How can I wring a refund out of our local newspaper?

May 18, 2010 1:37 PM

I want to cancel my pre-paid newspaper subscription. What can I say to maximize my chances of getting a refund for the remainder of the subscription?

My family currently has a Sunday-only subscription to our local newspaper. The subscription was a gift and is paid through the next ~1.5 years (about $160 remaining, I believe). The paper never was what you'd call a shining example of quality journalism, but over the past few months they've run a series of articles (news, not editorial) the framing of which I find misleading and offensive to a particular group of which I'm a member. I try to read as little of the actual paper as possible, but headlines are hard to miss, and I'm starting to think that the Sunday comics and occasional coupon deals just aren't worth spending my weekends in a haze of indignation. I'd like to cancel my subscription, but only if I can do so without allowing the paper to pocket the outstanding $160.

I was wondering, then, whether anyone could advise me on how to pursue this in a fashion that'll give me some chance of getting the money back. I don't think mid-subscription refunds are part of the paper's official customer policy, but is there some way I can frame the situation that'll encourage them to make an exception for me? Of course, I'd also love the paper to know why I'm cancelling my subscription... but realistically, I don't have many illusions about the impact that information would have. Priority one, then, is to get the cash. Any advice?

posted by Bardolph to Shopping (5 answers total)

You're getting ahead of yourself. Call them and ask them first if they have a policy to refund the unused portion of a gift subscription.

If you don't mind prevaricating, then tell them you're moving outside of their service area, if they don't have a policy one way or the other.
posted by inturnaround at 1:43 PM on May 18, 2010

If you don't end up getting the money back, you could also regift it - change the subscription to be delivered to a local school or a group that promotes literacy.
posted by pocams at 2:04 PM on May 18, 2010

Seconding regifting the subscription to a school or retirement center in the very possible event you don't receive a refund.

Also, I highly recommend that you write a letter to the editor [note the tips offered here]. A single cancellation is a blip, but one voice can raise awareness of an issue to a massive audience of readers who might appreciate your views. Just be sure to take time to position your views with solid reasoning and a strong, but not strident or abusive tone, to improve your chance of seeing your letter in print.
posted by prinado at 2:28 PM on May 18, 2010

You're worrying WAY too much. I just canceled my subscription with my local paper a couple months ago. I told them to keep the balance (it was like $15), but they said they couldn't... They HAD to give me a refund, I had no choice... I suppose for tax or accounting reasons.

Why do you think they wouldn't give you your money back? It's not like you signed a contract with them, did you?
posted by buckaroo_benzai at 2:38 PM on May 18, 2010

Thanks, all! I posted here before calling because (1) I couldn't find anything about refunds on the paper's website, and (2) I thought that if a story was going to be involved, I should get it straight before even starting the process. I'm delighted to find that my concerns were probably premature. Thanks again!
posted by Bardolph at 3:29 AM on May 19, 2010