Bait and Switch Subscription? American Iron Magazine Discuss Bait and Switch Subscription? in the Other Topics forums; I've bought AIM on the newstand for years, and finally ordered a subscription (12 issues plus Buyers Guide) in Feb 2009. I called subscriber services yesterday, and was told that ...

[rjsc5]

I've bought AIM on the newstand for years, and finally ordered a subscription (12 issues plus Buyers Guide) in Feb 2009. I called subscriber services yesterday, and was told that the Buyers Guide will no longer be published; yet as recentlyas the July 2009 issue page 16 had this offer. Call me picky, but in my mind a subscription offer should be honored. No buyers guide fine, then extend my subscription for one issue. I am a loyal reader, but also a concerned consumer!

[Buzz Kanter]

Originally Posted by rjsc5

I've bought AIM on the newstand for years, and finally ordered a subscription (12 issues plus Buyers Guide) in Feb 2009. I called subscriber services yesterday, and was told that the Buyers Guide will no longer be published; yet as recentlyas the July 2009 issue page 16 had this offer. Call me picky, but in my mind a subscription offer should be honored. No buyers guide fine, then extend my subscription for one issue. I am a loyal reader, but also a concerned consumer!

First off, thanks for the support of American Iron Magazine, secondly welcome to our American Iron Magazine Harley forum, and thanks for posting here.

Our costs have been climbing like mad, so rather than increase the subscription rate we chose to exclude the free Buyers Guide. That way our readers still get 12 great issues of American Iron Magazine for the same price as they have been paying for years.

If you look in the old magazines (including the July 2009 issue you mentioned - page 171) you will note all the ads as well as the blow-in and bind-in cards ALL list the deal as 12 issues of American Iron Magazine only, as we discontinued the Buyers Guide offer months before that.

Unfortunately our art director did not change it in the small display ad in the July 2009 Table of Contents, and that is what you mentioned in the post. I see he did change it with the next issue.

Frankly if this is really that important to you, and I must believe it is or you would not have posted about it here, I am happy to give you a free issue extension to your subscription and pay for it from my own pocket. Please PM me your name and address on the subscription label and I will personally take care of it.

Now are you happy?

Thanks for pointing this out to us and letting me fix it.

[chipster]

Welcome to the forum rjsc5. Bait and switch is an awfully strong accusation, and one that is not taken lightly. While Buzz stepped up and took care of your concern, I'd be willing to bet that had you voiced your opinion and concern to the subscription department, you would have gotten the same result. Then we all wouldn't have been subjected to your accusation of an illegal practice.

[unfknblvbl]

Originally Posted by Buzz Kanter

First off, thanks for the support of American Iron Magazine, secondly welcome to our American Iron Magazine Harley forum, and thanks for posting here.

Our costs have been climbing like mad, so rather than increase the subscription rate we chose to exclude the free Buyers Guide. That way our readers still get 12 great issues of American Iron Magazine for the same price as they have been paying for years.

If you look in the old magazines (including the July 2009 issue you mentioned - page 171) you will note all the ads as well as the blow-in and bind-in cards ALL list the deal as 12 issues of American Iron Magazine only, as we discontinued the Buyers Guide offer months before that.

Unfortunately our art director did not change it in the small display ad in the July 2009 Table of Contents, and that is what you mentioned in the post. I see he did change it with the next issue.

Frankly if this is really that important to you, and I must believe it is or you would not have posted about it here, I am happy to give you a free issue extension to your subscription and pay for it from my own pocket. Please PM me your name and address on the subscription label and I will personally take care of it.

Now are you happy?

Thanks for pointing this out to us and letting me fix it.

WOW...You can't beat service like that! It's not everyday you get the editor-in-chief of a well known magazine to step in and take action. Another reason AIM magazine and forum is a great read and place to hang out.

rj- Bait and Switch is some harsh terminology...stuff happens and I think Chip hit the nail on the head. I have a hard time believing you subscribed to the mag just for the buyer's guide. That's a lot of dough for one mag. If you wanted just the buyer's guide I bet you could pick it up off of ebay for $0.99 or so.

[rjsc5]

Unfortunately my call to the subscription department got a response of, "oh they are no longer printing the Buyers Guide, we are just the service" with no further explanation just a that's the way it is attitude. A plausible explanation would have satisfied me. Believe it or not, I never read the insert cards as I was looking for the phone number to subscribe in the front of the magazine where the table of contents are found with the previous offer, my mistake. I would never expect someone from such a large publication to have to extend my subscription out of their own pocket, ha ha!

[HarleyCruiser]

Yea its false advertising not bait and switch.

[evoKENevo]

Originally Posted by HarleyCruiser

Yea its false advertising not bait and switch.

Yeah "geez"...gotta keep THOSE things straight

[1haugster1340]

I understand what rj is saying. He did not get all that he thought he was to get when he subscribed. It was good of Buzz to make it up to him. The buyers guide usually got pitched as soon as I got it because there are usually product reviews in the regular issues.

[street bob]

Problem solved.... no??????
Let it go..............

[grampadac]

All sounds like small stuff to me. Don't sweat the small stuff.