Follow-up on Magazine Hype
Dateline 02/02/98
I sent in cards for a couple of contests to see what happened. The follow are the results. It seems the same things are going on now, a year and a half later.
Griffin Daily News, May 1996
I received my BASSIN' magazines as promised by the promotion telling me I had won 2nd place in their contest. All I had to do was to send three dollars to them to get my prize and two "free" issues. Several people had contacted me about this "contest" saying they never received anything.
The magazine is good. The articles are informative and written by well known bass fishermen and writers. Unfortunately, each magazine came with an invoice for more issues and both copies had several cards saying I would get a variety of prizes if I subscribed for more issues. The invoices looked like bills I owed and should pay.
My 2nd place prize this time, the invoices told me, was being processed and would be shipped as soon as I sent in a verification form attached to the bill. The fine print said the prize was "an assortment of discount coupons on a variety of nationally advertised products and services." WOW - I'll get some coupons for second place - if I continue to send in stuff to them.
About a week later I received another "invoice" for more issues of Bassin Magazine that had another contest attached. Above a picture of an expensive reel, a note said if any of my three numbers matched a list on the back, I would win the reel "or a Legal Limits rod ruler." Guess what? I won! No doubt if I sent this invoice in I would get my prize - a little stick-on ruler that goes on a rod to measure fish - the type of thing often given away as a promotion.
I wish Bassin' magazine was worthless. Then I could write off the whole thing as hype. They must think the average bass fisherman is extremely gullible - and maybe we are. We do catch on to a rip-off eventually though. The magazine is good and the Big Bass Contest they sponsor is legitimate. I don't know why they have to do all this to sell it. I guess it works for them.
A call last week from the other magazine hyped by contest, North American Fisherman, told me I was one of the few members selected that might became a lifetime member. It was worded so it sounded like only a few were offered the deal, several hundred dollars for a lifetime membership and an expensive reel as a gift. No doubt every member received the same phone call.
For how I got started in this, go to "Magazine Hype," the weekly feature.
Have you "won" their contest yet? Did you respond? If so, you can also post information about it for others on my message board - you must register to post. Also, if you have a story about your experiences, let me know about it at fishing.guide@about.com. for a "Fishtale"or discuss it in the chat room on Wednesday night at 8:00 EST. Tell others how you keep it working.
Check out Coming Next Week - Next week's column topic, contest prize and new additions to the resources lists.
