Does anybody else get magazine subscriptions they never ordered?

[zanana1]

Ever since a political letter by me was published in our local paper, I've been getting magazines with letters that start with something like "Thank you for subscribing". So far, there have been 16. I have to undo the damage every time. A friend of mine, who also writes LTTE in the local paper, is getting the same treatment. Not only that, but my first name is changed into something else. So is my friend's. It is our newpaper's policy that if you live in a large town, you have to include your name and address in your letter or it will not be published. No doubt, this is where they are getting our names. I got two more magazines today that I haven't subscribed to, so I had to spend about an hour looking in the fine print for their address, then write to them to tell them that I did not subscribe. The stamp money is getting up there, too. I think this is just the kind of tactic Teabaggers would use. I'm trying to find out if anyone, other than my friend and myself, is getting this harassment. We can't be the only ones in the country, and Teabaggers being what they are, usually do things in groups.

Anybody have a clue, or a suggestion?

[Duer 157099]

1. What happens if you just ignore them?

Seems to me the onus is on them to *prove* that you requested the subscription, which they obviously won't be able to do. In fact, perhaps it will even lead them to the person who really did send in the subscription? (doubtful though)

I'd just ignore them and treat them like junk mail. But then, that's me. I ignore all kinds of mail.

[HopeHoops]

2. Yeah, this is REALLY weird - my wife started receiving MAXIM.

I haven't gotten a bill for it. I'm waiting for one just so I can call and say "fuck you."

[pokerfan]

3. I got ESPN the magazine for a year

Never ordered it, never billed. Might have been because of my season tickets...

[Inspired]

4. Free subs to boost a magazines circulation numbers.

This happens all the time. Magazines have to reach a certain number of subscribers for advertisers. If they are short, they buy names from 3rd parties to mail to.

[zanana1]

8. I'm getting invoices.

I have to write to every magazine (Usually there is no email available) to explain that I did not subscribe. I called the NH Atty. General's office and I was informed that I am indeed liable for these subscriptions. (I'm up to 25). My friend is also getting this treatment. We've both written LTTE to our local paper. That paper has a policy that, if you live in one of the larger towns in the state, you must include your name and address with your letter, and they publish them. I can't help thinking it's some crazy Teabag group. I have found through my investigation that our names came from a list that was bought.

Anybody else have any ideas? HELP!

[Kali]

5. I wouldn't go to too much effort.

unless they start trying to bill you (and they WILL try to get you to "RE"subscribe, but for sure ignore those)

Completely unsolicited subscriptions have never happened to me but one year I "won" a couple free ones ordering something by mail and I swear one of those magazines came for ten freaking years before they finally gave up (or went out of business, probably) Paper mags are just ads anyway, I can hardly stand them anymore - even National Geographic. All those stupid post card thingies falling out like a damn snow storm all over the room...what? oh, sorry:rant:

[astral]

6. Yeah, it's happened to me and I got BILLED, too!

Now how in the heck! I think I did reply at least once that I never subscribed after the repeat notice bills looked kinda mean, but I didn't lose any sleep over it or waste a stamp. Maybe I did waste one stamp . . . I really was not interested in reading the magazine, either, I think it was Better Homes and Gardens!

[pinboy3niner]

7. Sounds like some juvenile pranking you...

...or some political partisan who doesn't like your politics pranking you in a very juvenile way. Mild harrassment, easy to straighten out. And better than Domino's showing up at your door with 25 pizas!

[FloridaJudy]

9. I get some fashion magazines

Never ordered them, never billed for them. I am so far from a fashionista that it's funny. The only thing I can figure is that I once ordered some fancy bath soap over the Internet.

I just pass them on to my local nail parlor. I notice a lot of their customers do that.