when will the Herald leave me alone?

[Eddie Bronze]

Another week and another call from the Herald. Who else gets this? Everyone I assume. You'd think they'd catch on after I've told them no at least 6 times now, no? Of course not. Anyway, tonight the guy calls me and starts right in on getting me set up so I had to cut him off. I wish I had this on tape.
Him: "So we'll get some info and get you started right up. What do you..."
Me: "I'm not really interested."
Him: "Is there any particular reason?"
Me: "Yeah, Bruce Dowbiggen"
Him: "Oh well, fair enough, have a good evening sir"

[RougeUnderoos]

I got hassled by the Sun for a few weeks. I could tell by the caller ID so I just didn't answer but they were phoning all the time so I picked up once and said "nope, I don't like the Sun".

"Why not"?

"It's no good"

"You know we have made several improvements and"

"It's no good. I've read it enough to know that it stinks. I don't want it".

"Sigh. Okay. Thanks".

[I-Hate-Hulse]

If I've been harrased a lot in a month I like to stymie them with:

"I.......I...can't read. I'm ashamed but I'm illiterate"

Dead silence usually follows. No more calls for at least 6 months.

Although I think blaming Bruce Dowbiggen is what I'll do now.

[Resolute 14]

Specifically ask them to remove you from their calling lists.

By law they are required to do so if asked.

[Looger]

back in 97 the herald tried to negative-bill me, they came by and said they would start dropping off the paper (i had a sun subscription at the time...) and said it'd be free with an option to pay to keep going after a month.

the month came up and the paperboy handed me a bill for a month, i nearly broke the phone lines yelling at head office.

never heard from them again - ever.

[RougeUnderoos]

Originally posted by Looger@Apr 8 2005, 03:07 PM
back in 97 the herald tried to negative-bill me, they came by and said they would start dropping off the paper (i had a sun subscription at the time...) and said it'd be free with an option to pay to keep going after a month.

the month came up and the paperboy handed me a bill for a month, i nearly broke the phone lines yelling at head office.

never heard from them again - ever.

ESPN Magazine tried to pull that stunt with me as well.

"3 trial issues free" kind of a thing so sent it in. I got the trial issues, then a few more, then a bill, then another bill, then a "if you don't pay this, we'll seek further action".

They had absolutely nothing on me but my initials and my address and they were trying to get me to pony up. Good luck.

[Incinerator]

Just got a called 30 minutes ago from the herald.

"Blah Blah what do you think of the Calgary Herald"

"Not impressed with the Sports section, the only thing I read"

"Oh...why not"

"Bruce Dowbiggen, I'll give you guys a chance if you fire him"

"Oh I see...would you still like to give it a try though? If you're not happy with Bruce you can call the Customer Opinion line every day and bug them until they fire him."

"Why would I want to waste my time like that when I only read the paper on weekends?"

*lights up* "Oh would you like a Fri-Sun Subscription?"

"Nah I only read the SUN from McDonald's on weekends"

"oh...*dejected that he wasted so much time* well you have a good day sir"

"Yeah man you too, good luck with your next sale"

[Faid1]

Originally posted by RougeUnderoos+Apr 8 2005, 02:15 PM--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td>QUOTE (RougeUnderoos @ Apr 8 2005, 02:15 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'> <!--QuoteBegin-Looger@Apr 8 2005, 03:07 PM
back in 97 the herald tried to negative-bill me, they came by and said they would start dropping off the paper (i had a sun subscription at the time...) and said it'd be free with an option to pay to keep going after a month.

the month came up and the paperboy handed me a bill for a month, i nearly broke the phone lines yelling at head office.

never heard from them again - ever.

ESPN Magazine tried to pull that stunt with me as well.

"3 trial issues free" kind of a thing so sent it in. I got the trial issues, then a few more, then a bill, then another bill, then a "if you don't pay this, we'll seek further action".

They had absolutely nothing on me but my initials and my address and they were trying to get me to pony up. Good luck. [/b][/quote]
Damn I just signed up for 4 trial issues of Time.... hope I don't have problems.

I used to have the National Post call just about every week.

[jam26]

I look forward to this call so I can dump on Bruce too...bring it on, Herald!!

[Looger]

this may just be on-the-spot hangover inspiration...

but i bet the best way to get away from subscription solicitors is to subscribe and never pay - get on their deadbeat list.

who knows - maybe deadbeat lists circulate to other associated media under the same parent company, or maybe even (gasp) between media giants!

genius.

[Table 5]

Originally posted by Looger@Apr 10 2005, 05:44 PM
this may just be on-the-spot hangover inspiration...

but i bet the best way to get away from subscription solicitors is to subscribe and never pay - get on their deadbeat list.

who knows - maybe deadbeat lists circulate to other associated media under the same parent company, or maybe even (gasp) between media giants!

genius.

yeah, but what if in the future you actually want to subscribe to something?

[Looger]

Table 5,

all my plans have disastrous potential.

that's what makes them so intriguing.

this all-or-nothing aspect of magazine subscription techniques has me all tingly with excitement!

[Eddie Bronze]

Originally posted by Looger@Apr 10 2005, 03:52 PM
Table 5,

all my plans have disastrous potential.

that's what makes them so intriguing.

this all-or-nothing aspect of magazine subscription techniques has me all tingly with excitement!

It sounds too good to be true.

[ah123]

Tell them that you already get the Herald (or Sun if it is the Sun calling) at work for free --- trust me, they have no response to that one...

[Bill Bumface]

I call a big FATA on your dowbiggen idea.

*ahem* Nice Try

[Eddie Bronze]

Originally posted by hulkrogan@Apr 11 2005, 04:05 PM
I call a big FATA on your dowbiggen idea.

*ahem* Nice Try

I never read that thread damnit!...and, Great minds think alike!

[Bill Bumface]

Originally posted by Eddie Bronze+Apr 11 2005, 07:28 PM--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td>QUOTE (Eddie Bronze @ Apr 11 2005, 07:28 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'> <!--QuoteBegin-hulkrogan@Apr 11 2005, 04:05 PM
I call a big FATA on your dowbiggen idea.

*ahem* Nice Try

I never read that thread damnit!...and, Great minds think alike! [/b][/quote]
Correction, great minds hate Bruce Dowbiggen

[Eddie Bronze]

And now, only seconds ago, I got a call from MBNA Canada literally forcing a damn credit card down my throat. :angry: Unfortunately, I couldn't use the Dowbiggen logic on them.

* and seconds later, the sob calls back and says I think the line got disconnected after I hung up on him. I did what you guys suggested this time and asked to have my name taken off their list.

[Faid1]

I cancelled it without hassle, but now I'm getting alot of junk mail sent to the fake name I chose. :angry:

[shoestring]

I got a call from the National Post and man this guy was persistant. I held my ground and repeatedly said the paper sucks and I do not want it! Changes he replied.
Finally I got him to raise his ire a bit,then I said "You know I am taping this"
He backed off quickly and wished me a good day.

The Herald and Sun guys are different though because I do purchase their paper everyday, ....at the box .
I tell them ,"I am supporting your delivery guys" They say "you can get it cheaper"
I say "So your delivery guys aren't important" "Cheaper" "Well who is delivering it"
"Delivered to your door ,cheaper" and I have to say "So you are making the commission on this sale that might cost somebody who gets up at four in the morning,drives through snow,hell,and back to make sure I get can get a paper,
his job?" They usually quit then.
But they will have a good response next time. And I will too!
That is one job I never want!