Screw the Chronicle

[gridlore]

Since moving down here, the delivery price for the Chronicle nearly tripled. So, at Kirsten's suggestion, I cancelled the subscription.

Then the calls began.

Special offer this! 20% off! 50% off! Sundays free!

What part of I cannot afford to pay for the newspaper when food is a dicey proposition most weeks is not getting through to these clowns? The one I just had is a classic. I swear on a stack of Traveller books that I started out polite as could be explaining that with my current situation, there was no way to afford home delivery. Then, ignoring what I had said, she started with the specials. "Look," I cried in frustration "I've been out of work for well over a year. I've cancelled the cable, I can't afford meat more than one day in three, and I simply cannot afford to have some jerk decide to lose my paper every few days! I already read most of the news on the free SFGate site anyway."

I swear, this is exactly what she said to me. "So Douglas, you can afford the net but not the newspaper?"

The phone came down on the cradle with considerably less force than I really wanted to give it. Smashing the farking thing to bloody bits would have felt good.

To begin with, where the hell does she get off calling me Douglas? I don't know her. Mr. Berry or Sir will do nicely if you want to sell me something. Secondly, the net connection gives me immeasurable benefits, available 24 hours a day, over a newspaper delivered once in the morning. This is my connection to my friends. And the net costs less that the newspaper!

So, when I am gainfully employed, I will not be resuming my service with the San Francisco Chronicle. They just lost one of the last of a dying breed, people who prefer newspapers to news on palms or computer screens. I shall take great glee in composing the letter to the Chronicle telling them this.

Hell, maybe they'll give me six free months.

Comments

[kengr]

If they call again, tell them to place you on their do not call list. *When* (not if, from the sound of things) they call you again, you can collect quite a bit from them.

[twfarlan.livejournal.com]

Please make sure not to mail the letter by postal mail. Use Email. Get that point across.

Also, if you got that woman's name, make sure you pointed out her rudeness. I hate seeing rude people get away with things like that.

[aurictech.livejournal.com]

What's your opinion of the San Jose Mercury News (http://www.bayarea.com/mld/mercurynews/)?

[gridlore.livejournal.com]

I've been wandering down to the corner to get it. It's the paper I grew up with, and used to deliver. It is actually a better paper in many ways, especially with its focus on the lives of those of us at the bottom of the bay. (Don't laugh, that's what the Santa Clara Valley is called commonly.)

So when I get the funds, I'll probably get a subscription with them.