Rodale, Inc.

Filed a complaint with Revdex.com and was promised that I would get a 14 dollar refund and that my account would be closed along with no further attempts to collect money. Sadly, I never received the 14 dollars, was told the account was closed due to non payment and was asked for money and possible collections.Desired Outcome: I would like the 14 dollars to be refunded as promised, for all efforts to collect a debt for a subscription I asked to cancel to stop, and for proof of cancellation due to my request and not due non payment.

December 21, 2016Dear [redacted],I write in response to the inquiry registered with your office by consumer [redacted]. We genuinely regret the inconvenience that [redacted] experienced regarding her magazine subscriptions, and have attempted to resolve herconcerns.Our records show that [redacted] placed an order for [redacted], when she accepted our promotional offer, which was presented by [redacted]. This offer allowed her to receive the first 90 days of her subscription risk free. The offer also provided that her subscription would automatically continue following the initial term and that the same credit card would be charged if she did not call us to cancel. Prior to any billing event, a notice would be mailed to her reminding her of the upcoming billing, the amount that would be charged and the date by which to cancel to avoid being charged.When we did not hear from [redacted] that she wished to cancel her subscription at the end of her first term, the annual subscription charges were posted to her account.On December 19, 2016, [redacted] contacted our automated customer service line and accepted a "more time' offer that was extended for her subscription to [redacted]. This would allow her to continue to receive her subscription for an additional two months. If, at the end of that period, she decided to cancel her subscription, she would still be entitled to receive a full refund of the renewal charge.Upon receipt of your correspondence on December 21, 2016, we cancelled [redacted]'s subscription to [redacted], generating a full refund in the total amount of $52.00 back to her account. It should be noted that banks direct us to ask customers to allow one to two billing statements for written confirmation of the refund to appear, depending on their billing cycle.[redacted] can be assured that her subscription has been cancelled. Also, [redacted] may continue to receive one or two more issues of her magazine since it was in process at the time of cancellation. She may keep these with our compliments.Please be assured that customer satisfaction is very important to us and we take great care in providing our customers with the highest level of service. If I can be of any further assistance in this matter, please contact me at ###-###-####.Sincerely yours,David KManager, Customer Service

July 10, 2015Dear [redacted]:In response to your letter of July 2, 2015 regarding [redacted], our records show he has been enrolled in a Runner's World auto renewal subscription since it was ordered on May 21, 2013, via the Internet.The auto renewal subscription has been cancelled. The July 2015...

issue will be the last he receives. As a customer courtesy, a refund check has been sent to him for $14.00, half of the two year subscription for the issues he never received. We apologize for the inconvenience, as his account shows no activity of attempted communication to cancel.[redacted]’s name and address have been removed from our Runner’s World promotional list. A few more offers may be received because of items that have already been mailed or processed for mailing. His name, address, and email have also been added to our suppression file which will restrict it from being used for any postal mailings, email offers, telephone offers or sent to any other company. Please allow up to 10 days for all email suppression requests and 3 to 4 weeks for all other suppression requests to be fully implemented.Please feel free to contact me if you need further assistance.Sincerely,Maggie S. Customer Service Manager

January 12, 2017Dear [redacted]:In response to your email of December 28, 2016 regarding consumer Andrea Thrush, our records show an order for The Advance 5K Plan PDF and Break 25 Minutes 5K Plan PDF was received on December 15, 2016.[redacted] should have received an order confirmation email from...

"Rodale Store Order Confirmationcustomerservice (arodale.com” with the information to download both PDF's. If she did get this email, [redacted] could have retrieved the PDFs from the downloadable link under Order Details. I have included both PDF's in case she never received or no longer has the email.Please feel free to contact me if you need further assistance.Sincerely,Maggie SCustomer Service Manager

April 3, 2017Dear [redacted]:On March 31, 2017, Rodale received an email from [redacted] with proof that her card was charged $19.98 for a subscription to [redacted] Magazine. That payment is still not showing on the [redacted] account, however, we were able to look at our credit card transactions and find the charge. A refund was processed today and should show up in her account in a couple of days.I apologize for the confusion this has caused. Please feel free to contact me if you need further assistance.Sincerely,Tina B.Director - Marketing Operations

[To assist us in bringing this matter to a close, you must give us a reason why you are rejecting the response. If no reason is received your complaint will be closed as Answered]
 Complaint: [redacted]
I am rejecting this response because:I appreciate that my account is at zero balance and that no report has been sent to credit agencies.  However,  I am still receiving mail and phone calls from the collection agency Rodale hired.  They claim it is regarding the Men's Health subscription.  I would like Rodale to instruct the agency that is acting on their behalf to stop contacting me.
Regards,
[redacted]

December 1, 2017Dear [redacted]:In response to your letter of November 28, 2017 regarding [redacted], our records show an order for the Prevention 2018 Calendar and Health Planner was shipped on November 14, 2017. [redacted] ordered and paid for the Prevention 2017 Calendar and Health Planner. The...

online promotion she responded to in 2016 informed her that she would be enrolled in the annual program if she kept the 2017 calendar. There was also an annual customer service insert in the shipment. Prior to the shipment of the Prevention 2018 Calendar and Health Planner a postcard was sent to [redacted] with instructions to return the postcard if she did not want to receive the calendar and planner. Since we did not receive the postcard, the product was shipped.A return was processed for the calendar on November 29, 2017 and the annual program was canceled. There is no money owed on the account.Please feel free to contact me if you need further assistance.Sincerely,Tina B[redacted] Director – Marketing Operations

June 16, 2016Dear [redacted]:In response to your email of June 8, 2016 regarding consumer [redacted], our records show an order for Runner's World Run to Lose was received on June 6, 2016 via the Internet. A copy of the email confirmation is enclosed.The IP address for the order is...

[redacted] and the email address used is [redacted].com.The bill for Runner's World Run to Lose has been cancelled and there is no money owed on his book account.Please feel free to contact me if you need further assistance.Sincerely,Maggie S.Customer Service Manager

January 31, 2018Dear [redacted]:In response to your email of January 9, 2018 regarding [redacted], our records show a two year subscription for Women's Health magazine was entered on December 14, 2016. This order came from [redacted], the agent through whom the order was placed....

Delivery of the subscription was suspended on January 12, 2018. The March 2018 issue will be the last [redacted] receives. I have contacted [redacted] and asked them to cancel billing for the subscription.Please feel free to contact me if you need further assistance.Sincerely,Tina B. Director, Marketing Operations

In response to your email of December 21, 2017 regarding [redacted], our records show an order for The Whole Body Cure was recieved December 18, 2017 via the internet. The order as terminated by the customer service representative Ms. [redacted] spoke to that day. Included is a screen shot...

from the system where the order was terminated.Please feel free to contact me if you need further assistancee. Sincerely, Tina B[redacted] Director, Marketing Operations

[A default letter is provided here which indicates your acceptance of the business's response.  If you wish, you may update it before sending it.]
Revdex.com:
I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID [redacted], and find that this resolution is satisfactory to me.  However, there were over 12 requests to cancel. I attached a screenshot showing the 12th attempt. There were us mail, phone calls, and e-mails made to try and cancel. I see no reason as to why they would have no record.
Regards,
[redacted]

[redacted]
I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID [redacted], and find that this resolution is satisfactory to me pending actual receipt of the 3 month subscription.
Regards,
[redacted]

[A default letter is provided here which indicates your acceptance of the business's response.  If you wish, you may update it before sending it.]
Revdex.com:
I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID [redacted], and find that this resolution is satisfactory to me. 
Regards,
[redacted]

September 13, 2017Dear [redacted]:In response to your email of September 12, 2017 regarding [redacted], our records show a Men's Health magazine subscription order was entered on July 20, 2017. This order came from [redacted], the agent through whom the order was placed. The subscription is set...

to expire with the September 2018 issue. The delivery of the subscription was suspended as of September 12, 2017. The November 2017 issue will be the last [redacted].Any billing inquires need to be addressed through [redacted]. Mr. Federico can contact them at:[redacted] New York, NY [redacted] Telephone: [redacted]Please feel free to contact me if you need further assistance.Sincerely,Tina BDirector - Marketing Operations

Rodale sent me two books which I never ordered and I called them to let them know they made an error sending me the 2 books which I never ordered or would have never ordered in my life.
Rodale stated they would send me a return or I could retrieve a label online which I did and returned both of books to rodale using UPS which I paid for and 2 weeks later they sent the same 2 books again! I called them again to inform them of this strange incident from them sending the same 2 books again. I retrieved a return label online sent them back to Rodale and paid the return again then about a month later Rodale sent me a bill for the books I didn't order and returned to them twice. I don't know what is going on with scam company. I just wish they would leave me alone. I never ordered anything from this company and I never will.

Review: Clicked on a link to purchase a book for $39.

As I intended to buy the book for $39 I had filled out shipping info then clicked submit.

On the following page it was suddenly an ump graded offer valued at $79 with no option to opt out.

I immediately emailed to cancel my order and complained of bait and switch.

The email response was to advise I print out a return address label to stick on the box and send back.

The label has been sitting on my fridge waiting for the box to arrive since April 25th.

I had assumed it didn't arrive because they canceled the order however today June 4th I was billed via email for the order.

So not only bait and switch but they never even got the item to me so I could return it.

I am angry and will be willing to pay a lawyer to keep my money from going to these people.Desired Settlement: I expect the charges dropped. I do not even believe the book was shipped as they new it would be returned.

Review: I was sent a book I did not order from this company. I sent them three emails telling them I did not order this book. I didn't feel like I should be I annoyed with having to return a book I didn't order however I did return the book and I also paid for it because I was being sent letters from a collection agency! This is unfair business practices! I paid $47 dollars for a book they have! I feel like I they have used the threat of collection agencies to extort money from me!.Desired Settlement: I feel like the should return my money and I do not wish to receive anything further from their company!

Business

Response:

January 9, 2014

Dear **. [redacted]:

In response to your email of January 2nd, 2014, regarding consumer [redacted], our records show an order was received for [redacted]’s Ultimate Guide to Women's Health and Wellness on March 28th, 2013, via a telemarketing agency.

Although **. [redacted] stated that she returned the book, our records do not show that a return was received. As a customer courtesy, **. [redacted]s’ bill has been cancelled and a refund check in the amount of $47.94 has been issued by [redacted]

Her name and address have been removed from our [redacted] magazine promotional list. A few more offers may be received because of items that have already been mailed or processed for mailing. **. [redacted]s’ name and address have also been added to our suppression file which will restrict it from being used for any postal mailings, email offers, telephone offers, or sent to any other company.

Please feel free to contact me if you need farther assistance.

Sincerely,

Review: Today I was looking at a book offered by [redacted] Magazine and clicked on the site to look at the offer. my intention was to order the book and the offer and pay with a credit card, so I filled in the info, clicked on the credit card site. Upon further consideration, I decided not to go ahead with the sale, and closed down the web site without putting any more information or credit card info. About 1 1/2 hours later I received an email confirmation for the book with a "Bill Me Option" on the confirmation.

This order was never confirmed by them or me, and Rodale just processed the order without my permission or acceptance. This is in clear violation of my consumer rights to verify that I accept their policies, which I did not.

I called their customer service line as soon as I saw this and talked to [redacted], Employee # [redacted], to make sure this order was cancelled. At first she could not see my order, then moments later it appeared, which I found odd. She said initially it takes at least 45 mins for the order to be processed I asked for an order confirmation number which she could not give me but only her employee number. Then I asked for an email confirmation to be sent to me and this was not done. I complained to [redacted] that I did not authorize this purchase and explained that I had shut down the site before any information was given or accepted. She apologized for the inconvenience but could not give me any more information why this happened. I am concerned that my personal information will be used again by this company for unauthorized orders. While the item they were offering see** good, Rodale's business practices are irregular and unprofessional.Desired Settlement: I want my information taken out of their data base, and no further contact from this company. Plus I want a email confirmation this was been completed and I am out of their data base.

Business

Response:

February 12, 2014

Dear **. [redacted]:

In response to your email of February 6, 2014, regarding consumer [redacted], our records show an order for the book The Sugar Smart Diet was received on February 3, 2014, via the Internet.

The IP Address for the order is 98.100.200.66 and the email address used is [redacted]. Copies of the bill me order page, credit card upsell page and email confirmation page are included. When **. [redacted] entered her information and clicked the “Place Order Now!” button, a bill me order was created. She entered, but never submitted the credit card upsell order.

The book order was terminated on February 3, 2014 before it reached our fulfillment system. I am sorry that **. [redacted] was not satisfied with her call to customer service.

**. [redacted]’s name and address have been removed from our Book Division and Prevention promotional lists. A few more offers may be received because of items that have already been mailed or processed for mailing. Her name and address have also been added to our suppression file which will restrict it from being used for any postal mailings, email offers, telephone offers, or sent to any other company.

Please feel free to contact me if you need further assistance.

Sincerely,

Review: I have refused the shipment Metabolism Miracle, but I am still being billed for it. Now they have sent it to collections. I have sent emails, made phone calls, but they still keep charging me for this. They need to remove this from their system and quit harassing me. This has affected my ability to have positive credit.Desired Settlement: Please have them credit this as returned and stop harassing me.

Business

Response:

May 21, 2014Dear [redacted]:In response to your email of May 13, 2014 regarding consumer [redacted], our records show an order for the book Metabolism Miracle was received on August 28, 2013, via the Internet. A copy of the order page, confirmation page and confirmation email is enclosed.The IP Address for the order is [redacted] and the email address used is [redacted]The bill for Metabolism Miracle has been cancelled and the order has been marked as returned in our database. This order will in no way affect **. [redacted]s credit score.I apologize that Customer Service was unable to meet your needs in your attempt to communicate with them.Please feel free to contact me if you need further assistance.Sincerely,

Consumer

Response:

[A default letter is provided here which indicates your acceptance of the business's response. If you wish, you may update it before sending it.]

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

Regards,

Review: I purchased a book from Rodale, Inc. called 'You Being Beautiful.' As requested I paid the bill as indicated. The first bill was due in November 2012. I sent a check for $46.44, the required amount (dated November 23, 2012). According to my bank statement, the check was cleared November 30, 2012. Despite this information, I received requests for payment for the same above amount in January 2013, February 2013, and March 2013. In the hopes that I could pay against further purchases, I added payments, while indicating on each pay stub that I had paid the amount, and included the check number for each. Despite this, I never received acknowledgment of the payments at all. I contacted Rodale by e-mail in an attempt to determine whether they had checked their records or not, and whether or not they needed me to send proof of payment. I received no response to this query either. The next correspondence I received from Rodale was for a collections notice for the same amount with a late fee; the letter even stated that I had only paid $00.56! Subsequently, I wrote letters to the company with proof of the bank statement showing that the originally requested sum was paid, and paid last year, 2012. I even called both of the customer service numbers listed on the last invoice; according to their automation system, their company received my February payment of $47.00 on February 20, 2013, yet they claimed that I had not paid $46.44, and that my status was worthy of participation in collections--for a bill that their own records and my bank show that I paid. I am writing this notice pre-emptively so that no one else will have to go through this. I am disappointed in Rodale for slandering me about this payment; I have received excellent service from them in the past.Desired Settlement: I do not expect to have to retain an attorney to go to court about a sum that I paid months ago, but I would like a refund, or at least for the additional funds that I paid to be credited to my account. I do not care to receive any more notices from Rodale about this sum.

Business

Response:

Please see attachment