September 21, 2007
Attack of the Magazines
Nearly two years ago, my cousin was selling magazines to raise money for a school trip. I purchased two years of Parents magazine for ten bucks. Several weeks later, my co-worker’s son was also selling magazines for a fund raiser. I chose Parenting for two years at the same $10 price.
A year after that, my neighbor bought me a subscription to Ladies Home Journal as a Christmas gift because her daughter was also selling magazines for a church benefit. I was shocked and surprised and also grateful. Magazines are great to read when I’m bored.
Imagine my surprise when several other magazines began showing up in my mailbox a few months ago. Better Homes and Gardens, Yoga Journal, Family Circle, Time, Sports Illustrated and Family Fun, to name a few.
I was perplexed and I began to freak out, thinking someone stole my credit card information and began charging me for subscriptions I didn’t order. At first, I thought these fund raiser companies made a mistake and were sending me more magazines.
I called the billing departments of each of these magazines and not a single one had any record of a payment made by me. I asked if any gifts had been purchased in my name. No dice. The customer service agent even asked me, “Are you sure you’re getting these magazines? Uh…no, I’m making it up so I can call y’all for no reason at all, just to talk about my imaginary subscription to your magazine.
I went so far as to check our credit card statement to see if any miscellaneous purchases appeared. Nothing. I couldn’t figure it out. How was I getting these mags? Who ordered them? Why are they being sent? I asked my neighbor, she didn’t order any more on my behalf nor did she purchase them.
Until yesterday, I hadn’t a clue. Then I got the mail. Inside was a letter from an online marketing research company stating, “Based on your recent purchase…” They thought I would be interested in reading the magazines that were previously selected for me.
I know. What?
Yes, apparently when I purchased tickets for Go, Diego, Go Live! on Ticketmaster, several subscriptions were purchased for me as a way to say thank you.
How the heck did they determine that my purchase for a Nick, Jr. show, I’d love to get Time, Sports Illustrated, and Family Fun? Interesting mix of media, eh?
Here’s the catch. I’m not being charged for the first year of the subscriptions, but my credit card information from Ticketmaster is stored, and at the end of 12 months I will be renewed automatically! Is this even legal?
Apparently so. When I checked the box that said, “By purchasing tickets via Ticketmaster, you agree to receive pre-selected offers and correspondence from us unless you cancel by calling [insert phone number here]…”
So, because I wanted to take my son to Go, Diego, Go, Live!, I had no choice but to say yes. I didn’t think they’d start sending magazines to me. I thought I’d just get some junk mail from Ticketmaster about upcoming events. Boy, was I wrong!
This type of shit really pisses me off.
When I tried to cancel these subscriptions I was put on hold forever. No one seems to know how to fix this situation. I got the runaround from the agent and all I can tell you is I’m so glad the credit card I used to buy the tickets expires in 10 days. They can’t renew this crap by using an expired card, can they?
Posted by Dana @ 11:23 am • Bedlam
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September 21st, 2007 at 11:55 am, Nancy Says:
That’s horrible. I wonder if the Better Business Bureau knows about this? It definitely doesn’t seem like “pre-selected offers and correspondence” should involve any use of your credit card without your specific authorization. That is maddening.
September 21st, 2007 at 12:24 pm, Miss Says:
I know they cant charge you but I will bet $$$ that they will keep sending you the mags and a paper bill in the mail. And when you dont pay? Collections!!! This is horrible business practice. Guess I wont be using ticketmaster any time soon!
September 21st, 2007 at 9:14 pm, Lady M Says:
A few years ago, I bought an item at the Motherhood/Maternity store, and they gave me a “free” issue of Parenting magazine . . . and they passed along my credit card number to them to automatically charge for future issues. I wrote a really nasty letter to both parties to cancel. I never heard back, although the magazine was canceled. It really, really made me angry.
September 21st, 2007 at 9:55 pm, A Whole Lot of Nothing Says:
That pisses me off, and I’m not getting the magazines! I get the trials sometimes, then send in the bill with “cancel” written across. The still don’t the the point and keep sending the mag AND the bills threatening me with collections for a friggin magazine I already canceled.
In your case, I do think that is fraudulent on their part. They’ve got you by the short hairs, but you got ‘em back with the expired card. SUCKA!
September 21st, 2007 at 10:04 pm, Dawn Says:
UG! I’m glad you posted this.
September 22nd, 2007 at 8:29 am, Julie Says:
Oh my god, you’ve totally cleared up our own bizarre magazine situation. My husband, of all people, started receiving Health Magazine (for women) and we have had NO IDEA WHY. Good to know that I should make sure we cancel it. This practice seems completely crazy.
September 23rd, 2007 at 12:04 pm, patois Says:
Ick! Further support for my stance to always uncheck any boxes checked for me. That stinks.
September 23rd, 2007 at 3:21 pm, Wisconsin Mommy Says:
Uh-oh. We bought Wiggles tickets through Ticketmaster too - I wonder what wonderful surprises are going to show up in our mailbox? Is that why the “convenience charges” are so high??? I am somehow getting THREE issues of Parenting each month. The local library is very grateful for the donation, but what a waste of trees! And they refuse to take me off the list.
September 23rd, 2007 at 3:58 pm, Leslie Says:
I’ve had problems with magazine scams like this. It’s ridiculous! I hope it all gets straightened out.
September 24th, 2007 at 8:38 am, Dana Says:
It totally sucks. I have to admint — the some of these magazines are fun to read, but it’s a bit overwhelming to get so many, and then knowing they are attempting to charge me for an “auto renewal” just gets me angry.
September 24th, 2007 at 10:48 pm, Mary Tsao Says:
This sucks! Plus now I’m worried it’s happening to me. We have been getting an awful lot of magazines lately. I thought my mom was getting me subscriptions but now I don’t know…
Ack!
September 25th, 2007 at 8:33 am, Dana Says:
Mary, I hope you don’t have this same thing happening. Trying to call these customer service agents is a joke. Ugh!