Below is a letter to the Inquirer that I wanted to make sure that everyone knew about. If you're a weekend subscriber you want to read this!
To the Editor of the Philadelphia Inquirer,
I have been a Sunday only subscriber to The Inquirer for the last two years. I noticed that every once in awhile I would receive a paper during the week. I wasn’t sure if the paper was a neighbor’s or a mistake by the delivery person. It has been brought to my attention by a fellow subscriber that this “bonus” paper was in deed intended for me. But the word “bonus” was grossly misused by The Inquirer in this incident. Apparently The Inquirer published a small blurb in a Sunday paper back in April or May that stated subscribers would now be charged for these bonus papers. The Inquirer can not change the terms of a subscription agreement without my acceptance. Publishing a notice of the change isn't sufficient. I urge all weekend and Sunday subscribers to call customer service and make sure they are being billed only for what they want. In addition, I’m requesting that The Inquirer stop charging people for bonus papers immediately and refund all charges. This is a bad business practice and it undermines the trust that I had in The Inquirer as a business.
cross posted on SAC site
Hey out there, is this true? Many of our members always talk about the random paper they get (some only subscribe sundays), and they also talk about how irraticly the bills are mailed.
this was cross posted on our site www.saveardmorecoalition.org, and we would like to learn more.
if anyone out there can verify this, please post a response to this original post.
thanx
Hi, I'm the original poster.
Hi,
I'm the original poster. I called the Inquirer to see if it was true after a friend told me and it was. The Inquirer did refund the chargers. In addition, they're the ones who gave me the info that a notice was published in the paper back in April or May. I also spoke with the Manager of Customer Service about my complaint. Please, if you need further confirmation just call the Inquirer customer service and they will confirm. Here's the number: 215-665-1234
urban legend?
We have members looking into this and we have been told this isn't true. We are trying to get a formal statement or comment from the Inquirer. We will keep everyone apprised....we're not trying to invalidate you "theheat0415" , but from a consumer standpoint, a definitive answer would be best practice here
I agree that a definitive
I agree that a definitive answer would be best. All I know is, I called the Inquirer to see if I was on their "Bonus" list, which I was and being charged for. I requested a refund which they gave me. I then requested to file a complaint with management and they did not deny the program. They even informed me they didn't used to charge for the bonus paper but just started in April. I wrote the post to make people aware it was happening and put pressure on the Inquirer to stop. So I think it's wonderful that you're trying to get a definitive answer! Let me know how else I can help and how it goes! But they really have been doing this.
stop the presses!
We just received a tip via one of our members of our group that this IS true and it says it in the paper every day! We are still waiting for the Inquirer to formerly respond, in the interim, as per their website, here's who to contact:
I still can't believe the
I still can't believe the Inquirer is doing this! I always thought those extra papers were mis-delivered. I called and had myself taken off the "bonus" list that I never knew I was on. I really think everyone needs to call and let the paper know that we are not ok with this. Any luck on hearing back from the Inquirer?
nope
nada. we asked for a reply from that mike guy (one of our members requested it)...never got it
more "bonus" details
here's more details. their new cm brought this scam over to philly from the camden newspaper where he used to work. its no bonus paper. they charge your account for a paper you didn't order and then hope that you don't keep track of how much money is in your account. if their circulation numbers are lagging they deliver one of their "bonus" papers to your door and it counts as paid circulation. if they have 10000 weekend customers than they get a 10000 pop when they do a "bonus" day. you think it's free or a screwed up delivery but in actuality they are pulling money from your account and charging you for the paper you didn't order. it also shortens your billing cycle so you get billed by the paper more often. they alway's give you a credit if you ask for it and hope that no one investigates this program deeper. it is also a bad deal for the advertisers who think the customer is willingly paying for the newspaper.
Hi, original poster here
Hi, original poster here again. Has any one been able to get an official statement from The Inquirer or heard if they have stopped this practice yet? Thanks!
Inquirer
NO and as someone who has had issues with these bonus papers, I have NEVER received an "official" response. I am cancelling my subscription anyway. The paper sucks and I always get the wrong edition.
And yes, even though I questioned it like others, I STILL get these weird papers...
True Information
This information is true. They are called "bonus days". You can find out more information from the Inquirer's auditing body, the Audit Bureau of Circulations at http://www.accessabc.com/bylaws/bylaw2423_2.htm#C211 (It is rule C 2.11). The poster on January 7, 2008 was right, this was introduced with the new management, namely the Gannett guys that came over from the Courier-Post. In the past, the Inquirer did not charge for bonus days. They started charging some time in Spring 2007. In the 2007 calendar year, there was only 11 or 12 bonus days scheduled, usually around holidays. In 2008, I believe they scheduled 30 or more. The old VP of Circulation, Mike Proebstle, used to try to schedule around holidays or major events where the reader would get value out of this "bonus (but charged for)" paper. I don't think the new circulation guys really care (Proebstle was ousted in November 2007). The best you can do is contact customer service and asked to be placed on the "No Bonus Day" list. Better yet, cancel your subscription. The owners of the paper will continue to raise prices, cut services, and add special "bonuses" that they'll end up charging you for. You can get the same information on Philly.com or better yet, ask a homeless guy on the street; he probably knows more information than what the crooked papers report. ##
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