A recent Forum discussion brought up the issue that some of the sweepstakes run by magazines are set up to assume you want to subscribe. This is not true for all magazine sweepstakes, however there are some publishers that set up their entry forms this way. And before you ask, no, we cannot post the non-subscriber version of the entry form. When we try to include this link, their site automatically routes back to the subscription version.
What to do? First off, read the entry form! Don't just go on autopilot and fill out the entry form, check to see what you are agreeing to when you enter. The magazines sweepstakes default to the subscription version of the entry form, but that form has a link that will take you to the non-subscription version. Read the page; it's there.
If you fill out the subscription version by accident, you are not obligated to keep and pay for the subscription. There are several ways to cancel an unwanted subscription. You can go to their website, pull up your account, and process an online cancellation. You can call their customer service line and cancel and subscription. And can also cancel by writing “CANCEL” on the first bill and sending it back. However you choose to do it, you can cancel that subscription and not owe anything.
The magazine sweepstakes have some great prizes, but it's up to you to read the entry form carefully. If you don't want a magazine subscription, remember to look for the link that allows you to enter the sweepstakes without subscribing.
