I got the most disturbing letter from Conde Nast about my lapsed magazine subscription

[LynneSin]

I used to subscribed to Bon Appetit but last year I decided to let that and a few other magazine subscriptions lapse. We all do it, we decide we aren't going to subscribe to a magazine anymore and opt to just not renew.

I got a letter from Conde Nast (the publisher) THREATENING my good credit if I don't pay up the $22 for a subscription renewal.

WTF?

It's a damn magazine and I thought if one doesn't want to receive the magazine anymore they simply not resubscribe. No Money = No Magazine.

I would normally not give a rats ass about something like this but geez, threatening to ruin my credit if I don't pay? Can they do that? Or is this just a bad marketing ploy to get people to resubscribe

[Bossy Monkey]

1. Write them back telling them to suck it, and copy the Better Business Bureau

Frankly, it sounds like a creative variant on the Nigerian scam, but it's possible that Conde Nast are really that stupid. (Ironically, they've set up a fraud hotline, but it's for employees to rat out their fellow employees. Really. Might be funny to call it anyway.)

[Love Bug]

2. I assume you aren't still receiving their magazine.

I'd look up their phone # online and raise holy hell with them.

[LynneSin]

6. If I am it's not by my request

If they continue to send me a magazine request after i choose not to renew, how is that my fault?

[Gormy Cuss]

7. Did you ever agree to automatic renewal?

If you did, you must send a written notice to cancel before the subscription renews.

[petronius]

3. I've gotten those too - it's a scuzzy, guilt-tripping tactic

They also say things like 'we did our part and sent magazines, now if you have any honor or ethics you'll do your part and pay,' without mentioning that what they sent was what I ordered and paid for, and I haven't ordered any more.

Ignore it, it's just a sleazy ploy...

[Silver Swan]

4. I've noticed that a lot of magazines

now say they have "automatic renewal." That is, unless you tell them to stop, they will continue sending issues and bill you.

I have so far avoided falling into that trap, but that also means a few magazines have lost me as a subscriber.

[RainDog]

5. next they'll send ludovik from sales out to your house to threaten your mom. n/t

[Quantess]

8. Conde Nasty.

[WolverineDG]

9. is slander of credit a viable cause of action in your state?

if so, call someone at Conde Nast & drop that little bombshell on 'em & see how fast they back of that threat & apologize for it.

dg

[HopeHoops]

10. At least the letter wasn't from Condi Rice about your lapsed RNC dues.

I would lose my lunch if I got one of those.

[LynneSin]

12. I use to get fundraising letters from Rick Santorum

I once wrote him a letter asking him to support the violence against women health clinics bill. (this was when I lived in PA). All I got in returned was a fundraising letter.

:puke:

[HopeHoops]

14. What a slime ball. I'm glad we sent him back home to Virginia.

Now Toomey wants to be the next Santorum. Just what we need - another slime ball.

[TommyO]

11. YIKES! Could you scan that, redact the personal info, and post it here?

I subscribe to Bon Appetit, but that's just ridiculous!

[LynneSin]

13. I think I shredded it

I keep a small shredder by my front door so I can get rid of the junk.

[Deep13]

15. Write back and tell them you dispute the debt...

...and threaten legal action if they report a "debt" that you don't owe. Keep a copy. Send it certified. In fact, send it to their legal dept. with a xerox copy of the letter they sent you.

[LeftinOH]

16. I got one of those from Atlantic magazine years ago; I made sure they knew

for *certain* that I did not wish to renew after that.