Warning for those that got the Rachael Ray Mag deal

[mackeysmom]

Hi -

Just a heads up - I took advantage of the great deal posted on this board about the Everyday w/Rachael Ray magazine.

My first issue (an outdated March issue) arrived about two weeks ago, followed by another issue (outdated April) this past Monday and in today's mail I received the current May issue. My label has my expiration date as February 2014.

I used to work for a magazine clearinghouse, and the "back issue" scam is a biggie. A lot of companies do it to clear out their back issue overstock and most people don't complain about it - or even realize.

I sent an email to Customer Service from the RRMag website. They responded (no apology, didn't admit that it was sneaky, etc.) by telling me that my expiration date will be extended by two months.

Just though I'd let you guys know - I think a lot of people on this board took advantage of the great deal, and just wanted to give the heads up.

-- Laura

 

[kittycatalina65]

Yep same here, only I called the 800 number listed in the magazine. Happens all the time when starting a new subscription, I've never had a problem getting a credit for the old magazines.

 

[Justsyd2]

I called, but only got a credit for one month after getting no where with the first person and then asking for a supervisor.

 

[drcmk]

Can you please explain what the scam is? I don't understand.

 

[mackeysmom]

Can you please explain what the scam is? I don't understand.

They are sending out issues that have already been on the newsstand and then pulled from the newsstand and replaced by newer issues.

The March issue would have come out in Feb, the April issue would have come out in March and the newest May issue came out in April. 3 issues - 3 months. They sent the March, April and May issues within two weeks time.

It is their way of lessening the overstock of back issues that were published and not sold/delivered.

 

[AlexWyattMommy]

And they say your subscription started with those old dates.

So if you ordered in April 2010, you would expect to have a April 2011 renewal date because your first issue should be May 2010.

But when they give you the back issues, they change your renewal date to the month before the first one they gave you. They are charging FULL subscription price for old magazines.

Very bad practice.

 

[zoemurr]

And they say your subscription started with those old dates.

So if you ordered in April 2010, you would expect to have a April 2011 renewal date because your first issue should be May 2010.

But when they give you the back issues, they change your renewal date to the month before the first one they gave you. They are charging FULL subscription price for old magazines.

Very bad practice.

ever had a magazine not do this? We had it happen with Martha Stewart, and Lego recently too. Disappointing to get 3 issues in 3 weeks and then your sub ends much earlier. I usually call too..

 

[AlexWyattMommy]

I only get three magazines now. The Lego one is free, so I didn't pay attention to it's dates when it started. The Fitness was a free offer and again I didn't notice. This Old House has been with us so long I cannot remember when we started it.

I used to get Southern Living and they didn't do that. It started the next month with the correct renewal date. I just never got around to renewing it.

 

[mackeysmom]

Disappointing to get 3 issues in 3 weeks and then your sub ends much earlier.

Not to mention the fact that I don't need several pages devoted to St. Patrick's Day recipes and parties when tomorrow is the first day of May

 

[SandrA9810]

Never had that problem with Game Informer magazine.

Generally when you sign up for it, your year starts the month you purchased it. You recieve the first magazine in the store, and then the rest are mailed. Generally if there are older issues still lying around, you'll get a copy of that too.

 

[drcmk]

Oh, I understand now. Thank you for explaining.

I decided that I don't care enough to call and ask Rachael Ray to fix the problem. I'm not crazy about the magazine after all.

 

[tessa67]

I didn't get in on this deal (sad because I like the mag) but thanks for the heads up on the back issue scam. I had that happen recently with a mag and never though about it affecting the expiration date.

 

[Luv Bunnies]

I also received the March, April and May issues but I didn't mind since I had never read them. It didn't bother me since I'd paid so little for a 3 year subscription.

 

[pixiewings71]

Ok I get your point but really? How much did we all pay for this mag anyway? to me it's not worth it to worry about 2 months at the amazing low price we all paid so I'm just gonna let it go.

 

[luvsmickeymouse]

I also received the March, April and May issues but I didn't mind since I had never read them. It didn't bother me since I'd paid so little for a 3 year subscription.

I felt this way as well. I just figured since we ordered in Feb that is when it started, my expiration is 2-2011. I am happy with the ones I have gotten because I haven't read any of them previously. And it was only $2.99.

 

[mackeysmom]

Ok I get your point but really? How much did we all pay for this mag anyway? to me it's not worth it to worry about 2 months at the amazing low price we all paid so I'm just gonna let it go.

For me, complaining about it to them wasn't about the money - it is about poor business practices.

 

[eeyorethegreat]

Hi -

Just a heads up - I took advantage of the great deal posted on this board about the Everyday w/Rachael Ray magazine.

My first issue (an outdated March issue) arrived about two weeks ago, followed by another issue (outdated April) this past Monday and in today's mail I received the current May issue. My label has my expiration date as February 2014.

I used to work for a magazine clearinghouse, and the "back issue" scam is a biggie. A lot of companies do it to clear out their back issue overstock and most people don't complain about it - or even realize.

I sent an email to Customer Service from the RRMag website. They responded (no apology, didn't admit that it was sneaky, etc.) by telling me that my expiration date will be extended by two months.

Just though I'd let you guys know - I think a lot of people on this board took advantage of the great deal, and just wanted to give the heads up.

-- Laura

This happened with my mom a couple times with other subscriptions she called and they sent out the current mag and extended the subscription.

 

[Tikitoi]

This is exactly why I stick to getting magazines out of our Library. Plus I don't have to worry about them piling up.

 

[pixiewings71]

I felt this way as well. I just figured since we ordered in Feb that is when it started, my expiration is 2-2011. I am happy with the ones I have gotten because I haven't read any of them previously. And it was only $2.99.

For me, complaining about it to them wasn't about the money - it is about poor business practices.

Well we just have to agree to disagree because I see this as standard not as a poor business practice. Besides, I signed up in Feb and knowing I wouldn't get the mag for a month or two I didn't buy or read any past Jan, so no worries on my part.

 

[hipchickie]

For me, complaining about it to them wasn't about the money - it is about poor business practices.

Who cares if it was 1 cent or one dollar or 20 dollars - you are completely right and you don't have to explain! You paid for a subscription and they tried to pull a fast one on you - good for you for calling them on it, and thanks for the heads up!