Rachael Ray's Garbage Business Plan

[Maddle]

No, you are the consumer, its your money and its your job to not overlook that letter and its your job to make time to deal with it. Don't blame the company, they gave the info and said if you aren't satisfied to call and get a credit. If you as a consumer are tired of companies increasing their profits "at your expense" (how else do the get their profits? ) then at the very least make sure you don't overlook those letters, take advanatge of the guarantee they offer or don't give them your business at all. You can complain all you want but at the end of the day, the company didn't scheme you, they were up front and if you choose to do nothing about it, its your own fault. So in the grand scheme of things, its not really a big deal to expect consumers to take care of themselves and not expect some company to do it for you

(speaking you generally)

No, I disagree. I think it is sneaky.

The subscriber enters into an agreement with the publisher. "Here's my $20, send me 12 magazines in 12 months." That's the consumer's part of the deal - she agreed to so many issues for so much money. The publisher now thinks it's okay to change the agreement? And that means I - the consumer - can't trust from month to month that things aren't going to be as agreed upon a few months back?

Now, if at the end of the agreement, the publisher sent me a renewal notice, for the next 12 months that dropped one issue, and I didn't read it thoroughly - yes, that would be my fault. The publisher changing in the middle of the current term is just wrong.

Anyway - none of this makes business sense to me, unless RR magazine is in financial trouble of some sort. I thought the profit came from the ads, and the size of the "audience" generated a greater income for advertising in a magazine. Why would they cut back on issues if they have advertisers willing to reach that market?

 

[Planogirl]

Call them and complain, or even cancel your subscription. That's what I did when Good Housekeeping sent me my monthly issue with Michelle Obama on the cover, telling me how I should eat. I called them and cancelled my subscription on the spot. They must have had lots and lots of cancelled subscriptions - they included an apology in the next issue for offending their loyal customers. Magazines, as well as other companies, will take heed if enough customers complain!

Is this a political comment? That isn't allowed on the DIS.

OP, I would go ahead and call but don't be too rough on the CSR because they didn't plan this. You do sound rather irate!

 

[luvmy3]

No, I disagree. I think it is sneaky.

The subscriber enters into an agreement with the publisher. "Here's my $20, send me 12 magazines in 12 months." That's the consumer's part of the deal - she agreed to so many issues for so much money. The publisher now thinks it's okay to change the agreement? And that means I - the consumer - can't trust from month to month that things aren't going to be as agreed upon a few months back?

Now, if at the end of the agreement, the publisher sent me a renewal notice, for the next 12 months that dropped one issue, and I didn't read it thoroughly - yes, that would be my fault. The publisher changing in the middle of the current term is just wrong.

Anyway - none of this makes business sense to me, unless RR magazine is in financial trouble of some sort. I thought the profit came from the ads, and the size of the "audience" generated a greater income for advertising in a magazine. Why would they cut back on issues if they have advertisers willing to reach that market?

We will just have to disagree because the fact that they informed the customer what they were doing with an added "if you are not satisified please call for a credit" means to me that they weren't trying to sneak anything by you.
And FYI I just copy and pasted this off the RR magazine website where you fill out your info for a subscription
Annual cover price is $39.90. Each 1-year (11 issue) subscription includes a special issue, which counts as 2 in your subscription. Please allow 4-6 weeks for delivery.
How is that sneaky, its right there for you to see before you hit the submit button. You can't blame the company if you as the consumer overlook these things.

 

[robinb]

Is this a political comment? That isn't allowed on the DIS.

Heavens no! Apparently Good Housekeeping offends their loyal customers with articles about childhood obesity and healthy eating. They need to stick to gripping articles on decluttering, finding the best vacuums and fancy kitchen upgrades that mere mortals cannot afford.

 

[Maddle]

And FYI I just copy and pasted this off the RR magazine website where you fill out your info for a subscription
Annual cover price is $39.90. Each 1-year (11 issue) subscription includes a special issue, which counts as 2 in your subscription. Please allow 4-6 weeks for delivery.
How is that sneaky, its right there for you to see before you hit the submit button. You can't blame the company if you as the consumer overlook these things.

Here we are in agreement. They clearly stated 11 issues for $39.90, and subscribers know what they are buying. BUT - how long has this notice been out there?

I'm thinking they changed their publishing schedule and decided to implement it in the middle of the current subscriptions. Since (I'm guessing) they don't all come due at the same time some current subscriber is going to have to be shorted an issue.

I think it would have been far better customer relations to add an issue to current subscriptions and send a notice to that effect to their customers, rather than making it incumbent upon subscribers to complain. Why make your readers mad at you, especially if my understanding is correct that the more readers you have, the greater the size of the market for your advertisers?

 

[mjbaby]

I'm thinking they changed their publishing schedule and decided to implement it in the middle of the current subscriptions.

That's my guess, too. I don't mind that not all of my subs are for a full 12 issues (Country Living comes to mind - I think that one's 10 issues only) but I do mind when I sign up and pay for X that midway I'm offered Y. I'd love to be able to change my commitments midstream like that! "Hi, Boss! I know we agreed I'd have that full metrics report done today, but I'm thinking I'll have have of it done next Friday instead. Isn't that great! Now you'll have even more time to read it with no pesky scrolling through the spreadsheet! Doing half in longer time is my way of serving you even better."

Hm. Somehow I don't see that going down too well.

 

[sydneysmom]

Thanks for reminding me of this.... I just sent an email of complaint...we'll see if they reply. Don't you just get so tired of getting ripped off sometimes ? and the sneaky way it's done..... not cool at all Rachel Ray.

 

[merekc]

No, you are the consumer, its your money and its your job to not overlook that letter and its your job to make time to deal with it. Don't blame the company, they gave the info and said if you aren't satisfied to call and get a credit. If you as a consumer are tired of companies increasing their profits "at your expense" (how else do the get their profits? ) then at the very least make sure you don't overlook those letters, take advanatge of the guarantee they offer or don't give them your business at all. You can complain all you want but at the end of the day, the company didn't scheme you, they were up front and if you choose to do nothing about it, its your own fault. So in the grand scheme of things, its not really a big deal to expect consumers to take care of themselves and not expect some company to do it for you

(speaking you generally)

I agree we will have to probably just disagree...because to me we have entered into a contract (whether actual or implied) and for them to change the terms of the contract they need my agreement. Sending a letter assuming agreement is not cool in my opinion.

Using what I understand to be your view then it appears it is okay for me to go to a restaurant for dinner and when the chef outdid himself on my meal, he may give me a smaller portion (because it is sooo good) or on the flip side, charge me more because he really did a great job tonight.

Or I go for a manicure and the tech did such a great job trimming my nails, that they will decide to leave off the polish I've already picked out and agreed to because they really outdid themselves on a different part of our agreed service. I know totally wacky examples but to me there is no difference.

 

[RitaE]

Yeah, I have a feeling they just started doing this and everybody with current subscriptions are getting the change applied to them retroactively. It is bull crap. I don't have time as a consumer to babysit them and take on "jobs." I don't see my "job" as a consumer to do anything other than pay the bill and then read the magazine. And that last part is only if I want to.

Magazines drive me pretty nuts anyway. I did a Country Living subscription and started getting renewal offers before I even received my first issue. It's pretty ridiculous.

 

[elgerber]

I didn't even pay attention when mine came, I will look at it when I get home!

 

[Fyrefly]

I don't have time to phone but I did send an email. As I said I think they're fully within their rights to have a larger issue if they want. And it's good that they put that up on their website now so new subscribers can see.

It's the fact that they just retroactively took an issue away from the current subscribers' 12 month plan and hoped that not many people would notice or have the time to call that leaves a bad taste in my mouth. It's rude and they should have just sent out notices with renewals saying that from now on they are doing a "double" issue that counts as one more.

As I said, I'm not cancelling, I'm not irritated enough for that. But I am annoyed by the practice and I was hoping that a little vent to get it out of my system on a board so many people read would remind people to call and get their issue back as well. I know my own mother didn't notice until I told her, so I just wanted to share. Please don't think I'm some crazy woman off on a vendetta here!

 

[luvmy3]

Here we are in agreement. They clearly stated 11 issues for $39.90, and subscribers know what they are buying. BUT - how long has this notice been out there?

I'm thinking they changed their publishing schedule and decided to implement it in the middle of the current subscriptions. Since (I'm guessing) they don't all come due at the same time some current subscriber is going to have to be shorted an issue.

I think it would have been far better customer relations to add an issue to current subscriptions and send a notice to that effect to their customers, rather than making it incumbent upon subscribers to complain. Why make your readers mad at you, especially if my understanding is correct that the more readers you have, the greater the size of the market for your advertisers?

To be fair, I don't know when that info was posted on their website, I didn't order my subscription through it. I do not get RR mag anymore but when I did they had the double issue special so its not something new they are doing. It was also clearly stated how many issues in total I'd be receiving, 1 year- 10 issues.
Anyway, I guess it goes back to my customer service days where I had to deal with customers who never bothered to "read the fine print" and then blame me or the company I worked for whatever issue was there. I don't mean to be so passionate

 

[cats mom]

Well, at the risk of being labeled a slacker consumer (I read the entire thread, including luvmy3's contributions) I admit I opened my magazine yesterday and tossed the letter without even looking at it. What can I say, I figured it was yet another renewal plea.

So I'm very glad for the heads up. Thanks OP

 

[sydneysmom]

I just went out to the Rachel Ray website and emailed customer service about the magazine and how unhappy I was. Literally like 20 minutes later I got a nice email back from customer service and they added a month to my subscription. It was easy. I went out, logged in and they did in fact extend it. If you don't want to call, just email.... you'll get a fast reply.

 

[phred52]

I had read my magazine and NOT noticed anything special or out of the ordinary... so am shocked that they took credit for TWO months like that!! I just emailed. Wonder when/what the response will be....

 

[waltsgirl]

I swear that RR did a double issue last year also around July. I want to say it was a BBQ issue. I don't remember a letter I think it was just noted on the front of the magazine that it was July/August issue.

 

[Anne34]

I didn't renew my Taste of Home this year for this very reason! They sent a double issue earlier this year with a letter stating that it was in place of two issues. We could call them if we wanted to be credited -- whyshould I have to call them?? I'm paying them back by not renewing. Don't know if it will make a difference, but that really ticked me off.

 

[mjbaby]

I didn't renew my Taste of Home this year for this very reason! They sent a double issue earlier this year with a letter stating that it was in place of two issues. We could call them if we wanted to be credited -- whyshould I have to call them?? I'm paying them back by not renewing. Don't know if it will make a difference, but that really ticked me off.

Evidently, Rachael Ray and Taste of Home are published by the same organization. I guess this is part of their business model - I'll have to look up what else they publish so I can be aware to watch for this in the future. I get the many reasons why they may do it, but that doesn't make me like it any more.

 

[Cyndibear]

Sent my email this morning. It did kinda make me mad. No response yet.

Cyndi

 

[ilovepete]

Thank you, I just got my magazine and hadn't opened it yet so I don't know if I would have noticed or not, but just sent my email. Ugh...