Global Readers Club

155 Main St, Massena, NY

Kenneth of Mass CIty, MI August 14, 2009

I received a phone call from Global Readers Services around the end of June to renew my subscription to Playboy and adding a free subscription to Men's Health and Maxim for only 99, how could I pass that up. On July 6, my wife sent out the payment, the check cleared the bank 9 days later. It is now the middle of August and I have not received any of the magazines. However, I did receive a renewal form from Playboy in the mail. I called Playboy, and was promptly informed that I had never renewed my subscription.

The number for Fifth Third Bank is on the back of my returned check, and I plan on making a phone call later today, hoping that it will get me somewhere. But I have this awful feeling that I am now out 99.

Barbara of Lanham, MD August 3, 2009

I keep getting calls from 216------- which my research shows belongs to Global Readers Service. When I called back today, the message said "Disconnected or no longer in service." These days scammer companies can do almost anything with phones- such as phone "spoofing" (technology is available for companies to make ANY phone number they want appear in your caller ID; they can also CALL their prospective victims on a particular phone number but have it rigged to say "Disconnected..." when the victim calls that number BACK).

Global Readers Service makes telemarketing calls- apparently about selling magazine subscriptions or "renewing" lapsed subscriptions. One victim gave them his Discover card number (Note people: NEVER give your personal information to someone who calls you out of the blue!)and was charged 132 for a two-year subscription to some magazine- ridiculous- then he could not cancel. I called a number I found in my internet research and spoke to "Joyce" (no last name given). She was very defensive but I told her what my research showed and I asked that they put me on their DO NOT Call list. (I am on the National Do Not Call list but many companies just ignore it.) By the way, there are numerous websites where people report "unknown" or "unavailable" phone numbers and share information - you just put the phone number in your browser and read the comments in the sites.

Billy of Canton, TX April 1, 2009

I have a subscription from Hot Rod Magazine that is good to March 2011. I received a call from who I thought was Hot Rod Magazine, which was actually Global Readers Services. I was told that my subscription prices were going to go up substantually, but that I could double my subscription for the existing price [20.00 for 24 months] which would be 48.00 for 48 months, I agreed to up to 48 issues, then they ask for credit card info, I declined, then they said they would bill me, I said ok, they billed me for 96.00,

as soon as received the account summary bill I called them and told them of the high cost that was not agreed to, since I was in the 30 day time limit they [Pattie, no last name will be given out,agreed to dimiss my charges and cancel. March 2009 I received through mail a new bill, with account summary of [3] magazines they said I orded Hot Rod, Maxim, and Motor Trend, [None of which I have ordered] for a price of 168.00 They [ Pattie x-15] told me she would again cancel the order that I had not order! Pattie argued with me saying that I had ordered them on Feb. 25th, 2009, Not so, no way, this is a scam,

I'm sure I will receive more in near future from what I have read on consumer complaints, please help get these people stopped from their practices? I have read horror stories on Consumer affairs complaints I have sent no money, no credit card info, what do I need to do? They state on their account summary bill, that renewals will begin at the end of your current sevice, and your new magazine will begin 8-12 weeks from the time we receive your first payment, provided that the subsequent payments are received on time. I received a call from Global readers services, which I thought was Hot Rod asking me if I was receiving my magazines, I said yes, because Hot Rod was sending them, I agreed.

Christine of Vero Beach, FL March 20, 2009

someone called me from playboy magazine, but when i called playboy, turned out it wasnt them. they charged my credit card. when i looked at my statement it is from ac company called global readers. i dont want do go through them at all. i was told that it was playboy. what do i do now?

they told me they were going to charge me 33 bucks and then another 33 bucks next month. they have already done the 2 payments of 33 bucks

Audrey of Louisville, KY January 26, 2009

They took more money out of my account after I told them I do not want to do business with them again. I asked not to take any more money from my account

They took 42.00 out of my account when I asked them to take out 20.00. I sm out 28.00 again

Karen of Albuquerque, NM January 1, 2009

I ordered 2 magazines (Family Circle 45 issues and Golf Digest 12 issues) in September. Paid with check no. 7551 for a total amount of 47.94. Never received the magazines.

Roland of Encinitas, CA April 26, 2006

I was in the bathroom washing up. My son's friend was waiting for him, and answered the phone. I heard him talking about Discover magazine. When I came out of the bathroom, he told me somebody, maybe Norman, said he was going to give me a free subscription to Popular Mechanics. I said I didn't want it and about Discover, I already had a 3 year subscription running to 2009.

This unsolicited order was taken without my consent, without identification that I was ordering, merely that the person ordering had answered my phone. I deny ordering anything directly or by proxy. If I am further annoyed by telephone solicitation, that i understand is illegal here in California, further demands for payment of illegal bills, I will go to court and file a judgement for damages. (I am an old unhealthy invalid, and should not be disturbed by unknown strangers)

Wayne of Thornton, CO April 12, 2006

Called and talked to my wife about renewing subscription to Golf Magazine. Wife told the young lady from Reader Services that I had already renewed my subscription directly with Golf Magazine. Started pressure sales pitch and asked my wife to provide Credit Card Number and other personal information. Wife declined. Woman on other end said she would mail the solicitation. On 12 April 2006 received Bill in the Amount of 79.80 for something we did not order.

No monetary damage yet. Will send invoice with "NOT ORDERED!" and wait for reply.

Derek of New Smyrna Beach, FL March 10, 2006

Received a call to renew magazine subscriptions for unknown amount. Then received an invoice for 72. I called to cancel order and was unable to speak to a person, left a message at both tel. numbers.

Sandra of Tijeras, NM February 23, 2006

Global Readers Services called me on the phone to get me to renew Discover Magazine. I told him nNo, I already had it through another year. In fact, I NEVER buy anything on the phone unless I call the company myself.

Then they sent me a bill which I threw away and then I got another notice that looked like it was from a collection agency with big black letters saying OVER DUE which I found threatening and rude. No letter with it.

Then some woman, who never gave her name, told me that I had ordered it over the phone and to pay it as they had already put the subscription through. I told them no, I didn't want it as I already had a subscription for another year. I told her that when the person called I told him NO. She said I would have to pay 10 to cancel the order. I told her that it was a mistake of theirs and I wasn't going to pay for something I was not responsible for. Then she called again and I didn't answer so she called again and said she was going to play me the tape of my voice okaying the order and the phone went silent.

I said "Hello?" a few times, then hung up. These people are rude and nasty and guilty of phone and mail fraud. If they try to put a ding on people's credit rating it's bad enough. You would think that the magazines they are misrepresenting would do something to stop them.

I want to file the info with the phone and post office fraud division. I hope I can figure out how to do that. I am a 60-year-old woman with a chronic illness. I don't need people like Global upsetting me. I am still shaking right now. They come across as bill collectors and are very nasty. We have excellent credit rating and everyone has always been very solicitious and kind to us. I am not used to being treated in such a horrible manner as this rep from Global treated me.

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