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Do you approve of "How Stereophile Market itself"?

I was moderate subscriber to Stereophile over that last two years or so, but recently cancelled my subscribtion around Dec of 2001. Like most ex-subscribers I received many junk mail about renewing my subscription, but never thought much of it.

Yesterday, I received a letter from the National Credit Audit Company (NCAC), stating that they were collecting on behalf of Stereophile. This frustrated me because I had already cancelled my subscription and haven't received new copies for months. I initially thought it was a timing issue or some clerks at Stereophile forgot to cancel my subscription and now my credit history will be affected by all this. It wasn't until I called NCAC, dealt with the annoying automated operator, then realized that it was just another ploy to get me to sign up for another subscription. NCAC went further to state that they're a normal credit collector and will not report or make any contact to the credit report people. I can't believe Stereophile would steep so low with this type of marketing ployed. Any of you ever experienced this frustrating ordeal?
3chihuahuas
dac245
3 posts
 
I too decided to let my subscription run out. Even at 12 dollars per year it is not worth it. The quality has gone way down hill, and selling my info to junk mailers did not make me to happy either even with repeated requests not to. I think more people are seeing the light and they no longer carry the weight they used to.
blkadr
739 posts
 
I had a similar experience with LISTENER. I accepted their offer to send me a free copy. About two weeks later I recieved the same copy I got the coupon out of. I didnt respond and verify that I wanted to subscribe. First came the reminder notes, one after another. Then came threats concerning my credit. I got the CNAC letter (or something like it). I liked the mag and might have tried it if they hadnt sent me the copy I already bought. Bad marketing, even if the threats scare you, who wants to give money to someone who would do you like that?
lazarus28
339 posts
 
you know, the guy who founded stereophile recently jumped ship and joined TAS because he couldn't stand what stereophile had become.
brulee
564 posts
 
I just received my March issue of Sterophile. I really enjoyed the 2 page BMW ad. I will not renew to this mag unless Mr. Holt returns. With all due (dog) respect to Mr Atkinson, I think the mag would be better served if he would quit listening to how a component measures. When Mr. Atkinson retires, I might think about renewing to Stereophile. No disrespect meant to those who feel that how a speaker, amp, or whatever measures is of importance. IMO, this is meanless. Hook it up and see if you like it. I can't think of a better way to do it.
Dear Cluless, you are anything but cluless. Well said.
stokjoc
43 posts
 
In spite of the many faults that Stereophile has it still represents the strongest voice of "high end audio." In that exalted position they can still represent our viewpoint and command respect from the Sony's and Phillips of the world who care little or nothing about good audio reproduction. A case in point is the new watermarking fiasco that threatens to ruin all future recordings. A loss of Stereophile could well mark the death knell of our hobby as we know it. Our replacement would of course be the black hole called audio/video. That shift of power would distroy any incentive manufacturers might have to produce products for our needs . Stereophile may be a highly flawed publication but it is our last and best hope for survival.
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