Complaint Review: The Beginning Reader's Club

I, Lisa P enrolled my son in the Beginning Readers'Program in September 2003. I have yet to receive books that I was suppose to get in my introductory offer, but I did receive a bill within the month of my order; of course I never sent a payment in because I never received what I ordered. Finally I did send a check for the amount that was owed from September 2003-$8.98 in January 2004, the check was depoisted on January 29, 2004.

Today I received another letter from The Beginning Readers' Program stating that I owed double of what I had already paid. They also stated that they are,"Referring The P Account For The Beginning Readers' Program To A National Credit Reporting Agency." "The P Account Will Remain On Their Files For Five Years." and "We Will Assign The P Account To A Professional Agency For Collection." So now my credit will be affected by an $8.98 bill, for which they are trying to collect a total of $17.44.

Another thing I noticed in very small print on this statement is a statement stating, "A special Charge of $1.99 is added to each monthly bill to cover postage and handling (not a finance charge). Amount now due includes this charge." What is this??

Before I came upon this website I spent about 30 minutes trying to locate a customer service phone number to speak with someone regarding this matter, guess what, they do not give a number to call. I also tried to go to their website they provided on the statement they sent to me and I could not find this website. When I saw this web I clicked on and could not believe what I read, it all sounded like what I've been dealing with the past few months.

Usually when a company wants to get their payments that they are owed they will provide a phone number and a web address that works. It seems to me the only reason this company has not provided the information I need to get this taken care of is because they know I have paid my bill in full!!!! I have wanted to cancel my subscription but never received that option.

To me this is not right even after sending in a payment for something I did not receive I am still receiving statements with interst or whatever they call it.

Lisa
Lake Charles, Louisiana
U.S.A.