I wrote yesterday that The Wall Street Journal’s iPad pricing doesn’t make sense.
The paper will charge $17.99 a month for the app, while it charges less than half that for a WSJ.com subscription and $9.92 a month to have the actual paper dropped on your doorstep every morning (and $11.66 a month if you get both).
But as Jon Greer points out over at Romenesko, the latter numbers are for new subscribers:
You’re using the wrong numbers to compare the two versions — the Journal’s $9,92 a month cost for print is a 12 month teaser rate. then it goes up to $30 a month after that. at least, that’s what i was paying before i cancelled print and stuck to the $79 a year online sub.
I’d thought of that and tried in vain to find the regular rate for the WSJ. But the subscription page I linked to yesterday says this about a print subscription:
Your credit card will be charged $119 annually. Your subscription will renew at the rate then in effect unless you notify us otherwise. You will be notified in advance of any price increases.
So the WSJ says you will be charged $119 a year. But then it says it will be at “the rate then in effect.”
I asked Dow Jones to clarify their pricing and whether the $119 rate is just a one-year teaser. A spokeswoman told me this:
As mentioned, $119 is the introductory price for a print-only sub currently being promoted on WSJ.com. We don’t publicly discuss our pricing strategy, but here’s what I can tell you…
The full price for a print-only subscription as published by ABC is currently $363. But as you know, we have multiple options, with print-only, online-only and bundled subscriptions. Rates may vary based on when, where and how someone signs up…The language addresses the introductory $119 rate for the first year (and the charge as referenced), and then it moves to the “then in effect” rate for the renewal.
That didn’t exactly clarify things. I asked why the WSJ says a subscription costs $119 “annually,” which after all means every year.
All I can give you is what ABC lists as our current full price. Beyond that, we don’t publicly discuss our pricing strategy.
So it’s still unclear whether that subscription you bought for “$119 annually” will come back to nail you for three times as much when it actually renews on the annum. Not exactly Consumer Reports-worthy there. About the best you can say is that the paper says it will notify you if it does go up to, say, $30/month.
Journalism companies ought to hold themselves to a higher standard when it comes to transparent pricing.
I was struck by the summation of this article. "Journalism companies ought to hold themselves to a higher standard when it comes to transparent pricing." I then clicked the Subscribe link below the article. I see no indication of what your prices will be after the first 6 issues. Can you tell me when your rates are going up? How does your marketing strategy differ from that of The Wall Street Journal?
#1 Posted by Clark Wierson, CJR on Tue 6 Apr 2010 at 03:29 PM
I still don't know how much a year to get the damn thing delivered into my driveway.
#2 Posted by Star, CJR on Mon 10 May 2010 at 03:26 PM
I am a subscriber so I can explain this better. First, I should admit that I like the paper content.
Yes, initial price is $119 annually but it changes to quarterly after one/two year (depending on their choice). The issue is you won't be able to notice when they start charging quarterly. Let me explain why.
You will have hard time find out when your credit card is getting charged 3 months earlier (online does not show payment history more than 3 months and most likely you will loose the paper copy).
The quarterly charge is $119 or very close so you would think that you are paying the same price. (you mind will never believe that they could charge 4 times higher without clearly telling you). YES they would abuse your credit card number they have in their possession. + you won't be able to change or remove the credit card number online for future use, unless you call (only way) to stop the subscription.
Their service team is extremely rude when you explain them how you got abused. They will blame on how the system is setup and the advertising firm informed you by mail/email what they charge.
FUNNY right. when the paper will talk about all the corruption done by Enron.
#3 Posted by shafin, CJR on Fri 28 May 2010 at 09:27 AM
I have subscribed to WSJ for the past three years. The first year was $99 as I recall. Then they offered a reup for two years 264.95 which during the term they included the on-line version as well. The two year deal expires the end of the month. Now they want $74.75/Q, or $299/yr. Not entirely clear whether this includes the on-line as well, but I really only want the print version anyway.
I think I'll just let it lapse and become a "new" subscriber again. The I can get a much better deal. Talk about abusing your good customers! I have never seen such confusing stuff for what should be a very simple transaction.
#4 Posted by Jim W, CJR on Fri 9 Jul 2010 at 03:14 PM
Heads up on trick charges: About two weeks ago, we started getting the WSJ stuffed in with our local paper delivery each day. We thought it was a promo of some kind to attract subscribers. Two days ago, a $119 charge shows up on our credit card. We disputed it and called WSJ. WSJ was rude and challenged our claim as if we were lying. Someone set up an AOL account in my husband's name, using our address, but his dad's home number. They had our CC number, but we don't even pay for our local paper with that CC. Anyone can set up a free email acct using your name/address. Whoever this was had to have used his dad's listed phone number (they share same name) Someone went through a lot of trouble to illegally make sure we subscribed. Our warning; if you start getting free copies of WSJ delivered, look for a charge to show up about two weeks later.
#5 Posted by Davenport, CJR on Sat 20 Aug 2011 at 11:11 AM
I have had the exact same problem and I intend not to let them beat me. If all else fails then I plan to let my subscription expire.............read my neighbor's edition for a couple of weeks and then subscribe for the introductory offer which they have to honor, I don't consider this any mor devious than the flim flam thsy are doing
#6 Posted by Don Parker, CJR on Sat 24 Sep 2011 at 12:14 PM
Hard to believe that a newspaper of the WSJ stature would resort to such trick pricing ? I am turned off.
#7 Posted by Imageclass 3200, CJR on Thu 22 Dec 2011 at 10:08 AM
I have been a loyal wsj online version subscriber for decades Every year, the price went up, especially last several years. In jan 2011, my online version was charged at $155 annually. This year, they charged my credit card with $311.48 which shocked me when I open my credit card statement. In their agreement, it says " We may change the fees and charges then in effect, or add new fees or charges, by giving you notice in advance", wsj does not notify any fee increase to their customer. They treat their loyal customer really bad with no perks and only huge price increase. Don't give them your credit card when you subscribe. They will renew at their effective rate(higher fee). Write a check so you have control over the renewal price.
#8 Posted by Sj, CJR on Fri 10 Feb 2012 at 10:52 PM
Just like SJ I was hit by sticker shock when I realized my carefully controlled budget took an unexpected hit on Jan 31 of this year - $259 for WSJ.com and oh BTW we are throwing in access via your iPad and iPhone for free. Firstly how can they charge a separate price for access to the same content from a different device? Does that make any sense? They act like they're doing you a favor.
I cancelled my subscription and demanded a prorated refund of the unused amount. I work at the Library of Medicine and we get a print edition every day that is hardly ever touched so no problem with content. I will miss the online access but like several others above, perhaps I'll wait and resubscribe as a new user.
Incidentally the young woman who took my call was civil. Not exactly polite but not rude either. The WSJ has gone down in quality since Murdock bought it.
#9 Posted by Jesse , CJR on Tue 6 Mar 2012 at 09:06 AM
Sounds like buying an airline ticket, you have no clue what the person sitting next to you paid.
#10 Posted by Mike P. , CJR on Tue 3 Jul 2012 at 07:11 AM
The WSJ's subscription policy is bad business. I just got a renewal notice for $455 per year for print and online. I cancelled after being put on hold for 40 minutes. I inquired about online only and was told $250 year. I have been a loyal subscriber for many years, and while I like the content, I won't pay that outrageous rate. If they offer something better down the road I'll reconsider. Very poor form on their part.
#11 Posted by Kevin E, CJR on Mon 20 Aug 2012 at 09:56 PM
Same deal, loyal customer for many years. Cost increased 66% without notification and auto-billed to credit card. I cancelled. I received multiple phone calls to renew at the higer price. The marketing personnel were extremely rude with their condecending remarks that I was getting a good deal at this price,
I read today in my local paper that the WSJ has the best circulation rate of any paper....they lost me and it appears many others to these sham marketing tactics. I will find a paper that appreciates a loyal customer.
#12 Posted by Nor M., CJR on Wed 31 Oct 2012 at 10:36 AM
How do I get 1 year delivery for $119.00?
#13 Posted by charles kitching, CJR on Wed 14 Nov 2012 at 05:23 PM
I have been trying to purchase a gift subscription for the print only Wall Street Journal. It has been nearly impossible. I tried Bonanza which offered a $189. year subscription and also offered 'Pay with Amazon' where I have an account. Then, when I put in my husband's as the subscriber things really were confused. Now, Amazon thinks I am 'not' who I say I am to use my own credit card. I think this is too much trouble and we will buy it over the counter when the opportunity and mood strikes!
#14 Posted by Joanne, CJR on Fri 30 Nov 2012 at 02:49 PM