Synapse Ventures, Inc Ripped off for 15 months of a magazine I already subscribed to Salt Lake City Utah

And things only got better as time went on.  The company sent the renewal to Smithsonian Magazine.  For months, I had an expiration date of Aug 2010 on my address label.  Then my last issue had a new expiration date--it happened so fast that Smithsonian didn't even have time to send renewal notices.  My magazine was just gone. 

In answer to "rebuttal"--yes, the offers do sound good, but not "too good to be true". The offer I accepted was a lie--they do not provide renewals and they cancelled a subscription that had nothing to do with their company. I had used airline miles to extend my subscription (that only added confusion and another customer service).  This offer was through my college alumni organization so my guard was done.  Obviously, I advise everyone to only deal directly with the magazine--they have great rates too.

You have to admit the free or cheap trial offers are awesome.

You will get a postcard in the mail before the subscription runs out - you just have to notice it and read it. Thats the rub, it comes as a renewal offer and the number to cancel is in the body copy.

The automated cancel thing is annoying, but if you just say no it egts cancelled fine.

And if all else fails, just call the number all over this site - 1.800.601.1958 - and you will get great service and easy canceling by a person.