Have you ever fallen into the trap of buying something from Readers’ Digest? I used to quite like this little magazine – perfect size for slipping into my purse to read when travelling to and from the office. We also bought the condensed books from time to time. And although I haven’t even seen a copy of the magazine or bought one of their books for many years somehow I am on their prize-giving list.
As I haven’t bought anything from RD and certainly not online, I can only think that somebody from whom I have purchased an item has shared my information with them. Is this legal? I thought one had to opt in to receive emails, but here I can’t even opt out. I have tried unsubscribing on several occasions without effect. I can’t get off their list.
Every so often I hear that I am only one of twenty, thirty, fifty or whatever magic number, to be in with the chance to win BIG; up to $500,000 is on offer. And often a car – what colour would I like, which of the three cars on offer can I win, and if I just scratch the pad I will see which car I am likely to win..if only I purchase a series of CDs books or whatever.
Today’s email subject was the title of this blog and just enough to pique my interest. Normally I just delete the email without even opening it but today I thought I would see just what was on hold for me. When I opened it I found “You stand to forfeit a share of up to $215,000 if the entry claim number printed above is not activated and you fail to register your entry in time… the first draw for $15,000 closes on 30th June.”
Not only that but “Your chance to win comes along with an exclusive privilege to send for the most talked about television series of the moment, now an exclusive Collector’s DVD collection available ONLY from Reader’s Digest.”
And further “This is an exclusive BY INVITATION-ONLY offer. ” How could I resist and miss the opportunity to purchase this DVD collection and miss out on my share of the prize?
My response is No Thanks and please stop bugging me. If I am bugged on the phone in this way I can just simply put down the phone if they don’t get the message. But what is it with Readers’ Digest that they don’t get the message.
And another rant is ended with this apposite quote from Og Mandino, author of “The Greatest Salesman in the World“
My days of whining and complaining about others have come to an end. Nothing is easier than fault finding. All it will do is discolor my personality so that none will want to associate with me. That was my old life. No more.
As we say here in NZ/Aotearoa “Yeah, right!”.
I choose how I will spend the rest of my life 