ESPN The Magazine

Review: I subscribed to ESPN The Magazine for one year. I logged on to the customer service website about three weeks before the subscription ended in order to cancel my account and prevent any chance of an automatic renewal. I put in my account information and at the end, the screen notified me that my account was cancelled and I would get a refund of about $1.00. Twenty days later, ESPN The Magazine billed my account for $44.95 renewal. I immediately emailed customer service to dispute the magazine renewal, and again logged on to the website and cancelled my account again. This time, I was notified that I would be refunded. $44.95. A week later, I had still not gotten a $1 refund OR the $44.95 refund and finally heard back from customer service with an email saying that I am not allowed to cancel my account on the website, they would need more information from me, but also only referred to it as an "ESPN Insider" account, which as far as I know is just a bonus feature you can purchase on the website. I have contacted them back with the requested details and a screenshot PROVING that I cancelled online already, with no response and no refund.Desired Settlement: I would like a full refund, AND for the company to allow customers to cancel online and not provide them with the illusion they are cancelling and charge their accounts without their permission.

Consumer

Response:

I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID [redacted], and find that this resolution is satisfactory to me and the matter has been resolved.

Sincerely,

Review: I recently tried to take advantage of an ESPN The Magazine Promotion (19 issues + ESPN Insider for $9.97). I thought I followed the directions online, but never received a confirmation or receipt or anything. I didn't think about it, but then I check my credit card statement a few days later and I was charged the $9.97, plus two additional $10.99 charges. After talking to five different people from ESPN the charges are still there. To top it all off, there is another $10.99 pending charge. All this happened, and all I wanted to do was take advantage of the $9.97 promotion. I was straight forward with them from the beginning and told them I didn't want anything but the $9.97 promotion. As soon as I noticed the additional charges I contacted ESPN to ensure I wasn't going to be shipped or sent anything I didn't want. Vanessa the first girl I spoke with (via online chat) said she found two additional magazines on my order. I told here that I didn't order anything else and didn't want anything else. She said she understood and would cancel my order. I saved the chat transcript if that helps.

A few days go by and not only was my order not cancelled, but now there is ANOTHER pending charge for $10.99. I called ESPN this time and spoke with Darrius, Larry, and Betsy. They kept saying there was nothing that they could do and that everything was nonrefundable. I tried to explain that I didn't want any of the additional stuff I was being charged for, but that didn't help. Betsy the last lady finally said she was able to cancel my ESPN the Magazine subscription (the only thing I actually wanted from this whole thing) but not the two additonal $10.99 items.

I was up front with ESPN from the beginning and tried to contact them ahead of time. As of now I haven't received a single magazine from them. I just want a refund and not to be associated with ESPN The Magazine any longer. The promotion was too good to be true I guess.Desired Settlement: I would like to be refunded the $9.97 for the initial magazine promotion. Betsy said she cancelled my order, but I'm not sure if she is going to refund my credit card.

I would like to be refunded the two $10.99 charges that I am still not totally sure what are for.

I would like to be refunded the last pending $10.99 charge if that does get charged to me...

Business

Response:

July 30, 2015

[redacted] Dear [redacted] This letter is in response to Complaint ID# [redacted], regarding [redacted]s subscription to ESPN The Magazine. We have researched this complaint, and according to our records, [redacted] responded to an Insider Direct Mail offer for ESPN The Magazine. [redacted] went online to subscribe to the offer and may have inadvertently clicked yes to both our College Football Preview and Fantasy Football Guide offers on the page as well. That is why he is seeing additional charges of $10.99 each on his account. The subscription has now been cancelled and [redacted] can disregard any further notices. We will refund [redacted] for all charges incurred totaling $31.95. [redacted]’s account is now closed, and he can confirm his status anytime by calling our Customer Service center at ###-###-####. Thank you. Sincerely [redacted]

Consumer

Response:

I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID [redacted], and find that this resolution is satisfactory to me and the matter has been resolved.However, as of today, 7/**/2015, my [redacted] credit card has only been credited $9.44. Is there anything else I have to do on my end to receive the remaining $22.51?

Sincerely,

Review: I did not order an subscriptions of any magazines, they continue to come to my home. I've contacted them and they still continue now they have started to send a bill.Desired Settlement: stop sending the magazines and discontinue all contact

Review: I started receiving copies of ESPN magazine in the mail a few weeks ago, I did not order them, I do not want them, I put them right in the recycling with the rest of the junk mail. I thought the first issue was some sort of promotional copy since the super bowl was near but after another copy arrived I called up to see what was going on. I spoke to a robodailer saying my account couldn't be cancelled and hung up. I called back spoke to 2 entry level people and asked for a manager. I was told that the order was put in by a third party, national publishing exchange, and they wouldn't cancel the order and I should deal with them. I attempted to call the number I was given and nobody answered the phone and a [redacted] search of the company has me alarmed that the first page is filled with consumer warning listings. When I spoke to a manager I repeated several times that the company is likely scamming me and I wanted the account closed they said they were suspending it but because a third party is involved they won't close it. I ended the call when it stopped being productive as the manager and I were talking in circlesDesired Settlement: I want the subscription cancelled, the account closed, and my info adding to a listing I saw in a different compliant, that will stop third parties from ordering magazines in my name

Review: I have been a subscriber of ESPN The Magazine for several years and I have finally allowed my account to expire. I did not renew, nor do I want to at this time. I am receiving harassing letters written in ways as if to make me feel like I am a scofflaw given the "OVERDUE ACCOUNT" and "COLLECTION DEPARTMENT" language all over it. I think they feel that trying to scare me is an appropriate business tactic to drive renewal. It is not. It is a very good tactic to make me no longer want to do business with them.Desired Settlement: I would like ESPN the Magazine to stop harassing me, and stop trying to threaten me into renewing. If I choose to renew (which is becoming more tenuous) I will do so on my terms and not because they are trying to bully me.

Business

Response:

[redacted] Re: Complaint ID# [redacted] Dear [redacted], This letter is in response to Complaint ID# [redacted], regarding [redacted]’s subscription to ESPN The Magazine. We have researched this complaint, and according to our records, [redacted]’s first subscription was ordered through an agency on 7/**/2001. [redacted] placed an order on 9/**/2011 which activated the auto renewal. The auto renewal was processed through Insider. [redacted]’s latest auto renewal was processed on 9/**/2014. ESPN did not receive notice from [redacted] that he wished to cancel his subscription. We have now made sure [redacted] is listed as Do Not Promote and he will no longer receive any further notices. We regret any inconvenience this may have caused. [redacted]’s can confirm his status anytime by calling our Customer Service center at ###-###-####. Thank you. Sincerely [redacted]

Consumer

Response:

I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID [redacted], and find that this resolution is satisfactory to me and the matter has been resolved.

Sincerely,

Review: I never place no order for ESPN I call be before to put a stop to magazines that I kept on receiving . I am told at that time by this place will put stop and it will take sometime before they all stop. However, I keep on getting magazines that I never order in my name. I never order anything. I do not know where this company got my name, address or number. However, they need to stop all this.I want you to look into it and put stop. I do not want anything from them and I do not want them to bill me for anything. I never at any time order anything from this place, nor do I want there stuff.Desired Settlement: I am requesting they stop billing me and stop sending me any more issues. I am also requesting credit for anything they say I may owe.

Business

Response:

This is in response made by [redacted] regarding ESPN The Magazine. [redacted] claims that she did not subscribe to ESPN The Magazine. We have 3 orders for [redacted] on file that came from various third party agents. The subsription agent and price/term are listed below:

2/**/12 – 26/$26.00 Publications Unlimited

7/**/10 – 104/$119.88 National Publishers Exchange

10**/09 – 52/$59.94 Subco

We have contacted the agents and asked for a cancellation and refund for [redacted]. In addition, we have cancelled her account with ESPN The Magazine and placed her on our Do Not Promote list so she will not receive any further promotions/renewals from ESPN.

We regret any inconvenience this may have caused and now consider this matter closed.

ESPN The Magazine

Consumer

Response:

I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID [redacted], and find that this resolution is satisfactory to me and the matter has been resolved. However, just to clear the record I never place any order for these magazines. How the other companies receive my information is unknown. The companies mention in this complaint from ESPN, was notify and complaint file. While these magazines was coming in, trying to find out who was sending it to me task on its own. When these magazines came in there was no phone number to call and no information on label that can help me know who sending these magazines. It took time and effort to locate where these magazines from coming from. For a very long time I try to place a stop. However, I never knew there was different outsource companies filling these orders. While ESPN mention 3 companies, there was more then that. We need tougher laws to prevent customers becoming victim to these magazines scams.

Sincerely,

Review: This magazine acquired my credit information somehow and has been sending magazines and charging me automatically. I wrote them explicitly to stop everything but they keep charging me and did not even reply to my request to stop charging. This scam needs to stop.Desired Settlement: Refund and stop charging me.

Business

Response:

[redacted] Dear [redacted], This letter is in response to Complaint ID# [redacted], regarding [redacted]’s subscription to ESPN The Magazine. We have researched this complaint, and according to our records, [redacted] ordered his subscription through SUBCO agency on 6/**/14. The subscription has now been cancelled and [redacted] can disregard any further notices. We have notified the agency to remove him from their list. [redacted]’s account is now closed, and he can confirm his status anytime by calling our Customer Service center at [redacted]. Thank you. Sincerely Brandon H[redacted] Circulation Dept. ESPN The Magazine

Review: I first received the ESPN magazine in Feb 2015 and I called to cancel. I had not requested the magazine. I wasn't receiving the weekly subscription until a couple of weeks ago. I have now called again to cancel. No phone number is in the magazine, so I searched the internet for an ESPN number. The agent stated she can put "another" temporary hold. She had record of me calling earlier in the year. The information she had was that I had to call Sub Data Pro at ###-###-#### as they were the company they had on record as a third party subscriber. When I called them, they stated it was Vytayouth who originated the order. Not a company I have done business with... I was given another number ###-###-####. When I called, it rang several times and it sounded like it was transferred. A woman answered "[redacted]", not company name announcement. I asked it she was [redacted], she said yes, She agreed to cancel the subscription, but I am leery as all she could say is they send out free magazines to people. I never ordered a magazine, and I don't want any more. I am not confident the magazine is cancelled and I an concerned about how they received my information. I [redacted] the number, and I wasn't able to find a business connection.Desired Settlement: I do not want the ESPN magazine sent to my residence anymore.

Business

Response:

September **, 2015 [redacted] Re: Complaint ID# [redacted]

Dear [redacted], This letter is in response to Complaint ID# [redacted], regarding Robin Rhinesmith’s subscription to ESPN The Magazine. We have researched this complaint, and according to our records, we received an order on 9/*/15 from [redacted] through SubData Pro agency. The subscription was suspended on 9/**/15. We will contact the agency and have them cancel [redacted] subscription. [redacted] account is now closed, and he can confirm his status anytime by calling our Customer Service center at ###-###-####Thank you. Sincerely Brandon H[redacted] Circulation Dept. ESPN The Magazine

Consumer

Response:

I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID# [redacted], and have determined that my complaint has NOT been resolved becauseYou referenced a date of 9/*/2015 .... Was that a typo as my complaint was made to you on the [redacted]. The suspension you refer to is only TEMPORARY HOLD and sub data pro will tell you just that. The subscription will start back up just like I have already experienced after several months of not receiving it. Did you investigate the number for [redacted] (###-###-####? This is the originator of the magazine subscription from what sub data pro has told me. You need to find out what that company is all about, how they get people's information and assure me they will never authorize the magazine subscription mailing to my address. This is the company that needs to be investigated.

In order for the Revdex.com to appropriately process your response, you MUST answer the question above.

Sincerely,

Business

Response:

Dear Mr. Rhinesmith, We have researched your complaint further and have been assured that SubData pro and Vytayouth have removed you from their mailing lists. Your payment has been refunded in the amount of $29.97. [redacted] account is now closed, and he can confirm his status anytime by calling our Customer Service center at 1-888-267-3684Thank you. Sincerely Brandon H[redacted] Circulation Dept. ESPN The Magazine

Review: I paid for one year of magazines upfront. The magazine itself was ok, not enough to entice me into renewing. Once the subscription was up, the magazines stopped and the renewal offer letters started. I ignored them as I did not want to renew, but they started sending delinquency notices and threatening to put marks on my credit. I am still receiving these notices months after my subscription ended. Every notice is mailed in envelope with bold COLLECTION on the outside and FINAL NOTICE, COLLECTION on the note inside.Desired Settlement: Would love to sue them for damages, the cost of our time to respond to bogus renewal and collection notices. This has to be a violation of the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act.

Business

Response:

June **, 2015 Revdex.com – NY[redacted]Attn: [redacted] Re: Complaint ID# [redacted] Dear [redacted], This letter is in response to Complaint ID# [redacted], regarding [redacted]’s subscription to ESPN The Magazine. We have researched this complaint, and according to our records, [redacted] placed an online order in February 2013. The terms for this offer, as stated on the online order page, are as follows: Automatic Renewal:When you pay for your subscription by credit card, you will be enrolled in our automatic renewal program. Your subscription will continue without interruption so you won't miss a single issue. Just before your subscription term ends, we'll renew it for an additional term and charge your credit card the low magazine rate then in effect. Approximately 30 days before your account is charged you will receive an email detailing the impending charge and instructions on how to cancel. Should you wish to terminate your subscription before that time, you may email customer service at [redacted]. ESPN did not receive notice from [redacted] that he wished to cancel his subscription. The subscription has now been cancelled and he can disregard any further notices. We regret any inconvenience this may have caused. [redacted]’s account is now closed, and he can confirm his status anytime by calling our Customer Service center at ###-###-####. Thank you. Sincerely [redacted] Circulation Dept. ESPN The Magazine

Review: I received a special promotion in the mail from ESPN the Magazine for a subscription for $9.97 for a certain amount of issues. I went online and tried to sign up for the promotion. The online purchase site was terrible and hard to navigate. I went through the process to sign up for the promotion but was not entirely sure that it went through. I never received a confirmation that the purchase went through, never given the specific amount my credit card would be charged and never received any sort of confirmation email from ESPN the Magazine. It brought me to a page where it asked me if I would like to purchase the Fantasy Football issue and I selected "No". It told me "Thanks for selecting the Fantasy Football issue" when I clearly did not so I knew something was wrong. It also had 3 College Football issue covers at the bottom and said select one. I thought my 9.97 included this College Football issue so I selected a cover. At no point on this page did it say anything about any additional charges or the amount you would be charged.I also was not sure that the purchase went through so I called ESPN the Magazine customer service. This was on a Wednesday night. The service rep asked for my information and said that he could not find that the transaction went through. He even searched with my credit card number. As this point I was so frustrated with the process that I had changed my mind and didn't even want it to go through anymore. I was relieved when he told me that nothing was going to be charged.

On July [redacted] I was charged $9.97 and $10.99 by ESPN the Magazine. By the time I noticed on July [redacted] their customer service line said they were closed. I called them on the [redacted] and explained my situation. The service rep told me that he could refund my $9.97 purchase but could not refund the $10.99 purchase because the issue was already in the process of being shipped. I asked him why it could not be refunded because I first called and asked if it went through and was told no and then I noticed my charge on Sunday and I was unable to call because they were closed. He told me that they have been having customer issues with the online purchasing and others have complained as well. He said he would take my name and number and give it to his manager. I asked him for a time frame and he told me he wasn't sure.

I did not hear anything back so I called back a few days later. This time I was told that I had to call a different number because that issue was "a special issue" and they were handled in a different department. The person I talked to at the number of ###-###-#### told me that they would take my name and number down and give it to their manager. I never heard anything again.

I called back or the 4th time on 8/* and was finally put on the phone with a supervisor. He told me that the special issue purchases specifically ask you if you would like to add those issues to your order and tell you how much they cost. I let him know that the price was nowhere to be found on that page and you never receive any sort of confirmation or notification of your credit card charge amount or that it went through. He told me he could not do anything else for me.Desired Settlement: I would like a refund of my $10.99 because the website never clearly stated any additional charges.

Business

Response:

[redacted] Dear [redacted], This letter is in response to Complaint ID# [redacted], regarding [redacted]’s subscription to ESPN The Magazine. We have researched this complaint, and according to our records, [redacted] responded to an Insider Direct Mail offer for ESPN The Magazine. [redacted] went online to subscribe to the offer and also clicked yes to our College Football Preview stand-alone publication. After clicking the Order Now button, a message comes up saying, “Order Complete - Your CC will be charged $7.99+$3 S/H”. That is why he is seeing an additional charge of $10.99 on his account. The subscription has now been cancelled and [redacted] can disregard any further notices. As requested, we will refund [redacted] for $10.99. [redacted]’s account is now closed, and he can confirm his status anytime by calling our Customer Service center at [redacted]Thank you. Sincerely Brandon H[redacted]

Consumer

Response:

I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID [redacted], and find that this resolution is satisfactory to me and the matter has been resolved.

Sincerely,

I contacted ESPN the magazine and [redacted] customer service today to inquire about if my magazine were on automatic renewal.

I purchased a two-year subscription about four years ago as a fundraiser for my daughter's softball team. I also got the [redacted] with the magazine at the time.

I found out in November of 2013 that the [redacted] was automatically renewed (the auto renew was not something I was signing up for with the fundraiser DONATION). Once figuring out the situation, I called and got the [redacted] cancelled and auto renew to stop.

I have been receiving the magazine ever since. I just kept receiving it and wondered when the bill was coming. I found out today, I had already paid it AUTOMATICALLY! You could imagine my feelings, knowing I assumed I cancelled it with [redacted] in 2013.

I called the magazine today and they blamed the auto renew on [redacted] and I needed to call them (I told her, I thought I already cancelled that service).

I called [redacted] and they said, I didn't belong to their service and I needed to call the magazine to stop the auto renewal. The gentleman from [redacted] was very polite and called the magazine himself and got me hooked up with a magazine operator who stopped my auto renewal (I assumed).

I asked her if I could just cancel my subscription immediately. She said yes and did so. No mention of a refund from her end.

Auto renewals I am sure make your company millions and many people like myself are duped by it every day.

I knew instantly, the magazine wasn't aimed at my demographic and would give the magazines to someone younger to appreciate. I decided to wait out my two year commitment. When the magazines kept coming I was curious but too busy to deal with it. I've come to find out my ignorance and lethargy cost me about $50 (I'm assuming that is the two-year subscription price and if it were one yea it would have cost double that).

I'm not begging for a refund of the remainder of the subscription (it would be cordial), but I want to be rest assured the cancellation is complete and no auto renewal will occur in October. One thing that would be helpful would be to know which credit card was being billed (not account numbers, just the company)?

My disgust with auto-renewal is evident and dissatisfaction with the whole experience will not be forgotten.

Thank you

Review: Magazine Subscription ended, however ESPN auto-renewed without my authorization and without notification.

Magazine Subscription ended, however ESPN auto-renewed without my authorization and without notification. Magazines stopped coming when my subscription ended, so I had no idea it was automatically renewed. I recently received a bill for 39.99 and a threat to turn over to collections. Not sure what it's for since they stopped sending the magazine, regardless if they renewed my subscription or not. I have tried to contact them four separate times to resolve through the only way available, their website. I have yet to receive a single response to my inquiries.Desired Settlement: I just require them to cancel my bill. I have not received a single magazine since my original subscription ended. So regardless if they renewed it or not, I shouldn't have to pay for something I didn't receive.

Business

Response:

[redacted]

Dear [redacted],

This letter is in response to Complaint ID# [redacted], regarding [redacted]’ subscription to ESPN The Magazine. We have researched this complaint, and according to our records, [redacted]’ first subscription was ordered on January **, 2011 via the internet and was a credit card auto renewal order. When this subscription was about to expire [redacted] was sent a link letter informing him of the upcoming auto renew and subsequent charge to his credit card. His credit card was charged and on April **, 2012 the 2nd order began to be fulfilled. On September **, 2012 while the 2nd order was still active [redacted] responded to an ESPN The Magazine offer on [redacted] for 26 issues (this offer was not auto renewal) but he paid [redacted] immediately by credit card. We fulfilled his entire [redacted] order and then fulfilled the remaining issues on his April **, 2012 auto renewal order. On 2/**/14 we emailed [redacted] a link letter to [redacted] (the email we have on file) to let him know the subscription would be auto renewed. The credit card failed so we billed him for the subscription in the amount of $39.95. In addition to sending link letters for all of our auto renewal account there is clear messaging on all of our auto renewal subscription pages. I will be happy to send you copies of our pages if you would like.

We cancelled [redacted]’ account on 9/**/2014, as he requested, and now consider the matter settled. [redacted] will not receive any more bills regarding payment for The Magazine, nor does this go to any sort of collection agency. We regret any inconvenience this may have caused. [redacted] can confirm his status anytime by calling our Customer Service center at ###-###-####.

Thank you.

Sincerely

[redacted]

Review: I have chosen to cancel/end/not renewal my subscription to the magazine set to end 11/**/13. They have refused to cancel it.Desired Settlement: Cancel it.

Business

Response:

November **, 2013