Star Ledger rate increase - subscribers should call

Yeah, I still subscribe to the amazing shrinking Star Ledger, because they still have NJ-focused investigative reporters and editorial board.  I consider it a good-governance charity.

But, they just dumped another major rate increase, to $45 for 4 weeks.  Call customer service and complain and they will roll it back to $31.80 for 3 months at a time. 

Next time I may switch to the Thursday and Sunday plus digital plan, which, at $15.80 per four weeks, is less expensive than the all digital plan.

Figured I’d share in case this is useful to anyone.

It's a losing proposition subscribing to a print newspaper - I get the NYT delivered every day and the price keeps going up. We print newspaper readers are a dying breed, for sure. When I'm on the PATH I'm always ALWAYS the only person reading a printed paper.

I can go print or online, but still enjoy print.  I just fear for NJ politics and governance (even more) when we no longer have in-state investigative journalism.  And I haven’t seen any other organization fully taking up the mantle.  

I subscribe online just to support them.  More often than not I don't read it.

I have seen the Star Ledger lately and wouldn't suggest you subscribe too far in advance.  I don't know how they can keep publishing with so little advertising.  What a shame.

Agreed....if the law had passed allowing public notices to be posted online, there would be even less left (Christie’s aim, I assume)

After years of snafus with paper delivery I stopped subscribing.  A few months ago I wanted to subscribe to the Star-Ledger in order to support investigative journalism in New Jersey (after the classic Christie photo).  The website only showed the introductory rate and I sent off multiple emails to customer service to ask for more information, but no one responded.  No wonder they are losing money and subscribers.

susan1014 said:

Yeah, I still subscribe to the amazing shrinking Star Ledger, because they still have NJ-focused investigative reporters and editorial board.  I consider it a good-governance charity.

But, they just dumped another major rate increase, to $45 for 4 weeks.  Call customer service and complain and they will roll it back to $31.80 for 3 months at a time. 

Next time I may switch to the Thursday and Sunday plus digital plan, which, at $15.80 per four weeks, is less expensive than the all digital plan.

Figured I’d share in case this is useful to anyone.

I am so annoyed with the papers that charge more for all-digital than print (of whatever amount) plus digital.  So ... I have to pay extra in order to avoid receiving more stuff to put in my recycle bin?  Sorry, but that stinks!

sac said:

susan1014 said:

Yeah, I still subscribe to the amazing shrinking Star Ledger, because they still have NJ-focused investigative reporters and editorial board.  I consider it a good-governance charity.

But, they just dumped another major rate increase, to $45 for 4 weeks.  Call customer service and complain and they will roll it back to $31.80 for 3 months at a time. 

Next time I may switch to the Thursday and Sunday plus digital plan, which, at $15.80 per four weeks, is less expensive than the all digital plan.

Figured I’d share in case this is useful to anyone.

I am so annoyed with the papers that charge more for all-digital than print (of whatever amount) plus digital.  So ... I have to pay extra in order to avoid receiving more stuff to put in my recycle bin?  Sorry, but that stinks!

Print papers are still supported by some advertising that has not, for various reasons, migrated to digital.  We do the Thursday/Sunday/digital, which is subsidized by those Thursday inserts.

sac said:

I am so annoyed with the papers that charge more for all-digital than print (of whatever amount) plus digital.  So ... I have to pay extra in order to avoid receiving more stuff to put in my recycle bin?  Sorry, but that stinks!

Max’s comment alludes to the reason: Papers are in effect paying subscribers to take Thursday and Sunday deliveries in order to keep the numbers up for insert advertisers.

Also, I use a few of the grocery coupons, further subsidizing the cost.  Time to use the online version for a few days, and to consider migrating to Thurs/Sun/digital.