San Luis Obispo Telegram Tribune Increases Digital Subscription to $311.99/year

[rsutter]

Hello All,
I have subscribed to the San Luis Obispo Telegram Tribune since 1984.  Over the years, the paper has gradually limited its service and increased its rates.
Last year my annual subscription cost about $170.

Imagine my surprise when my autorenewal on 09/14/24 came to $311.99
I immediately called Customer Service at (800) 288-4128 to advise them of the billing "error" only to learn that the new annual subscription rate was indeed $311.99.

Stunned, I told the agent to cancel my subscription immediately.

She explained that since I was a long-time customer, she would offer me the discounted rate of $189.99

I value my local newspaper and want to support it so I agreed to the "discounted" rate. 

Yes, the Telegram Tribune offers a teaser subscription rate of $89.99 for one year.  After that, the rate is $311.99 per year

I fear that the current pricing structure will fail, causing the Tribune to lose customers and revenue

Ralph Sutter

[rsutter]

Hello Again,
The day after I renewed my Telegram Tribune subscription, I received an e-mail from them with a download link for a $50 gift card.
Suspicious that the e-mail came from them, I phoned the office who confirmed that the offer was legitimate.  The gift card, from Anycard.net offered me three pages of choices for the gift card.  I opted for a Walmart card.  Supposedly, that card will be e-mailed to me by the next day.
Ralph Sutter