Looking at other "Substack dot com" operations ‒ like perhaps Steve Schmidt's "The Warning", and Eric Grenier's "The Writ" ‒ and how things are arranged (ergo there's lots of piggybacking going on, lots of stuff that reminds me of "multi-level-marketing") for sure I have had my doubts. Just as example my local M.P.P. is a big fan of publishing in California, but did I specifcally request his "Substack"? I don't think so! More like I signed his clipboard at some event, or I gave his people my card. Things could be worse because with the NDP - and I think with Bonnie Crombie too! - I was being bombarded with requests for money! And when I had trouble on Election Day earlier this year NOT ONE OFFER OF ASSISTANCE did I get, from any of the parties! Or, for that matter, from QPO.
So I recently glanced at Peter Frankopan's "Global Threads" newletter, which is likewise a Substack dot com thang.
SURPRISE!!!! After a short, "free trial" period I think they used my credit card info from Queen's Park Observer to enroll me at $130.00 a month!
Moving quickly, I had Google Gemini compose a suitable nasty "cease and desist" letter. I'll let you know how it goes. In the mean time, here is what Gemini said when I looked up "Substack dot com" along with keywords like "bad" and "predatory":
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Many users find Substack's support experience poor, often hitting frustrating AI chatbots that loop or fail to connect to humans, especially for complex issues or non-monetized accounts, leading to slow or non-existent human responses; while simple issues might resolve via the chatbot or direct chat in the dashboard, deeper problems often get stuck in a frustrating, automated loop, leaving creators feeling unsupported and unheard.
Common Complaints:
A.I. Chatbot Frustration: The first line of support is an AI bot that often can't solve problems, leading to endless loops or refusal to connect to a real person.
Difficulty Reaching Humans: Users, especially for non-monetized newsletters, report getting auto-replies or having chats terminated by agents who can't help with certain issues (like Standards & Enforcement).
Slow Response Times: Even when a human is reached, significant delays (days/weeks) for email or chat responses are common for general queries.
Inconsistent Support: Support seems better for monetized accounts or large publications, with smaller or non-monetized users facing more hurdles.
Tips for Getting Support:
● Use the Dashboard Chat: Access "ask a question" in your dashboard for potentially faster, direct chat.
● Be Detailed: Provide lots of info (screenshots, error messages) in the chat.
● Try Different Emails: Sending from a monetized account's email might get a better response than a non-monetized one.
● Be Persistent (with the bot): Pummeling the AI with questions might eventually trigger a human handoff, but it's unreliable.
● Email for Complex Issues: Use "support@substack.com" for detailed problems, though expect initial bot interaction.
Why the Experience Feels Poor:
Substack prioritizes AI for cost-efficiency, but the "seamless handoff" to humans isn't always seamless, creating a poor user journey when problems arise.
Common Complaints:
A.I. Chatbot Frustration: The first line of support is an AI bot that often can't solve problems, leading to endless loops or refusal to connect to a real person.
Difficulty Reaching Humans: Users, especially for non-monetized newsletters, report getting auto-replies or having chats terminated by agents who can't help with certain issues (like Standards & Enforcement).
Slow Response Times: Even when a human is reached, significant delays (days/weeks) for email or chat responses are common for general queries.
Inconsistent Support: Support seems better for monetized accounts or large publications, with smaller or non-monetized users facing more hurdles.
Tips for Getting Support:
● Use the Dashboard Chat: Access "ask a question" in your dashboard for potentially faster, direct chat.
● Be Detailed: Provide lots of info (screenshots, error messages) in the chat.
● Try Different Emails: Sending from a monetized account's email might get a better response than a non-monetized one.
● Be Persistent (with the bot): Pummeling the AI with questions might eventually trigger a human handoff, but it's unreliable.
● Email for Complex Issues: Use "support@substack.com" for detailed problems, though expect initial bot interaction.
Why the Experience Feels Poor:
Substack prioritizes AI for cost-efficiency, but the "seamless handoff" to humans isn't always seamless, creating a poor user journey when problems arise.
ADDED SEARCH TERMS: A.I.'S RUNNING AMOK, UX, COPING STRATEGIES