Sew What’s Up Presents
The Sew What’s New Archive
This archived content is from Mary Wilkins’ sewing and
quilting message board “Sew What’s New,” which was
retired in August 2007. It is being provided by
“Sew What’s Up,”
which serves as the new home for many members of “Sew What’s New.”
From: dmoses
Date: 03-06-2007, 03:58 PM (1 of 7)
|
I'm sure that many of you receive special offers in the mail for sewing and quilting magazine subscriptions. I know I get them all the time. Normally, the postcard you send back has all of the pertinent information, so you don't have a record of the offer. Do you write down the terms of the offer, if you decide to give it a try? I decided to do that the last few times I decided to try a magazine, and I know now that it was the right thing to do. The first problem is if they tell you that you can look at the first magazine, and if you like it, pay the bill, and if you don't want to continue the subscription, send the invoice back with 'cancel' on it. Well, before you ever lay eyes on a magazine, you will receive the invoice and probably two nasty 'overdue' notices. I guess they figure that if they can get you to pay before you get the magazine, you will be less likely to cancel...even though that wasn't the original offer! On one occasion, I was charged more(by $5.00) than the original offer. Today, I cancelled my subscription to Sew News. They offered 24 magazines for $21.97. I got the invoice this week, and though the price hasn't changed, they had reduced the number of issues to 16. As if I wouldn't know better!  It isn't just sewing magazines...we've had other magazines try to pull the same deceitful tricks. Anyway, if you get a great subscription offer, make sure that you write down all of the particulars. They're counting on you to forget. Take care,
Donna |
User: dmoses
Member since: 02-22-2002 Total posts: 964 
|
From: DorothyL
Date: 03-06-2007, 04:04 PM (2 of 7)
|
Great post Donna. It's not just magazines either. You've got to watch any "just cancel," or "rebate" offer -- especially if they will oh so conveniently just take the money out of your bank account. I dropped my subscription to Sew News because it was always on the news stand before I got my copy. Dorothy |
User: DorothyL
Member since: 12-09-2002 Total posts: 3883 |
From: lendube
Date: 03-06-2007, 04:09 PM (3 of 7)
I was a sucker for Rachel Ray's (I typo-ed Rat instead! Should have left it!  )I signed up cheap for 1 year as a charter subscriber. I'm not a particular fan but it was so cheap. I immediately started getting renewal cards in the mail. They did not stop! After the first few months I was Rachel'ed out anyway and when they asked why I wasn't renewing I told them that their "recruiting methods" was the main reason. Made me mad! Just leave me alone.  Lennie |
User: lendube
Member since: 08-06-2006 Total posts: 1548 |
From: MissTaraTara
Date: 03-06-2007, 04:10 PM (4 of 7)
As a subscriber to several sewing magazines, I am always careful to read the details of offers. I keep my sewing purchase receipts separate so I will usually xerox any offer I receive especially the "try us out" ones. I also photocopy my check and the reply card for any new subscriptions I am paying for. And for the infamous renewal notices....I don't send in my renewal form until I have the magazine with the cover that says "this is your last issue". I was cheated an issue of Sew Beautiful  (yes, it matters to me).
|
User: MissTaraTara
Member since: 01-24-2006 Total posts: 227 |
From: MissTaraTara
Date: 03-06-2007, 04:18 PM (5 of 7)
|
I immediately started getting renewal cards in the mail. They did not stop! After the first few months I was Rachel'ed out anyway and when they asked why I wasn't renewing I told them that their "recruiting methods" was the main reason. Made me mad! Just leave me alone. Lennie Why do you get renewal notices sometimes before you've even received your first issue  "Postal prices are on the rise, renew now to lock into these great savings!" Whatever
|
User: MissTaraTara
Member since: 01-24-2006 Total posts: 227 |
From: LeapFrog Libby
Date: 03-06-2007, 06:47 PM (6 of 7)
|
I have gotten into the habit of scanning the cards before I mail them back and I note the Check # on the copy page for my records.. If I don't get the trial, they don't get my check.. I used to go on and pay up front, but I learned my lesson.. I , too , check the number of issues offered..Best deal I have gotten is a years (12) issues of Smithsonian Magazine for $ 12.00 because I am a Sr. Citizen.. My Grands love that mag just as much as my sons loved it years ago.. And where can you find any mag for $ 1.00 these days ??
Sew With Love
Libby |
User: LeapFrog Libby
Member since: 05-01-2002 Total posts: 2022 
|
From: SmokiesCrafter
Date: 03-06-2007, 09:10 PM (7 of 7)
|
I too, SCAN all the cards and offers I send it and make a note on the copy when I mailed it. I pin it on the board behine my computer screen until I pay it. On a new magazine I never pay until I receive the first copy, if I like it I pay. On renewal notices, I wait until I receive my next to last copy or last copy to renew, depending on the magazine. But always have them bill me, when the new subscription starts then I pay. As for all the "Deals" when I know I am not up for renewal, they go in file 13 (my shredder) most of the time unopened, with all the rest of the junk mail. I refuse to have some magazine company operate on my money for a couple of years. So I always choose the 1 yr option. Happy Sewing. Jacke |
User: SmokiesCrafter
Member since: 02-16-2007 Total posts: 18 
|
Visit Sew What’s Up for the latest sewing and quilting tips and discussions.
This page was originally located on Sew What’s New (www.sew-whats-new.com) at http://www.sew-whats-new.com/vb/archive/index.php/t-21715.html
Sew What’s Up is hosted by ZenSoft