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Cooking Club of America / Scout.com review: cooking club of america is a scam! 165

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12:00 am EST
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We had tried the 30-day trial membership for Cooking Club of America and canceled it more than a year ago. Now we received a notice from a collection agency. We tried calling the agency but got a voice mail to pay and no operator ever came to the phone. Then we tried to look for the Cooking Club of America number on the website to no avail. We got their number from the national 1800 directory listing. Someone called Jason picked up the phone and rudely informed us that the membership was canceled. When we asked why we were getting collection notices, we were told that it was a way to get us to subscribe as Life members. He said that we were not going to be submitted to the collection agency and abruptly hung up!
ITS A SCAM...

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Christine Hause
, US
May 29, 2016 12:32 pm EDT

I joined in 1998 as life time member never had a problem with them. I was wondering why I wasn't receiving the magazine any more. Before they stopped each magazine was half the size as the ones before

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Stinky Mom
, US
May 15, 2016 9:21 am EDT

I joined the club as a life member. I received the magazines for about 2 years then they suddenly quit coming. These people will not answer my messages either! I would advise people to steer clear of these jerks!

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MarkHari
Prescott, US
May 18, 2011 7:17 am EDT

I became a Life Member of this club and was supposed to recieve a full set of cookware from the club. I began recieving additional mailings of promotional products to purchase. I would send them back and requested not to recieve any other such mailings. I not only was sent more stuff but recieve threatening letters that the other items had not been returned and they demanded payment. In all this time I still had not recieved the cookware that was supposed to arrive at my home. I contacted the Club, and they in turn said that the cookware had been delivered. I argued it had not. They told me to research it through the U.S. Postal service. It took another 6 months for them to finally admit their error and send the cookware. In the meantime I am still recieving other promotional items, and as per their request and instructions, sending it back with their supplied mailing labels. Now I am getting letters again saying either pay up or send the items back...
I am sick of dealing with this completely incompetent group of people.

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Sande Thompson
, US
Oct 05, 2013 4:07 pm EDT
Verified customer This comment was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

I returned a piece of jewelry but they want me to pay for it. When I try to get on their site to complain the site will not let me on under my membership number as i forgot my ID. Then when I go to the site where it tells me to go, It says there is no registered e-mail listed for me. I have my member account number but NO way to get in without my ID.

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Harold Cloward
, US
Mar 24, 2016 11:02 am EDT
Verified customer This comment was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

My name is Rex Cloward. I signed up for life member for cooking AND gardening clubs. OVER 2 1/2 years ago. Cooking club I had 1 more payment & gardening club I am not sure BUT I have heard nothing from the companies? Is this REALLY A SCAM?
Rex Cloward. WAS 3172 Highway V, Seymour, MO BUT NOW 172 Dew Drop Lane, Sparta, MISSOURI, 65753. What gives?

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Reviewer39171
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Feb 18, 2016 7:29 am EST

In an attempt to give a change of address, I find phone number is not a working number and no good information online. Have not received magazines for a while. Are they out of business?

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Dorothea Ward
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Nov 05, 2007 12:00 am EST

I never signed up to become a member, Never received anything from them, and yet they kept sending me bills for $24.00 membership fee. I attempted to tell them that I did not order by sending the bill with a note saying cancel as I never ordered. This was to no avail. Today I received a collection agency bill from them. I bet it is also on my credit. This is bullying and scamming in the first degree. Next, I am calling the BBB. Any suggestions, I would really like to hear them.

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IDA HILL
Catasauqua, US
Mar 11, 2016 11:26 am EST

Suppose to be a member since 01/2011 life time member IDA HILL20462219
plus i only received one survey since i joined i am starting to truly beleave this company is fraud

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Don Kelly
, US
Nov 24, 2015 4:03 pm EST

i have been a life member since 2008, why don't i receive any test products or anything from you in over 3 years

i have been a life member since 2008 why do i not receive anything frome you any more.my membership # is [protected]

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claudine bennett
, US
Oct 23, 2015 12:53 pm EDT

I too is a victim of being ripped off by this so called "READER'S CLUB OF AMERICA"! the things that disturbs me is their 1-877 number is never available to talk with a "live chat" the message is just like my voice mail at work this is the customer service all of our representatives or staff is either helping other customers or unavailable to answer your call please leave your name, telephone number and your account number and someone will return your call as soon as we can. My complaint is every time I call I never get a live human being there is no way this company is so busy the line is never available. I Claudine Bennett is demanding for this account to be "CANCELLED INDEFINITELY" AND DO NOT DEDUCT ANYMORE PAYMENT FROM MY ACCOUNT AS OF NOW! I will put a stop to this withdrawal from my account and I will contact my credit union today to stop these withdrawals.
THANKS,

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Denise Deese
, US
Aug 24, 2015 12:48 pm EDT

I have contacted Scout Cooking.com at {800}663-8810 .. The response to me receiving me cooking set after my live time membership has been (due to the overwhelming response we received they are currently out stock. as soon as it is backing stock they will sent it out. That has been 6 months.

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Katrains
, US
Jul 31, 2015 4:50 pm EDT
Verified customer This comment was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

I signed up on 07/17/2000 to become Lifetime member #[protected] (paid in full 11/11/2002) and have had a continuing battle to receive my issues. I have received no issues since Fall 2014 and my last telephone number is unanswered. Is there any recourse for us?

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Christine Hause
, US
Mar 23, 2019 12:19 pm EDT
Replying to comment of Katrains

I know. I joined in 99 I think I stopped getting the magazines mid to late 2000’s. Mem#[protected]. I guess it was too good to be true.

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Christopher Tacy
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Aug 15, 2006 12:00 am EDT

We signed up to get the magazines and we received a single magazine along with a bill of $298.00 for the membership fee which we did not agree to, we mailed back the bill to them and said we did not agree to this and to cancel everything. About a month later we get a notice from a collection agency for this amount. I contacted the district office of the club, told them the situation and was told they would take care of it. The next month we received another notice from the collection department still asking for this money. I think this club is a big sham and people should steer clear.

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Johndeeresy
, US
Jul 24, 2019 11:12 am EDT

I dont know where you got that information from but I was a member for years and I never had a problem with them

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Linda's Issue
Fairbanks, US
Jul 10, 2015 5:35 pm EDT

I have been a lifetime member since August 2001. I no longer get magazines in the mail, there is no web site that I can find and I do not see the benefit to myself at this point since there is no way to indicate I would like to participate in any drawings or product test or read magazines. Does anyone know a web address?

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greyeyez80
Bellville, US
Apr 16, 2015 12:06 pm EDT

It's not a scam. I paid the membership fee about 14 years ago and received the cookware set as described along with everything mentioned. I still to this day get the quarterly cooking magazines free of charge for being a member and I haven't ordered anything else from them since. Just don't reply to the mail inserts people if you are not interested. They never call and bother me either.

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Christine Hause
, US
Mar 23, 2019 12:23 pm EDT
Replying to comment of greyeyez80

I’ve been a member since 99. And I don’t get any more magazines from them. Used to get one every month then 1/4 ly then 0. I haven’t gotten any since mid to late 2000’s

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DASHLPN
Letart, US
Apr 10, 2015 10:29 am EDT
Verified customer This comment was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

I subscribed to CCA for a few years and then signed up to be a "Life Member with all the benefits" . The first few years were exactly what I expected- magazines arrived as scheduled and I even got to sample a few products and keep them. Nothing big, but I at least participated in the program. At the time I first became a member, in 2007, I received one magazine every other month. Now I receive one magazine every quarter! I am sure this was not mentioned in my Life Membership contract, that the number of magazines would reduce to almost 1/2 after several years. I attempted to reach CCA vial internet, but the only place I could reach them was through FACEBOOK. Well, I do not have a Facebook account, nor am I going to get one. So I guess I'll just go back to the traditional way of contacting a company- good ole US Postal Service. So unless you don't mind getting only a few magazines a year, save your money. Nowadays, you can find ANY type of recipe online or go to PINTEREST, that is where I find and PIN most of my new recipes. Thanks for listening. Have a great day :)

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Judith Westbrook
Wiergate, US
Apr 01, 2015 7:12 am EDT
Verified customer This comment was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

I am supposed to be a life member. I have not received anything in months. Not a magazine or anything, nada. I tested a few items then was sent to a site that is not out of business. What gives? Not happy at all. The magazine was good. I want to get what I paid for. Magazine, test products, and so forth. By the way, the test products were all really cheesy. Judith Westbrook

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TG Benson
Promontory, US
Jan 26, 2015 1:34 pm EST

I joined the club a few years ago and at first they were very receptive. Over a year ago I canceled my membership and I am still receiving calls from a collection agency about an item that I did receive and then shipped back. When I left I had made a call to make sure my account was up to date and that I owed them nothing, which they informed me that I did not owe them anything. Now I can't get them to stop sending my name to the collection agencies for this item and I refuse to give them money for something I do not have.

Any one have any idea how to stop the collection agencies, as this also hurts my credit score?

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paul72
Union Mills, US
Jan 05, 2015 2:59 pm EST

I have been trying to get ahold of CCA to find out my balance owed on my life membership but can't find out how to contact them with my membership number.

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Linda Good
Visalia, US
Jul 25, 2009 8:12 pm EDT

I got an invoice for a membership I did not join or ask for

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shirley burghy
Waynesburg, US
Dec 08, 2008 12:47 pm EST

they rip me off took my money for dues and promised free gifts havent heard from them again

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Jo Jones
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Oct 15, 2008 12:36 pm EDT

Send book back and the post service didn't recieve it.

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Lori A F
Conway, US
Sep 11, 2014 2:07 am EDT

I've been a member for over 15 years, and I've tested hundreds of dollars worth of products.

The magazines alone are worth far more than I paid for my lifetime membership.

Very satisfied.

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dmsloma
Whiting, US
May 05, 2014 11:44 am EDT
Verified customer This comment was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

Each year they send me a calendar and each year I return it! Now this year calendar for 2014 they said they did not receive, but they are continuing to charge me for something, that I never ordered. The last bill was a 15.00 late charge added to it. This stuff has to stop!

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Estelle Fosella
Ilion, US
Mar 03, 2014 12:27 pm EST
Verified customer This comment was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

Thank you Jennifer Wilson for the phone number and your precise information. Saved me a lot of time and hastle!

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LEWYT
Pecatonica, US
Nov 08, 2013 8:14 pm EST
Verified customer This comment was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

I made a mistake and joined in 2011 with the letter I received from stating yearly fee was $12.00, after giving them my bank visa number they help themselves to $24.00 dollars. I had received nothing other tons of cooking books in my mail box. I returned them as I received them and months went by and they tried to collect for the cook books. I also asked them to cancel my membership and it has been over a year and heard nothing from them. Today upon checking my bank account, there was a pre-auth payment out of account, for another 2 year membership of $24.00. I called them and told them "Don't you understand, cancel my membership" the girl said I couldn't because when you joined I gave them the right to take out the dues when ever due again . I am going to a lawyer, State Better Business Bureau. After telling them to cancel and then them help themselves to my money is ILLEGAL.

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bloossheep
Grand Rapids, US
Jun 20, 2013 5:26 pm EDT
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People, I will just ask you this -- did you really think you'd get anything for nothing? How many gadgets could you test out at a store, and then pay for after being sure they are quality items, for the $300 lifetime membership this club costs? Exactly why would you ever want to be a member of this club? Think, folks, and take care of your money rather than believing you can somehow defeat the laws of e economics.

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jemartin45
Surry, US
May 21, 2013 11:03 am EDT

I am having problems getting them to cancel and refund my bank. I was charged again this month after supposedly been cancelled.
Any one have a real number to contact these people?

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Lori Richardson
Summersville, US
Dec 28, 2012 4:17 pm EST
Verified customer This comment was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

My mother paid her life membership dues to Cooking Club of America. She did not receive half of the items listed on that website that were to be sent with her first automated dues payment. In addition, it has been over a year since she paid her lifetime membership dues in full and she has not received the cookware set advertised to be sent when dues are paid in full. She spoke to another representative about the problem today and was told that she will have to pay for the cookware when it is clearly advertised as a lifetime membership gift!

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Jill Claycomb
Henderson, US
Oct 26, 2012 1:37 pm EDT
Verified customer This comment was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

The cookware you sent to me is nothing but cheap crap. I paid 330 dollars for that junk you should be put out of business. I am going to turn you into the Better Business bureau as a scam company. I am going to send your pots and pans back and I want my money back. Also I have gotten nothing to try. EVERYTHING YOU HAVE SENT ME IS TO BUY. You need to be put out of business, YOU ARE A JOKE AND THIEVES CANCEL ME NOW!

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angellady59
Buena Park, US
Jul 11, 2012 3:27 pm EDT
Verified customer This comment was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

I canceled my membership months ago, and cooking club of America is threatening to turn the $24.00 dollars for membership over to a collection agency! I was only a member maybe 2 months, didn't get anything free except there magazine!

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James LAJ
Dayton, US
Jun 27, 2012 2:08 pm EDT

THANK YOU everyone. Because of your comments, the Cooking Club of America packet that I received just today will be deposited into the trash.

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barbara111
Memphis, US
May 25, 2012 5:59 pm EDT
Verified customer This comment was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

cooking club of america is a rip off. i paid 24.00 for 2yrs. membership. i only received a paring knife. they wants you to purchase books. i told them not to send more books after they sent me one. i have plenty of cook books. then they wanted me to send them membership for life with them. ( FOR WHAT? ) they sent me 2 letters about joining the club for life, which they were going to apply the 24.00 dollars on the lifetime membership( bottom line with this company) is that if you are not interested in their books or purchashing their cookware----they are not interested in you!

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NeenyasMom
, US
May 07, 2012 8:04 am EDT
Verified customer This comment was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

I wanted to join in order to try new products, etc. so I could decide to buy or not. First I had to send $12 to become a Life Member, then I received a bill for $300+ dollars for pots and pans, I thought at first it was part of the Life Membership. I didn't have that $300+ then and I don't now. I cancelled my membership right away. Today, in the mail, (a year later) I received a letter asking "What can we do to have you come back?" Are they kidding, lies, lies, lies is all you get from this pile of c--p company. Run, don't walk!

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snow fire
Waukesha, US
Apr 10, 2012 9:17 pm EDT

Tried the online cooking school lessons. They were actually really good. Just got the "Lifetime Member" letter. Is toooooooooo expensive. I already have stainless steel waterless cookware and I don't think their product can beat it. Reading 4 pages here is a good reminder to send back the cookbook. It is mediocre w/ glossy pages. Magazine is so-so. Do not plan on renewing. Glad I thought to look them up!

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dianasbub
, US
Feb 28, 2012 2:34 pm EST

I have actually not had bad luck or issues with them. I did receive one product to test and love the magazine. I am not a lifetime member (too expensive) but enjoy the club.

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Tina Buskey
Richmond, US
Jan 27, 2012 9:15 pm EST

I have been a member of this club for well over 5 years. I had nothing but positive encounters with them. I just recently contacted the club and was met with exceptional customer service. My issue was addressed immediately and resolved before I hung up. I think you should try again. Several of my friends are also life members and have had similiar experiences

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rita broadwater
, US
Dec 29, 2011 5:30 pm EST

they sent me a life member thing and i have'nt heard from them since is this a scam or not they are to send me some stuff but have'nt recieved it yet

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Susy O
Kansas City, US
Nov 17, 2011 5:42 am EST
Verified customer This comment was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

Hey guys. I signed up for Cooking Club of America, but just for their 30-Day Trial. I have now been receiving my notices to pay the $12.00. I was so close to paying it but became skeptical; I did not want them taking money out of my bank account. So, my question is this, does anyone know what I should do? Should I just ignore it? I am going to call the 1-888 number tomorrow but I am afraid that they will not really cancel my account and I will be sent to collections. I am freaking out! Please help! Thank you!

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birdsandpoohs
Buffalo, US
Nov 15, 2011 12:49 am EST

We had tried the 30-day trial membership for Cooking Club of America and canceled it after 30 days trial. Now we received a notice from a collection agency. We tried calling the agency but got a voice mail to pay and no operator ever came to the phone. Then we tried to look for the Cooking Club of America number on the website to no avail. We got their number from the national 1800 directory listing. Someone called Jason picked up the phone and rudely informed us that the membership was canceled. When we asked why we were getting collection notices, we were told that it was a way to get us to subscribe as Life members. He said that we were not going to be submitted to the collection agency and abruptly hung up!
ITS A SCAM ...

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