American Express and its sleazy marketing: Executive Appointment Book
I received a note saying I was ‘approved’ ‘FREE’ for a 2 executive appointment book that are valued at $27.99 and $14.99. I was thrilled. Then I saw a $5 shipping charge. okay, not bad. Than in very fine print, it caught my eyes: It said they will ’KEEP mailing’ these 2 to me every year at the PREVAIING RATE UNLESS I called to cancel. Isn’t this scumbag technique? I called a friend and he said he got ripped off last year when he did that and got billed and he did not even realize the fine print. Readers, what do you say to these?
Don’t believe in freebies . I knew that just didn’t expect this from American Express. They did disclose but fine print, way at the bottom of the note and laid out well in enticing words ”approved’, ‘free’, ‘limited time offer’, ‘valued at’. Fellows, it costs less than 50 cents to make these in china and does not cost $5 for shipping. So think before you mail it in.
There are a boatload of offers like this, all over the place. Anyone who doesn’t read the fine print gets burned. That said, in THIS world, anyone who doesn’t read the fine print is a fool.
Far worse are the offers that come with credit cards offering some “membership” scheme to save you money on some particular type of purchase for the “low price” of, say $12.95/month. And the first month is FREE! You can cancel any time in the first 30 days and “no obligation”! If you don’t cancel – or if they fail to act on your cancellation – you’re stuck paying for a ripoff. The programs are written so the last couple of months in a year are worthless if you plan on cancelling at the end of your “annual” membership.
And don’t get me started on “credit protection” for a fee based on your outstanding balance.
The point is to get you to open your wallet to them. They figure most people won’t take the time to cancel, or will forget.
Hey, those appointment books are mostly OK. The s&h price beats Target, and I’ve never had a problem with canceling as soon as I get the book. Buyer Beware, though. THIS year I don’t think I’d trust anyone that far.
Linda
October 11, 2008
how is this a scumbag technique? If anything, people like myself fine the convenient of not having to renew my subscription every single time. If you dont want it anymore then just cancel it. How hard is that really?
Anonymous
January 13, 2009
They’re all doing that these days. The latest for me was Readers Digest. It’s called ‘automatic renewal’ and it’s in the fine print. If you’re not aware you’ll get not-so-nice mailings to send money.
LadyBabs
August 20, 2009
I’m glad I did a search on this “free” offer which I also received. I was looking for more pictures to see the actual pages but found this. Sure enough, when I looked more closely, I saw that part telling that they will automatically send it and bill you every year. Thanks for the warning. The offer is going straight into the recycling bin. Pretty sleazy for AmEx!!
Gayle
September 18, 2009
I receive the same offers from American Express. The marketing is plainly stated if you read through the modest flier they send with the offer. I would not refer to it as fine print as it is normal text clearly positioned within the offer and not at the bottom in small print. You should ALWAYS read through an offer before you take advantage of it. This offer is not for everyone but there are no tricks and no sleazy marketing ploys invoved.
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October 13, 2010
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