Times newspaper subscription
Discussion
I've had a digital Telegraph subscription for a few years. I called them a couple of weeks ago because a previous discount / retention deal had expired. I had been paying £2.99/month.
Instead of charging me the best part of £19/month (I think) they offered me 12 months for £45 and refunded me £19.
Instead of charging me the best part of £19/month (I think) they offered me 12 months for £45 and refunded me £19.
Big_Dog said:
When i called to cancel, they were most helpful and kindly offered me a considerable discount for a few months. The suggestion was to call back when the offer ran out. Good luck.
Really dislike this business model. I just want to be charged an amount I'm happy with and make the process proportionately simple when compared to what it is you're actually buying. As a newspaper it really should be very simple. I don't want to waste time at the end of each subscription calling back and threatening to leave unless I get the better deal. It's just not worth it for what you get, even if the product is good and I want it. Similar to sky TV. Called them this morning. Very pleasant people to speak to and of course the person you're talking to has no clout whatsoever so there's no point in giving them grief.
Anyway, they've given me a 50% off deal for three months after which the price will go up to £33 per month. They won't give me any reminder I'll be paying more then so I'm just going to have to remember and call them again and see what they'll do for me and cancel if I draw a blank.
Anyway, they've given me a 50% off deal for three months after which the price will go up to £33 per month. They won't give me any reminder I'll be paying more then so I'm just going to have to remember and call them again and see what they'll do for me and cancel if I draw a blank.
clive_candy said:
Called them this morning. Very pleasant people to speak to and of course the person you're talking to has no clout whatsoever so there's no point in giving them grief.
Anyway, they've given me a 50% off deal for three months after which the price will go up to £33 per month. They won't give me any reminder I'll be paying more then so I'm just going to have to remember and call them again and see what they'll do for me and cancel if I draw a blank.
Exactly the same offer for me, 3 months at 50% off then told to call back. What a crappy new busines model. Had Times subscription for years and was always a fair price £10 I think, no need to keep calling to renew etc. Now it's a possibly quarterly admin task.Anyway, they've given me a 50% off deal for three months after which the price will go up to £33 per month. They won't give me any reminder I'll be paying more then so I'm just going to have to remember and call them again and see what they'll do for me and cancel if I draw a blank.
Are you in the UK? If so, do a google search and sign up for a free library card in your area. They’ll give you a card number and password which can use to sign into Press Reader app for free and you can access newspapers and magazines to your hearts content.
Edited by Finglescave on Monday 13th November 13:09
I subscribed for a quid a while ago, part of the T&C’s at the time was you could only cancel within 3 days of the subscription expiring.
I set a note in my diary, tried to cancel online, only to find out you could only do so through calling them. Really thought that was pretty disgraceful.
I set a note in my diary, tried to cancel online, only to find out you could only do so through calling them. Really thought that was pretty disgraceful.
MarcelM6 said:
Horrible business model - I called to cancel and got a 80% discount for 6 months. About to call again to cancel as its the end of the 6 months and will probably get the same discount again.Just a massive time wasting exercise
The Telegraph does just the same.I cancelled and now buy the Telegraph a couple of times a week.
MarcelM6 said:
Horrible business model - I called to cancel and got a 80% discount for 6 months. About to call again to cancel as its the end of the 6 months and will probably get the same discount again.Just a massive time wasting exercise
This. And when you do cancel they are very persistent in follow ups - I think it was about 6 weeks before they gave up with me.I've no problem in principle with paying for news, but when they make it so painful it grates. The Guardian by comparison is easy, but their model is different.
Finglescave said:
Are you in the UK? If so, do a google search and sign up for a free library card in your area. They’ll give you a card number and password which can use to sign into Press Reader app for free and you can access newspapers and magazines to your hearts content.
Thanks for that. However, I've just checked my library (Libby) app and gone into Press Reader and The Times isn't listed. The Guardian, Independent, Telegraph, Express and Mail are available though.Edited by Finglescave on Monday 13th November 13:09
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