Do me a favor? LA Times related

[MoodyBlues]

Would you go to their LA Times Android app FAQ page and read it? Pay particular attention to their digital pricing.

See if anything on the page refers to promotional pricing, new subscribers, or anything else regarding price.

I'll spill the beans later on why I'm asking.

 

[psionandy]

don't see anything about special pricing

 

[mikedt]

I saw a pop-up, "Holiday Special: Try 3 free months", with a "Start trial" button. Looks like it's then 7.99 a month for paid subscription. I was connected via ExpressVPN in Tokyo, otherwise LA Times is blocked.

 

[MoodyBlues]

Thanks guys so far. I was hoping for more input. Anyone?

 

[Deleted User]

Digital subscription $7.99 a month.

 

[dontpanicbobby]

Like Los A?

 

[svim]

Perhaps if you reveal just what detail you're looking for it might things easier for any of us to comment on.

 

[MoodyBlues]

I hoped for more input, but here's the deal:

- the page is called "LA Times Android app FAQ"--in other words, a generic FAQ page for anyone with questions/problems with their Android app

- nowhere does it say ‘for new subscribers" or "new Android app subscribers" or similar

- nowhere does it say that $7.99/month is for new subscribers only

- nowhere does it say that it's a promotional rate which increases after you've subscribed

Am I correct?

Okay, I've been paying $19.96/month forever. When I saw the FAQ yesterday, I called to ask WTF?! The first person I spoke to said the $7.99 was "for new subscribers only" and that it's a "promotional rate that goes up" after subscribing. I asked where on the page it said that, and she couldn't answer. When I pointed out that it's a FAQ for Android users, she said it was for new subscribers.

I quickly tired of running around in circles, so I asked for a manager.

He gave me, almost verbatim, the same song and dance. I told him that NOWHERE does the page indicate it's only meant for new users, but that it's a general purpose Android FAQ. I said the $7.99 was misleading, incorrect, and needed to be changed. [By now he was noticeably...um...unhappy with me.] He said he would "pass along" my "suggestion" and clearly wanted the call to end.

I reiterated that it's misleading and needs to be changed, then said, "I tell you what: I'm going to check the page, soon, and see if it's been corrected. If not, I'm passing this on to the State Attorney General's office." [Silence...] Then, "okay, I'll make sure the right department gets this."

One good thing--he lowered my monthly rate by $4 "as a courtesy to a long-time subscriber."

He was SO DONE WITH ME when we hung up!

 

[lunatic59]

Very unclear ... I didn't try do run through the sign-up for fear of accidentally subscribing, but i see nothing about special pricing or new subscribers.

 

[MoodyBlues]

Very unclear ... I didn't try do run through the sign-up for fear of accidentally subscribing, but i see nothing about special pricing or new subscribers.

Exactly!

That's why I wanted others to look at it, in case I was just missing something.

 

[mikedt]

It's clear in black and white in their T&C, $0.00 is the introductory rate, and then $7.96 every four weeks. @MoodyBlues if you're paying $19.96 a month, I think you've been gouged.

Terms & Conditions
By accepting this offer you are agreeing to a CONTINUOUS SUBSCRIPTION, which will automatically renew until you cancel by calling 1-213-283-2274. After the 3-month $0.00 introductory rate, you will be automatically charged $7.96 every 4 weeks.

 

[MoodyBlues]

It's clear in black and white in their T&C, $0.00 is the introductory rate, and then $7.96 every four weeks. @MoodyBlues if you're paying $19.96 a month, I think you've been gouged.

Terms & Conditions
By accepting this offer you are agreeing to a CONTINUOUS SUBSCRIPTION, which will automatically renew until you cancel by calling 1-213-283-2274. After the 3-month $0.00 introductory rate, you will be automatically charged $7.96 every 4 weeks.

Whoa! I never even thought of reading their T&C...and now I'm really pissed.

Thank you, @mikedt, for doing further research. I'm off now to save copies of that, too...

 

[Deleted User]

I often see introductory rates to tempt people into subscribing for a service, but it's made clear that it is only for a set period, after which you'll pay the full rate.
In this case, it doesn't say that, and I take this to mean that $7.99 is the monthly rate.
If I was paying $19.96/month, I'd cancel my subscription, and sign up again at the lower rate. That's if I could be bothered to give them any more of my business.

 

[mikedt]

Whoa! I never even thought of reading their T&C...and now I'm really pissed.

Thank you, @mikedt, for doing further research. I'm off now to save copies of that, too...

I'm using a Mac, so it's definitely NOT special rates for Android subscribers. Hope you get it sorted satisfactorily.

 

[MoodyBlues]

My version of what @mikedt posted is slightly different--its intro rate is $0.99 and then $7.99. I'm posting screenshots here/now to publicly memorialize what it says:

Then I followed its TERMS AND CONDITIONS link; buried in it is this:

6B. Digital Subscription–This offer is valid for new digital subscriptions only, is nontransferable and limited to one per household.

Okay...so where does that leave me? As I see it, I've been paying the loyal, long-time subscriber rate of more than double what new customers pay. Is it just me, or does this suck?

And getting back to the original issue, we're all in agreement that its Android FAQ makes no reference to any of this. Therefore, I still FIRMLY believe they're stating their rate as $7.99 and I've been overpaying...for years. Does anyone disagree?

 

[Milo Willamson]

That is really vauge, why would the "L.A. Times" act one way, and push out to another conflict the other? Seriously 71% is an excellent sweet deal off the bat, why would they do that to you though, I am pretty sure you read the Terms and conditions too. I did not see anything but the full price 7.99$ as well as just the visitor fee too.

 

[MoodyBlues]

I'm going to spend some time contemplating what to do, and how to do it, to get the LA Times to do...SOMETHING about this. Like a refund.

As noted before, the consensus here is that there's NOTHING on their Android app FAQ stating/implying/insinuating any conditions (new subscriber, promotional period, etc.) on the $7.99/month price.

Don't be surprised if I direct them to this thread!

 

[Deleted User]

I'd like to know how long the subscription has been at this low price, and how long the LA Times had been charging me more than double this price. Then I'd be demanding, at the very least, the lower price subscription. I'd also be wanting a refund of the additional money I'd paid out.
What you were told on the phone is a blatant lie. $7.99 (or $7.96) is not the introductory offer, it is the monthly rate for digital subscription. As stated above, the actual introductory rate is $0.99, for 4 weeks.
If they won't refund the money, I'd be considering legal action to recover it. Do you have anything like a small claims court, like we do in the UK? You have a good case.

 

[MoodyBlues]

I'd like to know how long the subscription has been at this low price, and how long the LA Times had been charging me more than double this price. Then I'd be demanding, at the very least, the lower price subscription. I'd also be wanting a refund of the additional money I'd paid out.

We're on the same wavelength here.

What you were told on the phone is a blatant lie. $7.99 (or $7.96) is not the introductory offer, it is the monthly rate for digital subscription. As stated above, the actual introductory rate is $0.99, for 4 weeks.

Exactly. And that's why I got so frustrated on the phone. I know how to read, and my reading comprehension skills made me an A student in pre-med; it's plain as day that their rate as stated on their Android FAQ page is $7.99. Yes, indeed, a blatant lie.

If they won't refund the money, I'd be considering legal action to recover it. Do you have anything like a small claims court, like we do in the UK? You have a good case.

Yes, we have small claims courts; here in California, I believe the maximum award is $10,000.

I am not, at all, a litigious person...but there's a first time for everything.

 

[lunatic59]

Just a quick question, Moody ... do you only get your L.A. times via digital delivery? or do you get the actual paper delivered to your doorstep? Our local paper will give you a free login if you take the actual paper, but it's more than if you simply subscribe to the online news.

 

[MoodyBlues]

Just a quick question, Moody ... do you only get your L.A. times via digital delivery? or do you get the actual paper delivered to your doorstep? Our local paper will give you a free login if you take the actual paper, but it's more than if you simply subscribe to the online news.

This subscription has ALWAYS been digital-only, which I made clear to them on the phone, even insisting that they look in my account to verify this, which they did. The last time I got the print edition was before the web existed, and I was living in Dallas; I had a mail subscription! But once they went online--which at first was free--I switched. As soon as they began a paid, online-only subscription (pre-Android), I subscribed. Their records don't go back to the '80s, so my old, mail print subscription is not a factor.

 

[lunatic59]

I see ... so if my math is correct, overpaying $12/mo for 30 years works out that they owe you $4,320.00 ... That would make an interesting headline.

 

[MoodyBlues]

I see ... so if my math is correct, overpaying $12/mo for 30 years works out that they owe you $4,320.00 ...

Plus interest?

That would make an interesting headline.

You're not kidding!

 

[Deleted User]

Keep us updated on what you decide to do.

 

[MoodyBlues]

Keep us updated on what you decide to do.

Thanks, I most certainly will!