Newsub Magazine Subscriptions sneaky billing tactics, difficult cancellation process, rudeness, ripoff Stamford Connecticut
After making an online purchase at Zzounds for some Christmas gifts in December 2004 I was offered a "free gift" of two 1 year magazine subsciptions of my choice. I would just have to pay $4 in processing fees. I chose Time Magazine (weekly) and Budget Living (bi-monthly) Before the subscriptions ended I would be contacted about renewing.
Well in October I noticed a charge on my online bank statement for $54.00 for TIME. I called TIME up and they told me they could not help me because NEWSUB subscribed the magazine on my behalf... two months early!!
Here's where it starts getting stupid. I call NEWSUB and I get this really HORRIBLE voice activated "ASSistant" that wants me to SPEAK and SPELL over and over again, because it doesn't understand my Polish last name or my American Indian named street. Finally I just stopped talking altogether and it connected me to a HUMAN.
When I complained to the human that I did not appreciate being charged two months ahead of time (by the way my account was low and I got charged 25.00 for an overdraft)he tried to make me keep the magazine for the year that they had charged me. I kept repeating to him that I just wanted my money back and did not want the magazine renewed. He kept rewording himself and in the end kept trying to get me to keep the charge and the magazine. I finally started screaming at him and did as I told him to do.
After I made it clear to him that I was not renewing the magazine, NEWSUB contacted TIME and stopped them from delivering my remaining issues that were supposed to continue to DEC 2005.
One week after that I noticed a charged for BUDGET LIVING magazine and basically went through the ENTIRE routine again!!!
James
florence, Massachusetts
U.S.A.
1 Updates & Rebuttals
Newsub
Lewiston,Maine,
U.S.A.
Helpfull tidbits.
#2UPDATE EX-employee responds
Thu, November 10, 2005
First, the automated system- in the begining of the call when the autamated system asks for more information, press 0. The system will ask if you wish to continue using the system. to this you must press 0 again, or say operator.
Second, when you call to cancel a sub, it is a good idea to specifically ask if there are any other active subs on your account. the rep will be able to provide you with that information, and cancel or place the sub on a do not renew.
Third, Everyones time is important, and with everything, patience is key.
The agent will likely present more offers. Just say no to each offer (generally there are only two) and before you know it your sub will be canceled.
And lastly-that little white postcard- if you do not act, you will be charged. In order to cancel, you must respond that that postcard. If you don't, there can be trouble. If you do get charged and call to cancel, you will be issued a refund. Some refunds are "prorated". make sure you ask.
I am aware that no one really cares, but the job that the reps do 8 hours a day 5 days a week is difficult. Lewiston is a relativly poor area, and I know very few who enjoy this job. Sometimes rent is just more important.