My disturbing first impression of San Diego’s Union-Trib

Why free isn’t good enough

Not answering the door is as difficult for me as not opening an email. There’s a chance it could be something great, right?

Not so.

Not today when I answered the door to find, shit, a salesman.

Now, I’m still suffering from Minnesota Nice and am far too polite to just shut the door. (Note to self: Next time, just shut the door.)

So this guy hands me a copy of today’s Union-Tribune newspaper, without introducing himself and without asking me how I’m doing. Instead, he just hands me the paper and begins filling out an order form.

He mentions the Sunday coupons and that I can subscribe at a ridiculously low price, something like $1 per week.

That was his pitch. This is cheap and therefore you should want it.

Now, in case you didn’t know, I’m actually a newspaper girl. I have a journalism degree, and I worked in the industry. I appreciate good writing. I am among the youngest who still cling to the comfort of cuddling up with a paper and a hot chocolate and getting actual print on their hands.

I’m the type of 30-year-old who actually says to her husband, “You know, we should sign up for the Sunday paper.”

But there I was with this man at my feet, and he could not have paid me to sign up.

“Please. It’s just $1.”

“No. No thank you,” I said. “I’m not interested.”

And then I just felt sad.

Sad, because I sensed he needed the commission. Sad for the newspaper industry. Sad for the Union-Trib’s lack of creativity.

“It doesn’t matter how cheap it is, does it?” I could tell the man was frustrated.

“That’s right.”

And this is my problem with the Union-Tribune: I got the feeling it is purposely sending out poorly trained salespeople in order to get guilt subscriptions.

I wanted to help the man. He was literally on his knees in front of me. “It’s just $1.”

But free isn’t good enough. I don’t want more stuff. I don’t want clutter. I don’t want coupons.

I want good value.

Does the Union-Tribune have good content? I don’t know. I’ve never read it. Is there any value in it? I’ll never know.

As a blogger, I know I have to offer good content. If people buy my products or click my ads, that’s wonderful. But there will be no one on my site if the content is not there.

As a pet sitter, I would never beg someone to hire me.

“Please. I’ll do it for $1. Just please pick me.”

No.

I offer the best service. I care the most. I offer value. My customers hire me because they also believe I’m the best, and if I fail they hire someone else.

So, Union-Tribune, I’m so disappointed you put me in that position today. I wish your worker the best. I wish for him to find employment with a company that cares.

I hope he finds a way.