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Initial Complaint
02/27/2023
Complaint Type:
Billing Issues
Status:
Resolved
The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.
- My subscription to Family Handyman was due for automatic renewal in December ****. - I went on their web portal and requested it not be renewed.- Subsequently they charged my credit card anyway, $21.98 - I contacted customer service numerous times to report this and requested a refund.- Each customer service rep offered some useless excuse as to why they couldn't find my account etc. There is a clear pattern of avoidance/brushing one off.- Recently they sent me a last issue/renewal notice despite collecting the $21.98.- I sent them a copy of the billing label and (once again) a copy of the credit card statement showing the payment. with a request that my funds be returned to me by check as the original credit card was cancelled to prevent further fraudulent activity. Their response, once again, was sorry we can't find your account. But obviously they found it to send me the notice/renewal notice.- ************ has an obvious pattern of committing fraud on, I'm sure, many people and should not be in business.
Business response
02/28/2023
February 28, 2023

Office of BBB Serving Greater ****, Quad Cities &Siouxland Region
2625 *************
**********, ** 50310

RE: 19495106

I write in response to your letter dated 2/27/2023 regarding the complaint by this customer. I would like to provide some information about the customers order and clear up any misunderstanding.
Our records reflect that last payment from this customer was on October 21, 2021 in the amount of $21.35. We do not reflect a payment of $21.98 in December 2022 from this customer.
This customer will need to contact their credit card company to dispute the charge, and find resolution.

I hope this helps clear up any misunderstanding. I apologize for any disappointment the customer may have encountered with our company.

Please contact ** if we can be of further assistance.

***********************
Customer Service Center

CC: *******************
102 *******************
***********,** 27596

Customer response
03/01/2023

Complaint: 19495106

I am rejecting this response because:the copy of the attached credit card statement shows they charged $21.98 on December 9, 2022 despite my requesting that the subscription not be extended prior to that time, and they never credited the $21.98 to my account to continue the subscription in force. This is a continuation of their denial of having charged my card that has been going on for months.

Sincerely,

*******************
Business response
03/02/2023
March 2, 2023

Office of BBB Serving Greater ****, Quad Cities &Siouxland Region
2625 *************
**********, ** 50310

RE: 19495106
I write in response to the customers rejection dated March 1, 2023. The attachment the customer is referring to is not available. There is no proof of payment or credit card statement attached. Please have the customer resubmit the attachment.
I hope this helps clear up any misunderstanding. I apologize for any disappointment the customer may have encountered with our company.

Please contact us if we can be of further assistance.

***********************
Customer Service Center
Customer response
03/02/2023
Please see attached docs
Business response
03/02/2023
March 2, 2023

Office of BBB Serving Greater ****, Quad Cities &Siouxland Region
2625 *************
**********, ** 50310

RE: 19495106

I write in response to your letter dated 3/2/2023 regarding the complaint by this customer. I would like to provide some information about the customers order and clear up any misunderstanding.

We have received the attachment with proof of payment. This helped in locating the payment of $21.98 made to Family Handyman.

We located the payment on an account under the name of ***************. This $21.98 has been refunded back to the customers **** card. This customer will need to allow 5-7 business days for the refund to process.

I hope this helps clear up any misunderstanding. I apologize for any disappointment the customer may have encountered with our company.

Please contact us if we can be of further assistance.

***********************
Customer **************
Customer response
03/02/2023

Better Business Bureau:

I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID ********, and find that this resolution is satisfactory to me if they follow through as stated. Kudos to the BBB!

Sincerely,

*******************
Initial Complaint
02/13/2023
Complaint Type:
Product Issues
Status:
Resolved
The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.
On Sept. 26, 2019 I emailed CDS requesting a cancellation of my subscription to the New Yorker magazine and a refund of the $119.99 charged against my Amazon account that same day (see copy of emails attached). CDS replied via email first that they couldn't identify my account, and then again on Oct 6 2019 that their best offer was $99. They did not honor my request to close the account. CDS has continued to charge me $169.99 per year for 2020, 2021, and 2023 without my consent. Most recently CDS has sent me Past Due notices demanding payment for 2023 (attached) stating that I requested this invoice. In fact, I requested the cancellation and refund in 2019 and have not since requested the subscription or invoice as they stated. I am requesting a full refund of all amounts charged to me by CDS in 2019, 2020, 2021 and 2022.
Business response
02/28/2023
A refund for $419.97 was processed on February 14, 2023. ***************** will need to allow up to three weeks for delivery.
Customer response
03/02/2023

Better Business Bureau:

I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID ********, and find that this resolution is satisfactory to me.

Sincerely,

*************************
Initial Complaint
12/27/2022
Complaint Type:
Service or Repair Issues
Status:
Resolved
The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.
Purchased a 2 year **************** magazine subscription from Themeredithstore.** for my mom in October 2022. Have not received the magazine and when I reached out for an ETA to the email address provided on the order confirmation **************************** they told me the subscription expired in Spring 2022 so no magazines would be mailed and no refund would be issued. That was before I even made the purchase. Would like a refund .. paid *****USD. This business is not legitimate. Thank you kindly for any assistance you can provide.
Business response
12/28/2022
We apologize for any inconvenience Ms. ****** has experienced regarding ************ Journal.
A full refund is being processed. Ms. ****** will need to allow up to four weeks for the refund.
Customer response
12/28/2022

Better Business Bureau:

I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID ********, and find that this resolution is satisfactory to me.

Thank you kindly,
***********;
Initial Complaint
11/21/2022
Complaint Type:
Customer Service Issues
Status:
Resolved
The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.
My mother who I take care of and has dementia was a long term customer of guideposts until about 3 years ago when she started getting sick. Since we have not ordered anything from guideposts in the past 3 years, guideposts on their own and without our consent sent us a book and said we have a 30-day trial to read and send it back or we will be charged. I called customer service and complained. They said to send the book back and I would not be charged. I sent the book back and I am still receiving bills and they now state in the letter that my mother asked for the book which is impossible and a change from what they said earlier. I am shocked to see that a ********************** like this is preying on people in this manner. Please have them stop harassing us. What they are doing is criminal especially with all the money my parents have spent with them over the years. Thank you for your help. Guideposts Account number *******.
Business response
11/21/2022
***********************
8 *****************
*******, ** 08055

RE: ***************************
Account#: *******

Dear ***********************,

Thank you for contacting us concerning ***************************. As being part of our Preferred Customer Plan, ************************* enrollment since 2017 has entitled her an annual reserved edition of Daily Guideposts (now known as Walking in *****)each year.

We always notify our customers in advance so they can decide if they want the reserved copy of Walking in ***** prior to mailing. There is no obligation to purchase, and they may cancel at any time. However,if you do not reply to the advance notification card or email, the order is then fulfilled.

Per your customer service contact on 9/26/2022, we have closed her account and a
credit of $21.26 has been applied. She currently has a $0 balance. There may be mail transit, please disregard it may take 4-6 weeks for all mail to cease.

***** accept our apology for any inconvenience and if you have any additional questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact me directly at ************************.

*************************, **************** Manager
*************************

Group Account Services
**************
Initial Complaint
09/19/2022
Complaint Type:
Customer Service Issues
Status:
Answered
The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.
Since 8/11/2022 this company sent me multiple emails claiming I signed up 3-month digital subscription to National Geographic. The emails also claimed this subscription will be automatically renewed each year. All of thses statements are false. I never signed up any of referenced services, nor did I authorized anyone to sign up any service with this company or National Geographic using my personal information. I have emailed this company to cancel and remove claimed services but they keep sending more emails asking me to unsubscribe the false services by providing more personal information in the falsely created account ********** on their website. This is completely not acceptable. I sincerely ask BBB to step in to help. The expected settlement is that this company (1) Immediately CANCEL and REMOVE the false services associated with my email or any of my other personal information; (2) Remove the false account ********** and any of my personal information linked to this false account; (3) Stop spam emails threatening automatic subscription renew with a fee.
Business response
09/19/2022
We apologize for the inconvenience caused to the Jing ************************** have cancelled and fully refunded the order we have on file.
Customer response
09/19/2022

Complaint: 18038600

I am rejecting this response because this business made a false statement in their response to the BBB complaint. My email is still being spammed by their emails for false subscriptions. Attached is another email from them TODAY (9/19/2022) under a separate entity "order.buysub.com" which is owned by this business. This business needs to stop the spam from all of their entities.

Sincerely,
Jing Song
Business response
09/20/2022
We have removed ******************* from further emails.
**** song will need to allow up to thirty days for all emails to stop.
Initial Complaint
08/18/2022
Complaint Type:
Sales and Advertising Issues
Status:
Resolved
The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.
Taste of Home - Business Identified in the complaint sent an "OVERDUE NOTICE" of $10 for 1 free issue offer in their ad. This is a Cooking Magazine. I saw that a charge was being added to an account and sent Taste of Home a Cancellation of Offer Notice, the day after I accepted the Free copy. I feel I've been misled in a Bait and Switch scheme to unknowingly enter into a Magazine subscription. I have no further need of any more issues and would not recommend this Business or their marketing offers. Overdue Notice email was received 8/18/2022 and I informed the sender again of my interest in cancellation and Warning of a BBB complaint being filed for failure to respond to earlier cancelation of offer and do not send any Free Copy.
Business response
08/18/2022
August 18, 2022

Office of BBB Serving Greater ****, Quad Cities &Siouxland Region
2625 *************
**********, ** 50310

RE: Complaint ID ********

I write in response to your complaint dated August 18, 2022,regarding the complaint by this customer. I would like to provide some information about the customers order and clear up any misunderstanding.

On June 27, 2022, we received an order from this customer for a special rate of 1 year (7 issues) for $10.00 to the Taste of Home magazine.

We have cancelled the unpaid order and stopped the billing for this subscription.

It will take ***** days for mailings to stop. If another notice is received during this time, the customer may disregard it.

I hope this helps clear up any misunderstanding. I apologize for any disappointment the customer may have encountered with our company.

Please contact us if we can be of further assistance.

***********************
Customer **************
Customer response
08/19/2022

Better Business Bureau:

I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID ********, and find that this resolution is satisfactory to me.

Sincerely,

***********************
Initial Complaint
08/16/2022
Complaint Type:
Order Issues
Status:
Resolved
The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.
0
Business response
08/17/2022
Dear ********************************,
Thank you for taking the time to share your recent experience with our **************************** I hope you will accept my apology for your unsatisfactory service.
We have issued full credit to your account you have a $.0 balance. Please disregard any invoices that you may receive. We have removed your name for our Preferred ************************ Program as well.
You have 2 active magazine subscriptions "Sixty Days Of Prayer" which expires 06/2023 and "Strength and ****** which expire 12/2023 which you will continue to receive.
Please allow 4-6 weeks for all Guideposts promotional mailing to cease. There may be mailings in transit to you.
Thank you for being a loyal customer for many years. We hope to have the opportunity to serve you again in the future.
*************************, **************** Manager
Group Account ********************
**************

Customer response
09/07/2022

Better Business Bureau:

I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID ********, and find that this resolution is satisfactory to me.

Sincerely,

*************************
Customer response
09/21/2022
See attached doc
Business response
09/21/2022
Dear ********************************,
Thank you for contacting us once again. As stated in our previous response. Please allow 4-6 weeks for all Guideposts promotional mailing to cease. There may be mailings in transit to you. Please l accept my apology for any inconvenience..
Best regards,
*************************, **************** Manager
Group Account Services
**************..
Initial Complaint
08/09/2022
Complaint Type:
Customer Service Issues
Status:
Resolved
The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.
This has gone on since last year. Every time I get them to stop sending me Guideposts. They start it up again. I have "returned to sender", refused to accept the mail, complained by phone, sent them emails, and last year I even filed a BBB complaint. This company REFUSES TO HONOR MY REQUEST. I don't want their magazines. They keep tricking my 80+ year old elderly cousin into "gifting" the magazine to people every year. She has told me time and time again her money is tight. This company is being shady in thinking people want to send these out as gifts. I know my cousin who "gifted" me this last year and again was tricked to do it this year needs her money. Her husband died and she by herself. I requested they refund her money back last year. They didn't do it. Now I say send her the money back this year. Otherwise, I will report y'all to FTC under "Fraud". This type of behavior is unacceptable. STOP SENDING ME THE GUIDEPOSTS. EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY.
Business response
08/10/2022
Thank you for forwarding the complaint of *****************************. We appreciate you sending the information to us to review and for the opportunity to respond.
We have issued a full refund to ***************************** for $142.89. Please allow 2-3 weeks to receive. We have removed ***************************** and ***************************** from our promotional mailing list. There may be mail in transit. Please allow 4-6 weeks for all mailing to cease. Please disregard and we apologize for the inconvenience.

Customer response
08/11/2022

Better Business Bureau:

I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID ********, and find that this resolution is satisfactory to me.As long as they honor the terms of the letter, and stop asking ***************************** to buy guideposts.

Sincerely,

*****************************
Initial Complaint
07/20/2022
Complaint Type:
Product Issues
Status:
Resolved
The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.
Received an "Overdue" notice from Reminisce Books for a book that was unsolicited. Book was just received as an unsolicited good and then notice shows up for $27.73. Overdue notice says book **** date was 1/10/22 for "Road Trips National Parks." We have no idea why we received the book. Account is *********. Hope this is correct company as they don't show up very easily in BBB and searched based on the ***** phone number. Just don't want invoices or the threat of collections as they noted in the overdue notice. Have no clue what this is.
Business response
07/20/2022
July 20, 2022

Office of BBB Serving Greater ****, Quad Cities &Siouxland Region
2625 *************
**********, ** 50310

RE: Complaint ID ********

I write in response to your complaint dated July 20, 2022,regarding the complaint by this customer. I would like to provide some information about the customers order and clear up any misunderstanding.

On December 23, 2021, we received an order from the customer for a book in the American Road Trips book series. As stated in the offer, when ordering this book,the customer would automatically be enrolled to preview other books in the series for a 30-day period with no obligation to buy and the option of canceling membership at any time. We shipped the book on January 10, 2022.

We have discontinued the customers enrollment in the series and cancelled any unpaid invoices for this series. The customer *** keep the book and should disregard any further invoices that *** be in process for that book.

The customers account was not sent to collection or reported to any credit reporting agency. The customers credit rating will not be affected.

I hope this helps clear up any misunderstanding. I apologize for any disappointment the customer *** have encountered with our company.

Please contact us if we can be of further assistance.

***********************
Customer Service Center

Customer response
07/20/2022

Better Business Bureau:

I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID ********, and find that this resolution is satisfactory to me.

Sincerely,

*************************
Initial Complaint
07/18/2022
Complaint Type:
Customer Service Issues
Status:
Resolved
The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.
We previously had a subscription to Consumer Reports magazine. It was cancelled last year. They said they would send a check for refund of the remaining magazine cost. We did not receive the refund check until April 2022. Check dated 11/23/21 void after 90 days. I called ************ on 4/8/22 at 9:20 mst. The rep said they would reissue another check. I called again on 4/14/22 and ******* said allow 4-6 weeks for new check. I called again on 7/7/22 at 4:55 pm. Rep MIN said he did not see anything in the system regarding reissuing the check he can do it then, it will take 4-6 weeks.customer # **********
Business response
07/21/2022
Thank you for contacting Consumer Reports regarding *************************** order.

Sincerely,
Member Support
Customer response
07/22/2022

Better Business Bureau:

I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID ********, and find that this resolution is satisfactory to me.

Sincerely,

C *****

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