# So how does Publisher's Clearing House make its money these days? **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [October 21, 2014, 8:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-how-does-publishers-clearing-house-make-its-money-these-days/702007 "2014-10-21T08:45:00Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 4\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Leaper](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/4bbf92/32.png) [@Leaper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaper)\ **Post date:** [October 21, 2014, 8:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-how-does-publishers-clearing-house-make-its-money-these-days/702007/1 "2014-10-21T08:45:00Z")
The incessant TV ads tell me they’re still doing the sweepstakes, but the print magazine business ain’t what it used to be. So how are they making money? ---
**Author:** ![cochrane](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cochrane/32/10441_2.png) [@cochrane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cochrane)\ **Post date:** [October 21, 2014, 9:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-how-does-publishers-clearing-house-make-its-money-these-days/702007/2 "2014-10-21T09:44:17Z")
They sell cheap gadgets online as well as magazines. Think of those “As seen on TV” products and you’ll have a good idea of their merchandise. Things such as vegetable choppers, spaghetti cookers, and CDs full of old rock 'n roll songs. > **[Publishers Clearing House | Products](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Publishers_Clearing_House#Products)** > > PCH is a direct-marketing company that sells merchandise and magazine subscriptions and operates several prize-based websites. While best known for the sweepstakes and Prize Patrol it uses to promote its magazine subscriptions, the majority of the company's revenue now comes from merchandise. The company has been selling books, media, jewelry, and other consumer items since the 1980s. PCH operates eight websites, including PCH Search and Win, PCH Lotto, PCH Games, PCH Sav The company also sells m... ---
**Author:** ![DummyGladHands](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/49beb7/32.png) [@DummyGladHands](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DummyGladHands)\ **Post date:** [October 22, 2014, 6:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-how-does-publishers-clearing-house-make-its-money-these-days/702007/3 "2014-10-22T18:25:27Z")
Same way they always have. They sell names & addresses. ---
**Author:** ![Leaper](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/4bbf92/32.png) [@Leaper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaper)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2014, 12:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-how-does-publishers-clearing-house-make-its-money-these-days/702007/4 "2014-10-23T00:58:13Z")
Just out of curiosity, is there any way to enter their sweepstakes and prevent said sale of info? I assume not, but I don’t feel like going through their labyrinthine legalese to confirm either way.