sudden subscription syndrome

[Aerestis]

What would you do if you suddenly had a subscription to two magazines you'd never read before?

I'm assuming this won't go on forever and I'll be billed soon... Do I just return the magazines? They just popped up last month, and I got some more today, hehe.

I never signed up, but I'm guessing apple sold my information to macworld and pcworld magazine when I bought a mac. That's ok with me, usually when I buy anything and sign up for servics, I expect my information to be sold or traded or something. But do you think they would expect me to pay? This must be some sort of an accident, because I haven't even filled out papers or asked for the magazines.

Is it possible that someone got a subscription for me and forgot to tell me? if so, I don't know what they were thinking. The magazines are way too boring to cost as much as their websites say they do. :wink:

[Robb Bates]

As I understand it, if you get something in the mail that you didn't ask for. It's yours to keep and you don't have to pay for it. They can bill you all they want. You might have to tell them that you didn't subscribe and to cancel any future deliveries, but they can't charge you for them.

The important thing to remember, as my Brother-in-law, the lawyer said "It's your money, and you still have it." So they can whine and complain, but unless they threaten to report it to the credit bureaus or take some other legal action, you're pretty safe.

Robb

[hang5lngbd]

I registered a PC Game that I bought and I immediately began receiving PC Gamer. I haven't received a bill and it's been almost a year now. PC Gamer has 2 subsription types: One with a CD with demo's and stuff, and one without. I get the cheaper one without the CD. This helps prove to me that it's a bonus that the publisher gave me for registering my game.

[Robb Bates]

You have to watch out for those scams where they say in little tiny print hidden somewhere at the bottom of the page "Uncheck this box if you don't want a five year subscription to Olympic Style Basket Weaving World Magazine for only $59.95 per issue"

Robb

[Jon Westfall]

You have to watch out for those scams where they say in little tiny print hidden somewhere at the bottom of the page "Uncheck this box if you don't want a five year subscription to Olympic Style Basket Weaving World Magazine for only $59.95 per issue"

Robb

And just what do you have against Olympic Style Basket Weaving World at that price? Worth every penny...

I've had this happen before with products through the mail, and never heard back from anyone as to "now its time to pay up". I think most of the time its probably just a mis-slip of the keyboard when they are entering data (i.e. the box marked "Trial" is too close to the box marked "Regular Subscription").

[Aerestis]

Well then, I'll just wait and see. I can't wait for my issues of olympic style basket weaving world magazine :)

[Jimmy Dodd]

Lots of magazine subscriptions are handed out for free to increase circulation among a target group and thus increase their advertising revenue. As a developer I get 7 monthly magazines (each with a newstand price of $4-$5) for free. Since you just bought a Mac you are probably being targeted through that. I wouldn't worry about it, but I would watch for any invoices you may get in the mail. Often there is a trial period to get you hooked and then they ask you to pay for continuing the subscription. Just check the "No, thanks" box when it comes and enjoy the mags in the meantime.