A magazine publisher has written to me to offer me a free bottle of car polish if I take up their offer of 6 free issues of their car magazine, after which I can subscribe to the magazine or cancel the direct debit. I would like the car polish but I don't really want the magazine. Is it ethical for me to take them up on their offer knowing full well that I have no intention of subscribing after the 6 free issues?
2006-11-27 09:23:03 · 8 answers · asked by Archie W 2 in Social Science ➔ Other - Social Science
Yes of course it is. They fully intend to give you the free gift and know that you could cancel, however, they exist because most people are too lazy / busy to bother cancelling and will end up maintaining their subscription as they get so used to receiving the magazine and cannot be bothered to cancel.
You are not promising to subscribe for life. The publisher is making money out of this, or else they wouldn't do it. Get the polish, then cancel the subscription, it's the risk they take!!!
You should definitely not feel guilty about this one, but is very admirable that you even considered it!
2006-11-27 09:28:00 · answer #1 · answered by Caroline 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Are you being unethical taking up an offer that is basically going to lose someone money?
Well, only if that were the case. However, the publisher is effectively taking a gamble that more people will not cancel the subscription and they will therefore make money. I supect they would not do so if this were not the case and they no doubt build in the cost of a few magazines and some polish when they calculate the cost of the subscription.
Therefore, so long as you recycle the unwanted magazines and don't put them in landfill, only polish your car and don't waste water washing the thing, bicycle to work and dispose of the empty polish tin responsibly, you may have a clear conscience.
2006-11-28 17:15:12 · answer #2 · answered by Nobody 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No, it is not ethical. If you know for sure that you won't continue the magazine subscription and that you're only subscribing to the free trial to get the car polish, it's taking advantage of someone to get something you want. You're getting something under false pretenses.
Bad Karma, my friend! Buy your own car wax.
2006-11-27 17:50:41 · answer #3 · answered by dashelamet 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Ethics do not have anything to do with it. They are offering you a free gift hoping it will grab your interest enough to read their magazine and subscribe.
2006-11-28 00:28:19 · answer #4 · answered by fluffybunny 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
sod ethics when free stuff is involved! to be honest you'll probably forget to cancel your membership and end up paying for the polish 5 time over- do you think they'll worry about the ethics then!
2006-11-27 17:28:18 · answer #5 · answered by DS12221 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's called a free gift.
2006-11-27 20:28:32 · answer #6 · answered by IElop 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
no its their deal and youre accepting it but be careful to write cancel on the bill cuz they will try to get you to subscribe
2006-11-27 17:44:20 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
ethically you can because you are not violating any right.
2006-11-27 17:28:30 · answer #8 · answered by Abbas 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋