Rodale, Inc.

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

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've never purchased from this company before and will never do it again! The picture of the products looked good but in reality, they were garbage.

I paid to return them via [redacted]. They won't refund my money and they want to charge me for the return! They don't answer the phone, you wait and wait and then when they

finally do answer (if they do) they'll hang up on you. If the clothes are garbage then I'm presuming all the products they sell, magazines, health foods, are garbage also.

Let people know not to waste their money.

Business

Response:

September 4, 2014Dear [redacted]:In response to your notification of August 26, 2014 regarding [redacted], our records show an order was placed for two sweaters and a bra on August 1, 2014. Both sweaters were discounted and unmistakably shown as FINAL SALE items on the product page.Our return policy is clearly explained on our website at http://www.rodales.com/returns.html. The verbiage that pertains to this issue is as follows:If you are not completely satisfied with your purchase or gift, we gladly accept returns and exchanges of unworn and unused items within 30 days of original purchase. (Please note: unfortunately food items, beauty products, underwear, supplements, cleaning items, and final sale items are not covered by our return policy.)The policy also states that return shipping will be deducted from any refund due, but Rodale’s will pay for shipping if the item is exchanged.Additionally, truly damaged items, regardless of the sale status are always accepted for exchange or a full refund, including shipping.10 August 2014 – [redacted] contacted our customer service department and stated the product was “garbage” and that she has returned it. She did not provide any detail regarding her description, or state that there was any damage to the garments.14 August 2014 – Our customer service department sent the following email to our distribution center (DC):[redacted] will be returning two final sale items, [redacted] & [redacted], for a refund. However, the customer only claimed that the items were garbage and told us nothing more about why she felt this way. If there is no damage to the items please let me know and then reship it to the customer. If there is damage, let me know and I will process it as a return.This shows our intent to grant a full refund if the product was indeed damaged.20 August 2014 – Our DC receive the return package and advised that the garments were not damaged in any way and that a third item was included, a “simple bra”. This item was eligible for return and a refund was processed. The FINAL SALE items were then re-shipped to the customer.22 August 2014 – The customer called when she realized the items were being re-shipped to her. The Customer Service Supervisor explained to her the nature of a final sale items and offered to exchange them for another size or color, but she did not accept.According to our policy, no refund was approved as the items were FINAL SALE and there was no evident damage.Please feel free to contact me if you need further assistance.Sincerely,Maggie SCustomer Service Manager

Consumer

Response:

Review: [redacted]

I am rejecting this response because:

From: [redacted] <[redacted]>

Date: Sat, Sep 6, 2014 at 2:08 PM

Subject: RE: You have a new message from the Revdex.com of Metro Washington DC & Eastern Pennsylvania in regards to your complaint #[redacted].

To: "[email protected]" <[email protected]>

I did not call the company on August 22nd regarding the two sweaters being sent back to me. I was out of the country and when I returned on 9/2 saw the Rodales box and had it returned to sender. This company hung up on me when I called regarding this issue on August 22nd, nothing said about the sweaters being sent back to me!

Review: The company has been issuing magazines that I did not authorize.Desired Settlement: Discontinue sending unauthorized magazines immediately.

Business

Response:

August 29, 2014Dear [redacted]:In response to your letter of August 25, 2014, regarding [redacted], our records show a [redacted] magazineorder was entered on February 24, 2014 via a mailed in order card. A [redacted] magazine subscription order was entered on August 15, 2013 by [redacted] as a gift via a mailed in order card. Copies of both order cards are enclosed.Both [redacted] and [redacted] magazine subscriptions have been cancelled. Her account is at a zero balance.[redacted]’s name and address have been removed from our [redacted] and [redacted] magazine promotional lists. A few more offers may be received because of items that have already been mailed or processed for mailing. Her name, address, and telephone number 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: Billed for products and services not ordered or received.Desired Settlement: cease billing from Rodale and collection agencies. not to have my credit effected.

Business

Response:

April 15, 2014Dear [redacted]:In response to your email of April 11, 2014 regarding consumer [redacted], our records show two order cards were received on October 24, 2013. One was for the book Lose the Wheat, Lose the WeightCookbook and the other was for Joey Greens Magic Health Remedies. Copies of the order cards are enclosed.**. [redacted]s orders and bills have been cancelled and his account is at a zero balance.**. [redacted]s name and address have been removed from our Book Division promotional lists. A few more offers may be received because of items that have already been mailed or processed for mailing. His name and address have also been added to our suppression file which will restrict it from being used for any postal mailings, emailoffers, telephone offers or sent to any other company.Please feel free to contact me if you need further assistance.Sincerely

Review: I received a bill from a collection agency (RMCB, Inc., Elmsford, NY) for $19.94 that is to be paid to "Prevention" magazine. I did

not subscribe to this magazine. Hence, I do not owe them any money.Desired Settlement: I want Prevention Magazine to stop sending me bills and only contact me to say that I owe them no money.

Business

Response:

December 2, 2013

Dear **. [redacted]:

In response to your email of November 27, 2013, regarding consumer [redacted], our records show a Prevention magazine order was received on August 22, 2013, via a mailed in card. A copy of the order card is enclosed.

**. [redacted]’ order and bill have been cancelled.

Her name and address have been removed from our Prevention magazine promotional list. A few more offers may be received because of items that have already been mailed or processed for mailing. **. [redacted]’ 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: This company emailed me to look at a book. I have to enter my mailing address in order to see the information on the book. After I entered my address I was told the product could be purchased for $78 and I needed to enter payment information. I was not interested and closed out the web page. 3 weeks later the package arrived with a bill for the merchandise. I never ordered this product!! I feel this company is a scam. They send out items you have not ordered and if you do not go to the trouble of sending them back, you owe them money!!!Desired Settlement: I want them to quit billing me for their mistake or dishonest pratice of sending product that were never ordered. I NEVER entered an agreement with them for payment!!

Business

Response:

November 8, 2013

Revdex.com

50 West North Street Bethlehem, PA 18018

RE: [redacted], ID: [redacted]

Dear **. [redacted]:

In response to your email of November 6, 2013, regarding consumer [redacted], our records show an order, for the Walk Off Weight book and Journal set and Walk Off Weight Quick & Easy Cookbook, was received on July 12, 2013, via the Internet.

The book information is on the order page above the name and address area. **. [redacted] entered her name and address, checked off the box for the Cookbook, and clicked on the button ‘Place Order Now! ’. Her book order was entered at that time. She then went to the ‘Free Shipping’ offer page, entered her name and address, and then closed out of the web page without entering her credit card information and clicking on the button to update her order for free shipping. A confirmation email was also sent to the email address used for the order. Enclosed are the Internet order and free shipping pages.

The IP Address for this order is [redacted] and the email address used is [redacted].

The bill for the books has been cancelled. Enclosed is a postage paid return label for **. [redacted]’ convenience in returning the books.

**. [redacted]’ name and address have been removed from our Book Division promotional list. 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: The stories told by Rodale do not match each otherRodale deceives customer and has no business ethics
As I have no caller ID and was waiting for a return call from my child's teacher, I picked up a sales call from Rodal selling a bookI told the lady I do not like Prevention magazine and I ordered it because I do not want my airline mileages (eligible for a round-trip ticket) go expiredI selected Prevention magazine is because it costs fewest miles! Not because it is goodAfter I read two issues, I never open Prevention magazine---too many retelling informationShe, the caller, said the book contains newly discovered information of nutricureSince I occasionally teach food chemistry with nutrition in my class, I agreed to look at itShe said if I don't like it, I can return itAfter skimming through it by checking some specific & common illness, I found the book does not cover them and some information presented is out-dated and decided to return
I9/25/I called the customer service at 8:a.mCentral Time and the lady said she will email me the return label and I should be able to receive it right awayIf not, check the second dayIf I do not receive it, call Rodale backSo I did after hoursOn 9/26/I was able to speak to [redacted] at 4:p.mCT (after learning yesterday's lesson, I ask for his full name but he said he can not give it to me)He said the did not see the lady sent out the return label and he cannot send the lable through emailI told him it's a lie and then he said he can send the return label to my email but I have to pay for shippingI told him that was not the lady told me when she made teh sales call and the lady I spoke to yesterday[redacted] can sent the postage-paid return label through email and why Rodale can't? The pre-paid label according to [redacted] that it takes to business days to arriveHowever, the invoice said payment due on 10/8/and a late fee will be added if not received by 10/8/
I asked for his supervisorThen I heard another conflicting storyI spoke to [redacted] and she said she will send me another one since I call today, 9/26/2013, but I will not receive it before next Tuesday afternoon (10/1/2013) through emailThe return lable with postage paid takes business days to arriveI told her that is not acceptable because they can send to the credit bureau saying the customer does not honor the purchasethe issue is Rodale said there will be days of free-trial but when I calculated, it only gives you ten daysAlso I did said I want to opt out from the mailing list but Rodale did not honor my requestSo [redacted] said she can take me out of their mailing list[redacted] is worng, Rodale did not send me any commericals but calling and call not in the business hoursI ask [redacted] to send me the invoice with balance zero and she said she has to receive the book firstThe problem is she does not want to send me the pre-paid return label and I am unwilling to pay the postage myselfThe practice of Rodale is kid of sending out the book and invoiceIf I had fail to open it like I used to and let it go into expiration, then I am default to pay the $book with out-of-date informationRodale can not fool a person who reads the professional journal and review for the textbook publishersIt's disgustingWhere is the business ethinics?Desired Settlement: I demand the pre-paid priority mail return label be emailed or sent by priority mail to me and take off all charges in my account including any late fees should Rodale delay the process of sending out the pre-paid return label again!
Business
Response:
Please see attachment

Review: 1. Prevention magazine disregarded a request for cancellation. A cancellation was sent after after receiving 1 magazine. I sent a written cancellation back to Prevention magazine via their own envelope and billing invoice to immediately cancel. 2. Prevention magazine used the incorrect address to send information. I am not sure why they did not coordinate their addresses, but I received no follow-on information and/or requests. They left a critical number off of address (my mail box identifier. 3. As a consumer, I am being penalized for their lack of coordination internally of cancellations received (my cancellation), incorrect mailing information to consumers. 4. This is a fraudulent subscription process. If a consumer cancels the subscription immediately, the company should accept it and acknowledge it. I have spent $19.95 to overnight a check to Prevention Magazine for a subscription that costs $18.94. If I was attempting to not pay my bill, I would not take the effort and incur costs for overnight delivery that is worth more than this subscription. In addition to paying for the subscription, I cancelled immediately as I did not (and do not) like the content of the magazine. I feel that I have been unfairly treated and "held up" by the magazine.Desired Settlement: I would like for Prevention Magazine to request to have the complaint removed from the credit reporting company. I take my credit very seriously. I monitor every month. This is a ridiculous claim that will hurt my credit. I do not believe that Prevention acted in a fair manner due to their own internal processes and lack of coordination.

Business

Response:

Please see attachment

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.

Regards,

Review: My subscription to Runner's World will expire in January, 2014. I do not plan to renew my subscription. Today I received a bill from Rodale informing me that my "renewed" subscription would be activated in February and asking me for payment. I read on line complaints how Rodale uses this ploy to harass people into buying magazines and when a payment was not made they received further harassment from collection agencies. I sent an e-mail to Rodale informing them I had not renewed my subscription but they indicated that they do read their e-mails. They offered several options for communicating and the only option available, close to my situation, was to "cancel" my subscription. I checked cancel even though I had not renewed. This needs to stop. Thank you for your assistance.Desired Settlement: I would like Revdex.com to contact Rodale and ask them to stop this practice.

Business

Response:

November 25, 2013

Dear [redacted]:

In response to your email of November 22, 2013, regarding consumer [redacted], our records show a Runner’s World magazine order was received on February 18, 2013, via the Internet.

The order included an automatic renewal offer (order page enclosed) which stated:

"Automatic Renewal: My subscription will automatically renew annually at the end of the first subscription period and each year thereafter. I will be billed at the rate then in effect, which may change, until I cancel. At least 30 days prior to my subscription renewal, Rodale will send me a notice with the renewal date and reply-by date to prevent renewal. If I do not wish to renew, I will write cancel on the notice I receive, send it back by the reply-by date, and owe nothing."

**. [redacted]’s automatic renewal was cancelled on November 21, 2013.

Her name and address have been removed from our Runner’s World 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 further assistance.

Sincerely,

Review: I subscribed to Women's Health Magazine over two years ago by filling out the subscription card via U.S. mail. I paid for my subscription with my credit card. I discovered, by checking my bank account online yesterday, that Women's Health automatically charged $16 and some change to my checking account without my authorization. I called them on 11/11, and spoke to "[redacted]" who said it would take 3 to 4 days to credit my account. I am requesting that this charge be removed immediately or I receive some sort of reciprocation for not having access to "my" money when I did not authorize this transaction. I also want this to not happen to anyone else. Thank you!Desired Settlement: I strongly feel this was against my rights and would like this resolved immediately and also with some sort of additional credit.

Business

Response:

November 15, 2013

Dear **. [redacted]:

In response to your email of November 13, 2013, regarding consumer [redacted], our records show there are three orders on **. [redacted]’s Women’s Health magazine account.

The first order was received on January 4, 2012, via the Internet. This order was a billed order and was cancelled on January 27, 2012, when a second order, paid with a credit card, was received.

The second order was received on January 27, 2012, via the Internet. This order included an automatic renewal offer (order page enclosed) which stated:

“Your subscription will be automatically renewed at significant savings off the cover price, unless you tell us to stop. You authorize us to charge your credit card for your renewal subscription before your current subscription expires at the low renewal rate then in effect. If your credit card can’t be charged for any reason, or if you selected the Bill Me Later option, we will bill you directly instead. This service will continue each year until you tell us to stop. If you wish to cancel, call (800) 666-2303 or contact customer service at any time.”

**. [redacted]’s last issue on the second order was the Dec-2013 issue. On November 7, 2013, the automatic renewal for her Women’s Health magazine was entered on her magazine account and the credit card she used for the original order was billed. This order was cancelled on November 11, 2013, and removed from the automatic renewal program. A refund of $16.94 was issued and credited to **. [redacted]’s credit card account.

Her name and address have been removed from our Book Division and Women’s Health magazine promotional lists. 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 further assistance.

Sincerely,

Review: I'm sure this will come as a surprise to no one, but Rodale has sent me a book and a magazine I did not order. I also got a bill. Joy!

I've researched this company online and apparently they do this all the time. I just received the book and magazine today (8/22/2013) and want to nip this in the bud before it becomes an issue with a collection agency.

I believe an old email account of mine was hacked into as the email address on the "invoice" was one I last used about five years ago.

Thanks,

[redacted]Desired Settlement: I do no want to pay for something I never ordered.

I also never wanted to be contacted by Rodale ever again.

Business

Response:

August 29, 2013

Dear [redacted]:

In response to your email of August 23, 2013 regarding consumer [redacted], our records show a Prevention magazine order and book order, for Joy Bauer’s Food Cures, was received on August 11, 2013, via the Internet. Enclosed is a copy of the online order.

The IP Address for this order is [redacted] and the email address is [redacted]. **. [redacted] also was sent an email confirmation at the email address provided at the time of the order.

The Prevention magazine order has been cancelled. The book order and bill have also been cancelled. Enclosed is a postage paid return label **. [redacted] can use to return the book.

His name and address have been removed from our Prevention magazine and Book division promotional lists. A few more offers may be received because of items that have already been mailed or processed for mailing. **. [redacted]’ name and address have also been added to our suppression file. 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,

Review: I have noticed several problems exactly as mine on [redacted] Rodale.com emailed an order confirmation to my email for things I have never ordered and marked the payment information as "Bill Me". The name and address listed have not been used by me recently, but apparently they won't answer the customer service line and then send collection agencies after you to try and scare you into making payment for things you didn't order. I have not bothered to try and contact this company, because based on the reviews and the shady history I have seen posted online, I refuse to provide them with any additional personal information such as phone number or information about my address.Desired Settlement: I want this business to stop doing this, and I refuse to make any kind of payment. If I hear from a collection agency about this in any form, I'm going to throw a fit.

Business

Response:

Please see attachment

Consumer

Response:

[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 Administratively Resolved]

Review: Rodale sent me a bill of $43.94 for a merchandise, YOU BEING BEAUTIFUL (OPB) which

1. I did not order

2. I did not receive

3. I do not wish to receive

If I do not send payment by due date, there will a late charge added on the bill.

I have never gone on their website before, I have never showed any interest prior to this. I have never heard about Rodale till now.Desired Settlement: I would like my name, my mailing address, my e-mail removed from their mailing list effectively immediately. I would like my personal information removed from all branches of the company or any participating companies Rodale might have.

This is an invasion of my privacy and it is harrasment.

I would like an apology for what they did and I would like a confirmation that they have removed my name, mailing list, and e-mail address completely

Business

Response:

September 23, 2013

[redacted] Revdex.com 50 West North Street Bethlehem, PA 18018

RE: [redacted]. [redacted], ID: [redacted]

Dear [redacted]:

In response to your email of September 19 2013, regarding consumer [redacted]. [redacted], our records show a book order for You Being Beautiful was received on June 27, 2013, via a mailed card. A copy of the card is enclosed.

The bill for the book has been cancelled.

**. [redacted]’s name and address have been removed from our Women’s Health magazine and Book division 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. 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.

Consumer

Response:

[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 Administratively Resolved]

Review: [redacted]

I am rejecting this response because:

1) Rodale's practices are un-ethical;

2) how they got hold of my details through my magazine subscription is un-ethical and it is a violation of my rights for privacy.

3) just because Rodale has on their record, a card was sent to me for a book order meant that I received that publication, and therefore Rodale can repeatedly send me payment obligation notices.

This might have a negative effect on my credit rating.

I appreciate the follow-up, I appreciate that the bill for the book has been cancelled and my name and address have been removed from the Women's Health magazine and Book division promotional list, however further actions need to be taken against Rodale, this is harrassment.

For many years, I have enjoyed reading Women's Health magazine, and now I have doubts about renewing my subscription and I am skeptical about any new magazine subscriptions.

I would like to know which other magazines shares details with Rodale so I can avoid them all together.

Regards,

Review: In December 2013 I received a book in the mail from Rodale, Inc. I have a magazine subscription with the company, so they sent me the book because they "thought I would like it." This was not an item that I ever requested or ordered, but they sent it to me any way to "test." The book arrived with no clear way to return it, other than to call to request further information and a return label. Once I received the first invoice for the book in early 2014, I called customer service to request a return label and for instructions on returning the book. I was told a label would be emailed to me. I never received this email. While I waited for the label, I continued to get more invoices with an increasingly hostile tone regarding my "failure" to pay for the book or contact customer service. This was despite my first attempt to do just that. So I called again to try to return the book. This time they told me they would mail me a return label and make a note in my file that I was attempting to return the book. I never received that label, but I did continue to get nasty letters in the mail regarding the book. By now it's mid-April. So I called again and had the same conversation again with them. I explained the situation, requested another return label, and again asked them to make a note that I wasn't delinquent, but was trying to return the book. Finally, I received the return label via email and I immediately packaged up the book and sent it back to Rodale, hoping this situation had been settled once and for all. Unfortunately, that has not been the case.

Today I received two letters threatening to send me to collections and to report me to a consumer reporting agency. I have done everything possible to resolve this situation and return the book that I never requested and never wanted in the first place. I have spent a lot of time calling their customer service center and going through the same cycle only to resolve nothing. I returned the book several weeks ago, but I continue to get hostile letters from them. I don't want this situation and Rodale's failure to respond to me and my concerns to negatively impact my credit in the future, but I feel as though I'm out of options since calling them and following their instructions has resolved nothing.

Please also note that the dates of complaints listed on the following page are approximate.Desired Settlement: I would like the Revdex.com to investigate this and to contact Rodale in an attempt to rectify this situation on my behalf. All I want is for Rodale to accept the book that I have returned, to stop sending me nasty letters, to clear my account of any outstanding balances related to this matter, and to retract any reports to consumer reporting agencies. Their customer service has been horrendous and ineffective and I would appreciate recognition of my efforts to solve this problem and for Rodale to bring it to an end.

Business

Response:

June 9, 2014Dear [redacted]:In response to your email of June 3, 2014 regarding consumer [redacted], our records show an order for the book PV Ultimate Guide to Womens Health and Wellness was received on December 17, 2013 via a telemarketing offer.A return was done for this book and there is no money owed on the account. This will not have any impact on **. [redacted]s credit. I am sorry that her experience with customer service was unsatisfactory.**. [redacted]s name and address have been removed from our Book Division promotional list. A few more offers may be received because of ite** that have already been mailed or processed for mailing. Her name, address, email, and phone number 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.

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. I will note that I am still not satisfied with Rodale Inc's continual failure to acknowledge my efforts in good faith to resolve this situation over the past few months (failing to do so even in their response to the Revdex.com) and I regret that I had to file a complaint in order to get any response and resolution from the company. That being said, I do appreciate the Revdex.com's quick attention to my complaint and I am glad to be able to put this problem to rest.Thank you,[redacted]

Review: Several months ago I began receiving unsolicited email messages from Rodale. They were advertising magazines and other periodicals. I had never heard of this company nor ever rendered their services so I wondered how they had obtained my email address. Several weeks after this I received a package from Rodale with a bill. I was very upset because I had never ordered any products from this company, and I had no idea how they obtained my home address. I did not open the package and wrote "Return to Sender" and promptly returned the package. I also attached a note asking Rodale to remove me from their mailing list, seeing as though I never authorized them to include me in it, and to stop sending me products I did not order. I also tried contacting them several times at the phone number included in their persistent emails. I could never reach anyone and the voice activated response system kept trying to obtain more personal information from me, which I did not give.

Rodale kept sending me bills for the package I returned and daily emails where they stated my account was overdue. Two days ago I received a collection letter from "[redacted], [redacted]." that states my account with Rodale is past overdue and I have been sent to collections. This collection agency is billing me $46.00. As easy as it would be to pay this amount, I strongly believe that Rodale is engaging in unlawful business practices. Sending products that were never ordered and then charging for them. What is to stop Rodale from saying I ordered $1,000 or $10,000 worth of their products. and billing me for these amounts next ? I would hate to see my excellent credit score ruined because of this shameful company and their unlawful business practices.Desired Settlement: I would like for Rodale to write a letter stating they have retracted my name from collections and that they will never again contact me in any manner.

Business

Response:

Please see the attachment.

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 still urge you to look further into this company's business practices. If you do a simple google search you will see that there are many individuals out there who have gone through a similar situation as mine. They receive merchandise they never ordered from Rodale, and are subsequently sent to a "collection agency". The copy of the order form they submitted to you is completely false. I never completed this order form. Thank you for your assistance in this matter.

Regards,

Review: Prevention magazine sent me several solicitations requesting I renew my subscription. I ignored all of them. Instead of taking the hint, Prevention turned my name over to a collection agency, [redacted]., [redacted] who contacted me to collect a "DEBT" to Prevention. I contacted them, spoke to "[redacted]," and he said the matter is resolved. But it really isn't because the Revdex.com needs to know of the predatory practices used by this magazine. They obviously prey on vulnerable people who they can intimidate into being lifetime subscribers. If PREVENTION pleads "not guilty," I'll be happy to send you the original copy of the letter from the collection agency.

Product_Or_Service: magazine subscriptionDesired Settlement: DesiredSettlementID: No settlement requested - for

I would love to see how this company defends its intimidating billing practices.

Business

Response:

Please see the attachment.

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.

Regards,

Review: Rodale contacted me by phone to inquire about sending a book to me that I could possibly buy (American Medical Association Complete Guide to Men's Health, ISBN: [redacted]). I asked if they would give me a UPS label to return it if I did not want it (so I wouldn't have to pay for shipping it back), and I was told that would happen. However, when I received the book, I decided I did not want it, because it was a guide to health from 2001, so it was not the most up-to-date resource. I searched through everything that arrive in the package, but I found nothing that told me how to obtain a UPS label for returning the book. I went to Rodale's website, and filled out an online help form to try to get some information, but they never responded. I sent two separate e-mails (February 25, 2013 and March 6, 2013) to Rodale's customer service ([email protected]) about getting a UPS label to return the book, but they never responded. During this time, Rodale was sending billing statements to pay for the book, but I wasn't going to keep it, so I ignored them, especially since Rodale ignored my three attempts to contact them. Now Rodale has sent me to a collection agency, [redacted], to try to get the money for the book that I just want to return.Desired Settlement: I want two things:

1. My credit score to remain unaffected by this situation. It is not my fault Rodale ignored me, and I should not have to pay for it.

2. Either give me a UPS label to return the book (so I can get it out of my house), as I was originally told I could do, or let me keep it for free (in which case I'll throw the outdated book in the recycling bin). I'd be happy to return it if I had a UPS label from Rodale, but I won't pay to return it, since that was not in the original agreement (nor should I have to pay to do anything with this old book).

Business

Response:

Please see attachment

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.

Thank you for your help!

Regards,

Review: Rodale, Inc. sent me an unsolicited hardbound cookbook that I did not order. I contacted the company's return website and downloaded a shipping label for the return. However, I have to pay postage of $5.09 to mail this unsolicited item back to the company. I contacted the customer service department this morning (Friday, April 11, 2014). I was told that the order for the book was made by mail, but I didn't order anything by mail from Rodale. I asked to be removed from their records and was told that they "couldn't do that" but that when the book was received back by them, then my account balance would be reset to zero. I never established an account with this company, do not subscribe to any of their publications and want my information deleted by them and all unsolicited material stopped. I am filing this complaint with the Revdex.com and I have contacted the US Postal Inspector's Office and reported Rodale for sending a unsolicited package and a bill to me.Desired Settlement: I would like a letter from Rodale confirming that my "account" has been cancelled and that I will no longer receive any merchandise, phone calls, etc. from this company or its subsidiaries. Because I opened the package to see what it was,. I am responsible for the return postage, so I don't expect Rodale to reimburse me. But the letter, dated and signed, would be appreciated. Thank you for any assistance in resolving this matter.

Business

Response:

April 21, 2014Dear **. [redacted]:In response to your email of April 11, 2014, regarding consumer [redacted], our records show an order card was received for Paula Deen & Friends Family Favorite on February 26, 2013. Our records show another order card was received for Amish Cook’s Family Favorite Recipes on March 26, 2014. Copies of the order cardsare enclosed.The bill for Amish Cook’s Family Favorite Recipes has been cancelled. **. [redacted]’s account is now at a zero balance due. A refund for $5.09 was submitted for the amount she paid for return postage.Her name and address have been removed from our Book Division 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 further assistance.Sincerely,

Review: This complaint taken via phone by Revdex.com staff (ES): The consumer ordered a cookbook in November 2013. The consumer paid in full ($29.94). The consumer states that the company padded the box that the cookbook was in with an excessive amount of advertisements that the consumer did not request. The company has asked the consumer to pay $10 for shipping. The consumer has contacted the business about this matter. The consumer believes that had the advertisements not been included in the shipment, that the shipping cost would not have been as high. The company has not responded to the consumer's direct complaints.

Consumer's account #: [redacted]Desired Settlement: The consumer would like the shipping cost waived.

Business

Response:

January 24, 2014

Dear **. [redacted]:

In response to your email of January 23, 2014, regarding consumer [redacted], our records show an order for the book Amish Cook’s Family Favorite Recipes was received on September 23, 2013, via a mailed in order card.

The price of this book stated on the order card was $31.95. For this type of promotion, Rodale does not base its postage and handling on the weight of the package. The standard shipping for this price point is $7.99. The total , of her order was $39.94. **. [redacted] paid $29.94.

As a customer courtesy, the outstanding balance of $10.00 was waived.

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

Sincerelv.