NationStates Jolt Archive

In December 2003, a GameSpy webpage allowed people to sign up for one year of free GamePro magazines for 12 months. I was curious, I signed up. I also decided to be a little smartass and list my name as "Saddam Hussein," given I signed up the same day Saddam was captured.

It's July 2005. I'm filling up my wall with these damn GamePro magazines. They provide me with 10-20 minutes of reading material, and then I chuck 'em away for future reference. (It's funny seeing specualtions on the PSP from January '04)

Uh, maybe. I somehow got a free subscription to an "urban" culture magazine called "Complex" or something. I think that they never ask for money because half of the magazine is blatant advertizing and the rest is articles and pictures that hide advertizing in the story or image.

Heh good job. I guess they billed Saddam's credit.

Did you have to provide a credit card number when you signed up? They might have just started charging you after a year without letting you know.

Uh, maybe. I somehow got a free subscription to an "urban" culture magazine called "Complex" or something. I think that they never ask for money because half of the magazine is blatant advertizing and the rest is articles and pictures that hide advertizing in the story or image.
how is that different from any other magazine?

If you sign up for a trial subscription to just about any magazine, and when the trial ends and you call the company to let them know you won't be renewing, you can generally set yourself up with a free yearly subscription or significant discount.

All you have to do is tell the sales representative that you are going to subscribe to a competitor's magazine, because they are giving you a better deal. Since these reps make money per transaction, not sale, they are still getting commission whether your account is charged or not.

This tactic, while not illegal, can also be used when dealing with Comcast cable. I should know. I'm still only paying $19.99 for cable internet service... and that deal was suppose to expire six months ago. ;)

Ihatevacations']how is that different from any other magazine?
Well, the only magazines I ever bother to read are things like Scientific American, Newsweek, and Weird NJ. They're not as heavy on the advertizing.

Did you have to provide a credit card number when you signed up? They might have just started charging you after a year without letting you know.
Nope. No credit card.

Hm, I only read Wired. I wish I could get free issues of that... :(

I got a free Subscription to PSM about 2 years ago when my frequent flier miles were due to expire. The 6 month subscription is up, but I've had uninterrupted "last issues!" for the last 18 months.

The magazine sucks balls, but at least it keeps me updated as to what games are coming out...well, for the PS2 at least.

This tactic, while not illegal, can also be used when dealing with Comcast cable. I should know. I'm still only paying $19.99 for cable internet service... and that deal was suppose to expire six months ago. ;)

heh. my girlfriend has been half-heartedly trying to get rid of aol for nearly a year at this point. everytime she tries, they give her another free month or two. the fact that she never uses it and actually has dsl doesn't seem to be important.

In December 2003, a GameSpy webpage allowed people to sign up for one year of free GamePro magazines for 12 months. I was curious, I signed up. I also decided to be a little smartass and list my name as "Saddam Hussein," given I signed up the same day Saddam was captured.

It's July 2005. I'm filling up my wall with these damn GamePro magazines. They provide me with 10-20 minutes of reading material, and then I chuck 'em away for future reference. (It's funny seeing specualtions on the PSP from January '04)nah, I got the same thing. they keep sending it to you untill they realize... hey soandso didn't pay yet. then they stop.

Yes, you did. You are an evil, horrible person who has stolen, STOLEN from those hard working authors. They put their blood, sweat, and tears into this and YOU just steal it! You must now go down to the police station and confess your dasdardly crimes and demand that you be incarserated for life for that you have done. Oh, and send the mangazine all your money to make up for this henious act.

*Re-reads post* Hmmm, I think I better stop reading RIAA policy postings for laughs, it's starting to have an effect. ;)

That's not nice. The poor man has all his money stripped from him the day he's captured, and is sent to prison to eat Doritoes till his trial, and you go and bill him for a stupid game magazine?



Good job, I applaud you!!

Try this I must. Free magazines I will recieve. Like Yoda, my wisdom will become.

nah, I got the same thing. they keep sending it to you untill they realize... hey soandso didn't pay yet.

Yeah, but they can still sue you for back payment, and if you signed up fradulently they can also get you on that charge if they realize you did it on purpose.

Yeah, but they can still sue you for back payment, and if you signed up fradulently they can also get you on that charge if they realize you did it on purpose.
Pfft, I can always deny I received the magazines.

Pfft, I can always deny I received the magazines.

Not when the mail system's computer says otherwise.