My newest technology issue (actually this is a techie issue, not with the technology itself): I have for years bought Car magazine at the news stand. This is an expensive magazine ($10.99) published monthly in the UK. I used Barnes and Noble discount coupons to bring the price down considerably, but they no longer allow coupon discounts on magazines. Bye-bye B&N.
I went online and bought a DIGITAL subscription to Car for my tablet at less than 1/2 the retail price. This required that I "create an account" for my new DIGITAL subscription. Name, email address, password....no problem. But then they asked for my "customer number". It says, "The customer number will appear on your PRINTED magazine address label."
Once again, I bought a DIGITAL subscription. I don't have a PRINTED magazine with an address label to reference. Without a customer number, no account can be created. No account, no sign-in, no DIGITAL subscription to read. *beating head against wall*
I fired off an email to Car magazine customer service. "Oh, we're so sorry for the inconvenience. This was purchased through iTunes, so go to your settings, then 'iTunes & App Stores', then 'manage subscriptions'. Enjoy!"
Nope, nothing. They still require you to create an account in order to read a DIGITAL subscription, and this requires a "customer number", no exceptions. Another email sent, which they promise will be answered within 3 business days.
All I want is my customer number. Does this require a meeting of the publisher's Board of Directors? Am I the first person to ever buy a DIGITAL subscription to Car magazine? Nobody's ever said anything before now?
This confirms what I've said for a long time: Nerds can do amazing things with bits and bites, but they don't have the sense to pour pee out of a boot with the instructions on the heel.
This is so ridiculous it's comical. :)
S
