Complaint Review: Magazine Source Aka MagSource

Hello, I had the same issue, with the same phone number, but I had several different names given to me of the company.  There was Millennium Marketing, Subscription Data Processing, and National Publishers Exchange, all using the same number.  I however, filed a report with the FTC (Federal Trade Commission), and received every dime I paid back.  Thought maybe this might help.  Good Luck!

Dale T. Lenard has opened a new office in W. Florida Ave. Hemet,CA 92543 called "Kick Push Coast" same magazine company..same rebuttal..same gimmick and same mistreatment on employees! if you guys are still following up on this, please try to stop the man from scamming on innocent people! I think theres only a few people or even employees that had stood up and tried to file a complaint against him..

Dale's cell 951-775-1810

Lets start off with this whole "I got ripped off bit." It wasn't the fact that you got ripped off it was the fact that you were too ignorent to pay attention to what was going on. They start off by calling you: this person tells you that you will be paying $3.99 (more or less) for four to six magazines. After collecting some basic information it is then passed on to a second person (verifier.)

This person then goes over what magazines and ask you which ones YOU want, they make sure that all your personal information is correct (there is nothing wrong with this as it is done by any business that collects billing information.) During this time the cost of the magazines and your payment term is discussed.

The next process is know as capping the order. This begins with asking you for your permission to record the conversation. The purpose is so that if any dipute is made in the future it can be listened to. During this recording personal information, magazines, billing, and payments are reviewed.

You are told that you can also change your magazines at any point in time. At a point you are told you can not cancel and they ask if you agree to those terms, if you say no they do not continue. Now, in most cases the conversations end there, some recordings have 9 computer generated questions that, once again, go over personal,magazine,payment, billing information, and your are told again that you can not cancel and like before if you say no the sale is then voided.

This whole process takes around 15 to 20 minutes, it can even take a few days as some customers ask to be called back or a verifier wasn't available after first contact is made. So, during this whole "ripp off" you were told the price 3 to 4 times, and you were told how many payments you were going to make 3 to for times. Also, you were told you could not cancel. All of this is on recording so when you call back three months down the road and say you never agreed to anything they can listen to that to prove you are wrong.

If you want to blame anyone blame yourself. I hate hearing people say "O, I was half asleep," or "he/she was talking fast. It was YOU who gave them the information, if you didn't know what was going on YOU should of told them to call back or YOU just not of given them any information.

As far as "Dale lenard/lipinski." Being around dale for a few years I have heard about him using the last name lipinski only from chatty kathys. It is all "he said she said." I have heard everything like Dale being a drug dealer to him being a goverment worker undercover "busting" people in a "magazine ring." Melissa, You say that you worked for them for a year. If you truely believe they ripp people off doen't that make you just as bad? I like how you say "The script given to employees is so misleading that it took me a good 6 months to understand exactly what it was stating." This only goes on to discredit your intellegence on this matter.

Anyone with any other info about these companies and the men behind them, post here. A News program is collecting info as we speak. There is also a book about these men coming out. Help put these men out of business!

It's funny how all these guys stick together and give eachother 'tips' on the scam business. I am still working with a news program trying to crack open this VERY EVIL EMPIRE. If you have any info please post here. Thanks.

It is very possible that this "Bill" is William J. Stemple of Budget Marketing Norfolk Va. infamy. He had another branch on Mustang Trl in Va. beach that pulled the scam from another angle under another name.

What a racket that Budget Mktg of Va. was. They would sell these subscriptions to unsuspecting people who thought they were buying one thing and ended up with a bill for $600 of magazines and no apparent way of canceling.

If anyone didn't pay their bill he'd call them off the hook w/ collectors to harass and collect. Since not paying for the magazines would eventually stop the subscription, Budget Mktg of Va. would do something known as "B-pay" them which would make payments to the mag companies so their magazines would keep coming to their house and they'd have a reason to collect/harass.

Then he'd try to eventually take people to court but if they showed up and were actually going to be "heard" he'd drop the case. Well, he'd drop it if his last tactic of trying to discourage them outside the Court building steps didn't work.

Then he had collectors posing as "Attorneys" calling these people to collect.

William J. Stemple of Budget Mktg. Norfolk/ Va Beach was a real piece of work. SCUM.

J.

"Bill" states he's an employee for the company. Later in the paragraph he states he is an ex-employee for the company. I know these people like the back of my hand and I guarantee you who's behind these 'but they are our friends' responses to all the customer and ex-employee complaints.

Statements like 'As far as Customers go of any of Mr. Rahms companies I assure that if you feel cheated or mislead in ANYWAY call him direct and he or someone in his staff will resolve your complaint.' infuriate me to no extent because anyone who calls Mr. Rahm or Mr Lenard are brushed off.

What's this about people who 'could not handle earning less money then you once were able to prior to the National Do Not Call days. It is unfortunate that you cannot accept your own shortcomings and try to blame someone that has helped so many.' ? (Good one RR) In case you forgot the employees were mad because their checks were bouncing in their accounts and some were refused pay checks until the matter cleared. (Never received my last check to this day)

I also like the 'affiliation with Dale' remark. Since you guys still do business. Affiliation is an understatement. I also remember the exact words used by Mr. Rahm and Mr Lenard the day we were moved accross the street. You should be ashamed of yourself. The words spoken to me and other employees that day made me realize that 'business ethics' is an oxymoron to these men.

When "Bill" asks about previous job experience I am curious to exactly what he means? Is this a resume? Did he post previous job experience?
I don't know about anyone else but I worked for a telemarketing company for 2 1/2 years called The Signature Group. They belonged to Montgomery Wards. Never had a problem there. If you wanted anything cancelled they promptly did so and credited your account within 48 hours. I also worked for Sprint for 2 years. Same deal, good company. I was never ripped off. The main thing to remember is these men are con-artist. They can take you off the subject at hand to la la land when the fact remains they ripped people off and didn't do anything about it. Read between the lines. These people have more brewing than just scams like this.

There is a lot more to this story. Unfortunately we cannot say but to lawyers, better business bureau's, departments of labor's, eeoc's, etc. Too many people are saying the same thing. Too little of them are using fake log on info. The funniest part is that the main saying they use to justify their actions is 'a deals a deal'. The writer of the contract is a mastermind at manipulation. It's like making a deal with the devil.

I personally worked for Mr. Rahm for several years. I personally saw him help hundreds of people both on a business and personal level. I also know that during Hurricane Katrina he personally called everyone of his Customers in regions affected by the storm. He shipped at his own expense food, diapers, and cash to many people.

I have also seen him hand over cash he did not have to give at the time to employees who had no way to provide for their own families at Christmas time.

As far as Customers go of any of Mr. Rahms companies I assure that if you feel cheated or mislead in ANYWAY call him direct and he or someone in his staff will resolve your complaint.

I find it odd that almost all the postings on this site for the last 3 years have been from ex-employees?
I also find it odd that none of you posted any of you previous career expierence. Is it because most of you had none or if you did you were to embarrassed to discuss it? Do you think it is fair that he gave you a shot and believed in you and when things did not work out it is his fault or the Companies fault? You people should be ashamed of yourselves.

I also read about an affiliation with Dale ,
do they know each other---yes. When some of you left to work with Dale from Millennium I know first hand MR Rahm made every person sign an acknowldgement that they were no longer employees of Millennium, so why is it now his fault that you for whatever happenned after you left his Company?

I also know that based on the stories (and I do mean stories)several of you were either terminated for cause or could not handle earning less money then you once were able to prior to the National Do Not Call days. It is unfortunate that you cannot accept your own shortcomings and try to blame someone that has helped so many.

I have since moved on but will always be grateful for the knowledge and expierence I had at Millennium and will remain so for many years to come.

I personally worked for Mr. Rahm for several years. I personally saw him help hundreds of people both on a business and personal level. I also know that during Hurricane Katrina he personally called everyone of his Customers in regions affected by the storm. He shipped at his own expense food, diapers, and cash to many people.

I have also seen him hand over cash he did not have to give at the time to employees who had no way to provide for their own families at Christmas time.

As far as Customers go of any of Mr. Rahms companies I assure that if you feel cheated or mislead in ANYWAY call him direct and he or someone in his staff will resolve your complaint.

I find it odd that almost all the postings on this site for the last 3 years have been from ex-employees?
I also find it odd that none of you posted any of you previous career expierence. Is it because most of you had none or if you did you were to embarrassed to discuss it? Do you think it is fair that he gave you a shot and believed in you and when things did not work out it is his fault or the Companies fault? You people should be ashamed of yourselves.

I also read about an affiliation with Dale ,
do they know each other---yes. When some of you left to work with Dale from Millennium I know first hand MR Rahm made every person sign an acknowldgement that they were no longer employees of Millennium, so why is it now his fault that you for whatever happenned after you left his Company?

I also know that based on the stories (and I do mean stories)several of you were either terminated for cause or could not handle earning less money then you once were able to prior to the National Do Not Call days. It is unfortunate that you cannot accept your own shortcomings and try to blame someone that has helped so many.

I have since moved on but will always be grateful for the knowledge and expierence I had at Millennium and will remain so for many years to come.

I personally worked for Mr. Rahm for several years. I personally saw him help hundreds of people both on a business and personal level. I also know that during Hurricane Katrina he personally called everyone of his Customers in regions affected by the storm. He shipped at his own expense food, diapers, and cash to many people.

I have also seen him hand over cash he did not have to give at the time to employees who had no way to provide for their own families at Christmas time.

As far as Customers go of any of Mr. Rahms companies I assure that if you feel cheated or mislead in ANYWAY call him direct and he or someone in his staff will resolve your complaint.

I find it odd that almost all the postings on this site for the last 3 years have been from ex-employees?
I also find it odd that none of you posted any of you previous career expierence. Is it because most of you had none or if you did you were to embarrassed to discuss it? Do you think it is fair that he gave you a shot and believed in you and when things did not work out it is his fault or the Companies fault? You people should be ashamed of yourselves.

I also read about an affiliation with Dale ,
do they know each other---yes. When some of you left to work with Dale from Millennium I know first hand MR Rahm made every person sign an acknowldgement that they were no longer employees of Millennium, so why is it now his fault that you for whatever happenned after you left his Company?

I also know that based on the stories (and I do mean stories)several of you were either terminated for cause or could not handle earning less money then you once were able to prior to the National Do Not Call days. It is unfortunate that you cannot accept your own shortcomings and try to blame someone that has helped so many.

I have since moved on but will always be grateful for the knowledge and expierence I had at Millennium and will remain so for many years to come.

I personally worked for Mr. Rahm for several years. I personally saw him help hundreds of people both on a business and personal level. I also know that during Hurricane Katrina he personally called everyone of his Customers in regions affected by the storm. He shipped at his own expense food, diapers, and cash to many people.

I have also seen him hand over cash he did not have to give at the time to employees who had no way to provide for their own families at Christmas time.

As far as Customers go of any of Mr. Rahms companies I assure that if you feel cheated or mislead in ANYWAY call him direct and he or someone in his staff will resolve your complaint.

I find it odd that almost all the postings on this site for the last 3 years have been from ex-employees?
I also find it odd that none of you posted any of you previous career expierence. Is it because most of you had none or if you did you were to embarrassed to discuss it? Do you think it is fair that he gave you a shot and believed in you and when things did not work out it is his fault or the Companies fault? You people should be ashamed of yourselves.

I also read about an affiliation with Dale ,
do they know each other---yes. When some of you left to work with Dale from Millennium I know first hand MR Rahm made every person sign an acknowldgement that they were no longer employees of Millennium, so why is it now his fault that you for whatever happenned after you left his Company?

I also know that based on the stories (and I do mean stories)several of you were either terminated for cause or could not handle earning less money then you once were able to prior to the National Do Not Call days. It is unfortunate that you cannot accept your own shortcomings and try to blame someone that has helped so many.

I have since moved on but will always be grateful for the knowledge and expierence I had at Millennium and will remain so for many years to come.

As a former employee of Dale Lenard (also known as Dale Lipinski), I can confirm all of the complaints stated by consumers saying they were ripped off. I worked for Millennium Marketing and later Apex Magazines for one year. The script given to employees is so misleading that it took me a good 6 months to understand exactly what it was stating. I understand anyone saying they were ripped off. I was also ripped off by them. They failed to pay me my last paycheck. Since then I have worked with the state trying to get those funds.

In the past years I've watched these men move from state to state, starting new scams, getting shut down, and starting somewhere new. From The Lake of the Ozarks in Missouri,to Colorado, to Iowa and back again. Remember the mothership is Shawnee Mission Ks and that's where they always end up. If you've been ripped off start there.

Dale Lenard is back there as of July 2006. His new company is called TMR. He is renting space from Rusty Rahm's Millennium Marketing. Of course Mr. Rahm will deny his where-abouts, deny doing business with him, even pay him under the table, yet rent him mall space in the ever famous strip mall off Shawnee Mission Parkway.

The best part is that many of his employees rally against the company by informing those seeking the where-abouts of Dale or any other information deemed secret to anyone who wants to know. There is no loyality at Millennium Marketing. To the "Leads" on the paper, (you the consumer), employees that have been there for years, to the family members that worked side by side with these men. They are driven by money, nothing more. Without a care for any human being, just the lining of their wallets.

I have been working with the FCC, State Labor board, internet sites, varies newspapers and reporters. Not to mention many organizations that rally womens rights. The complaints pouring out of this place is amazing. I have also documented the full story for a reputable television program.

They continue to skim laws and slide through the cracks. All who were ripped off rest assure, they won't be in business long. Most important, what kind of people are these? Why would they lie, cheat, and scam to get ahead? If they aren't stopped, who's to say their children won't follow their paths.

I am a ex-employee of Millennium Marketing. It is funny how a person can drink the kool-aid for four years and say "yuk" thats not my flavor anymore. It was a OK place to work. Now I am working in a place that is more what I was looking for. I have nothing negative or positive to say about Milliuenn Marketing. It was just a OK place to work. And to all of those like KYLE, you got what you deserved one way or another.

Thank you for listening,

Valentine

My name is Kyle, I worked for Rusty Rahm for almost four years. I even dropped out of high school to help the man make his millions. I am 19 years old and currently live in Lenexa Ks, I have some of the complaints on this website and see that i still have many more to go but I noticed that they all have one thing in common every one was tricked into saying yes and no one can cancel.

first let me ask you all a question does this sound familiar, "and of course mr. jon doe we do have your permission to bill your visa card for 59.90 each and every month for 30 months but you will recieve magazines for 60 months, is that correct?".

Yeah I still know the script pretty much word for word, i was one of the people scamming you folks into agreeing to recieve these magazines. Know I work on the plaza doing something totally different. but i saw all the people needing help so i have some ideas.

first the gentleman who posted his two cents above my rebuttal is known to you all as dale from colorado springs his real name is dale lenard or dale lypinsky as well as countless other titles that the IRS cant seem to put together he is one of the origional scammers he is a short little guy who would remind you of santa clauses little brother.

Now he said you stop payments but you will still be collected on. not always true, try cancelling your credit card changing your bank account stuff like that if that doesnt work try calling them and talking to terry chritensin he is the vp of millenium marketing in shawnee kansas, which is were rusty rahm currently has his magazine dynasty located at.

this man terry will more than likely cancel your "contract" if he hears phrases like better buisness bureau, or attorney genreal office or my attorney will call you, stuff like that he will do this for you when he hears stuff like because like any other dynasty when the emporer gets to greedy for his own good his dynasty crumbles and that is exactly what mr rahms magazine sourece and publishers renewal service and readers source are doing right now crumbling,

when i was there they had roughly 200 hundred employees now there is about 30, and i also understand that they a currently sellling porn and giving away "free" magazines with it.

however terry knows that the company can handle anymore lawsuits so try those things that i mentioned above the number to contact mr rahm or terry his vice president at is 913-248-1800, try those thing s first. if they dont work then contact me.

ANYONE STILL INTERESTED IT CANCELING SUBSCRIPTIONS THEY MIGHT STILL HAVE YOU ARE PRETTY MUCH OUT OF LUCK!

I READ ONE PERSON SAY THAT THAT THEY DID NOT SIGN A CONTRACT, IN REALITY YOU DID. IT IS CALLED A VERBAL CONTRACT, IN THIS RECORDED CONVERSATION YOU AGREED TO MAKE A CERTAIN AMMOUNT OF PAYMENTS OF A CERTAIN AMMOUNT. YOU AGREED ON TAPE. IM SURE THEY WILL PLAY IT BACK FOR YOUR LAWYER IF YOU WOULD LIKE!

THE ONLY POSSIBLE WAY TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT IS TO STOP PAYMENTS, AND IF YOU DO THAT YOU WILL BE COLLECTED ON!

This information may help. His information is below.
Good Luck!

Budget Marketing aka Magazine Source
Legal Name BUDGET MARKETING, INC.
Corp No. 5947
Chapter
CODE 490 DOMESTIC PROFIT
State of Inc. IA
Filing Date Jun 15, 1971
Effective Date Jun 15, 1971
Expiration Date PERPETUAL

Fictitious names
BUDGET MARKETING, INC.
BUDGET MARKETING SERVICES, INC.
KEYSTONE MARKETING
Keystome Marketing, Inc
Keystone Publishers Service
Publisher's Renewal Service

President
RUSSELL J. RAHM 1171 7TH ST DES MOINES IA 50314
293 Belle Vista Ct Lake Ozark MO (573) 365-3061
Secretary HENRY L. THOMASSEN 1171 7TH STREET DES MOINES IA 50314
ASST SEC
WILLIAM WHEATCRAFT 1171 7TH ST DES MOINES IA 50314

Budget Marketing
1171 7th St
Des Moines Iowa 50314
U.S.A.
Phone:
800-532-3434
Don Branjord
P: 515-243-7000
F: 515-243-7721
dbranjord@magazinesource.com

MILLENNIUM MARKETING, INC.
10400 W. 63RD ST.
SHAWNEE, KS 662030000

Trademark
Word Mark MAGAZINESOURCE
Goods and Services IC 035. US 100 101 102. G & S: marketing services, namely, promoting the goods and services of others through the distribution of printed materials, direct mail, advertising and telemarketing. FIRST USE: 19960830. FIRST USE IN COMMERCE: 19960830
Mark Drawing Code (1) TYPED DRAWING
Serial Number 75193547
Filing Date November 5, 1996
Published for Opposition January 13, 1998
Registration Number 2148902
Registration Date April 7, 1998
Owner (REGISTRANT) Budget Marketing, Inc. CORPORATION IOWA One Crossover Square 1171 7th Street Des Moines IOWA 503061805
Attorney of Record H ROBERT HENDERSON
Type of Mark SERVICE MARK
Register PRINCIPAL

www.bbb.org
Original Business Start Date: January 1971
Principal : Mr Rusty Rahm President
Phone Number: (515) 243-7000
Fax Number: (515) 247-5000
Email Address: info@magazinesource.com
Membership Status: Yes
Type-of-Business Classification:
Direct Selling - Magazines
Website Address: www.magazinesource.com
Additional Doing-Business-As Names: Magazine Source
Additional Addresses: P O Box 1805, Des Moines, IA 50306
12101 North 56th StreetSuite 3, Temple Terrace, FL 33617
Additional Phone Numbers: 800-247-2160
800-456-6565
Additional TOB Classifications: Mail Order - Telephone Solicitation

http://www.shawneekschamber.com/textfiles/sacctxt/millenniummarketing.html
(Shawnee, Kansas) Millennium Marketing, a national marketer of magazine subscriptions, is expanding its operations in Shawnee. Recently relocating from 12700 Shawnee Mission Parkway to converted retail space in the Shawnee Shopping Center, at 10400 Shawnee Mission Parkway, Millennium Marketing will ultimately occupy 42,000 square feet of space in the building.

10/2001
Millennium Marketing has moved its headquarters down the street to the Shawnee Shopping Center. The company ran out of space and with the expected increase of 500 telemarketing jobs leased 42,000 square feet in the shopping center. Millennium, currently run by President and CEO Rusty Rahm, was founded in Des Moines in 1995 and has been in business in the Kansas City area since 1997.

Kansas City Business Journal
Millennium President and CEO Rusty Rahm said the company made $20 million in 2000 gross revenues.

You can see pictures at-
http://www.public.fotki.com/rahm/millennium_marketing/
http://www.public.fotki.com/rahm/budget_marketing/

Other Various Tidbits:
BUDGET MARKETING
P O BOX 22641
KANSAS CITY, MO 64113
Principal: DALE BRANSON
Type-of-Business Classification: MAGAZINE SALES-DIRECT DOOR-DOOR

History.
Charles A. Eagle - Director (deceased 2001)
Dennis H Gougion - Director
4830 CEDAR DR
WEST DES MOINES, IA 50266-4953
Dale T. Lenard dba Mega-Magazine Service, Colorado Dawn, & Key Concept
Charles P. Donly dba Budet Renewal Service
Roy Golden dba American Marketing Service
Dave Keown dba Publishers Marketing
Richard Prochnow dba Direct Sales International
John Harrison
Dale Branson dba Leisure Day Marketing
Steven Johnson
William J. Stemple, Sr dba Budget Marketing of Virginia

I have received the promised magazines none i like , but we the consumer must find a way to fight the company that has done this injustice to us , we should be able to stop the magazine subscriptions when we waant too. we didn't sign anything binding us to the subscriptions just a phone conversation to a telemarketer. if you know hwo to get us the consumer out of this please let us know by posting your info below...

I have received the promised magazines none i like , but we the consumer must find a way to fight the company that has done this injustice to us , we should be able to stop the magazine subscriptions when we waant too. we didn't sign anything binding us to the subscriptions just a phone conversation to a telemarketer. if you know hwo to get us the consumer out of this please let us know by posting your info below...

I have received the promised magazines none i like , but we the consumer must find a way to fight the company that has done this injustice to us , we should be able to stop the magazine subscriptions when we waant too. we didn't sign anything binding us to the subscriptions just a phone conversation to a telemarketer. if you know hwo to get us the consumer out of this please let us know by posting your info below...

I have received the promised magazines none i like , but we the consumer must find a way to fight the company that has done this injustice to us , we should be able to stop the magazine subscriptions when we waant too. we didn't sign anything binding us to the subscriptions just a phone conversation to a telemarketer. if you know hwo to get us the consumer out of this please let us know by posting your info below...