Wednesday, December 28, 2011

If you subscribe to the NY Times - you might want to cancel to get their secret discount

Just got this email

Dear New York Times Reader, 


You may have received an e-mail today from The New York Times with the subject line “Important information regarding your subscription." 


This e-mail was sent by us in error. Please disregard the message. We apologize for any confusion this may have caused. 


Sincerely,


The New York Times

Which then caused me to go back to my trash and read the previous one:
Dear Home Delivery Subscriber, 

Our records indicate that you recently requested to cancel your home delivery subscription. Please keep in mind when your delivery service ends, you will no longer have unlimited access to NYTimes.com and our NYTimes apps. 

We do hope you’ll reconsider. 

As a valued Times reader we invite you to continue your current subscription at an exclusive rate of 50% off for 16 weeks. This is a limited-time offer and will no longer be valid once your current subscription ends.* 

Continue your subscription and you’ll keep your free, unlimited digital access, a benefit available only for our home delivery subscribers. You’ll receive unlimited access to NYTimes.com on any device, full access to our smartphone and iPad® apps, plus you can now share your unlimited access with a family member.† 

To continue your subscription call 1-877-698-0025 and mention code 38H9H (Monday–Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m.; Saturday, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. E.D.T.). 

This is a service message. You are receiving this e-mail to confirm your New York Times home delivery cancellation. 

*This 50% promotional offer is available for the first 16 weeks. At the end of this promotional period, delivery will continue at the regular rate unless you notify us otherwise. You will be billed or your credit card automatically charged in advance of each 4-week billing period. This offer is valid only in areas served by The New York Times Delivery Service. Prices are subject to change. Offer is subject to additional restrictions or limitations. State and local taxes will be added where applicable. Product availability and price may vary by region. This is a limited-time offer and will no longer be valid once your current subscription ends. Offer is not transferable and is only available to the recipient of this e-mail.

†Mobile apps are not supported on all devices. Does not include e-reader editions, Premium Crosswords or The New York Times Crosswords apps. Book Review and Large Print Weekly subscriptions do not include All Digital Access. Other restrictions apply. 

So apparently if I had cancelled my subscription I would be able to get a temporary discount to restart my subscription.  Well, that is interesting.  Gonna be canceling my subscription soon I think ...

I note - despite the generally excellent writing at the NY Times I am a bit perplexed by the signature suggesting this email was actually coming from the newspaper and not a person in the circulation department ...