Submitted by Fred on

Newsday Delivery Charge

Categories
Blogging for Money

I was a Newsday carrier (on my bike) when I was a boy and have been a subscriber all my adult life. 

I read it every morning.  I admit it's greatest draw is its Sports Section (former Sports Editor Stan Isaacs was a valued running mate and friend). 

With this as background, I was going through my credit card charges last Saturday when I noticed my Newsday charge was $99.95. The charge stood out like a sore thumb.  I just knew I had never paid that high.  I then checked the (superior) New York Times rate and it was $64. It just didn't add up.  So I immediately called Newsday and registered my complaint.

The courteous Customer Relations person explained that their delivery costs had increased.  I told her of the Times $64 charge and she thereupon agreed to lower the charge to $84.95.   With much hesitation, I put my Newsday history to the side and told her I was considering cancelling my subscription.  She quickly transferred me to the Cancellation Department.  I repeated the above to the Cancellation Rep and he promptly agreed to reduce the charge to $72.45 (it had been 76 previously) and I had the feeling if I pushed him further her would have gone lower. 

There are many lessons here!

Comments

David Abeshouse

I've done the same, and got Newsday down to $45 for 7-day delivery. Maybe I should call again just to see how far this game can go?

Submitted by MarilynGenoa on Thu, 08/24/2017 - 22:14

Permalink
Marilyn Genoa

I am totally embarrassed to admit what I am paying for just a weekend subscription to Newsday because of the price I was being charged for a longer subscription ( that and the amount of newspapers I was recycling ). I have learned another lesson from these blogs. Have you also been successful with Cablevision?

Submitted by Liz_Saldana on Thu, 08/24/2017 - 22:27

Permalink
Liz Saldana

Companies should value their long-standing customers; but they don't. Look at the phone companies. They offer new customers all kinds of deals; but don't give their current customers the same consideration. I once negotiated a deal with Verizon or AT&T, I don't remember which is was. I think it's time for me to do it again. :)
Daniel Schwartz

Any on going subscription tends to be open to negotiation. Threatening to leave is the usual "push" to lower the price, even if just a bit. Cable companies are tough as they will rather through extras in (like DVR capable box, or primium channels for a short time) than go lower, but often will. Something is better than nothing. You just have to ask.

Submitted by Fred on Thu, 08/24/2017 - 22:54

In reply to by MarilynGenoa

Permalink
Fred Klein

Now that's a good idea

Submitted by Judy_Mauer on Thu, 08/24/2017 - 22:58

Permalink
Judy Mauer

I often find i've been charged for months for stuff at a rate I didn't recognize - because I don'r scrutinize my bill.

Submitted by RobertOlivari on Fri, 08/25/2017 - 00:07

Permalink
Bob Olivari

Isn't it obviously counter productive to increase charges and fees and expect print newspapers to survive ? And to slip in raising fees,which turnout to be negotiable, without notice is just a horrendous business practice; it discourages customer loyalty

Submitted by SoniaSaleh on Fri, 08/25/2017 - 00:10

Permalink
Sonia Saleh

I called Verizon for my cell to ask about my bill and they lowered it by $4 a month and gave me 5 GB of data a month.

Submitted by Fred on Fri, 08/25/2017 - 03:19

In reply to by RobertOlivari

Permalink
Fred Klein

We were spoiled by Old School

Submitted by Fred on Fri, 08/25/2017 - 03:20

In reply to by SoniaSaleh

Permalink
Fred Klein

Maybe there's a business here
Corey Bearak

I get it on line only $3.95.
I miss the days of the newsboys.
I canceled two other home delivery subscriptions as they come too late, especially during the week, and modified two others to weekend only (and even then sill come kind of late).

Submitted by NeilHollander on Fri, 08/25/2017 - 06:43

Permalink
Neil Hollander

I delivered the Long Island Press as a kid . A guy with one leg would drop off my day's supply of papers about 3 PM . They smelled fresh off the press which they were . I would immediately smell the fresh ink on the newsprint and luxuriously scan the sports section on my front lawn sometimes in the freshly cut grass . The seasons flew by . Spring training in Ft. Lauderdale with the Yankees . Sam Huff's tackles against the Colts and Johnny Unitas. Bob Cousy's driving to the hoop at the Garden . I'd finish reading and fantasizing and smelling the ink just as the Mr Softee truck would drive by . Licking my lips I would drive off on my Schwinn with a basket loaded with papers folded just so . The better to toss the paper on the fly . On collection days the process was slowed considerably as I actually had to get off my bike and ring the front doorbell . " Collect ! " I would say . Sometimes I'd get lucky and a pretty mommy would answer the door in just a towel . That's where it all began . I rated the mommies 1-10. I still do .

Hollander Sends
Cayce Crown

Paying attention is more crucial than ever. I got my office rent increase cut in half just by asking. Keep breathing and raising consciousness.

Submitted by Michael__Appell on Fri, 08/25/2017 - 13:13

Permalink
Michael Appell

Don't pay it and it very well might keep coming since ad rates are based upon circulation. Give it a try

Submitted by Fred on Fri, 08/25/2017 - 22:01

In reply to by Michael__Appell

Permalink
Fred Klein

Interesting approach
Rona Gura

I wanted to be a paper "boy." My parents told me that's a job only for boys.

Add new comment

Restricted HTML

  • Allowed HTML tags: <a href hreflang> <em> <strong> <cite> <blockquote cite> <code> <ul type> <ol start type> <li> <dl> <dt> <dd> <h2 id> <h3 id> <h4 id> <h5 id> <h6 id>
  • Lines and paragraphs break automatically.
  • Web page addresses and email addresses turn into links automatically.