2 girls came to our door last night, stated they were getting $15,000 to start their own business, and they were in the area introducing theirselves and obtaining advice on how do deal with customers, etc. They were both very nice and friendly. Then they get into how they are getting this $15,000. Seems that they each wrote an essay that was picked (only 2 from each state) that gave them the priviledge to sell magazines door-to-door to obtain points, and the winners each got $15,000 to start their own business.
Well, I wanted to help them out, so I bought a magazine subscription. They first tried selling me the $50 version, I told them I didn't have that much to spend, so they offered me the "student" one, which was half the price ($24.95), which they also received half the points for. "Some points are better than no points" they said. They told me if I changed my mind, I could call the marketing firm and cancel my subscription within 3 days. So I gave them a check for half, they gave me an envelope and a slip to mail off within 10 days with the other half of the payment, and they left.
I then got on the internet and did some searches on the marketing firm (AM Press Assoc./Mags R Us)and every website that appeared either had to do with scams or ripoffs. I decided I wanted nothing to do with this, so this morning I called the marketing firm to cancel my subscription. They are not having any contest and it turns out that you can only cancel your subscription if it is $25....mine was $24.95. They swore that the $25 or more deal was a law and they were in no way running a scam. I told them that the girls that came to my door said nothing about the purchase having to be under $25, and the lady I was talking to was like, "Sorry". I told them that was B.S. and I was going to have the check cancelled.
The bank wants $20 to cancel the check, so I might as well just send off the other half and hopefully get my magazine in 3-6 months (which direct from the company sells for 1/2 the price I'm going to end up paying for it). I usually dont fall for this stuff and I'm pretty ashamed I did this time. Beware of falling for the same scam when any story involves magazine subscription selling.
Michelle
Vancouver, Washington
U.S.A.