Hearst Magazines

Review: They sent me an invoice for their Continuous Service program. I never ordered or joined what they call Red Book. I don't owe them anything; they are a scam.Desired Settlement: I want them to stop sending me their magazine and their invoice.

Business

Response:

This Office represents The Hearst Corporation and your e-mail of March **, 2014 concerning the subscriptions of [redacted] to O, The Oprah Magazine and Redbook magazine, which are published by Hearst Magazines, has been referred to me for reply. Please be advised that [redacted] received the subscription renewal invoices because the original order stated that the subscription would be part of the continuous service program and that the subscriber would accordingly be invoiced for the following year’s subscription. (see attached order card) We have cancelled the automatic renewal order. [redacted] may disregard any further invoices he may receive and his name and address have been removed from our promotional mailing list. His current paid subscription for Redbook will expire with the June 2014 issue and O, The Oprah Magazine will expire with the May 2015 issue. We apologize for the inconvenience.

If you need any further assistance, please feel free to contact me.

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 because:

I never ordered the Redbook magazine.

Sincerely,

Business

Response:

As previously stated, we have cancelled the automatic renewal order. [redacted] may disregard any further invoices he may receive and his name and address have been removed from our promotional mailing list. His current paid subscription for Redbook will expire with the June 2014 issue and O, The Oprah Magazine will expire with the May 2015 issue. Attach please a copy of the order card.

If you need any further assistance, please feel free to contact me.

[redacted]/ Hearst Corporation/ [redacted]/

Review: I entered a contest for Oprah magazine by entering a code found in the magazine. One the sweepstake page, I was asked to put in my address for a free trial issue of the magazine. I specifically clicked the "check to see if I am a winner without subscribing" box and was sent to a different page. Minutes later, after checking the sweepstake code, I got an email confirming a subscription I didn't ask for from Oprah Magazine. Hours later, I received an emailed bill for the magazine. I went to the Hearst website to cancel and was only able to cancel magazines from being sent but was told I'd still be billed. I am not given a phone number to call to speak to someone about this scam. I am highly upset and feel victimized.Desired Settlement: I want in writing from Hearst, a letter stating they will not bill me for the Oprah subscription that they are fraudulently trying to charge me for. I also want them to stop screwing everyone else that innocently tries to check their promo code to see if they are a sweepstake winner.

Business

Response:

This Office represents The Hearst Corporation and your e-mail of November **, 2014 concerning the subscription of [redacted] to O, The Oprah Magazine, which is published by Hearst Magazines, has been referred to me for reply. Please be advised that the subscription order that was entered through a sweepstakes, has been cancelled. [redacted] may disregard any further invoices that she may receive and her name and address have been removed from our promotional mailing list. We apologize for the inconvenience. If you need further assistance, please feel free to contact me directly.

Review: I hot an e mail stating I had ordered Woman's day on 12/** for $7.09, order number [redacted]. I now receive the magazine compliments free from my recyclebank points I used. I entered some contests thru their website , but never ordered their magazine .When my free subscription ends that is all I want. I have tried contacting them they their website , just to be taken in circlesDesired Settlement: I never ordered and therefore don't want their magazine , except my free order.and if this is going to be a confusion they can cancel the complimentary order also, because I think they are taking advantage of my current order status(dishonest and no real method of contact)

Business

Response:

This Office represents The Hearst

Corporation and your e-mail of January **, 2015 concerning the subscription of

[redacted] to Woman’s Day magazine, which is published by Hearst Magazines,

has been referred to me for reply. Please be advised that the

subscription order that was entered through a sweepstakes, has been cancelled. [redacted] may disregard any further invoices that she may receive and her name

and address have been removed from our promotional mailing list. Her

current free subscription will continue through the September 2015 issue. We

apologize for the inconvenience.

If you need further assistance,

please feel free to contact me directly.

Review: I was already receiving HGTV magazine when I found out they canceled a new TV show called "Flip it," because the twin brothers were [redacted]. I e-mailed the address inside the magazine four times between May [redacted] and June *, 2014. When there was no confirmation as requested and I received another issue I called and spoke to a representative who assured me she would cancel the subscription and forward the reason for my cancellation to the appropriate party.

In July I received an invoice for a new subscription and I ignored it. Yesterday I received September's magazine.Desired Settlement: If there is a balance due I want it wiped out. I want the subscription canceled. I want the appropriate persons to be made aware that I will not purchase anything from Hearst Magazine until they apologize for discriminating against [redacted]s and move forward with the twin brother's show "Flip It."

Business

Response:

This Office represents The Hearst Corporation and your e-mail of August *, 2014 concerning the subscription of [redacted] to HGTV magazine, which is published by Hearst Magazines, has been referred to me for reply. Please be advised that the subscription order that was entered for this account has been cancelled and a refund of $7.50 has been processed. [redacted] may disregard any further invoices that she may receive and her name and address have been removed from our promotional mailing list. We apologize for the inconvenience.

If you need further assistance, please feel free to contact me directly.

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: Last year we were offered a [redacted]s magazine for 1 year at a reduced price. This December our credit card billing statement had a $40.00 charge for another year. When we called the number that was on our statement to cancel the subscription and have our $40.00 reimbursed, there were NO options with the computer to stop the subscription. There was not even an option to talk to a representative. We were told by the computer that a statement had been sent out warning us that monies would be charged to our credit card if we did not cancel the subscription. When we tried discontinuing the magazine from the [redacted] website, we were directed by the website to get in touch with the agency to get our money refunded. We have no record of the transaction, we only have the number on our credit card billing statement that directed us to the Hearst Communications Inc and we have no way to directly contact them. Could you help us?Desired Settlement: To have our $40.00 reimbursed AND to NEVER get a magazine again.

Business

Response:

This Office represents The Hearst Corporation and your e-mail of December **, 2014 concerning the subscription of [redacted] to [redacted]s magazine, which is published by Hearst Magazines, has been referred to me for reply. Please be advised that this order was received through an independent sales agency. Accordingly, we have suspended service on this account and have removed his name and address from our promotions, but his request for a refund must be made to the agency itself. Hearst Magazines does not have any of [redacted]’ billing information. The agency is: [redacted], Tel: [redacted]. We apologize for the inconvenience.If you need further assistance, please feel free to contact me directly.[redacted]

Review: I joined the Oprah Circle of Friends as a premier member paying $199. One of the benefits promised as depicted on the slide show of benefits (I have screen shot as proof) stated "As a Premier member, you'll receive a special surprise...one of Oprah's favorite O List items delivered right to your door." Instead of receiving an Oprah favorite O List item, I received an item from the December issue of O on the page Adam's Holiday Gift Guide. I called the customer service number to inquire and I was told they could give me anything in the December issue as an O item. This is CLEARLY not what was promised. Adam is NOT Oprah. I sent a written complaint in but was only followed up with an email that "You cannot request a specific item" which I did not - I only wanted "one of Oprah's favorite O list items" as promised as a benefit.

Additionally, the advertisement said that you will be given a birthday card during the week of your birthday. I provided them my birthday date the week of my birthday and I was told it was too late - I would have to wait til next year. I said I do not mind if the card was delivered late. They refused to provide a card this year.

Also, in the frequently answered questions, (which I have a screenshot) it stated that you would test and keep products twice per year. Now they say you only get to test and keep products once per year.

Additionally, they have modified documents on their website that reflect the benefits after the fact. Fortunately, I have screenshots of everything above as it was when I joined.Desired Settlement: I want the benefits listed when I joined. I want one of Oprah's favorite O List items not the Adam's Holiday Gift Guide item I received. I want my birthday card even though is now very late. I want two sets of products to test and keep this year.

Additionally, I want an apology for the inconvenience of having to make so many inquiries and complaints about this matter.

Business

Response:

I write on behalf of Hearst Communications, Inc., publisher of O, The Oprah Magazine. Thank you for bringing [redacted]’s concerns to our attention. We respond to her complaints in sequence.First – she received a product that was not on the O List. Unfortunately, due to internal miscommunication, she was sent a product from a different list, and our customer service department neglected to rectify her complaint. We have remedied this situation by sending [redacted] an item that was, in fact, on the O List. I trust it will have arrived at her house by the time you are reading this letter.Second – she did not receive her birthday card. At the time [redacted] signed up for the program, she did not provide us with her birth date until 3 days after that date had passed. Because our system is automated to send the cards in advance of members’ birthdays, she was not sent a card this year. However, we are sending her a card belatedly, which she should receive shortly.Third – she wants two sets of products to test and keep this year. Please note that [redacted]’s assertion that the frequency of sending products to test and keep has changed is not correct (although there is certainly no reason why O The Oprah Magazine cannot change the terms of its program on a prospective basis). She will be sent her first set of products to test and keep at the end of February and the second set will go out later this year. Finally, please extend our sincere apologies to [redacted] and let her know that we value her participation in O’s Circle of Friends.[redacted]

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 because:

I received a package with a scarf in it. This scarf does not appear on the 2014, 2013, 2012 or 2011 Oprah's Favorite Things list. I can only assume they would not send a fashion item that is older than those lists as that item would be out of style. I sent an email back to the responder and to the Oprah Circle of Friends customer service questioning what list this gift is on. My expectation would be as well as others who signed up is that we would receive a gift that is on the current Oprah's favorite things list. There are many inexpensive items on the current list so I can not understand if this scarf is on a list older than 2011. I have reviewed fashion trends for scarves for 2015 and I can tell you the scarf I received is very dated. While sending a gift from an Oprah Favorite Thing list that is older than 2011 may hold up in a court of law, it certainly will not hold up the good will of the Oprah Circle of Friends members who paid $199 and expected to receive a current Oprah favorite things list item. Do you wear fashion items from more than 4 years ago? Also, I have not received the belated birthday card. I will not close the complaint until I receive a gift from an Oprah Circle of Friends list and I receive the birthday card. I will not be satisfied until I receive a gift from the current Oprah favorite things list and the belated birthday card.

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

Sincerely,

Business

Response:

[redacted] is incorrect in her assertion that the scarf she was sent was never featured in a list of Oprah’s favorite things. In fact, it appeared in the 2009 holiday list of favorite things. Nonetheless, because we wish to placate [redacted], the editors of the magazine have sent her two additional items from the 2014 holiday list. Those items – a bag and a set of earrings – should be arriving to her shortly. We trust this concludes the matter. [redacted]

Review: I somehow got on the email list for ELLE magazine, which is owned by Hearst. I have repeatedly used the unsubscribe link in their promotional emails, and I continue to receive email from them.Desired Settlement: I want [redacted] removed from their system completely and to receive no further communication from them for any of their magazines.

Business

Response:

This Office represents The Hearst Corporation and your email of July **, 2015 concerning [redacted]s’ request to be removed from Elle magazine email list, which is published by Hearst Magazines, has been referred to me for reply. Please be advised that we have removed his email address from the system. We apologize for the inconvenience. If you need further assistance, please feel free to contact me directly. Sandra B[redacted]/ Hearst Corporation/ Office of General Counsel/ [redacted]/ Tel: ###-###-####/ Fax: ###-###-####/ [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 received an invoice from the magazine stating that I had agreed to automatically renew my subscription. I never did.

My subscription to Good Housekeeping, acct#[redacted], expires July, 2015. In March,2014, I received a letter that I was part of their "Continuous Service Program" and that I had agreed to renew for $21.37 for one more year. I never joined any program. I wrote them on June *, 2014, after being inundated with e-mails & letters asking for payment. If I wanted to renew, I could go on line & order the magazine for $7.95. Why would I pay them so much more? I also had another year on my subscription, according to the date on all the magazines I received. Their reply was a generic letter, dated June **,2014, that did not address the situation. On July [redacted], I sent a second letter and received the exact same letter, word for word, dated July [redacted]. They have harassed me with all these e-mails & letters and in my opinion what they are doing should be illegal. They are claiming their customers agreed to renewals when they haven't and are trying to get them to pay a lot more than the price should be. I also received an invoice for a gift subscription that I placed & is due for renewal. Again, it stated that I agreed to automatically renew this gift & again at a much higher price.Desired Settlement: I want to receive the remainder of my magazines until July 2015. I want to be taken off of their solicitation lists & do not want to hear anything in the future from them.

Business

Response:

This Office represents The Hearst Corporation and your e-mail of August *, 2014 concerning the subscription of [redacted] to Good Housekeeping magazine, which is published by Hearst Magazines, has been referred to me for reply. Please be advised that the original subscription, in 2010 was for a three (3) years, then there was an order in 2011 for the buy one subscription and get the other subscription free (see enclosed order card). Her 4 year subscription expired with the July 2014 issue, the date printed on the magazine cover included the auto renewal order. [redacted] may disregard any further invoices that she may receive and her name and address have been removed from our promotional mailing list. We apologize for the inconvenience.

If you need further assistance, please feel free to contact me directly.

Review: on 11/*/2014 my checking account was debit $21.97 by Oprah magazine without my consent. There is no way to contact them to get this correct. Numerous complaint online about this issue.Desired Settlement: Return my money to my account and cancel my subscription.

Business

Response:

This Office represents The Hearst Corporation and your e-mail of November **, 2014 concerning the subscription of [redacted] to O, The Oprah Magazine, which is published by Hearst Magazines, has been referred to me for reply. Please be advised that [redacted]’s original order was part of the continuous service program (see attached order card). We have cancelled the automatic renewal order and a full refund in the amount of $21.97 was issued on November **, 2014. We apologize for the inconvenience.

Review: It appears as thought my residence "[redacted]" has been targeted by some mail-order fraud collaboration perpetrated by unknown parties. Myself, my wife and my aged grandmother have all received receipts for products we have not ordered nor desire. We understand that these types of fraud are easily accomplished and Harper's Bazaar may have no way of substantiating every request for their periodicals. We, however, do not desire any products and would like to be removed form their mailing lists. Any items we receive, in error, we be forwarded back to the company. We appreciate your acquiescence to our request.Desired Settlement: We only wish to be removed from any obligations re: these unwarranted orders. As stated above; we will work to resolve the returning of any merchandise we receive in error, however, we wish to be removed from this and any future mailings from Harper's Bazaar.

Business

Response:

This Office represents The Hearst Corporation and your e-mail of September *, 2013 concerning the subscription of [redacted] to Harper’s Bazaar magazine, which is published by Hearst Magazines, has been referred to me for reply. Please be advised that the subscription order under [redacted], has been cancelled, [redacted] may disregard any further invoices that he may receive and his name and address have been removed from our promotional mailing list. We apologize for the inconvenience.

If you need further assistance, please feel free to contact me directly.

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. Thank you for your help in this matter.

Sincerely,

Review: Out of the blue, I received an invoice for a House Beautiful Magazine subscription (published by Hearst Corp.) stating that I owed $10.00. To be clear, I have no recollection of ever ordering this subscription nor have I ever received a House Beautiful Magazine at my home.

I sent the invoice back to the required address with the word 'CANCEL' scrawled across it and further explained that I never ordered the magazine in question. Still, today yet another invoice arrived again requesting payment and suddenly I have an account with them.

I don't know why a company like Hearst would need to engage in such fraudulent practices as these, nor why, with 600+ complaints this company still receives an A+ rating from the Revdex.com; but something is very wrong with this company and they clearly need to be investigated. What kind of legitimate multi-million dollar corp. doesn't have a customer service number on its website?

I will continue my efforts to resolve this matter (via email and phone). But it has been unnerving to be completely ignored thus far.

Thank you.Desired Settlement: I would like to NEVER be contacted by this company or any of its affiliates again...EVER!

Business

Response:

This Office represents The Hearst Corporation and your e-mail of March *, 2014 concerning the subscription of [redacted] to House Beautiful magazine, which is published by Hearst Magazines, has been referred to me for reply. Please be advised that the subscription order that was entered for this account has been cancelled, [redacted] may disregard any further invoices that she may receive and her name and address have been removed from our promotional mailing list. We apologize for the inconvenience.

If you need further assistance, please feel free to contact me directly.

[redacted]/ Hearst Corporation/ [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 have been receiving the bazaar magazines from about February **, 2014 and I sent the company notices stating that I did not order the magazine and to cancel my subscriptions.The magazine kept coming and I again sent the company a notice stating that I did not order the magazine and to cancel my subscription. Now on August **, 2014, I received a billing from the [redacted] company. I am furious!!!Please check into this matter and please reply back to me.Enclosed are copies of the notices that I have sent to the [redacted] company about not wanting the magazine[redacted] Product_Or_Service: Bazaar magazineDesired Settlement: DesiredSettlementID: Other (requires explanation)

Please have the [redacted] company stop sending the magazine to me and cancel their billing to me. [redacted]

Business

Response:

This Office represents The Hearst Corporation and your e-mail of August [redacted] 2014 concerning the subscription of [redacted] to [redacted]’s Bazaar magazine, which is published by Hearst Magazines, has been referred to me for reply. Please be advised that the subscription order that was entered for this account has been cancelled. [redacted] may disregard any further invoices that she may receive and her name and address have been removed from our promotional mailing list. [redacted] also has an agency order on file, that was processed on December *, 2013. We have suspended service on the subscription with the September 2014 issue as the last issue to be shipped. We apologize for the inconvenience.

The name and address of the third party agency we received the order from is as follows:

If you need further assistance, please feel free to contact me directly.

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 have received another Bazaar magazine on September **, 2014. I am sending to you the correspondence that I had sent to Bazaar earlier.

Review: Subscription department refuses to acknowledge repeated attempts to CANCEL subscription

I had a subscription to the magazine through June 2012. I renewed the subscription through June 2014. At that time, I decided to let the subscription lapse as I have no time to read magazines anymore.I received notices that I had signed up for a continuous renewal program and owed money. This was not correct. Every time I subscribed, given the option to Pay Now or Bill Me Later, I always chose Pay Now and sent a check. In June or July I began getting letters saying I had signed up for this automatic renewal program and they had trusted me to pay and now my account was in arrears and they would terminate my subscription. This was fine with me and I sent them the first note July **, 2014 asking them to cancel my subscription. They continued sending requests for me to pay my account and renew. I sent them repeated requests for cancellation of my subscription on Aug. *, 2014, Sept (did not record date), and Oct. **, 2014, in response to each successive request for subscription renewal they sent me.In all this time, they did not send me any magazines beyond the end of the subscription I had paid for which finished out June 2014. Despite my repeated requests to cancel my subscription as I did not want to renew it or receive the magazine, on Nov. [redacted], 2014, I received a notice saying THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUBSCRIPTION RENEWAL, YOUR MAGAZINE IS ON ITS WAY. I immediately sent this back to them saying again that I did NOT want the magazine anymore and please take me off their list. Nonetheless, on Dec. *, 2014, I received their magazine which I did not pay for and do not want. My account # is [redacted]Desired Settlement: I want my subscription officially canceled and I do not want to be charged for the November magazine they have already sent me against my wishes, nor for any subsequent magazines they send me that I do not want. I want to be completely taken off their lists and never receive magazine offers from them again.

Business

Response:

This Office represents The Hearst Corporation and your e-mail of December *, 2014 concerning the subscription of [redacted] to Good Housekeeping magazine, which is published by Hearst Magazines, has been referred to me for reply. Please be advised that the automatic renewal order that was entered for this account has been cancelled. [redacted] may disregard any further invoices that she may receive and her name and address have been removed from our promotional mailing list. We apologize for the inconvenience. If you need further assistance, please feel free to contact me directly. [redacted]/ Hearst Corporation/ [redacted]/ Tel: ###-###-####/ Fax: ###-###-####/ [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 fell victim to bait & switch advertisement. I thought I was signing up for a 30 day free trial but instead was signed up for a 6 month membership upon entering my credit card information. I emailed the company immediately after noticing this mistake and received a reply with:

"Thank you for contacting Hearst Magazines.

Unfortunately, we will be unable to process a refund for your digital subscription.

The information regarding our Continuous Service Program was printed on the order form you submitted when placing your order. Below is that verbiage for reference.

Continuous Service Program: I understand that unless I tell you otherwise, I will receive uninterrupted service and access to the iPad edition of these magazines, and my subscriptions will be automatically renewed at the end of each subscription term, at the rates then in effect. I authorize you to fulfill my subscriptions and charge the credit/debit card provided. I won't be bothered with any renewal notices, instead, if I sign up for an annual program I will receive a clearly marked reminder notice via email with the then current rates prior to charging my credit/debit card. I may opt out of the automatic renewal at any time by contacting customer service referenced below, but no cancellation of the current subscription is allowed during an active subscription period.

Thank you,

Hearst Magazines

[redacted]"

It makes me wonder how often the emails are actually read. I clearly state that it was a mistake in my email. I did not willingly sign up for 6 months of service.Desired Settlement: I would like to receive my $6.00 back and an apology. You can keep the magazine -- don't trust you guys.

Business

Response:

This Office represents The Hearst Corporation and your e-mail of February *, 2014 concerning the subscription of [redacted] to O, The Oprah Magazine, which is published by Hearst Magazines, has been referred to me for reply. Please be advised that the subscription order that was entered for this account was cancelled on January *, 2014 and a full refund of $6.00 was made on the same day. [redacted] may disregard any further invoices that he may receive and his name and address have been removed from our promotional mailing list. We apologize for the inconvenience.

If you need further assistance, please feel free to contact me directly.

Review: Hearst magazine charged my credit card without my authorization for a renewal to Food Network magazine that I did not request on 9/*/15. I noticed the charge on my bank statement and called them, asking them how they can possibly charge someone's card without their authorization. I never got a clear answer; since doing some online investigation, I'm finding this is their tactic, that once they get your credit card number, they automatically charge for renewals, regardless of whether you order it or not. I became upset, asking for an immediate refund and that no further magazines be sent. 2 days later, I did receive the refund. However, on 9/**/14, unbelievably they charged my card again for a renewal to Good Housekeeping which again I did not order nor authorize a charge to my card.

Why is this company allowed to place charges on a credit card that they were not authorized to do? Is this not illegal?Desired Settlement: Immediate refund for 2nd charge of magazine renewal that was never ordered. I do not want charges placed on my card by this company ever again. This is extremely unethical.

Business

Response:

This Office represents The Hearst Corporation and your e-mail of September **, 2014 concerning the subscriptions of [redacted] to Food Network and Good Housekeeping magazines, which are published by Hearst Magazines, has been referred to me for reply. Please be advised that the automatic renewal orders that were entered for this account have been cancelled. [redacted] may disregard any further invoices that she may receive and her name and address have been removed from our promotional mailing list. A full refund of $20.97 was processed on September **, 2014. We apologize for the inconvenience.

If you need further assistance, please feel free to contact me directly.

Review: [redacted] unilaterally subscribed me to their email service. At no time have I ever been a [redacted] reader or subscriber. I clicked their unsubscribe button numerous times and emailed their customer service, requesting to be unsubscribed (there was no phone number available for me to call), however, they refuse to unsubscribe me and have begun sending me bill, both in paper and electronic format for my "subscription" to [redacted]. I have never once received a [redacted] magazine in the mail or subscribed for one. These bills and emails are becoming a constant harassment. I request they cease immediately. I do not want [redacted]!Desired Settlement: Please unsubscribe me form all [redacted] mailing lists and adjust my "account" (which [redacted] unilaterally created, not at my request or subscription) to reflect a $0 balance. Thank you.

Business

Response:

This Office represents The Hearst Corporation and your e-mail of December *, 2015 concerning the subscription of [redacted] to [redacted] magazine, which is published by Hearst Magazines, has been referred to me for reply. Please be advised that the subscription order, which was placed through a sweepstakes, has been cancelled. [redacted] may disregard any further invoices that she may receive and her name and address have been removed from our promotional mailing list. Please also note that [redacted] may have overlooked the following notice and link on the contest website: “No purchase is necessary to enter. If you'd prefer to enter the sweepstakes without starting a trial subscription to [redacted] magazine or if you are already a subscriber, click here.” We apologize for the inconvenience. If you need any further assistance, please feel free to contact me directly.Sandra Brookhouse/ Hearst Corporation/ Office of General Counsel/ [redacted]/ Tel: ###-###-####/ Fax: ###-###-####/ [redacted]

I recently have been receiving invoices from HGTV Magazine for $18. They're claiming that I signed up for a subscription which I definitely did not do. The invoice does not give you any way to contact them to cancel the subscription so I ignored it thinking it was spam/junk mail. I emailed the customer care team asking to cancel but I never got a response. Fast forward 1 week, I just received a magazine. I was then able to obtain a customer cr on the internet and so I called. I was able to cancel but I wanted them to delete my address and information but the rep stated she can't do that. I then asked to replace the address with a new one and she said she will do that so I tried to reroute it to the white house. After doing this, the rep said she won't do that and she stated that I was trying to be "Smart with her" and then said she was going to hang up the call. This whole ordeal is extremely shady and smells like entrapment.

Review: Hearst Magazines charged me $49.94 that I did not authorize., When I called to speak with them about it they told me that they did not do that and I would need to fax proof (which I am fine with) BUT then they told me at least 6 weeks to process a refund??? They charged this to an old checking account and it caused charge on my account due to this amount as I did not have enough money in my account to cover this.Desired Settlement: Immediate refund as they can see what they withdrew from my account. This is an unacceptable practice

Business

Response:

This Office represents The Hearst Corporation and your e-mail of August **, 2013 concerning the subscription of [redacted] to Food Network Magazine, which is published by Hearst Magazines, has been referred to me for reply. Please be advised that the renewal order that was entered for this account has been cancelled, [redacted] may disregard any further invoices that she may receive and her name and address have been removed from our promotional mailing lists. A refund in the amount of $49.94 was refunded back to her card. We apologize for the inconvenience.

If you need further assistance, please feel free to contact me directly.

[redacted]/ Hearst Corporation

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 how can this company legally pull excess funds from customers? They need to improve their accounting and customer service

Sincerely,

Review: I have subscribed to House Beautiful in the past, but decided not to renew, due to the cost. I have a $38.00 bank debit for a House Beautiful renewal. I've called three times, asking for it to be removed. An automated voice system is all I'm able to reach. The charge showed up 03-**-2014 - according to my account summary, the renewal date was 04-**-2014. I can't get a, "live person," to help me. I've tried canceling online throught my account, but it reads, "you subscribed through an authorized agent. Your magazine will be canceled, but contact the agent directly for a refund." I'm confused. I don't know who the authorized agent is, I did not renew the subscription. So, I didn't cancel the issues. Any and all help is appreciated.Desired Settlement: I want them to reverse the charge on my bank account. Here's the details of the transaction:

03/**/2014 DBT CRD [redacted] 03/**/14 [redacted] TWX[redacted] One Time Warner Center [redacted] NY (38.00)

Business

Response:

This Office represents The Hearst Corporation and your e-mail of April [redacted] 2013 concerning the subscription of [redacted] to House Beautiful magazine, which is published by Hearst Magazines, has been referred to me for reply. Please be advised that the subscription order was received through an independent sales agency. We have cancelled the subscription, [redacted] may disregard any further invoices that she may receive and her name and address have been removed from our promotional mailing list. However, any request for a refund must be made to the agency itself. Hearst Magazines does not have any of [redacted]’s billing information. The agency is: [redacted]; Tel: ###-###-#### and web address: [redacted] . We apologize for the inconvenience.

If you need further assistance, please feel free to contact me directly.

[redacted]

Review: I never ordered subscriptions from either Womans Day or Good Housekeepingand have sent multiple cancellation letters (per their request)and theycontinue to send me magazines and invoices.Desired Settlement: Cancel Subscriptions and stop sending invoices requesting payment!

Business

Response:

This Office represents The Hearst Corporation and your e-mail of October **, 2014 concerning the subscriptions of [redacted] to Good Housekeeping and Woman’s Day magazines, which are published by Hearst Magazines, has been referred to me for reply. Please be advised that the subscription orders that were entered for this account have been cancelled. [redacted] may disregard any further invoices that she may receive and her name and address have been removed from our promotional mailing list. We apologize for the inconvenience.

If you need further assistance, please feel free to contact me directly.