Last year, I purchased a super cheap subscription to Real Simple magazine. Seriously, it was like $5 for a year or something. As it got close to the renewal date, they kept sending me invoices, but their offers were nowhere near as good. I think they want me to pay $10 for six issues now, which I’ve been kind of meh about.
I just got this notice in the mail:
4TH REQUEST FOR PAYMENT
Your subscription payment is 90 days PAST DUE and we’ve had to suspend delivery. This is one more reason you need REAL SIMPLE. Each issue gives you time-saving solutions for everyday tasks, like how to pay your bills on time. Return the invoice above with payment no later than 8/31/10 so we can reinstate your service.
I hate to break this to you, kind folks at Real Simple, but I don’t owe you anything…I don’t resubscribe, you don’t send me the magazine. Are people really gullible enough to fall for this???
Yes. Yes they are.
It’s ridiculous how high-pressure the magazine renewal process is! I often get an URGENT RENEWAL REQUEST not even two issues into a new subscription… or I get threatening invoices swearing up and down that I did not pay them, when I know I did and have records to prove it. And the free trial issues? Yeah, I don’t bother with that much, not after signing up for one and getting threatening PAY NOW letters before a magazine ever showed up!