College newspaper agents seek to cash in
By Liang Yiwen |
August 20, 2011, Saturday
|
Print Edition
Print Edition
MANY promoters of English-language newspapers for students are poised on college campuses, ready to cash in on newcomers with a new school year about to start.
Newspapers written in English, such as the College Students' English Post and the English Test Weekly, are the most popular on campus because students are eager to study the language and pass the College English Test-4 and CET-6 to help them find jobs.
However, many students complained that they had been cheated by the newspaper agents. Some never received the newspaper and could not find the salesperson to find out why. Moreover, many said that most of the newspapers are badly printed on inferior paper and their contents are merely copied from online materials.
Universities have issued alerts about the newspaper promoters.
The Shanghai University welcomed 6,000 newcomers on Thursday, becoming the first university in the city to start the new semester. Newspaper salespersons were promoting at least five English-language newspapers, saying that reading the paper will help students pass the exams.
The salespersons gave only a simple receipt for subscribers and couldn't offer the standard invoice or newspaper subscription receipt. Many also promised rich bonuses to subscribers, such as online education materials worth 1,000 yuan (US$156.40).
A student surnamed Wu said her friend had been cheated, not receiving the promised gifts and only getting the first few issues of the newspaper. The phone number left by the salesperson was invalid.
Ads recruiting salespeople promise a high commission – up to 50 yuan per subscriber. The Shanghai University has organized security guards to drive away the salespersons and is reminding students to be skeptical.
Newspapers written in English, such as the College Students' English Post and the English Test Weekly, are the most popular on campus because students are eager to study the language and pass the College English Test-4 and CET-6 to help them find jobs.
However, many students complained that they had been cheated by the newspaper agents. Some never received the newspaper and could not find the salesperson to find out why. Moreover, many said that most of the newspapers are badly printed on inferior paper and their contents are merely copied from online materials.
Universities have issued alerts about the newspaper promoters.
The Shanghai University welcomed 6,000 newcomers on Thursday, becoming the first university in the city to start the new semester. Newspaper salespersons were promoting at least five English-language newspapers, saying that reading the paper will help students pass the exams.
The salespersons gave only a simple receipt for subscribers and couldn't offer the standard invoice or newspaper subscription receipt. Many also promised rich bonuses to subscribers, such as online education materials worth 1,000 yuan (US$156.40).
A student surnamed Wu said her friend had been cheated, not receiving the promised gifts and only getting the first few issues of the newspaper. The phone number left by the salesperson was invalid.
Ads recruiting salespeople promise a high commission – up to 50 yuan per subscriber. The Shanghai University has organized security guards to drive away the salespersons and is reminding students to be skeptical.
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