Cancelled

So, I got a post card in the mail today telling me sorry, but a magazine to which I subscribed was no longer being published as of this month- but not to worry- they had taken it upon themselves to choose another magazine for me, and the balance of my money was being transferred and I should start receiving this new magazine any old day now.

Excuse me?

An examination of the offending post card gave me no contact number (imagine my shock)- simply a P O Box somewhere in Florida.

Feeling my investigative juices starting to flow....I began.
Digging out an old copy of the now defunct publication, I did indeed find a phone number (let me state here, by the way, that the customer service website was "down for repairs"....uh huh.....)
The first call got me a very pleasant young man named Rob who told me in no uncertain terms that there was absolutely, positively nothing he could do for me- but here was an 800 number I was free to call.

I cut Sir Rob some slack since my unfortunate post card proclaiming the end of my mag probably translated in to a pink slip for him.

Undaunted, I called the 800 number, where Rob assured me I would find a humanoid and- after pressing 0 many times to by-pass the rather insulting recording (do they really think I do not know there is a website with "all my answers") I make the vocal acquaintance of Ms. Brenda. I explain to Ms. Brenda that, with all due respect, I do not want her magazine. Ms. Brenda pulls up my account- which is already in her hands with all my information including my credit card even though I have never authorized their having it!) and after enough information to clear me for a State Department credential, somewhat grudgingly says that my $19.95 refund will be at my door in 3-4 weeks. I thank her, and think to ask for some sort of confirmation number before we take life down our separate paths.

Sigh of relief.
I mean, you have to get a bit of control where you can, right?