A free pen, but no magazine

Hal Morris writes on his Grumpy Editor blog that the recently terminated Business 2.0 magazine is still being marketed, and new “subscribers” who sign up for the publication will receive a free pen.

Morris wrote, “Being received this week, notes Grumpy Editor, is a Business 2.0 offer with a reminder, ‘Final chance to get this guaranteed low annual renewal rate.’ And that rate for a now-closed-down publication? It’s $9.95.

“But wait. The pitch adds, ‘free with your paid renewal’ is an ‘executive pen’ with brushed silver barrel and chrome accents.

“The latest offer differs from the one mentioned last week (see Sept. 6 Grumpy Editor posting) when a two-year subscription to Business 2.0, heralded as a “one-time-only opportunity,â€? was dangled for only four cents above this week’s one-year subscription of $9.95.

Read more here.