[Sigia-l] WSJ Online - too frustrating to even subscribe

[Lord, Ralph]

Although I think the Wall Street Journal the best newspaper there is, I
continue to be amazed by some of their nitwittery (an invented American
word) with their online services. To wit:

1. Charging print subscribers to access the online Journal. Yes, they need
to make $, yes, you get a discount as a print subscriber, but come on, I'm
paying the big bucks for all that newsprint, surely letting me get at it
online should be included. Why not?

2. The LARGER gripe. For many moons the WSJ affixed a label to your
home-delivered copy of their paper. Among the items on it was your account
number. This number was required for all sorts of interactions with WSJ
customer-service folk. Sometime in the last year or two, in the name of
security, they ceased to affix this label. HOWEVER, EVERYTIME YOU TURN
AROUND TO DO SOMETHING WITH YOU THEY ASK YOU FOR THE #$%& NUMBER!

Including, and get this, GETTING THE DISCOUNTED RATE FOR THE JOURNAL
ONLINE!!  Really, check it out at:

https://interactive.wsj.com/offer/regUser.html

I was ready to finally hold my nose and pay the $39. But as soon as I saw
that field on the form... 
Oh, and if you need help finding your account #, click the helpful link that
shows you a PICTURE OF THE MAILING LABEL THAT YOU DON'T HAVE!!

Two months after removing the labels, this could be understood. Two years
later, it's appalling.  I thought we'd all learned something about what
really frustrates people online over the last 2 years.


Ralph Lord