Strategic Media

Review: Within the past few months my small condo mailbox has been bursting with handfuls of magazines that I never subscribed to. I contacted each magazine individually to cancel these subscriptions but they notified me that I was subscribed through Strategic Media, LLC and had to request cancellation through them personally; I have never heard of this company nor have I ever given them permission to use my information. I emailed Strategic Media twice with no response and have tried getting a rep on the phone to speak to someone personally with no luck. I feel personally violated and harassed as a result of their actions; I live in a small condo with a small mailbox that cannot handle the amount of mail they are having sent to me. As a result I have lost several important bills that I cannot afford to lose again. I hope to have this issue resolved soon before I lose any more important mail that actually matters.Desired Settlement: I want and need this business (Strategic Media, LLC) to cease the subscriptions that they enrolled me in without my permission. I also want them to remove any and all of my personal information they have of mine in their records.

Business

Response:

Hi,My name is [redacted] and I'm the President of Strategic Media. I just spoke to [redacted] and explained that these subscriptions were received at no cost to her as a thank-you bonus for making a qualifying purchase on a woman's fashion site she frequents. That all made sense to her. We reviewed the order history and she asked that we cancel all three of the subscriptions in our database under her name. The cancellations were processed today. I let her know that she may still receive 1-2 issues from each title that may already be in the mail or too late to stop. She seemed satisfied with the conversation. She has my direct # should she have any more questions. Thanks.

Review: I started receiving issues of People magazine and was told that my subscription was placed by Strategic Media, a company that I have never conducted business with in the past. I requested that my subscription be cancelled and was told that the order could only be placed in suspense. I tried calling Strategic Media on several occasions, during different parts of the day and going through various prompts just to have the call ended because no one was available to accept my call (supposedly all customer service reps were busy on other calls).Desired Settlement: First I would like to receive an explanation from Strategic Media on how they received my contact information and who authorized their company to place subscription orders in my name. Furthermore, I would like the subscription of People magazine and any other publications for that matter that was not authorized to be opened on my behalf by Strategic Media to be cancelled and myself indemnified from any past, present, or future charges associated with this or any other subscription. In addition I would like Strategic Media to eliminate my contact information from all of their databases effective immediately. I would like to receive an official confirmation in writing of all cancellations as noted above from Strategic Media.

Business

Response:

HiI left a voice message and email for [redacted] today (June **, 2015) with complete details on how she got People StyleWatch. She received a bonus one-year subscription to People Stylewatch included with a qualifying purchase at a women's fashion site. There was NO additional cost for the bonus which was included with her purchase. The subscription will not automatically renew. We would be happy to cancel the bonus subscription if she wishes and left her my personal phone and email to answer any questions she may have. Thank you.

Consumer

Response:

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

Sincerely,

Review: I never signed up for a magazine service and all of a sudden I got a [redacted] order. I called the magazine they said I had just been signed up in April with my address no signature on file from a third party named Strategic Media LLC and cannot cancel my order. I called Strategic and their number does not work. Our entire block got hit with this scam. I contacted the news station and they will be running segments on strategic. I want my order cancelled with no payments as I have returned to sender magazine sent.Desired Settlement: Cancel and refund all members on our block and fire the people who stole our names from our mail

Business

Response:

I spoke with [redacted] today and explained that the [redacted] subscription was included with a qualifying purchase she made at a women's fashion site. There was no bill for it and it does not auto renew. She seemed reassured to know the details and decided to keep the [redacted] subscription. This matter should now be resolved.

Review: I suspect fraud after receiving an unwanted magazine subscription that I never signed up for, and have been unable to cancel.I started receiving Essence Magazine today. According to the mailing label, I have a one year subscription. I telephoned Essence Magazine to cancel, they told me I had been signed up by Stategic Media LLC and had to contact them directly to cancel my subscription. The phone number at Strategic Media goes straight to voice mail, asking me to leave my phone number and they will call me back at "their earliest convenience".I suspect fraud and notified my credit card company.Desired Settlement: I want to cancel immediately, since I never signed up or provided my name and address for a subscription and do not want this magazine.

Business

Response:

We tried to reach [redacted] via phone today. She was not available so left a detailed message including my personal phone # she can call back with any questions.[redacted] is receiving a one-year subscription to Essence that was included as a special bonus with a qualifying purchase at a women's fashion site. The subscription was included with a purchase as a thank you from the website and there is no bill ever. At no time did we get [redacted]'s credit card or email address. The bonus she is receiving is for one year and then will automatically end. I will email her as well with this information. Thank you.

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,

[redacted]PS: It seems that this truly is an above board "free gift" with no strings attached and not a scam. Thank you for your help and for the lightening quick response from [redacted] the [redacted].

Review: I received a People magazine issue that I never ordered. I checked on People magazine's website and it stated that this business, Strategic Media, LLC, purchased this subscription for me. I never made this purchase and it is disturbing that such a subscription was made without my consent.Desired Settlement: I want to make sure that Strategic Media does not charge me for this subscription and that it does not have or keep any of my information (e.g. contact information, payment information).

Business

Response:

Just attempted to reach the Complainant by phone but she did not answer so I left a detailed voice message. I also just followed up with an email explaining exactly how she got the People bonus subscription (just 3 months/15 issues). This was a bonus offer with no bill or automatic renewal ever. She now has my email and phone # should she wish to forfeit her bonus we will be happy to cancel it. Thank you.

Review: I am receiving A subscription to Essence magazine that I did not authorize. I called the customer service department for Essence magazine and was told this was a third party subscription that and basically it's not their responsibility. I was given a phone number for Strategic Media LLC. I have yet to get an answer at this number. I do not understand how a company can take your information and use it fraudulently. I want this subscription cancelled and my information off of their records.Desired Settlement: I want this subscription cancelled and my information off this company's records.

Business

Response:

On 1/**/15 I emailed [redacted] and explained the program. She asked us to cancel her subscription to Essence and that has been done. The subscription was included as a bonus with a qualifying online purchase and there was no bill for the Essence subscription.

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 did not order this magazine. Essence magazine was ordered by this company in my name without my permission. This is identity theft and fraud.Desired Settlement: I do not want to receive any unsolicited orders. I want the order cancelled and I want to be completely removed from the company's database. I want to file charges against the company for identity theft and fraud.

Business

Response:

[redacted] received a one- year bonus subscripton to Essence after making a qualifying purchase on a women’s fashion site. There was no charge for the subscription and it did not automatically renew and her credit card and email address were not shared with the publisher or with Strategic Media. Her subscription was processed by us on 1/**/15 and she has probably received 2-3 issues. We put through a cancellation on 4/*/15.

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,

This being the case, I sincerely apologize for my misunderstanding. No one told me that I would bereceiving a complimentary subscription. I would love it if they would continue the subscription for the original gift terms.

Review: I received an issue of Time magazine having never ordered or asked for this. I only do purchases through one site so I am very curious as to how and why this happened. Having read the other incidents on this page, it seems like this auto subscription gift stuff is generally a bad idea and the company should stop doing it.Desired Settlement: I just want the subscription terminated, since I did not sign up for it. I appreciate that's its a complimentary item but I just have no interest in the magazine. I would like my data expunged from the company's records, please. Thank you.

Business

Response:

My name is Marti Schiff and I'm the President of Strategic Media. I just left [redacted] a voice message with complete details of how she got a bonus subscription to Time Magazine. I have also put in a cancellation for that subscription. I left my contact information should she have any additional follow up questions.Thank you.

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 continue to get magazines sent to me that I did not subscribe to. When I researched the magazine they indicate that the subscription was placed through Strategic Media LLC. I have not authorized Strategic Media LLC to issue subscriptions in my name. This is the second time in the last two months I have been issued a subscription by this company. I have never subscribed to this magazine and I do not wish to receive any future issues of this (InStyle ) or other publications.Desired Settlement: I would like this company to cancel any subscriptions they have issued in my name (incl. The [redacted] Family or any variation of a member of the family) and permanently remove my name from their list and prohibit any other future magazines from being issued in my name.

Business

Response:

This is [redacted], President of Strategic Media. I spoke with [redacted] today to explain how she got InStyle. She has asked us to cancel it and we have done so. She may still receive one issue but the subscription has been cancelled and she was satisfied with our conversation and had no further concerns. Thanks.

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. I also appreciated how quickly [redacted] took care of the problem, including an explanation. I am pleased with the outcome.

Sincerely,

Review: I have started receiving a People magazine subscription that I did not request. According to People Mag cust svc, it was initiated by this company, Strategic Media, and I need to contact them to cancel. I tried calling and waited on hold a long time but never got through to anyone, so I have just written a letter that I will mail. Meanwhile, though, I am reporting this to the Revdex.com as a very sleazy business practice.Desired Settlement: Cancel subscription IMMEDIATELY and do not send me any more unsolicited subscriptions.

Business

Response:

This is [redacted], President of Strategic Media. Immediately upon receiving this Revdex.com complaint I emailed and called the [redacted].She is fully aware of our promotion now and how she received the People Magazine bonus subscription and, at her request, have cancelled this subscription and will ensure she doesn't receive any additional subscriptions like this in the future. I do believe her issue is now fully resolved. Thank you.

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 just received an Essence Magazine sent to me at my home address. I called Essence Magazine Customer Service line and was told that I had an account ([redacted]) had been opened on my behalf by by Strategic Media LLC, phone number: ###-###-####.

I did not place a magazine order subscription (Essence or any other magazine for that matter) with Strategic Media LLC. I have never had contact with this company. I do not want this subscription. I have repeatdly called the phone number given to me by the Essence Magazine customer service agent and have not been able to reach anyone. I get a message that states "This is [redacted] with Strategic Media; I am sorry I missed your call; please leave your name and number and I will call you back as soon as I can" (close paraphrasing).Desired Settlement: I request that this subscription be cancelled immediately and that Strategic Media LLC removes me from their customer/call list.

Thank you

Business

Response:

Dear Revdex.com, Thank you for contacting us.

We have a record that [redacted] contacted our phone line on 8/** going into the Labor Day Weekend. Our offices were closed on 8/** at noon EST and did not open again until Tuesday 9/*. Our records indicate that we did reach out on 9/*.

In reviewing our records, we find that the Essence subscription was included as a "Special Bonus" with a purchase made online. There is no bill ever for this subscription nor does it automatically renew. We never received the customer's credit card information or email address.

I believe our customer service team put a cancellation through already but I just put another cancellation through to ensure this is addressed. Please be advised that it may take the publisher an issue or two for her to stop receiving Essence.

We have removed this customer's name from our database.

Thank you.

Strategic Media, LLC

Review: This company is distributing my contact information - address and home number. And I have now received two subscriptions they have initiated without my consent. I have contacted both companies and in both cases been told that they cannot stop the subscriptions because I signed up for the subscription via this company.Desired Settlement: I want my information removed from their databases. I want them to contact all companies they have provided my information to and for it to be removed and for all subscriptions to cease. I do not authorize them to provide this information nor to erroneously open subscriptions in my name.

Business

Response:

Hi,The customer is getting Money as a bonus included with an ecommerce purchase. The bonus was promoted on the checkout page and there was a very large opt-out but we are sorry if he didn't notice it. We put the cancellation for Money through today, 12.**.15. He may still receive one additional copy but it has been cancelled Thank you.

Review: This company sold my information to [redacted]. I have attempted to contact them and they have been mailing magazines to my college address which I'm not even sure how they got. I am very unsettled that they have access to my personal information and are selling it as a third party.Desired Settlement: I require them to cancel my subscriptions, to reveal to me through a phone call how they got my personal information, and to delete all of my data from their company database once I am satisfied with their apology.

Consumer

Response:

At this time, I have not been contacted by Strategic Media, LLC regarding complaint ID [redacted].Sincerely,Jennifer Loss

Business

Response:

[redacted] recived a one-year bonus subscription to Harper’s Bazaar after making a qualifying purchase on a women’s fashion site. There was no charge for the subscription and it did not automatically renew and her credit card and email address were not shared with the publisher or with Strategic Media. Her subscription was processed by us on 12/**/14. We put through a cancellation on 4/*/15.

Business

Response:

We have researched the status of the customer below who filed a Revdex.com complaint with Strategic Media. The customer received a bonus one-year subscription to Harper's Bazaar for making a qualifying purchase at a women's fashion site late last Fall. The bonus was included as a special thank you for making a purchase and there was no charge for it and it will not autorenew and we never received the customer credit card at any time. This subscription was cancelled on April *, 2015. Thank you.

Review: I started receiving a magazine that I did not order. I contacted [redacted] and they said that this Strategic Media LLC ordered it in my name. I did not order the magazine nor did I want it. They won't let me cancel it although I'm in process of working up through the company to get it canceled as we speak.

I called and emailed Strategic Media LLC and they don't have live representatives nor do they respond to your emails/calls. They committed identify theft and sent me something I don't want and are trying to charge me. This is the most shady company ever and needs to be taken out of business. They are committing illegal acts and won't even have anyone on the phone to answer for their crimes. ILLEGAL, SHADY.Desired Settlement: I want them to stop ordering things in my name and take my information out of their database ASAP. I want someone to call me or contact me to confirm this is being done. I want them to stop illegally ordering things in my name. I want the account to be canceled as well with [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 started receiving a subscription to a magazine ([redacted]) which I did not order. I called [redacted] to cancel, and they said I had to go through Strategic Media. They said that something I had purchased online had triggered the receipt of a free subscription.Desired Settlement: I want the subscription cancelled. I want to know what online purchased triggered the subscription to this magazine. I want Strategic Media never to send me an unordered subscription again.

Business

Response:

The business has responded. Please read below: We never received this Revdex.com complaint. We always answer all complaints within a week! So today on 3[redacted]/15 I called the number on the complaint and spoke with [redacted]. I told her that her Revdex.com complaint was filed on 10/**/14 and we had cancelled the subscription on 10/**/14. Nonetheless I apologized for the lateness in responding to her complaint and also explained how she got the bonus [redacted] subscription. She seemed satisfied with the explanation and appreciated the call. Thank you.

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 just received in the mail today [redacted] Magazine. This magazine is Obviously geared towards [redacted]--we are a White Family and Never Ordered this subscription! How did you receive our information to even send this to us and WHY??? Please STOP sending this magazine, we are NOT interested in this [redacted], nor do we want to keep receiving it in our mailbox. We are active duty Marines stationed overseas.Desired Settlement: Please stop sending this magazine! Please tell us how you got our information and used it to your benefit to send this junk to us?

Business

Response:

This subscription has been cancelled. It was included as a bonus with a qualifying online purchase and there was never any additional cost but it HAS been cancelled. You may receive one more issue due to timing issues but we have cancelled the Essence subscription.Thank you.

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: This company has signed me up for Essence magazine on 3different occasions in which I did not authorize, nor do I know how they got my information. I have called, sent emails to have this cancelled as I am not interested. It goes away for a few months only to return again. I am beyond frustrated with this shady company. I am tired of seeing this magazine in my mail box. I just want it to end.Desired Settlement: To have this nightmare to end. Cancel magazine for good.

Business

Response:

[redacted] received both Inc and Fast Company for making a qualifying purchase on a business supplies website. There was no charge for the subscription and it did not automatically renew and her credit card and email address were not shared with the [redacted] or with Strategic Media. Her subscription was processed by us on 3/**/14 and likely has ended by now. Nonetheless we put through a cancellation on 4/*/15.

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:

[Your Answer Here]

I did not order anything from a business supplies website, further more those magazines that were mentioned from the company were not received. The magazine was Essence. And it is still coming to my house even after I called the [redacted] and had it cancelled. I want my information removed completely from this companies system. I do not want to see another unwanted magazine. If I continue to recieve them, then I shall have no other choice then to speak with a lawyer. I also would like to know the name of this said business supplies website, that I supposedly ordered from.

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

Sincerely,

Business

Response:

We have researched the status of the customer below who filed a Revdex.com complaint with Strategic Media. The customer received two bonus one-year subscriptions (to Fast Company and Inc) for making a qualifying purchase at a site called [redacted] (do not publish site name). The bonus was included as a special thank you for making a purchase and there was no charge for it and it will not autorenew and we never received the customer credit card at any time. This subscription was cancelled on April *, 2015. Thank you

Review: I have called this company twice, and received no answer in a reasonable time. My complaint involves my receiving Sports Illustrated magazine, which I did not order. I have attempted to cancel the subscription through Sports Illustrated, but was told me that I would have to contact Strategic Media, LLC, since they were the third party who initiated the subscription. The magazine is coming to me under the name, [redacted]. The numbers on the address label are: [redacted]#SI [redacted] F DEC **. I want this magazine subscription canceled and all private information deleted from Strategic Media, LLC.Desired Settlement: Explain why this magazine is coming to me, and cancel the subscription, and remove all private information from their files. This includes my name, address, phone number, any credit card information, and any other information they may have concerning me.

Business

Response:

Spoke with [redacted] this evening and explained that her husband was receiving Sports Illustrated after making a qualifying purchase on a sports accessories site. They recognized the ecommerce site and were grateful for the call and simply asked us to cancel the subscription. Also explained that their credit card was never shared with the Publisher or with Strategic Media. We will put the cancellation through immediately and let them know that they may still get another issue but that we would put through the cancellation. [redacted] seemed satisfied with the call and no further action should be required. Thank you.

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: Yesterday, I received a magazine from Essence that I never subscribed to in the mail. What makes it so bad , they had my name spelled wrong, as if my information was sold or passed around from another company. In my own defense, I don't know who would do this to me. I called Essence Magazine, and told them I never subscribed or never filled out a card for there services. I asked them to let me know who did, and they gave me the number ###-###-#### for Strategic Media LLC ,which was nothing but a copied /id number. They don't have live people to talk to, and sent my calls to a full voicemail box that I couldn't leave a message. They must not want to be contacted by the people they frauded.Desired Settlement: Unsubscribe me from every subscription they signed me up for. Destroy my name and information completely so they can't sell or share my information with other companies. Also for them to never contact me or subscribe me to no other companies. I don't have money to throw around on magazines or any subscription because I have my family, and bill priorities to take care of.

Business

Response:

Just left a detailed voice message for [redacted]. She received Essence as a bonus with a qualifying purchase on a women's fashion website. There was no bill for the Essence subscription and it does not automatically renewal. I left her my personal phone # should she have any further questions or wish to cancel the bonus subscription. Thank you.

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:

[Your Answer Here]

They're known to lie. They track people online and sign them up fraudulently. [redacted]'s daughter never mentioned no gift or subscription to me during my last purchase in February. If [redacted]'s daughter had something like that going, my email address would've been given. [redacted] from Strategic Media couldn't even tell me my email, yet got loud on me and tried to shsh me through the conversation, and bost about how she could email me the proof about my last purchase which she told me was around holiday time for $50 something . I'm looking at my receipt right now from February. She couldnt provide a given email, and they didnt have my name spelled write. They dropped the last e. That was proof enough for me because I get spam emails, and one claimed to be a [redacted] giftcard for $300 about 2 years ago, but [redacted] laughed at me , and Essence was reluctant to give me that info, and had a whole other number than the one on your site. And she kept emphasizing a big banner at the bottom of the screen, and didn't like when I said no it wasn't. Then bottom line, she nor anybody from that company was ever supposed to contact me. I said that in my first complaint that I didn't want them contacting me.

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

Sincerely,

Business

Response:

This is [redacted] of Strategic Media, LLC. [redacted] does not want to believe that [redacted] arranged to give their customers a one-year subscription to Essence with a qualifying purchase. The promotion did happen and it was promoted in a very large and colorful banner just adjacent to the cart. I tried to explain that she may not have seen it in her haste to complete her order but nonetheless it was there. The offer also included instructions on how to decline the bonus subscription to Essence. No one was trying to harm anyone with this offer; to the contrary - [redacted]'s Daughter was trying to reward their loyal customers for their patronage by giving them a bonus subscription (at no additional cost) as a thank you. We are the agent that set the program up. We ensure that Essence gets only the info needed to mail the bonus subscription (name and mailing address) and nothing more. For that reason we don't have [redacted] email address. We cancelled her subscription immediately upon her first outreach to us.My call to her was to explain all of the above. I offered to email her a copy of the promotion on the website only to confirm that it had happened so she could see it for herself. Not trying to be argumentative, just trying to be helpful. If there is any additional questions please let us know.Thank you.

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:

[Your Answer Here]

She's lying. I asked [redacted]'s daughter and it didn't happen.

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

Sincerely,

Review: I received an issue of Essence magazine having never ordered or asked for this. I only do purchases through [redacted], so I am very curious as to how and why this happened. Having read the other incidents on this page, it seems like this auto subscription gift stuff is generally a scam and the company should stop doing it.Desired Settlement: I just want the subscription terminated as I never ordered it and will not pay for a magazine subscription I will never read.

Business

Response:

We received [redacted] Revdex.com complaint yesterday and I called him immediately to answer his questions and confirm that his Essence subscription has been cancelled as per his request. I followed up with a personal email as well today. The subscription was included at no cost whatsoever as a thank-you bonus for making a qualifying purchase at a clothing site. As requested, we have cancelled the Essence bonus subscription. [redacted] has my direct contact information should he have any additional questions. Thank you.Marti S[redacted], PresidentStrategic Media, LLC