Renewal Blues

Back when I first started posting the Methuselah Report I remember drafting a mission statement which I have apparently misplaced (I know it's around here somewhere). Anyway, I think one element of the statement might have been to always find ways to shield my readers from life's occasional unpropitious events.  Like scams.  I discovered this one when I recently renewed my subscription to New Yorker magazine and started getting duplicate issues.  When I called to correct this the agent told me one issue was sent to my name without my middle initial and the other one with it.  She assured me that it would be corrected and informed me my subscription would now run through 2026.

WHAT? 

I discovered that anything you renew regarding goods or services from whatever company or organization, the overpayment does not come back to you as a refund but, rather, is added to your account as extended future goods or service. In my case with New Yorker magazine, for god knows how many past years, whenever I got a notice soliciting a renewal, I would send a payment (I know, I know...dumb).  So, over time, I have built up a balance exceeding $600 worth of magazines that might outlive me. 

Obit:...Landers leaves five children, lots and lots of grandchildren and 189 unread issues of the New Yorker magazine.

But, to New Yorker magazine's credit, when I called to protest, subscription agent Rachel assured me they would refund all payments beyond December, 2021.  Good for them.  Good for me.

I suspect some others might not be so honest and even the New Yorker was willing to keep my overpayment and continued sending renewal statements even though I was covered for the the next six years. So, buyer beware.  Don't renew until you get a notice that says, "Our next issue will be the last you receive from your current subscription."