Hearst Magazines - House Beautiful Subscription Harassment Red Oak Iowa
September 2007 I received a billing for a subscription renewal of House Beautfiul. Since I did not want to renew my subscription I ignored the billing.
In October 2007, I received a lettered billing stating that I chose to be a part of a program called "Continuous Service Program". I marked the bill "Did not sign up for this" and sent it back to the company.
Later in October 2007, I received a "reminder" with my "second billing" statement attached. This time I sat down and wrote a letter (11-8-07) to them telling them that I'd never heard of the Continuous Service Program much less signed up for it. I also reminded them that my current subscription wasn't even up until February 2008. I also told them that I would never sign up for an automatic renewal program on any of my subscriptions and that I was troubled that someone had instigated a service in my behalf and would appreciate an explanation from them.
In January 2008, I received a "delinquent account" statement with a billing date of 1/5/08 from the Collections Department. I again sat down and wrote another letter to the Credit & Collections, Steve Mitchell whose signature appeared on the letter. I sent the letter to him at the address on the letterhead and to the address on the payment envelope that was enclosed. I sent him a copy of all the documents from my letter of 11-9-07. I advised him that I wasn't surprised that all my mailings have been ignored and instructed him to clear my account and that I did not want to renew my subscription.
I received another letter on 2/2/08 telling me that "my good standing with them is at risk" and that I can resolve this matter "quickly and easily" by returning the payment. UNBELIEVEABLE!!! This time the bill is dated 12/8/07 but the letter wasn't postmarked until 1-31-08.
Too date, I have not received one response from any of my correspondence with Hearst Magazines. I've also noticed that the same signature for a Stephen is being used with different last names and titles in different departments. You'd think that Hearst Magazines is a large enough corporation that they wouldn't have to sink this low to try to get someone to renew a magazine subscription.
This last billing is being mailed back with a notation that I'm ignoring all further correspondence from them. Everytime I respond it costs me time, aggravation and money to do so. Since my subscription has ended with the February 2008 issue, I will NEVER subscribed to this magazine again.
I thought this type of behavior was illegal? If anyone else is having this problem, could you please post something. If this goes to collection, I'm going to file a complaint with my local authorities and also see if I can file it through the post office as harrassment.
EM
El Dorado Hills, California
U.S.A.
2 Updates & Rebuttals
Rita
Kinston,North Carolina,
U.S.A.
Hearst Corporation "Continuous Service"
#3Consumer Comment
Sun, February 28, 2010
I received a statement for Town&Country magazine from the Hearst Corporation on Feb 27, 2010 as part of a "Continuous Service Program". Like many others, I do not recall signing up for such a "Program". I checked the recycle bin for the latest issue (I don't read Town&Country magazine, so why would I order it?).
Thankfully, there was an "Important SUBSCRIBER Notice" still attached. It stated "This is a reminder that your current subscription term is ending, but as a part of our Continuous Service program, your subscription will automatically renew unless you tell us to stop."
Following that was a letter from "G.L. Valk For Town&Country". In the bottom right corner of that letter was a box which read: "Remember: You can cancel your subscription or automatic continous service charges at any time by writing 'cancel' on your invoice and returning it in the envelope we provide, or visiting our web site or forwarding your request to: Town&Country, PO Box 8464, Red Oak, IA 51591-1464"
I opted to go to the website, pay.townandcountrymag.com. There was a link on the right to "Cancel your subscription", so I clicked on it.
Immediately a box appeared "Subscriber login required for this service", so I clicked OK. That took me to the "Cancel My Subscription" page. After choosing why I wanted to cancel, it went to another page offering to extend my subscription by 2 free issues or to just cancel. Of course I took the just cancel.
At that point I was returned to the form that was on the home page to fill out to access my subscription account. I filled out the form and was directed to a "Cancel My Subscription" page with my account info and a "We are sorry you no longer wish to receive..." I clicked the Submit button and a new page came up, "We have received your request to cancel your subscription. Please allow 2 days for your cancellation to be processed and applied to your account, and disregard any correspondence you may receive from Town & Country during that time. Accept any issues already mailed with our compliments."
I did perform a "Print Screen" of my "Account Summary", "Cancel My Subscription", and after submitting pages. I cut and pasted those on a Word document so I could save everything in case I need it in the future, along with the notice that was on the last Town&Country issue.
It seemed very simple. Let's just hope it works!
Mytleviathan
USAMy Problem As Well
#3Consumer Comment
Mon, October 26, 2009
Yes, this exact situation has been happening to me. I was a subscriber to Popular Science and Popular Mechanics for several years and ceased to renew solely because I was feeling harassed by Hearst Publishing. I was receiving twice the notices too since I had two separate subscriptions. Now even my Rod and Custom subscription, which is a Source Interlink Media publication, is joining in on the same thing. I wont elaborate on those details since that is probably for a separate post, but is is sad to see my treasured magazine industry stooping so low. I have not responded like you since I did not want to instigate further antagonizing and now I am sad to see that it would have made no difference.
Thank you for your post. Hopefully fellow subscribers will not give in to this harassment and therefore the publishers will give up this strategy.