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Global Living Fraudelent, Unprofessional, Deceitful Cons Massena New York
Never agree to anything with frauds and cons from Global Living. If they call you on the phone, I suggest you hang-up. What a ripoff and con-artists indeed!
I was subscribing to ONE magazine called Men's Health. I enjoy this magazine and found it very helpful and informative. About the time my subscription to this magazine was due to expire, I received a call from Global Living asking if I'd like to renew it. Since I liked the magazine, I agreed and was subjected to a bunch of questions all which were being recorded.
Next thing I know, I was being billed for a bunch of magazines that I did NOT subscribe to. What's worse is Men's Health isn't even a part of the subscription. I was being charged with $49.99 a month!
Attempts at cancelling this account were futile to say the least. Their customer service department is full of unprofessional, rude, inconsiderate representatives. I had an advocate from my Visa Card company get on the phone with me to dispute the charges they were putting on my card. After about a half hour being on hold while they search for their records, they played the recording to us. Sarcastic, rude, inconsiderate, and down-right unprofessional comments were made. Since they had me on recording, I was forced to abide by the verbal contract. However, the understanding that I had with the recording was for the ONE magazine and not for 5 or 6 and certainly NOT for $49.99 a month!
I went ahead and kept paying the monthly charges since they had me on recording which was fraudelently obtained. I hoped to just pay out the rest and NEVER EVER renew it when it expires. Upon review of my credit card bill, I saw that they had charged me twice in one month. I called them to inquire about this and was told that I renewed it. I RENEWED IT?? Now why would I do that? Then, I was put on hold again for what seemed like an eternity while they search for my records. The rep that helped me played the recording that supposedly documents that I agreed to renew it. After listening to it, it was a recording from the very first, initial verbal agreement from a year ago. The address in it was completely wrong. It was my address from a year ago.
After I threatened a lawsuit, the rep then suggested I write them a letter requesting a cancellation. He said they will process this request. I have a feeling that this is not the end of things. NEVER EVER agree to anything with Global Living. If they call you, hang up immediately!!
Victor
Livermore, California
U.S.A.
4 Updates & Rebuttals
Smurf
Metairie,Louisiana,
U.S.A.
Something I read elsewhere
#5Consumer Suggestion
Fri, August 20, 2004
I read elsewhere someone had their account information changed to end the charges on their account. But beware of the SURPRISE BAD CREDIT. I suggest to this to spend your money wisely and get a lawyer to notorize your cancelation letter and keep hold of it to prevent future bad credit.
Victor
Livermore,California,
U.S.A.
Global Living's history of deceit
#5Author of original report
Thu, August 12, 2004
Just another update regarding my dealings with. First, I appreciate the creators of this site by providing the public a forum to document fraudulent and deceitful activities perpetrated by companies like Global Living. I truly appreciate it. I know much has been said in this website about the non-virtues of going to the Better Business Bureau to report bad business practices. However, it was a necessary step I had to take in order to try and rectify my situation. So that's what I did.
First I filed a complaint with the BBB of Buffalo, NY. Surprisingly, I got a reponse saying they received my complaints and necessary correspondence have been made with Global Living. I then received a call from the company's Customer Relations Manager saying that he received my complaint through the BBB. All I ever wanted was to have my accounts cancelled and for them to stop charging my account. The Customer Relations Manager handled my complaint. He told me that he would cancel the account effective immediately which was on Thursday, August 5. He assured me that my account will be a $0.00 balance. He said that rather than fight my complaint, his company would "eat" the remaining balance on my account, which was $99.90. It's more cost-effective that way. After being reassured, I still had my doubts and reservations specially with Global Living's history of deceit. I was skeptical.
This monday, August 9, I called Global Living to check on the status of the cancellation to see if the Customer Relations Manager was true to his word. He lied. My account is still active and showing a balance of $99.90 instead of the $0.00 balance he had assured me of.
Why am I not surprised?
Victor
Livermore,California,
U.S.A.
Global Living, Global Readers Club, Daytime Discount Club, Leisure Time Readers, Inc., Nadine Media, USA, Pleasure Time Readers
#5Author of original report
Mon, August 02, 2004
Another update!! After much research on how to handle this situation, I found out that complaints can be made through the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). I contacted them and was able to speak to a Consumer Counselor which then took my information along with my complaint of fraudulent events perpretrated by Global Living. She gave me numbers for The Attorney General of California as well as my local Consumer Protection Agency.
After doing the above, I went ahead and called Global Living to check on the status of my cancellation request. Last week, the CSR I spoke to said that that they are all going on vacation and therefore was unable to help me. So I called today and was told that their computer system has crashed and she can't verify my information. Coincidence???? I think NOT!! It's a run-around, games con-artists play. My next step is to contact the credit bureau to let them know of my situation in case they try to do something negative and/or damaging against my credit. After this, if no resolution can be met, then I am contacting Bill Lockyer, Atty. General of CA.
Victor
Livermore,California,
U.S.A.
Global Living, Global Readers Club, Daytime Discount Club, Leisure Time Readers, Inc., Nadine Media, USA, Pleasure Time Readers
#5Author of original report
Fri, July 30, 2004
Just to give you another idea of how shady, con-artists, rip-off, deceitful and fraudulent this company is here is an update. I went ahead and wrote a letter of cancellation as the CSR had instructed me. I sent it by certified mail which they received as I got the confirmation that they received it.
Today I get a call from them at home asking for me and when the message taker asked for a name which I could call back, he would NOT provide it. Why? Perhaps to give me another run-around because when I called back just a few minutes later, the CSR that answered my call didn't have any idea who called me.
She informed me that 14 days later, my account STILL hasn't been cancelled and that starting today, they are ALL going on vacation. What company lets all their workers go on vacation???? She suggested I call back next week when everyone is back. RIP OFF!!!