First Gimli I personnaly never add automatically the magazine to the account. The client is well informed when I do so.
For example, last nught I got this French lady that had the base + 1 theme. She added ITV games, but agent added them individually rather than in theme packs, which would have given her more game and cost her 4$ less. When she called me I suggested that she gets an extra 2 French themes, and that we put the ITV games theme pack, rather than the 4 games she had indivdually. This choice would hav given her an extra 2 theme packs + 2 extra ITV games. She accepted. She now had 5 theme packs (3 French themes + 2 ITV themes). I told her:"Since you now have 5 theme packs you are eligible to receive the Extra magazine free of charge every month, i'm adding it for you on your account, is that alright?" -"Yes" -"Just to mention you will see is charged 2$ in the programming charges section, then you will see a 2$ credit in the section credits and adjustement". I did advise the client of everything and she agreed. Result for that client:4$ less on her bill + 2 extra themes + 2 extra games + a magazine
Second, we can not assume that you don't like or don't wat the magazine...if you are calling to "downgrade" your programming it doesn't mean that you don't like or don't need the magazine. It mean you don't want that group of channels anymore.
I personnaly always ask when I "downgrade" an account if client wants to keep the magazine. It affects my RPC (Revenu Per Call) and therefore my chances to get bonus, but it provides a happy experience to the client, who doesn't have to call back the next month, upset that he is being charged for the magazine.
I know that since this step is affecting agents RPC (and bonus) lots would not take that extra step, and ask the client if he wants to keep the magazine. Nothing forces us to. You call to downgrade programming, we remove it on the first day of the next billing cycle, we confirm next monthly rate, do a sales attempt, recap the call (including explaining pro-rata charges) confirm the monthly rate and thnk the client