- Report: #1212391
Complaint Review: Highlights Magazine - Columbus Ohio
Reported By:
Fed up with false advertising -
Germantown, Tennessee,
Submitted:
Updated:
-
Author Not Confirmed
Why?
Highlights Magazine
1800 Watermark Drive Columbus, 43218-0201 Ohio, USA
Phone:
1-800-962-3661
Web:
Highlights.com
Categories:
Business Rating:
(0)
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Highlights Magazine Puzzle Buzz Mailer claiming free gift offer, true costs hidden Columbus Ohio
I am a subscriber to highlights magazine for my two children, I've loved highlights since I read it myself as a child. However, my feelings toward this brand have definitely changed after receiving a bait and switch mailer from them today.
The mailer is a preview copy of Puzzle Buzz that contained an insert claiming "free gift offer." The offer was for a free tote bag and free book. Free written all over it. I knew there had to be a catch as there always is , but it took me 15 minutes of reading all the fine print and flipping from the insert, to the back cover, to the "letter" at the front of the book to figure it out.
Basically send the card in to claim your free gift and by doing so you are also signing up to receive a book that will cost you $5.49 and a subscription service of 2 more books every 4 weeks at $5.49 a book!
I recognize that these types of "offers" (I call it a scam) are widely used in this industry by many companies, not just highlights, but that certainly does not make it right.
So if I take this at face value and send it in thinking I'm getting what it claims--a free gift with no obligation-- what I am really getting is a headache to sort out over the next few months....I get more than just the free gift---hopefully I would realize that and send it back within the small 10 day time frame ---but more likely is that I would not realize it (after all the card told me all I was getting is a free gift) or I wouldn't get it mailed back in 10 days. So I would be charged, and have another shipment on the way. I would likely have at least two charges due to me (and maybe a late fee) before I realized what was going on. At the point I realized what was going on I'd have to waste precious hours of my life on the phone with customer service arguing about how I didn't intend to order anything, only to find out that I did in fact order something and now I have no choice but to pay these charges I unknowingly racked up or else be turned over to a collection agency which will ruin my credit.
So as a busy mom of 2 will a full-time job, house, and family to take care of, I don't have time for this game where I'm the loser and the victim. I'm saying no thank you highlights. You aren't going to sucker me in this time and steal money out of my purse while I'm not looking. You could have just been happy with the loyal subscription I've been giving you for years, but no. You think that shady, dishonest advertising tactics are a good way to pad your bottom line, so you can do without my business in the future.
2 Updates & Rebuttals
Lisa
Livermore,California,
USA
Same problem
#2Consumer Comment
Mon, May 29, 2017
I had the same problem, reported above. I am also sadden to lose faith in the Highlights Magazine company due to this deceptive ploy. And, it is clear that they are trying to take advantage because they do not list any ways to easily cancel this subscription, and even though I read carefully when submitting the request for the free tote, none of these add-one of a book subscription or shipping costs were easy to find.
Hillary at Highlights
Columbus,Ohio,
USA
From Highlights for Children
#3REBUTTAL Owner of company
Fri, July 24, 2015
We hear your frustration with the tote bag Free Offer that you received in the mail.
I want to say clearly that Highlights has no desire to deceive our customers about our offers. In fact, one of the reasons I am so proud of working at Highlights is that it is a company that has a long history of working to do the right thing for our customers. Should a customer get a product they do not wish to have, it is our practice to immediately cancel the order and remove all charges.
I’m glad to hear that you have enjoyed the magazines over the years, and want to let you know that the trust you have given us is not unfounded. We are members of multiple Trade Associations, the Council of Better Business Bureaus, and the Central Ohio Better Business Bureau. Our record with the Better Business Bureau has remained untarnished (with no unresolved complaints) since the 1940s. Treating customers – and each other – with respect is enshrined in Highlights values.
Our free tote bag offer is very popular with many of our customers. But, again, it is our policy to immediately honor any cancellations.
I hope that you will continue to be a fan of Highlights. Either way, we will continue to be a fan of you! Thanks for your business over the years.
Hillary at Highlights
