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I have recently noticed a new trend with magazines.  I was going through the mail yesterday and noticed an envelope from one of our magazine subscriptions.  We had decided not to renew this particular magazine, so we just ignored the "renewal notices" that came with them.  I open the envelope, and it's a bill.  After reading the "fine print" it says that your subscription will automatically be renewed unless you send the form back marked "cancel".  To me, this is bull.  If I want to renew the subscription, it should be up to me to notify them.  I sent them back a letter stating that I thought this was deceptive (as the last issue had an additional cover stating "This may be your last issue") and that I didn't wish to renew my subscription and I would never subscribe or purchase any of their magazines again.  Has anyone else noticed this?  I looked at another renewal notice for a different magazine that hubby gets and it was the same thing. ::)
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The real "legal" issue is what did the paperwork say on your ORIGINAL subscription?

If the ORIGINAL subscription did not include an auto-renewal clause in it, then you are under no obligation whatsoever to renew.

Of course, if you are like me you do not have a copy of the original subscription papers.  Who keeps that stuff?  :-/

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The real "legal" issue is what did the paperwork say on your ORIGINAL subscription?

If the ORIGINAL subscription did not include an auto-renewal clause in it, then you are under no obligation whatsoever to renew.

Of course, if you are like me you do not have a copy of the original subscription papers.  Who keeps that stuff?  :-/
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Actually, for some reason I still have the original bill. :-[  I just read it and it says NOTHING about automatic renewal.  Wish I would've thought of that before I sent the letter.  Maybe I'll just have to send another ;)

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That is definitely a deceptive ploy!  I don't blame you for being upset, Cheer!  >:(

I always pay for magazines with a check.  I'm afraid that if I use a credit card they might just automatically renew the subscription (even if I don't want to renew).

I suppose if you chose not to send the payment that the magazines would stop coming and then maybe they'd get the idea.  ::)

P.S. Good for you for sending them a nasty note!  ;)  
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The only one I've paid for with a credit card is my People.  I think there was something on the bill where you can check a box for automatic renewal.  I could be wrong, though.  The 2 that automatically renewed were "trial" subscriptions.  My question is "Why the heck do you say it may be my last issue if it's going to be automatically renewed?"  That makes no sense to me. ::)

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I have had a subscription to one magazine for over 10 years now. I start recieving notices about 6 months before the yearly subcription is about to expire. Each time I recieve one of those notices, they quote a different price. For the past couple of years, I have called the company and said that I have a subscription of so long and ask if I can pay what I paid the last year. They have always said yes. This year, however, I don't think I will renew because I have I don't know how many months of the magizine (it is a weekly) that I haven't read yet. I just find that I am not interested anymore. But, maybe I should read those notices to see if they will automatically renew.



Cat
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I agree.  The only one I really care to get is my People.  All of the others, I usually just throw away the renewal without reading it.  You can bet I'll be reading them from now on. ;)

Quoting:
I have had a subscription to one magazine for over 10 years now. I start recieving notices about 6 months before the yearly subcription is about to expire. Each time I recieve one of those notices, they quote a different price. For the past couple of years, I have called the company and said that I have a subscription of so long and ask if I can pay what I paid the last year. They have always said yes. This year, however, I don't think I will renew because I have I don't know how many months of the magizine (it is a weekly) that I haven't read yet. I just find that I am not interested anymore. But, maybe I should read those notices to see if they will automatically renew.



Cat
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You sound a lot like me.  :)

I suppose I'd have more time to read my magazines if I didn't spend so much time on the internet!  ;D

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P.S. Good for you for sending them a nasty note!  ;)  
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Did I ever tell you I'm the queen of the "nasty note"?  I've sent 3 this week 8)  One to them, one to Best Buy & one to Nike.

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You sound a lot like me.  :)

I suppose I'd have more time to read my magazines if I didn't spend so much time on the internet!  ;D
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That is exactly WHY I haven't read them.



Cat

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Did I ever tell you I'm the queen of the "nasty note"?  I've sent 3 this week 8)  One to them, one to Best Buy & one to Nike.
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Hee hee!  ;D

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Caveat Emptor.  Read the fine print and check with your local BBB.
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Actually, I did, but since they're based in a different state, my BBB can do nothing about it.  The lady I spoke with said that they get complaints like this all the time.  And, the fine print on the original bill says nothing about automatic renewal, only the latest. :P