Friday, June 06, 2008

The Stings Keep Coming

Last year when I was pregnant I did something pretty stupid. And it's something that newly pregnant people do all the time, even optimistic infertile ones. What was this transgression? Well, after having a healthy heartbeat confirmed I relaxed a little, and, apparently, became a little too confident. In addition to signing up online for various pregnancy updates I also ordered a subscription to Fit Pregnancy magazine. By the time the subscription actually made it to my mailbox at the end of the street my pregnancy was done and over with. In fact, I believe that the bill from the last ultrasound came on the same day as the magazine. Ouch. I cried. Then I tried emailing to end my subscription. I even sent a letter via snail mail. The magazine never did stop. Each time I found another one in the mailbox it stung a little less and eventually I quit crying about it and started to just shake my head. Each magazine was added to the others before it on the bookshelf. I just got my last issue in April. I gave them all away to a pregnant co-worker a couple of weeks ago. Finally, it was behind me. Or was it?

Yesterday in the mail I received a big, thick 9x12 envelope. I didn't recognize the return address and couldn't imagine what it might be. Inside I found a letter. From the publisher of Fit Pregnancy. The letter explained that since I allowed my subscription to expire they missed me, and as such, had included a copy of another magazine, Mom and Baby. I didn't cry. But I did shake my head, and even chuckled a little bit, as I resisted the urge to stuff it back in the envelope and mail it back to the publisher along with a surly letter. I realize that the person who made the decision to use this method to retain customers is only thinking of the 95% of pregnant women who will go on to have a real live baby, however, how come nobody ever thinks of those who aren't blessed with a real live baby at the end of a pregnancy? Is it really too much to ask?

16 comments:

  1. I have never had a miscarriage, so I can't "feel" your pain. However, I would have SO sent a letter stating something nasty. ((Hugs))

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  2. How about the coupons for diapers and formula. 2 yrs later I'm still getting them. Of course the coupons change as the baby, I didn't have, might be changing and getting older requiring larger diapers and formula for older babies. It does sting a little less, but the reminder of feeling like a failure lingers. It's not fun and I do relate. Sending you a hug. oxoxo MB

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  3. Mass marketing sucks. I HAVE written detailed letters to get off lists and most of the time it works. For some twisted reason it always made me feel better knowing that someone somewhere was squirming in their seat while deleting my address from the list.

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  4. HUGS. If I was you I might write a quick letter telling them to be sure and remove you from their mailing list...but you know this latest copy might just come in handy when you are holdiing your new arrival in your arms. So maybe you should keep it tucked away somewhere.

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  5. Ouch that is BRUTAL! Chris i am so sorry.

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  6. with my MC I didnt sign up for anything but some how they found out and I also got all those coupons for diapers ect that grew with what age the baby would have been. its a nasty thing to rub it in our faces. But with a subscription, you would think that since you canceled it they could have gotten it right. I would let them know the pain and tears they caused, who knows maybe they will learn so not to cause the next person pain and maybe a free dinner for you and hubby. Sorry for your pain. Blog hugs

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  7. I am so sorry. I had a false positive( in no way am I comparing that to a m/c) and the charting site I was using started sending me emails about what the baby looked like each week and what I will be feeling and such. I tried to cancel it and finally I had to block their site.

    ((HUG))

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  8. SO many people suffer from loss that I'm surprised they're not a little more considerate. It's not like only those of who have trouble conceiving are the ones who miscarry - the rate of miscarriage is not insignificant in the general population either.

    I'm glad you're not taking it too seriously though. :)

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  9. WTF - I would send another letter - and this time gets nasty. That makes me made that after all your efforts, they aren't more understanding.

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  10. I'm sorry you had to deal with this stupidity! I hope that someone does read you letter and takes it to heart!

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  11. Ouch. You would think that they would be particularly sensitive to women who have miscarriages after they sign up and work to get them off the list ASAP.

    Personally, I think a surly letter is needed here - you tried all methods of communication to get them to stop and they are still hounding you!

    You'd be amazed at what you can do with the right words and a little chutzpah.

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  12. What an unpleasant monthly reminder of what could have been. I'm so sorry. *hugs*

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  13. Anonymous8:09 PM

    It is not fair. It is not too much to ask.

    Maybe a letter sent would reduce these sad reminders.

    Thanks for your comment NCLM

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  14. I'm sorry your first letter wasn't read by the company.

    I did the same thing with Parent's Magazine. And I think I signed up for 2 years b/c it was cheaper that way. *rolling eyes at the optimism I had back then* For a while I gave them to my friends, but then they signed up for their own so now they're piling up for "when I need them". Your situation is MUCH harder than mine...at least with adoption I'll be able to use these at some point. I'm so sorry!!! I hope the Mom and Baby Magazine cuts you from their mailing list SOON!!!

    I think it would be a great idea for you to send a letter to the magazine parent company and bring this to their attention.

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  15. Anonymous4:28 AM

    I'd go with the surly letter - might save just one more person from the same sting.

    People just don't think. I wish they would, but they just don't.

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  16. Send a letter! That sort of thing goes right along with Always maxi pads and their moronic ad slogan "Have a Happy Period!"

    It's the last thing you want to read on the sticky back of a pad when you're miscarrying or trying to conceive.

    Visiting from NCLM. :)

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