ajb{log}: learn something new each day

I received yet another threat looking invoice from The Economist. For those who doesn’t know, it’s a printed magazine. They also have an online edition.

I got their so-called “risk-free subscriptions” from a popular website. The 6 RISK-FREE issues free trial advertised on tons of websites is not even a big secret. In face, you can easily find one with a simple google search “the economist trial subscription“. But beware though. Don’t even think of subscribing or even entering your personal information on their form. Or you might end up just like me.

Here’s what they tell people all over the net:

Subscribe to The Economist today and you’ll get 6 RISK-FREE issues as a free trial. If you wish to continue your subscription, you’ll receive 18 additional issues (24 in all) for just $49.90. That’s 65% off the cover price. You’ll also receive a free gift, The World in 2008 from The Economist, upon payment for your subscription. If you decide The Economist is not for you, write ‘cancel’ on the bill, return it and owe nothing.

That’s right folks. Write ‘cancel’ on the bill and you owe nothing. Yeah, right.

Unfortunately, if you have fallen to their trap and subscribed - they will start to mail you (after your 3rd or 4th magazine) invoices stating (or looked like) you owe them. I wish I still had those mails so I can scan them and show it to you.

I have the “final notice” invoice though to show you how threatening (look like) they are if you don’t pay (read: subscribe).

Here’s the scanned invoice:

Lets take a closer look at the invoice and let us analyze it word for word they use to…

1) Make it look like you owe them something (look for “Outstanding Debt”)
2) Use terms to look like you are in trouble (look for “reinstate your “GOOD” credit status”)
3) Tell and scare you if you don’t subscribe to their magazine your file will be flagged as a “BAD DEBT”

Wow! What a way to treat someone from trying your magazine which you advertise (see above) and then force them to subscribe (pay) to their magazine. Most people receiving these kind of invoices will fall prey to their scheme. Please don’t be that person.

Ok. I know what you are thinking, “You should have mailed them to CANCEL your account! Moron!”. In fact I did (I just honestly didn’t know if it should have been ‘Cancel’ or ‘cancel’ or ‘cANCEL’, it might have been case-sensitive.

Also, I felt something on my gut that that wasn’t enough so I even used their online contact form and asked them to CANCEL my account ASAP (even before I received the invoice above 01/04/08). This time though, I used ‘CANCEL’. It might just work, I told myself.

Then I received an email confirmation (below) I got that I’m out (supposedly) of their mailing list (that was Dec 17, 2007):

Neodata by the way, is a company they use to outsource their direct marketing service. More here.

My original request was:

Please remove my name, address and my information out of your database. I keep on receiving invoices with “financial obligations” requesting me to pay a subscription. Get me out of that list. Please.

Yes, my friend, “The Economist” kept on mailing me invoices to settle my “Financial Obligations”. See how they use words to seemingly scare and force you to pay? I’d bet my cats life I am not the only one receiving these kinds of invoices.

Risk-free trial is good for business. If the customer really wanted the magazine, they will subscribe (heck, I am getting Business 2.0, Forbes and Fast Company for pete’s sake!). However, if they feel it wasn’t worth it or didn’t like it (especially if he has opt-out, CANCELled), get that customer out of the mailing list. And DON’T send them that kind of invoices your Credit Department send!

Alright, this post is now becoming a TV drama series.

Seriously, don’t ever subscribe to them if you are unsure you really want the magazine. It is going to be one hell of cat and mouse to get out!

Let me end this by quoting a famous person who said something about “The Economist”.

“I used to think; now I just read The Economist.” - Larry Ellison, CEO, Oracle Corporation

For the rest of you, maybe you need to think again. And again… and again…
–aj