I was relayed a story from my sister that I thought was worth mentioning. She was at Best Buy a few months ago, and purchased a CD. At the register, she was asked if she would like eight free issues to Rolling Stone and Entertainment Weekly. “They’re free?”, she asked, and was told yes, they were free, no strings attached. So she signed her name on the computer pad to pay for CD, and left.

I am sure you can tell what is coming next. A week ago, she sees two bills totaling $60 on her credit card for subscriptions to Rolling Stone and Entertainment Weekly.

Now you could argue that she should have read through the small fine-print receipt she received more carefully, but I feel as though the fact that you are agreeing to a recurring magazine subscription should be made painfully clear to the consumer.

Almost worse though is the way Best Buy employees sell these subscriptions, often straight up lying to the consumer in order to sell more magazines. It is also difficult to hold them accountable, two months later and often without the receipt which might show the employee’s name.

Here is the important part of the story: My sister was able to call both companies and have them charge back the $60 to her card by complaining about the way she was sold the magazine. So if you or someone you know is involved in a similar situation, do not underestimate what you might accomplish by calling the company and giving them an earful (politely, of course).