no longer wish to receive certain promotional e-mail messages, simply follow the unsubscribe link at the bottom of each e-mail to remove yourself from that list.

Publications and Submissions:

How do I get my paper/article/research published?

ASM provides many excellent opportunities for you to get published. First, you may want to consider which type of publication is best for the information you wish to publish. In general, leading-edge technology and newsworthy information is best suited for journals, conference proceedings, magazines, or newsletters. Reference and tutorial information about established technology is ideal for handbooks, reference books, data compilations, and training materials.

Here are contacts for specific types of publications:

• ASM Handbooks, technical books, and online reference information: Scott D. Henry, Assistant Director of Reference Publications
  
• ASM journals and Alloy Phase Diagram publications: Mary Anne Fleming, Manager, Technical Journals
  
• Advanced Materials & Processes and Heat Treating Progress magazines: Margaret Hunt, Editor
  
• Training courses: Marie Boulware, Education Administrator

Is everything being prepared for online use, or does ASM still publish new books?

ASM is greatly expanding its online suite of content, but new books are still an important content offering from the society. ASM is eager to receive proposals for new books from prospective authors. Contact Scott D. Henry, Assistant Director of Reference Publications.

Who decides what gets published and what doesn't?

It depends on the particular publication. ASM's publishing activities are overseen by a number of different committees comprised of ASM members. Some committees make the actual decisions about what gets published. In other cases, the committee provides general oversight while specific publication decisions are made by publication editors, editorial boards or project committees. Articles to be published in ASM Handbooks and Technical Journals undergo peer review.

How do we get chapter news and photographs published in ASM News?

ASM News, the monthly member newspaper published monthly in Advanced Materials & Processes magazine, welcomes news items and photographs from our chapters. Contact: Rego Giovanetti, ASM News editor, to have your items considered for publication in the next available issue.

Scholarships and Materials Camps:

How do I sign up our local students for Materials Camps?

Contact Jeane Deatherage at 800/336-5152, ext. 5533 to get an application form.

Where do I find applications for scholarships?

The application form is available online or contact Jeane Deatherage at 800/336-5152, ext. 5533 to get a copy.

Education Courses:

Are non-members who take a chapter-sponsored ASM course eligible for a free membership?

Non-members who take a chapter course are eligible for one-year free membership. When your chapter holds a course, be sure to collect membership applications from non-members, including a signature that approves the mailing of Advanced Materials & Processes magazine, and forward them to Materials Park.

What new courses are available?

The newest courses are revisions and updates to existing products. Recently revised and updated courses include Metallurgy for the Non-Metallurgist®, Principles of Failure Analysis, Titanium and Its Alloys, and Metallographic Techniques. In addition, ASM has recently added a number of online courses on ceramics. We are always looking for new content and we encourage chapters to contact us with courses they have developed that could be published and made available to a larger audience.

How can our chapter get a discount on courses?

The education chair of the chapter should call ASM Customer Service, 800/336-5152, press 0, to request reduced pricing. ASM generally offers chapters a 40-percent discount off the non-member or "list" price of self-study materials. This translates into a chapter cost of around $225 for a $375 self-study, giving your chapter a useful means of raising money by offering an ASM course.