Lindt Chocolate offer with SHE magazine: it's a scam

freegenie

I phoned this afternoon, and they said they still had straighteners

Why do you not cancel your current subscription based on your "horrible experience" with them this time, and then turn around and quickly snap up a January one with the straighteners?

Just an idea

mademoiselle wrote:

I'm pleased that you and others got the chocolates, kimnhol, but it makes me even angrier that I didn't!! I actually responded to a mailer on an insert in a magazine - and applied online, within a day or so of first seeing the thread here on MSE. So I applied in good time.

What makes me so suspicious is that the hair straighteners, offered as an incentive in the January 2007 issue, are already 'not available'. How fair (or honest!) is that?

mademoiselle_2

freegenie wrote:

I phoned this afternoon, and they said they still had straighteners

Why do you not cancel your current subscription based on your "horrible experience" with them this time, and then turn around and quickly snap up a January one with the straighteners?

Just an idea

That's a really good suggestion, Freegenie! I wish I had thought to check availability, before placing an order.

Unfortunately I am totally fed up with the company after this experience and no longer trust them, or want their product - they definitely told me that the hair straighteners were "no longer available". As Sammyy said, they seem to say lots of different things and are inconsistent.

I wasn't mistaken about the hair straighteners, I asked twice about them, and was told that. I had a long conversation with subscriptions, and checked carefully what they were offering!

freegenie

Sounds like you're getting the run-around (I've just had a similar thing happen with Good Housekeeping through Amazon, Grrrrrr!)

Good luck with it all, whatever you end up doing

Horasio

mademoiselle wrote:

I am absolutely furious!

I took out a subscription with SHE magazine after receiving a mailer that promised an introductory 'gift' of a casket of Lindt chocolate ("worth £30"). I subsequently noticed that there was a thread on here about the offer; so obviously, a lot MSE'ers were interested in what sounded like a good offer - nice chocolate for Christmas for the kids, etc.

Prepare to be disillusioned! I have today phoned the subscriptions dept, as, guess what, the chocolate didn't arrive. The operator I spoke to was smoothly practised in his patter: they were 'so sorry', the stocks were 'exhausted'; and they 'would be' writing to disappointed subscribers to offer an 'alternative'.

Having taken him to task for about 15 minutes, and questioned him thoroughly, do you want my interpretation of this?
- they deliberately print these misleading mailers, knowing full well that most people will be disappointed, but what do THEY care, they have garnered a subscription.
- If you don't phone to complain, I strongly suspect that you will receive NOTHING.
- If you DO phone, they offer cheap 'alternatives'. I was offered some Charles Worthington shampoo, or a Good Housekeeping cookery book. Neither are of anything like the quality of the original gift offered.
- I noticed that this month's issue is offering a different subscription enticement - a set of ceramic hair straighteners. Hell, I even posted an item about it! *furious* But guess what? No, that 'could not be offered as an alternative'. I strongly suspect that they, like the chocolate, never existed (or if they did, were limited to a handful of sets that they give away as a loss leader).

I want people to know that this is in my opinion a COMPLETE AND UTTER SCAM. National Magazine Company are cynically peddling their subscriptions with offers of expensive gifts that will never be honoured.

DON'T BUY THEIR SUBSCRIPTIONS!

My next port of call will be Trading Standards.

:mad: :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad:

They sound like a/holes:mad: :mad:

Seeing things like this written by unscrupulous people makes me so mad!!

sammyy

Just to add when I phoned them which must have been about two weeks ago now,I asked about the straightners as I didn't think they sounded like too bad an alternative and they told me that they had no stock!!!

lewt

mademoiselle wrote:

You may classify my remarks as a moan - your prerogative.is it thanks for letting me know Some people get off on criticising others on these threads; I don't carewhy answer then?:rolleyes: . Personally, I don't like replies with poor spelling and textspeak; but it takes all sorts to make a world

Soz, mayb i'll try harda in da future:D

LittleBill

Seakay wrote:

Thank you for letting us know; perhaps you could remove the other post that you refer to so that people who miss this warning aren't taken in?

The post of which you are referring contains a first post update on the current situation with this promotion and therefore should not 'be removed' ... many MS'ers have already received their gifts and others are waiting for the next dispatch of stock which was due on Monday 18th ...

belleooo

kimnhol wrote:

I received the box of chocolates as promised about a week ago, really nice selection but they havent actually made it to christmas. :embarasse Im sure they will keep to there word and offer an alternative.

I also received the chocs and have allocated some as gifts. Will probably eat the rest.

claire_bargains

Hi guys -
Mademoiselle - I can understand how annoyed you are. I have been disappointed several times on the "free gift" offered if you order something in some catalogues.... fair play, some are good, but some are right so-and-so's.

Essentially, I feel that these people running catalogues/magazines etc have no right to offer a free gift without clearly stating (and by that, I don't mean in a tiny font at the bottom of a page) if there are limitations to the availability of the free gift. I am with you on the suggestion that most people won't just order a subscription unless the free gift catches their eye.

One of the catalogues before now have sent me at least three reminders saying my special gift is there with my name on it, but if it is sent for, hey - I get a replacement. Needless to say, if they do that to me, then it's very rare for me to re-order!

I also think that even if they are not legally obligated, then they should feel morally obligated to at least offer a gift of equal value or the opportunity to cancel their subscription if they let them down....

I've had my rant now! Hope everyone has a lovely Christmas!

Lola23

belleooo wrote:

I also received the chocs and have allocated some as gifts. Will probably eat the rest.

I received my chocs last week too and thought that's brill..some extras to put in with presents.....Where are they? Still in the box cos look so good don't know what ones to give away + the lovely little Xmas book.

Sorry for poster not getting their gift..I'd be mad too.




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