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General => The Common Room => The Lighter Side => Topic started by: ambers on Tuesday 01 July 08 01:23 BST (UK)

Title: Ancestry Email ...20% off for lapsed members
Post by: ambers on Tuesday 01 July 08 01:23 BST (UK)
I have just had an Email from Ancestry offering me 20% off because they had noticed I hadn't re-newed my subscription, and asking the reason why I had left :-\

I had to change Bank Accounts because my details had been compromised, and got the new card in the nick of time to re-new it....... now I wish I had left and got it cheaper ::).

There was a bit at the end of the Email saying ignore the message if I had changed account details, but surely they could be more efficient that.

Ambers

Title: Re: Ancestry Email ...20% off for lapsed members
Post by: Barbara F on Tuesday 01 July 08 10:58 BST (UK)
Ambers

I had a similar email which has left me totally confused as I renewed my subscription in May and my account shows that I am sigend up until May 2009.

I have emailed for an explanation.  I did wonder whether this was a scam?

Barbara
Title: Re: Ancestry Email ...20% off for lapsed members
Post by: Jean McGurn on Tuesday 01 July 08 15:50 BST (UK)
I got the same e-mail but as I pay three monthly I wondered if it was a general one that goes out to all.

Having said that it did remind me to amend my c.c. as it ran out yesterday so I have updated the info.


Jean
Title: Re: Ancestry Email ...20% off for lapsed members
Post by: ambers on Tuesday 01 July 08 17:49 BST (UK)
It confused me also because I had re-newed mine in May, never thought about it being a scam though.

I bet if I had tried to log in one night after my subscription hadn't been re-newed, they would have refused me. I think their accounts system must be in the same state as their Transcriptions. I must have corrected about  thirty in a week, never mind the time it took me to find the people ::)

Like most Companies they don't offer anything off for being a loyal member though!

Ambers.
Title: Re: Ancestry Email ...20% off for lapsed members
Post by: Evie on Saturday 05 July 08 21:47 BST (UK)
Hi

Just browsing and saw your posting. Don't worry it's not a scam. I had let my ancestry subs lapse in the hope they would offer me some incentive to return. They didn't so I rang them up 30 May and asked for a loyalty discount. They offered me 10% off which I accepted then the same day I received the same e mail as you guys offering 20% off. I rang them again and with no hesitation they cancelled my membership and then renewed it at the 20% off fee. No problem. I know next year I will be ringing for my discount. :)

Evie
Title: Re: Ancestry Email ...20% off for lapsed members
Post by: ambers on Saturday 05 July 08 21:57 BST (UK)
Hi Evie,

Good thinking on your part, glad to hear that you got the 20% discount ;D
Trouble is they have now got my new bank details to automatically re-new every year.

Ambers
Title: Re: Ancestry Email ...20% off for lapsed members
Post by: lookingforold on Saturday 05 July 08 22:01 BST (UK)
Hi Evie,

Good thinking on your part, glad to hear that you got the 20% discount ;D
Trouble is they have now got my new bank details to automatically re-new every year.

No Prob. If you pay by DD and don't want to continue, just cancel the DD with your bank.
Title: Re: Ancestry Email ...20% off for lapsed members
Post by: Evie on Saturday 05 July 08 22:09 BST (UK)
Hi Evie,

Good thinking on your part, glad to hear that you got the 20% discount ;D
Trouble is they have now got my new bank details to automatically re-new every year.

Ambers

Yes they had my credit card details too but I put a reminder on the calender to cancel before they took the money out again.  Did without it for a couple of weeks (I began getting withdrawal symptoms) before I finally cracked and rang them. Must add I am not usually this organised. ::)

Evie
Title: Re: Ancestry Email ...20% off for lapsed members
Post by: ambers on Saturday 05 July 08 22:29 BST (UK)
 ;D ;D ;D your giving ideas now.

ambers
Title: Re: Ancestry Email ...20% off for lapsed members
Post by: w105uk aka Margi :-) on Sunday 06 July 08 12:14 BST (UK)
 :(
haven't renewed mine this year......

but no e.mail offering me 20% off
Title: Re: Ancestry Email ...20% off for lapsed members
Post by: Evie on Sunday 06 July 08 12:29 BST (UK)
Hi Margi

Worth giving them a ring on their free phone number and asking for 20% off, say you missed or deleted their e mail.  ;) Not completely true I know but hey If I was them I'd rather have a 20% reduced fee than no fee at all.

Evie
Title: Re: Ancestry Email ...20% off for lapsed members
Post by: trish251 on Sunday 13 July 08 15:06 BST (UK)
I don't know if it still happens, but it used to be if you were signing up on line for the first time - get right to the last page & then use the back button - they used to instantly offer 20% off  ;D

Trish
Title: Re: Ancestry Email ...20% off for lapsed members
Post by: ambers on Tuesday 29 July 08 17:41 BST (UK)
I have again received a  20% off offer  from Ancestry because i didn't re-new my membership with them.

They debited my account in May ???, really annoying when I could have got a better deal by not doing do.

Ambers
Title: Re: Ancestry Email ...20% off for lapsed members
Post by: GeoffE on Tuesday 29 July 08 17:54 BST (UK)
Trouble is they have now got my new bank details to automatically re-new every year.

My (and presumably your) Terms and Conditions say-

Except in the case of monthly subscriptions, you will be notified by e-mail 15 days before your subscription will end, asked to correct any information which has changed and given the opportunity to "opt out" of your renewal.

If they don't remind you that your subscription is about to end, they have no right to just take another year.
Title: Re: Ancestry Email ...20% off for lapsed members
Post by: Evie on Tuesday 29 July 08 17:57 BST (UK)
Hi Ambers

Geoff has a point there.

I totally agree I would be annoyed too so much so I would ring them and tell them you are very unhappy and could they do anything about it! Don't sit back even if it only makes you feel better by letting them know what you think. Use their free phone number. It makes me cross that they do this to honourable members.

Evie
Title: Re: Ancestry Email ...20% off for lapsed members
Post by: wildtech on Tuesday 29 July 08 17:58 BST (UK)
I had a monthly subscription.  Initially intended to just take the month and stop - ended up taking I think it was 4 months  ::).  Had to cancel as money was tight. Not had an email offering me 20% off.  Was this just for longer subscriptions?
Title: Re: Ancestry Email ...20% off for lapsed members
Post by: ambers on Tuesday 29 July 08 18:03 BST (UK)
They did inform me of the re-newal as per usual, and as you quite rightly state, it does give me the chance to opt out.

But I mind having my nose rubbed in it by the reminders that I could have paid 20% less if I hadn't done so.....when  I re-newed my sub in May

Ambers
Title: Re: Ancestry Email ...20% off for lapsed members
Post by: ambers on Tuesday 29 July 08 18:30 BST (UK)
Once again Evie you are full of brilliant ideas ;D

I telephoned them and I have been given a discount ;D...can't quite work out how much yet as it's done in a complicated way.

I have to give them credit for the way they deal with things,  no argument, and straight to an apology for sending Emails to customers that have already paid up.

Ambers
Title: Re: Ancestry Email ...20% off for lapsed members
Post by: Evie on Tuesday 29 July 08 18:53 BST (UK)
Excellent News ;D

Always worth trying.

Evie
Title: Re: Ancestry Email ...20% off for lapsed members
Post by: Evie on Tuesday 29 July 08 19:12 BST (UK)
Hi wildtech

Not sure on that one, why don't you give them a ring. I think it would probably be for a yearly subscription though, but I stand to be corrected. :)

Evie
Title: Re: Ancestry Email ...20% off for lapsed members
Post by: Sloe Gin on Tuesday 12 August 08 17:58 BST (UK)
Shortly before my sub was due for renewal, Ancestry were advertising a 20% discount for new members.  I rang them up and asked if I too could have 20% off if I renewed .... and the answer was an immediate Yes.  They do seem to be very amenable to negotiation.