San Jose Mercury News - false advertising (fraud)

I bought San Jose Mercury Newspaper for my parents from a promotion that the paper has been running. For a whole year subscription fee of $99, the promotion promises a $40 gift card. My parents started receiving papers and my credit card was charged on 7/19/06; todate I have not been able to get a response from the newspaper regarding the gift card. See below.

Frustrated, disappointed, feeling deceived and ignored by my own local newspaper that I have loyally subscribed to for over the past 15 years, I stopped my own subscription about a month ago as a protest.

As of today, San Jose Mercury News still advertises this promotion. I also see sales people at stores selling the same promotional deal, ie. Lowe's Home Improvement.

https://maxima3.abac.com/mercurynews2/q-shop2/splash_dynmoreoffers_1214.asp?more_offers=SE_discount_1214_1004&cityname=the%20Bay%20Area&offer=SEM110_discount_1214_1004&altoffer=M110&sourcecode=SE&campaigncode=_discount_1214_1004

There is something awfully wrong with what San Jose Mercury News is doing. For one thing, it's absolutely false advertising. Secondly, ignoring its loyal readers is simply a bad practice - especially at a time when readers are moving to the internet for new news, which is what I've done.

Thank you.

Jane Lin-Li

Saratoga, CA

Jane Lin-Li Email User wrote:

Date: Mon, 25 Sep 2006 08:41:07 -0700 (PDT)

From: Jane Lin-Li Email User

Subject: Re: SJ Merc subscription - problem

To: Email User

CC: Jane Lin-Li Email User

SJ Mercury owes me a $40 Target gift card for months now; I have not been able to get a response from any of the numerous emails I've sent. I am quite amazed this is how SJ Merc treats its long-time subscriber. Knowing the paper has and is still going through management changes, but this makes it look even worse. The Chronicle is starting to sound pretty good...

Jane Lin-Li

Saratoga, CA

Jane Lin-Li Email User wrote:

Date: Thu, 31 Aug 2006 08:16:17 -0700 (PDT)

From: Jane Lin-Li Email User

Subject: Re: SJ Merc subscription - problem

To: Jane Lin-Li Email User

With a recent new SJ Mercury subscription using easy pay, I should be getting a $40 Target gift card. Todate I have not received the gift card, nor am I able to get a response from Email User

7/10 - ordered new subscription to be sent to 4767 Parkwest Drive, San Jose, CA 95130

7/17 - emailed Email User for delivery status; no paper had arrived yet.

7/19 - subscription began

7/19 - $99 was charged to my VISA account

8/3 - emailed Email User as to when the $40 gift card would arrive.

8/20 - emailed Email User AGAIN as to when the $40 gift card would arrive.

8/31 - email SJ Mercury Actionline (this email)

Your inquiry into this within SJ Mercury and a response to my email address will be greatly appreciated.

Thank you,

Long-time Saratoga CA subscriber who is now paying for two subscriptions.

Jane Lin-Li Email User wrote:

Date: Sun, 20 Aug 2006 07:12:37 -0700 (PDT)

From: Jane Lin-Li Email User

Subject: Re: SJ Merc subscription - problem

To: Email User

CC: Jane Lin-Li Email User

Hi,

I inquired about the $40 Target gift card on August 3; todate I have had not a response from SJ Mercury. Can you please let me know when I can expect to receive the gift card? I hope I won't have to report this as a marketing fraud to the BBB.

Regards,

Jane Lin-Li

Saratoga, CA

Jane Lin-Li Email User wrote:

Hello,

Shortly after this email, my father began to receive his SJ Merc (started on July 19).

Thank you.

However, when can I expect the $40 Target gift card?

jane

Jane Lin-Li Email User wrote:

Hello,

I registered for the $99 (52 weeks) daily subscription offer a week ago. The last page of the registration said delivery would commence in 3-5 days. Todate, no paper has arrived. The delivery address is: 4767 Parkwest Drive, San Jose, CA 95130

I paid for it with my credit card. I chose the extra paper option and easy pay, and would receive a $40 Target gift card.

Please advise status of this subscription. Thank you.

Jane Lin-Li,

current subscriber at another address in Saratoga

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