Complain about a product or service

Magazine Solutions

Elisabeth of Newburgh, IN September 27, 2009

I have been billed on my credit card and I do not know what the bill is for. The amount is 49.95. I have not ordered anything from Magazine Solutions that I am aware of and I do not want any magazines.

Brandy of Mobile, AL February 21, 2008

I would not recommend anyone do business with this company. I was contacted by someone from the company not long after I had my daughter. The idea of coupons & magainzes for a small amount seemed to be good at that time. Well at first, I never received my coupons. Later after receiving them most were expired. Shortly after having the service I fell into a financial hardship. I then began to configure what bills were to stay and what bills needed to go.

Naturally, magazines were a luxury and needed to go. I contacted Magazine Solutions, United Publishers or what ever company they are posing as today and advised them of this hardship. I then asked them to cancel my subscriptions. They advised me I had signed a binding contract, which they could not produce a copy of, and refused to help me in any way. I could no longer afford these magazines. It came to be either pay for a magazines or have food so my child could eat.

Kim of Upper Marlboro, MD July 30, 2007

I was contacted by United Publishers and was offered the saving coupons as an incentive to order their magazines. I did not want any of the magazines being offered and was told that in addition to the saving coupons, I would be sent a list of magazines to choose from. I agreed contingent upon them sending me written information detaling the program. To make a long story short, I never received what was promsied and the account is now listed on my credit report as a collection item for the amount of 1,285. I contacted the company and was originally told there was no cancellation policy in place, after pursing the matter, I was then advised that I would have to pay a fee to cancel the contract and at that point they would remove the negative reporting from my credit record......thats ridiculous, WHAT CONTRACT?????

It is very alarming to know that these companies can so easily place incorrect and damaging information on one's credit report. I have been trying for over one year to have this item removed from my EXPERIAN report. I have sent them 7 different corresondences to no avail.....the one time that I was actaully able to speak with an Experian representative, she told me that Unitited Publishes proved that the account belonged to me DUHHHH.......what else would a bogus company say, were they supposed to say "yeah, the account is not her's, we're just trying to rip her off"......Please help......

Amanda of Wausau, WI May 29, 2007

Magazine Solutions called me early in the morning a couple of days after my son was born. They claimed that I could receive 5 free magazines and 1000 worth of coupons by simply paying shipping and handling. they said that the reason they were callign me is that they were interested in the buying habits of new mothers and would be tracking the coupons that I would use. I told them that I couldn't make a decision at the time and they asked if they could send me an information packet. I said sure. I received a list of available magazines and a list of available coupons (not actual coupons).

We started receiving bills in the mail for shipping and handling, so I called the company and they said that by not sending back the package or calling within 3 days, I was agreeing to a 5 year contract of paying 3.99 a week for shipping and handling. We paid 25 a month for a couple of months but then I called again to cancel and Magazine Solutions said they already paid for us to hace the magazines for 5 years so we would have to pay a settlement to get out of the contract. At that time we then quit receiving any magazines at all. we also never recived the promised coupon book. I then filed a complaint with the Better Business Bureau.

When I finally managed to check my e-mail, I had a letter from Magazine solution's lawyer saying it was a verbal contract and unless I contacted them in so many days, the issue would be considered resolved. I didn't hear from the company again except for phone calls from United Publishers in which they would say that they appreciated my business and they could save me money by paying by credit card monthly or they would state that they were just confirming my credit card information that they have on file (which I never gave them in the first place). When I would tell them that I would not give them my number, they would hang up on me. Now on my credit report it states that I owe United Publishers 777.

Anna of Colonial Heights, VA December 7, 2006

I was contacted by a telemarketer offering a coupon program. I was completely mis lead during the phone conversation. After thinking I was accepting a free offer for coupons, I am now being told that I am stuck paying 777 for magazines I don't want. When I spoke to customer service, Lori Anderson told me "it's not our problem". When trying to explain this to Chris Chambers, he said "I'm late for a meeting" and hung up on me. I have done everything possible to try to cancel. The only answer I get from anyone at this company is that I have to pay for it. I never signed any contracts!

Kristy of Macomb, MI March 12, 2005

Magazine Solutions promised valuable coupons in exchange for paid magazine subscriptions. They promised we could change our selections at any time (they did not mention the 2 fee for changing). They also did not mention that when we send in a request to change magazines, it would take nearly 3 months for them to recognize it, on top of the 60-90 days for the publishers to process the request.They did not mention that we would not get all of the magazines we signed up for (now 8 months into the service, we have yet to receive one of the selections we chose, Maxim.

When we call to bring this to their attention, we are told some publications take longer than others to process subscriptions (8 months?). Magazine Solutions misrepresented the cost of this service by stating it costs 12 /month (the "average" cost is 12 month for 60 months, but it must be paid (25.90 /month over 30 months) and did not fully explain the "no cancellation" policy for this 60 month obligation. We are paying 777 for magazines, and not even getting the selections we ordered. Customer service, Monica Mancini, is quick to point out cancellation will negatively affect our credit with all three major bureaus. This has been a nightmare from the start. All of the coupons we receive generally expire within 30 days,(we were specifically told most do not expire)and many are duplicates that we could never use. Finally, we signed up for an automatic payment plan.

However, Magazine Solutions fails to withdraw on the scheduled dates, and then sends threatening notices to our house with late charges. Customer service rarely picks up the phone (voice mail is the norm), and when they do, they speak with a threatening tone, never resolve our issues, and leave us frustrated. We hope these comments prevent others from being drawn in by their misleading telemarketing.

Jennifer of Wilmington, DE September 15, 2003

I got a call that I had been picked to receive approx. 800 worth of coupons. I asked if there was a catch, they said no. They said it was some sort of study that manufacturers were doing. Then they finally said that I would have to pay them a small amount but I would get a few magazine subscriptions. They told me how much, but I had asked them to send me infomation, so I wasn't really listening. I have a small child and was paying attention to him, actually I think I was feeding him when they called. So, I wanted the written information to be able to actually go through it and calculate the cost, etc. They said they would send me the information. Well, I got a package from them, but it wasn't in my name. My last name was spelled incorrectly. I dont' know about you, but I get junk mail all the time with names close to, but not my own.

So, I throw it away. Then a few weeks later I get another package from them, with the same wrong name. It's the coupon books. So, I called because after thinking about it and realizing that it will cost over 700 for about 800 worth of coupons, it's not worth it! The company is now telling me that just because it's not in my name it was still my responsibility to send back this form to cancel if I wasn't interested. I told her it wasn't in my name, and that I threw it away thinking it was junk mail and that it wasn't my fault that her company screwed up. She said that it was basically my fault and that since I knew they would be sending me information I should have known that is what it was and opened it. Or she said I should have returned to sender. Who sends back junk mail??? Most people just throw it away. I only send back inportant looking mail. She's thinking that they will still charge me for this service! It was their fault, they screwed up and I shouldn't be held responsible!

Krysti of Winfield, AL June 17, 2003

I agreed to order magazines form this company and they would send me grocery coupons. I am expected to pay 25/month.... then the ciupons expire in 3-0 days or less.. i was told i could change the magazines at any time for no charge.. i was completely mislead... i wanted to cnancel the subscriu[tion, but they said it was legally binding like a loan and that there is no way to cancel it. I want this cancelled and do not feel like I should have to pay for something that I was lead to believe was something else. We have salso received numerous calls from other companies claiming to be affiliated with MagazineSolutions. It is on the verge on harassment.

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