Complaint Review: Magazine Club Sweepstakes

In March of 2002 I received a phone call from a respresentative representing the company as Publishers Clearing House Sweepstakes. They sell magazines and enter you in a contest for $1m. The magazines are for a 3 year period of time. I asked if this was they Publisher's Clearing House and they said "yes". So I went along with it and ordered the magazines. 1 hr later I decided I shouldn't have done that, I will call and cancel. When I called back the number on my caller ID, they answered the phone as Publishers Sweepstakes put me on hold forever, then I asked for my representative to cancel and of course she was not available. They told me I needed to call an 800# to cancel my order.

I called the 800# to cancel and they said they would reduce my rates and I could cancel upon receipt of my first magazine. So I waited 4 weeks and called back to try to cancel again, and they told me even though I had not received any magazines I couldn't cancel. I sent them a letter and called back again 4 weeks later to let them know I just became unemployed and could they please cancel me. They said no. I asked for a manager and they told me one would call me back. Of course that never happened.

In Dec 2002 I was sent to collection. This collection company has verbally threatened a judgement against me because of my refusal to pay. That is where I currently am. I reported this to the BBB, who has had 528 complaints on the practices of this company. Due to the overwhelming complaints the BBB is not taking any more complaints. The BBB has turned it over to the DA's office. I have no idea when or if anything will be resolved with this. I just want to get these magazines canceled and not have my credit harmed.

Lori
Largo, Florida
U.S.A.