We all know I love hockey, marketing, music, & NASCAR. So at times I use a brand we all know to purchase tickets to many events: aka Ticketmaster.
In April of 2010 I made such a purchase. Wouldn't ya know at the end of this transaction here's an offer to get four magazine subscriptions for $2 each. I'm like o.k. buyer-beware; but still I'm curious. Good magazines of which I read: Fortune, Inc., Time, & BusinessWeek. I read over everything... no other obligations and no disclosure about cancelling at any time.
I'm a pretty decent consumer and I purchase the special offer. I trust Ticketmaster and most brands who are large and recognizable that operate online, whom I use. I don't believe they are (for the most part), using sneaky tactics anymore to take my money. I also didn't believe they'd use or allow sneaky companies to operate on their behalf.
Without further adieu here's portions of the letter I wrote to the Better Business Bureau about how Synapse Group, Inc. is currently operating. (Wouldn't ya know it, Synapse Group, Inc has the BBB Reliability Program logo on their site).
Synapse Group, Inc. is a Direct Marketing - Continuity/Subscription. I purchased tickets through Ticketmaster in April of 2010. Synapse Group, Inc. is the company responsible for offering four magazine subscriptions for $2 apiece for one year with no other obligations. The terms in the email I received, never stated that I would be charged once a year for the full price of those magazines in subsequent years.
This all occurred without knowing I signed up to a direct marketing - continuity/subscription. The state of Florida is cracking down on companies such as Synapse Group, Inc. because they tend to take advantage of an older demographic. If I hadn't checked my credit card statements from earlier this year I wouldn't have known they were charging me (and would continue to do so for as long as that credit card was open).
So once a year Synapse Group, Inc. was starting to charge me full price subscriptions on all four magazines I purchased. $12 dollars for all > now became $188; that's a 1566% increase.
The really sad part is they are a wholly owned subsidiary of Time Inc.
Then the BBB asks for a "desired settlement description." So I gave them mine:
I would like a full refund from Synapse Group, Inc. I would also like the Better Business Bureau to remove Synapse Group, Inc. from this "Reliability Program BBB Online." The Better Business Bureau protecting consumers from businesses that take advantage of people and their information.
Aren't companies past this? Why would you want to take advantage of a customer? If you make me happy I'll be with you for life; probably. Keep my trust. The scariest part of this is knowing this is happening as my parents (baby boomers) are getting older; and that's right folks, living in FL where these scams run rampant.
It's not always perfect marketing for a university, but at least I'm pushing accredited education.
As always I'd love to hear your thoughts/comments.
~bbryon
