Sunday, June 28, 2020

Entities that apparently don't need my money (and one that does)

I subscribe to a number of news outlets and had planned on adding the Wall Street Journal to that list today. Unfortunately they don't appear to need my money. When I tried to subscribe I was told I needed to create an account. No problem. That's pretty standard and I filled out the name- email- chosen password and clicked "continue." It then went to a screen informing me that my email did not match any known accounts. It had a link to create an account which I clicked on and went through the entire process again... with the same result. I played around on their website for a while trying repeatedly to create the required account without any success. After about twenty minutes of this my patience was exhausted and I clicked on their customer service link with the intent of messaging them that their website was denying them a paying subscriber. But, as I am sure you have already guessed... you have to have an account to message their customer service department.

In the unlikely event that anybody from the WSJ reads this post, I would like you to know that I just donated the $130 I was going to spend on your twelve month basic digital subscription to the Salvation Army. And honestly, I feel pretty good about that.

Thank you.

3 comments:

Deacon Nicholas said...

John, I agree the WSJ interface leaves a lot to be desired. We're subscribers and still like the journal despite the glitches. I recommend you send your complaint to support@wsj.com and also to support@email.dowjones.com.

John (Ad Orientem) said...

Thanks Deacon Nicholas. But I'm not worrying about it. I was admittedly a bit put out at first. But when I said that I was happy with my response, I meant it. I feel good and have moved on (as has my money).

James the Thickheaded said...

I have subscribed to the WSJ since 1980... still do. Always reliably to the right of Attila the Hun, it is very much less what it used to be a generation ago. Rupert Murdoch news ain't all that focused on relevancy. Financial Times long ago replaced it as the financial paper of record in many (not all) cases and kept the WSJ's original bent toward business and economics. FT's editorial board leans the other way - much like the Economist, but it less parochial, more plugged in, and more useful.

Salvation Army is a better outlet for your funds.