Us Weekly now offering “five FREE issues” to outraged readers
Just received from reader Jeff: The latest, desperate plea from Obama’s Palin-bashing backers at Us Weekly magazine to stop the bleeding. (You’ll recall that on Sep 5., I posted the first groveling missive from the rag’s customer service department urging readers to read the smear-filled article before canceling. Oops. Bad advice.)
They are on their knees:
From: US Weekly USWcustserv@cdsfulfillment.com
Date: Tue, 9 Sep 2008 11:17:57 -0500 (CDT)
Subject: Re: cancel subscription (KMM23347217I103L0KM)
To: xxx
Thank you for contacting US Weekly.
We are sorry you are upset over the Governor Palin cover. We do not want to lose you as a subscriber over one article in one issue. In an effort to keep you as a subscriber, we will add five FREE issues to your subscription. Please let us know if you would like us to extend your current subscription rather than canceling our publication.
Thank you,
US Weekly
Cari
***
Previous:
9/2/08 P.D.S. alert: Us magazine’s partisan hit job
9/3/08 The Us Weekly cover you didn’t see
9/4/08 Hey, Obama: Fight the Smears
9/5/08 Us Weekly begs readers to stay
9/5/08 Boycott Us Weekly: 10,000 and counting? Update: Cancellation notice added
9/8/08 What’s on pages 4 & 5 of Us Weekly’s Palin-bashing issue
9/8/08 J.C. Penney blindsided by Us Weekly
See what others have said
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Trackbacks
- US Weekly Offering Free Issues to Readers « Sooshi Soo
- SHHHHH….We’re Not Hacks, We Promise… « Mountain Shout
- KICKIN' AND SCREAMIN'...........
- Desperation | Cold Fury
- Fun With Everything « Countenance Blog
- Oprah pulls an "Us Weekly" and pisses off fans by dissing Palin | The College Politico
- Palin-Bashing ‘Us Weekly’ Offers Free Issues to Stem Avalanche of Cancellations « Publius’ Forum
- Palin-Bashing ‘Us Weekly’ Offers Free Issues to Stem Avalanche of Cancellations : Stop The ACLU
- Left Wing Magazine of the Year: Us Weekly — Kooky Liberals
- American Sentinel » Fighting The Good Fight: Taking On The Obama Media
- US Magazine Faces Backlash Over Palin Smear « The Spagnola Report
- Does US Weekly Regret It’s Sarah Palin Bashing? « Captain Leadbottom’s Blog
- Blatant Anti-Palin Bias in the Liberal Media: A Collection « BUUUUURRRRNING HOT
- miamipress.net | miamipress.net
- Us Weekly now offering “five FREE issues” to outraged readers | Tagroom :) Tagging The World
- Michelle Malkin » PDS Alert: Us Weekly and friends are at it again
- The College Politico » Blog Archive » Oprah pulls an “Us Weekly” and pisses off fans by dissing Palin UPDATE: (many) Others jump on the “Us Weekly” boat
- Sarah Palin Covers ‘Newsweek’ with Shotgun | Bumpshack.com
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Five free issues of a rag that treats you with contempt.
“You have a complaint about your green eggs and ham? I know what’s bugging you … you want a double order! Coming right up!”
5 X 0 = 0
It still ain’t worth nuthin’
If I find a cockroach in my soup, I will not be placated by an offer of additional, free cockroaches.
Hah! Good job to all who cancelled their subscriptions. You sent them a message and hit them where it counts – their profit. I would tell them to take their free issues and use them for the birdcage lining that it is.
I wouldn’t take 5 free YEARS.
I wouldn’t pee on their doorstep if their house was on fire.
Sounds like they are getting desperate. However, why do they require a subscriber to ask multiple times to honor a request to cancel a subscription.
Poor choice of words or writing on the wall? Normally people cancel a subscription, not a publication.Cancel the publication.
“Desperation”, and “Depreciation”.
I love it.
Dear Cari,
Five *free* issues? Isn’t propaganda distributed freely to maximize eyeballs? That’s usually the case with alternative newsweeklies.
I have a better question. How much are you going to pay me to read this trash? After all, a landfill charges you when you take your garbage there. Think about that and get back to me.
Signed,
Your former subscribers
*out*
I love it when a boycott comes together
That’s my question, too, ackvil! I would be absolutely livid if they kept up the hounding when all I wanted to do was cancel!
WAY O/T but does anyone think Biden will take one for the (wrong) team?
Like get really ill and having to back out of the veep spot?
Letting Shillary back in?
Integrity isn’t a dem strong suit.
It seems that they’re offering to do everything EXCEPT print a fair-minded article about Sarah Palin.
Very telling.
They just don’t get it.
Jt3152
LOL
I’d take the five free issues. I wouldn’t want to miss learning whose fashions Michelle O will wear when she’s ashamed of America again.
I’m trying to imagine the meeting of execs at that rag US WEAKLY (not sic) where they decide on five issues to recover from their huge disgrace.
6 too many, 4 not enough? 5 ?
WTF are they thinking?
They should be giving away iphones or something.
It would be interesting to know if someone has had to fall on their sowrd at Us magazine.
I might sign up for an iphone…not!
HA! I nor anyone in my family has a subscriptions to US Weekly. However I sent emails to their sponsors and hope they get the message that I won’t buy their products, as long as they are sponsors of that rag.
Is there any new up-date on how many people have cancelled?
L
Once again they are not listening, and they are trying to stop the bleeding, hoping you will not cancel the second time, they have left themselves and out, and if you don’t send a second letter you will not get your cancellation…
Uh, what topics are going to be covered in the “free” issues –
* Learn how to re-decorate your hut on less than $1/day!
*come along as we help Michelle pick out new china patterns!
*Learn from community-organizer Barack how to pimp out your kids, while pretending you’re not!
Squeezed in between the Benetton and Ben-and-Jerry ads no doubt.
No thanks, I’ll pass.
Bingo.
If you don’t take their 5 free issues, you’re really going to make them mad. You just may be punished with 10 free issues!
This is an odd way for them to act if new subscribers outnumber the cancellations, as we were assured was the case a few days ago.
Hmmm. Wonder if someone was stretching the truth.
Shooter, the wife and I were having that discussion last night. Actually we were thinking it’s not “IF” but “WHEN” it takes place.
Unless of course they let Bubba back on the trail and he tries to torpedo the POTUS spot for Hillary (again).
Hold out for a set of dishes.
Heaven forbid these executives actually focus on the matter at hand. They are in “put out the fire” mode… sad, short term solution-seeking. If they really had the stones, they would take their medicine and print a HUGE retraction, apology, and whatever else they can think of to save their sorry behinds. But even that is too late. It’s awfully hard to look in the mirror after such a hatchet job. But that’s the price you pay for being in the tank for Obambi!
LOL.
I almost want to buy next week’s edition to see if they’ll be an apology.
One second thought, I’ll just do a heavy grocery shopping sometime next week and read it in line.
I checked out at Walmart this morning and saw the rag in various racks. I turned one of them over.
Oh and BTW Great job to the people who canceled, keep it up, it is really hurting…
Do not be tempted to go out and see their response… that’s what they are hoping for. So very sad. I would almost have some pity for them, except they did this to themselves. Tools!
Five free issues of what BrAnglina is having for lunch, where Britany Spears is vacationing, and where Paris Hilton is partying.
I feel my IQ dropping 5 points just thinking about it. No thanks.
Hmmm, let’s see, NO, NO, NO, NO and, (in honor of BHO) uh-uh-uh-uh NO!
in one of jay Leno’s first published books of his now-regular feature “Headlines,” it featured an ad for Ralston Muesli cereal that stated, (paraphrasing) “If you’re not completely satisfied with this cereal, send us the box top, and we’ll send you a coupon for another box.” His comment below it was, “Dear Ralston, I didn’t like it. Please send me more.”
This is more of the same. What a joke. Nice of “Cari” to provide her last name on the missive, too, eh? I’m sure she’s about as real as the Time-Life CD Offer Infomercial operator or the girl depicted in the drawn ad in the back of comic books which proved that an acne medication worked because (as George Carlin pointed out), in the next drawing, there are no more spots!
Those who are regular readers on said magazine may not know that sound in the background… it is a slow, sucking sound of brain cells ebbing away. What’s the old adage about using your brain, use it or lose it?!
Might want to broaden your reading list kiddos.
Seriously. They gambled and lost. Deal.With.It.
Subscribers (former and current) should be calling for individuals at the magazine to be held responsible.
I’d take 5 free issues… of Weekly Standard or National Review or Guns & Ammo, …
Who at this magazine is going to be the fall guy? Anyone…. anyone….
Bueller?
If they’re begging people to stay like this, then it must be a lot.
I wonder if they are willing to run full page ads for Mrs. Malkin in those 5 free issues. Ads for free of course.
Us Weekly editors obviously never understood this joke:
“I didn’t like the restaurant very much; the food was not very good. Besides, the portions were too small.”
Next week’s US cover: Why He’s still her guy Todd Palin: Alaska’s hunky First Dude – Plus, The Governor’s favorite game recipes – AND With 83% approval, What’s She Doing that is Sooo Right?
Yeah, right. When I tell a waiter that the meal is lousy, I don’t want him to bring me 5 more just like it.
It’s not just the cover. It’s what’s on pages 4 and 5 as well. Isn’t it just like a lib rag to assume we can be bought off. Apparently bribes work with liberals (”What are you going to do for me?” attitude.) so the figure it will work on conservatives. Pathetic.
Dumb, It’s called Capitalism US Mag., you might want to take a look at it, you have what they call competition. I am guessing one of your competitors, is going to aggressively take advantage of your stupidity, by putting out an appeal to your old customers. I will be watching at the checkout, to see which mags, have put up a flattering cover and article, on Gov Palin. Too Funny US Mag., putting itself out of business.
I want blood! I won’t be satisfied until the magazine declares for bankruptcy and ceases publication!
Boycott this magazine until they are silenced permanently!
The innocent staff of secretaries and office workers, etc. will find new jobs soon enough.
Stick the knife in and twist it.
Honestly, people on this site should never have even even read once magazines like this, or read/watch Oprah. It’s gossip and other assorted stupid crap, fine for high school but not for adulthood. Who cares about who’s dating whom, or who has the biggest boobs?
If you read US, wrap your head in duct tape or you’ll end up like a Martian listeing to Slim Whitman music.
Translation:
This is rich….”Propaganda! Git yur free propaganda here!” Shades of Gershwin’s Porgy & Bess’ fishmonger…”Cer-raw-da-ids!…” Very appropriate for such bottom-feeders.
Maybe Debbie Schlussel can purchase another subscription to help out. Sorry, but I am still bitter about that.
Since I don’t read this rag, I won’t have much trouble dismissing what they say. Makes you wonder who their actual “devout readers” are. You know the ones…. the Americans in love with celebrity, who must dress their babies just like Brangelina, or who must go pantyless like Britney and Paris.
Here’s two words for Under Served Weekly: DROP DEAD.
The Chief Executive of a major network convenes the meeting. “Our ratings are in the toilet, as you all know. Well, I’ve been doing a little homework and, you know what? They’re right. All our editors are either Left-leaning, or Way Left and our coverage is biased. Starting immediately we are hiring true red-meat Conservatives to co-edit every item we report. We will become truly Fair and Balanced.” **** cue the harp music — scene fades to a bedroom in black & white — “… there’s no place like home, there’s no place like home…” “Dorothy, wake up!”
For too long these media types were free from the consequences of their actions. Now that the American public has had enough, everyone is in appeasement mode. Well, we want reformed mode. Go back to reporting the facts, since I can think for myself!
Notice that they are still not apologizing for what they did, rather they remain only sorry that we are upset. They would do it again in a heartbeat if they thought they could get away with it. Let’s hope they don’t get the chance.
Here’s a phrase to the MSM and Under Served Weekly in particular: You. Suck.
GAME OVER, DUDES.
Some people just can’t take no for an answer…especially liberals. Finally, liberals are leaning that there can be consequences to their warped ideology.
oooo five free issues….wow…what a deal….NOT…I agree with #58 game over you loose…..
Of course each of those 5 issues will be devoted to one of the Palin children.
-Trig Palin’s shocking, neo nazi binky!
-Track Palin…Going to Iraq to campaign for Mom?
-Bristol Palin’s ex best friend “She never returned a pen I loaned her once!”
-Willow Palin…Next in maternity?
-Piper’s lament “No one’s talking about me!”
“Too little too late”
Free magazines are not the issue. They just don’t get it.
I’d never heard of this magazine before MM wrote about it. Its scary to me that so many here say they read this trash. And I’ve never watched an episode of Jerry Springer or Oprah or similar TV. But those of you who subscribe to this trash feel free to take the five free issues, the dump it and tell them why.
Why would any subscriber want more of that garbage?
Why would any subscriber want more of that garbage?
Let us insult you five more times, on us!
But wait a minute. I was under the understanding that for every one subscription that was cancelled, they had at least one new subscriber. If that is true, then why would they continue to refuse to let people cancel their subscriptions? It is not as if they are using millions in advertising dollars as well as subscription dollars. It is a “wash”, right?
And would someone please inform the narcissists at US Weakly (no, not a typo) that when someone no longer wants something, they are not goinng to accept more of that item?
Once again proving without a doubt that Liberals just don’t get it.
Anyone seen the latest poll numbers? Hysterical!!!!
Dear Liberals: Where’s your false god now?
Hey, this smells like it is spoiled. Could you taste it for me?
I’d rather have 5 free rolls of Northern. The content would be roughly the same, but better absorbancy.
Doh!
Should have thought about that ahead of time, maybe.
I wonder how many total subscription cancellations they received. Anybody know?
I don’t subscribe but I’ve been moving their rag behind their competitors at the store.
Now that is sweet justice….screw US magazine….I turn them around backwards in the stores when I see them and having bought them every week prior to this issue I will NEVER buy them again…JERKS!
You reap what you sow!
Oh, I think we can squeeze one more straw into that camel pack…
Reminds me of a line from a great James Stewart movie, Shenendoah. He asked his son-in-law what they should do with the prisoner train, “Burn it”!
Maybe all this PDS/smearing of our Sarah, will result in the burning of all subscriptions to whatever medium rears its biased head!
I just sent this to US magazine:
USWcustserv@cdsfulfillment.com
I would like to subscribe to your magazine.
BUT…first, I want to see a cover with the following:
GLOBAL WARMING CAUSED BY MAN A HOAX!!!!
OBAMA IS A LYING MUSLIM
SARAH PALIN IS AN EXTRAORDINARY MOTHER AND POLITICIAN WHO ACTUALLY REPRESENT ALL THE PEOPLE OF THE UNITED STATES
WE’RE SORRY WE SLIMED YOU SARAH!!!
Anything less and you can kiss your tree killing paper smegmazine goodbye!
5 copies? Only 5 copies? I am sure my pistol can shoot through at least 10.
I went to Wal-Mart today (Tuesday) over my lunch hour. New checkout line magazines were distributed Monday. Most are already sold out (People, Wan;s Weekly, Examner, etc.)
US Weekly had most of their magazines still in the rack.
This was in the “20-items-or-less” aisle; the other aisles had similar stories. People are pretty smart anymore. They’ve gotten wise to the mdia attempts at blatant manipulation.
~~JD~~
This is funny, the media is about to lose this election for Obama. Not looking good for the one!!! Almost a percentage point a day for McCain so far.
Pun fully intended?
If I don’t like eating dog poop…. why would I want 5 helpings of it?????
Oh, I totally want to see a retraction and apology for their lousy judgment. But I’m not going to buy it–five minutes glancing through it at any newstand or bookseller will suffice.
I love how US is, again, requiring angry subscribers to write a SECOND letter to *confirm* that they really mean it.
US knows that at least half of the people who sent the cancellation letter won’t open the response, or won’t take the time to write another letter. It’s a brilliant approach to make soften the blow.
If you are cancelling your US subscription, make sure you say “I don’t want any free copies, I don’t need to ‘confirm’ this – I WANT MY MONEY BACK, AND I WANT IT BACK NOW.”
Or something subtle, like that.
ThunderHawkk said:
A little facetious sarcasm on display there, huh?
No one’s trying to destroy the magazine or it’s employees.The point is that people are tired of this and are not going to roll over and be sanguine with a large circulation ,supposedly non political, lifestyle publication trying to destroy someone’s political career with a misleading ,dishonest cheap-shot hit piece while it coos about and cheer leads the political opponent.
Now you know what US magazine will do if they ever have a contest.
First Prize: One year subscription to US
Second Prize: A two year subscription to US
This is fabulous. between this and MSNBC being referred to as heroin addicts, things are changing.
The left will claim this is censorship (notice it was not censorship when Dr. Laura had her show canceled), but this is the free market at its finest.
They have freedom of speech, and we have the right to refuse their product.
Well done Double-M!
Respectfully,
eric aka the Tygrrrr Express
US Weakly Subscribers:
Leave them on their knees and walk away! You can always thumb through it in line at the supermarket if you are jonesing that badly. If you accept their offer of a whopping 5 free issues, you only betray the shallow nature of your expressed outrage!
Like I told the New York Times after I cancelled my subscription and they tried to bring be back “I WOULDN’T TAKE IT IF YOU PAID ME TO!”
Five free issues? Doesn’t that constitute a spam bomb attack? Shouldn’t someone notify the Postmaster General?
(Meanwhile back in the boardroom at US Weakly, cue Hudson quotes from Aliens)
Hudson: “We’re on an express elevator to hell; going down!”
Hudson: “Hey, maybe you haven’t been keeping up on current events, but we just got our asses kicked, pal!”
Hudson: “Well that’s great, that’s just f$%kin’ great, man. Now what the f$%k are we supposed to do? We’re in some real pretty s$%t now man…”
Hudson: “That’s it man, game over man, game over! What the f^&k are we gonna do now? What are we gonna do?”
Hudson: “Seventeen *days?* Hey man, I don’t wanna rain on your parade, but we’re not gonna last seventeen *hours!”
OT, but is anybody else watching the treehugger takedown over on Fox?
I think the Dixie Chicks can tell you how that works.
They just don’t get it. You complain that you don’t like their leftist attitudes in their magazine, so they decide that you can have 5 more issues. It would be like if I was your neighbor and you complain to me about dumping trash on your lawn. “Oh, sorry, neighbor. To make it up to you, here’s some more trash.” Some really weird people working there.
Heh. Good one.
Yeah but will they pay the toxic waste disposal surcharge?
Nevermind that! How many trees will be sacrificed for those 5 free issues?! How much energy consumed to process the pulp, make the ink, print the pages and transport the magazines?!! Think of the carbon footprint! Oh, the tree-manity!
It really is amazing how much “people power” is on display since Palin was nominated. Us is begging subscribers to stay, Olbermann and Matthews get demoted, the MSM is floundering. I can’t wait to see how much more their readserhip declines. I want to stand up and yell “Suck it you GD elitist bastard$!!”
Sarah Palin is a fraud and a liar and we don’t want crooks and undereducated people like her holding public office.
She is perhaps not a retarded moron like Bush, but she sure is a cunning sociopath.
Prove it.
Oh, edelweiss, the things you say! Silly…
I would tell the publishers of US magazine to stick their glossy crap in their ear.
That’s just me.