Reader's Choice Service, Reader's Choice Service Inc. Sucked into this scam as a young adult. Have been trying to get out. What do I do?? Lakewood Colorado
A couple years ago after my fiance and I got our own place together, I got sucked into a whirlwind of all these different magazine companies. For a little while I enjoyed getting the magazines, then I noticed I was getting duplicates of some magazines. Then I noticed these huge charges accumulating pretty fast.
I made several attempts to call and cancel and each time they tell me that I am commited and cannot cancel because I made a verbal agreement. I just shrugged it off and figured once I had this payed off that would be the end of it. Well somehow along the line I got tied up with what appears to be 3 different companies.
Readers Choice
Lakewood, Colorado
Readers Source
Mission, Kansas
and
Magazine Services of America
I have tried to contact all 3 to cancel and they all tell me I cannot cancel due to my verbal agreement, which they have never played back to me. One of the last times they called me at work and I told them to take me off the automatic renewel. Then I recieve mail from Readers Choice saying I started new service in December which I know I did not.
It all boils down to this, in this months statement from my credit card I have this:
4/1 Magazine Services of America 800-476-3053 $23.98
4/1 Magazine Services of America 800-476-3053 $19.16
4/2 Magazine 800-481-1388 $49.95
4/14 Magazine 800-481-1388 $49.95
4/18 Readers Source 800-725-1729 $21.00
I have called all these places to try to cancel and they wont let me. I never ever rememeber anybody telling me that I could NOT cancel. If they had told me I would be locked in and couldnt cancel, I would never have agreed.
When I call Readers Choice (which shows up on my statement as Magazine) at 800-481-1388 all I get is a recording that says to leave a message.
I have contacted my bank and am in the process of getting a new account opened up and cancelling my current one because all of these charges are on my visa check card.
My main concern is that after I do that, they wont be able to charge me, but what do I do if I get turned into collections and all that stuff? I really need help here so anyone who has any input or suggestions please help me. I need to get this all taken care of. Im only 23 and I have a young daughter and just got married and really dont need this stress in my life......PLEASE HELP ME!
Acraig1
Groton, New York
U.S.A.
3 Updates & Rebuttals
Anonymous
San Luis Obispo,California,
U.S.A.
I May Be Able To Help...
#4UPDATE Employee
Mon, February 09, 2009
I don't work in the magazine department, so I don't know exactly what goes on there, however, I do have the direct business line that will get you through to an actual person...
If they still give you a hard time about canceling your order I suggest you write and copy (for your records) a formal cancelation letter to Reader's Choice at this address:
720 Aerovista Place # D
San Luis Obispo, CA 93401
(805) 547-8610
I haven't been working here long, but within the first few days of my employment, I have been rubbed the wrong way with this company.
I hope this information was of some help to you.
Acraig1
Groton,New York,
U.S.A.
Even more problems
#4Author of original report
Tue, October 07, 2008
After posting the last I cancelled the card they were taking from and started recieving several calls at home and work demanding payment. I just recieved a letter from Credit & Collection Solutions Inc. in Great Falls Montana sayin that my debt has been turned over to them and it gives me 30 days to respond. It then threatens legal action. Then someone from their office called me at work today. I dont know what to do, them being in montana and me in new york, are they really gonna take me to court over this supposed 700 dollars they claim I have to pay?? This whole mess was a stupid mistake that has haunted me for a long time now. I cant even find any record of this business when I google it. The lady I spoke to gave me this number to call back with payment info 877-453-5699. When you google that number, the first thing that comes up is another rip off report of a company with that same number but theyre a magazine service out of Redondo Beach California! what the hell is happening? Can anyone out there help me???
Sarah
Nashville,Tennessee,
U.S.A.
The same thing happened to me
#4Consumer Suggestion
Tue, April 29, 2008
I had the same issue when I was about your age. You're lucky though; I got hit with eight of these companies. It took a lot of time and effort to sort out and I am still getting magazines some six years later. The problem with these companies is that they all use the EXACT SAME pitch. That's what confused me. Other companies actually read my credit card number to me (they were related to ones I'd given my card number to before). I would highly recommend that you get caller ID (if you don't already have it) and don't answer calls that aren't from someone you know.
When I had my situation, I gave my father power of attorney (though you can do this on your own) and he wrote letters to each company (sent certified mail - I would do this return receipt requested printing the certified number on the letter) of which we kept copies stating that we never wanted the magazines and they were to stop sending them and they were not to charge us anymore. Request that they provide a written cancellation notice from each one. Also, you might want to contact your bank to let them know that you have been scammed. I doubt that there's much you can do about that, but you won't be held as liable for the charges since they were charged to your Visa. Below, I have put the link for the posting of my situation and how it was dealt with. Good luck.
http://www.ripoffreport.com/reports/0/223/RipOff0223305.htm