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2.8 59 Reviews

Great American Readers Complaints Summary

27 Resolved
32 Unresolved
Our verdict: Dealing with Great American Readers, which has an average resolution rate, requires some diligence. Research their service in depth and read a variety of customer reviews for a balanced view. Approach any customer service interactions with detailed and well-prepared queries to facilitate a better resolution process.
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1:58 pm EDT
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Great American Readers fraud

They called me on my cell phone telling me I'd won some $1000 online shopping spree but in order to receive it I had to agree to get magazines from them. After speaking with the woman who called me for a few minutes, she said she would transfer me to her supervisor so her supervisor could make sure I had all the info I needed from them and that the first person I spoke with gave good customer service. The supervisor reads my address to me (scary!) and then wants my credit card number. When I said I don't give out my CC# over the phone, she said "thank you" and hung up.

They had given me an order number (140) and then a phone number to call if I had any questions - [protected] (This is different from the number they used to call me). I will be closely watching my bank statements to make sure they don't charge me anything and if they do I will report it to my bank. This makes me really nervous about who has my information...

Don't talk to these people at all. I used to only answer the phone if I knew who was calling, but since I have a small business, I answer all my calls. I think I'll only answer local calls from now on and return calls to legit customers as needed.

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LearnedAValuableLesson
Kalispell, US
Sep 11, 2012 5:48 pm EDT

I am in the middle of a dispute with this magazine service as well. I received a phone call on my cell phone on August 27th stating that I had won a online gift card as well, with a purchase of a magazine service. I was under the weather with the flu during this call and initially agreed to the charges and gave out my card information, but when I was speaking with the supervisor lady I had a series of questions to agree upon before the order was finalized...at the very end I did NOT agree to the subscription and the lady told me my card would be credited back the next business day and hung up. Here it is Sept 11th, and the charge is pending in on my credit card. I called the number listed as the merchant "READERS SERVICE" and they told me they had no record of my order and if I contacted my credit card number with a fax number they would fax something over to them stating to remove charges. When I called back with a fax number another lady said that was not the case. So once again I called my credit card company and they said that they couldn't do anything until the next statement date which isn't until the 26th of Sept and if they hadn't received a final hard copy of the charge they drop the charges. Or another option is to call the merchant back and 3way a call to my credit card company and if they (the merchant) says they don't have record of my order, then my card company will delete the charge. And of course I went to call the merchant and it's after business hours, so bright and early tomorrow morning I will be giving them a call and conference in my card company...once the chargers and said and done I will call my card company and request for a new card number so that way this so-called company doesn't have a chance to recharge me. This is definitely a life lesson and I will no longer giving out my personal information over the phone...even if it sounds like a dream come true prize.

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TEO. B
, US
Feb 23, 2012 2:52 am EST
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i agree i was frauded but i fell for the scam i fell for it all and now i keep getting scrambled 1800 numbers calling my house every day i wanted to return the magazines but i only last fri feb, 17 2011 did i get a bogus letter saying i owe 998. 00 for 4 magazines i recieved one which was jet magazine which i never agreed to at all. so i am not paying them its not right these ppl need to get shut down for good i read many complaints about these ppl and they still have not be shut down.

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11:00 am EDT
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Great American Readers refuses to cancel

I called to cancel my subscription with them a few months ago and they REFUSED. I asked how that was even possible and a guy named Matt is cancelation and refunds couldnt tell me why. I've been dealing with them for 3 months now (since I canceled my card) Matt played a recording of me 'agreeing' to the terms. The woman said "i ask that you stay with us for the full terms and chose not to cancel' and because after she said that I said 'ok' they're saying thats me agreeing not to cancel. I said not one time was I ever told I COULDNT cancel. I only decided to cancel because I cant afford it anymore and honestly dont want to keep getting the magazines. I'm afraid if I continue not to pay they'll take me to court and I just want this over this and for them to stop harassing me.

And today I finally returned a phone call because I received a voicemail saying that they may have made a mistake with my account and to call back to get a full refund. Well when I called he said my account wasnt one of the ones that had a mistake. I asked why they called when they werent even sure if they'd made a mistake and he said they hadnt reviewed the tapes yet they were just letting me know they MAY have made a mistake. I asked what sense does that make? telling someone who might have made a mistake but werent sure and he couldnt give me an answer. I think it was a way of getting people who have stopped paying and refuse to continue to pay them to call them back.

Someone please give me some advice.

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gomspal
Murfreesboro, US
Nov 02, 2010 8:37 pm EDT
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I need advice too on how to cancel this service from Great American Readers. I have already paid 3 month's worth of $25 each and I just received their gift certificate for $1, 000 and I looked into the website and most of the items there are from like five years ago.

I don't want to continue the subscription anymore because I will have to pay it for the next 18 more months and it's not even worth it. The monthly payment that I have to make ($25 for 5 magazines for 20 months) is way too high for a year's subscription of it. If I subscribe directly from the magazine it will only cost me $14 for a year's subscription compared to their $60 a year ($5x12 months).

Please help me. Thank you very much.

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8:38 pm EDT
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Great American Readers as third party on vista print

This company traps you into making you think that you have to purchase magazines as a benefit to receiving free programs with Vista Print. They are highly expensive and if you don't agree to pay them your credit rating will go down. Every single thing you try to do to receive free benefits on Vista Print will lead you to ordering magazines you don't want. Besides, they are free to read at the library. I don't read magazines that sent to my house. I throw them away. In some cases, I am stuck paying for some that do not arrive.

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HBchilln
Huntington Beach, US
Dec 11, 2010 7:53 am EST

VISTA PRINT in the news: BOSTON -- "A company is accused of running one of the largest unauthorized consumer billing operations in the country." (Watch the news clip)

http://www.thebostonchannel.com/news/19069185/detail.html

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6:58 am EDT
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Great American Readers magazine scam

My 20 yr old daughter apparently fell for this scam as well. She doe not live at my home at the present but receives mail here. She received a letter claiming that she owed 164.70 in past due charges of $49.90/month plus late charges and the total was 848.30 for the entire balance for some kind of magazines. I called these people at the above number. The first person told me he was the owner and that she was obligated to pay. I told them that she was a 20yr old waitress and that there was no way in hell she could pay 848.30 or anything else but to cancel it. He told me no then told me to tell my good for nothing waitressing daughter to have a nice life being a low life waitress and then he hung up. Of course this outraged me so I called back. Got some other ### and was told that she was liable, played a recorded message of her accepting this offer and so forth. I told them that my lawyer would be in touch as well as the BBB of which I will file a complaint. She initially had received a couple of magazines but has not in several months. Either way who in their right mind would pay 848.30 for magazines or even a shopping spree worth 1000.00. This is a total scam and they continue to call us daily, both on her number and mine. I sit here waiting to receive the next call because I will also play their game. I am going to record their conversation with me as well because this isnt over yet and I will take them to court as we all should.

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AliBelize
, US
Feb 26, 2018 12:32 pm EST
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I also was charged without my permission! I never received any magazine! I called [protected] (from the print out they send me in the mail) and tried to make sure it wouldn’t happen again by canceling again (I had already send my notice to cancel by email) and the man said that it showed I had not canceled and that they had sent it to another company! What a scam! He said they would call me. I asked for that businesses number at least so I could call and he said he didn’t have it! What a scam! They are Scum! One address says from All American Readers Inc. 2230St. Louis Park NM 55426, [protected] (this is the # I reached this man on). The other address which charged my account traces back to a FL address under the name Readers Service [protected] FL#2357!

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Tutu Smith
, US
Apr 20, 2017 1:59 pm EDT

This company is definitely scamming. Just called and was told no canceling. They are charging $998 for $571 worth of magazines and that is not with special offers so the actual total would be less.

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Chris Mock
, US
May 25, 2016 10:40 am EDT

So I was drawn into this $250 gift card that I was sooo eligible for. So I applied for it and along with it was supposed to be some magazines of my choice. They said it was supposed to be $3 a week but ended up charging me $49. So when later that day i decided to opt out of this thing, I called the number back and they didnt answer and the phone lines kept dropping. I called my bank to dispute the matter and to receive another debit so soon ill be getting my money back.

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Shonda Johnson
, US
May 18, 2016 3:58 pm EDT

All American readers is a scam

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Shonda Johnson
, US
May 18, 2016 3:57 pm EDT

I also have had problems with this company please help

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Martha Roberts
, US
Jan 20, 2016 5:56 pm EST

I totally agree. I got duped into buying these magazines also. They said they sent me an affirmation letter with the option to cancel, which I never received. So they sent me another one, but of course it was past the cancellation period. I told the person who called me that I didn't want to continue the subscription but she told me I couldn't cancel because it was past the time. I finally contacted my bank and got a new debit card so they could not continue to bill me. These people should be put in jail for what they are doing to us consumers!

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alice fay clark
Milford Center, US
Oct 06, 2010 7:26 am EDT

Same here I agree this is a load of crap when they tell you 1000.00 gift certiicate you think online shopping not the crap in the select your gift crap!

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cruzer80
Albuquerque, US
Apr 07, 2010 10:11 am EDT
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I have several of these magazines services and i have told them not to renewal, and once i think i am talking to one company like readers service i am talking to family readers service, these people are scamers, i am about to close my checking account and my debit card so no more charges are going thru, i can't afford them anymore, but afraid to of going to court, not sure what my options are, since they say they have me on record. does anyone know what to do in these kind of situations, i am about to say hell with it, and just close everything. i have 6 mazazine companies collecting. any help would be appreciate, also i am for anyone that believes these people are scammers and should be shut down. we should be able to cancel at any time.

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zebra kitty
Indianapolis, US
Apr 05, 2010 3:10 pm EDT
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My friend had alerted the bank who eventually allowed the charge to go through. After contacting the bank again they said we had to at least contact the agency, which we did and threatened to report them to the BBB. Also, since it was a cell phone they called we reported them to the FCC for being on the Do Not Call list.

We then called the bank and said that they were a scam company and refused to reverse the false charges. After calling GAR every day for a week they actually said they would cancel it. Somewhere between that the charge WAS reimbursed!

However we still get magazines randomly all the time. We tape them shut and black out the address, write RETURN TO SENDER- NO SUBSCRIPTION!

Note the dates any magazines are called and contact the Customer Service Department to ensure they are getting them back and that the mailman isn't keeping them.

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7:07 pm EDT
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Great American Readers a complete ripoff!!!

Ok, ok, ok. I too was suckered...bad! I was called by Great American Readers at work one day and decided to indulge in conversation with the representative. He too was nice and made great conversation. In addition, he always made sure I was going to give him rave reviews to his supervisor. Long story short, I received the "gift certificate" in the mail today and was immediately thrown back. After visiting the website, I realized instantly that I was scammed. EVERYTHING on the site looked as though I could purchase it at Dollar General or the Dollar Tree! Luckily, I thought quick and phoned by bank to cancel my debit card and wiall definitely keep a close eye on my account. Please, please, please, please, please DO NOT except the terms from the fraudulent company!

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zebra kitty
Indianapolis, US
Apr 05, 2010 3:10 pm EDT
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My friend had alerted the bank who eventually allowed the charge to go through. After contacting the bank again they said we had to at least contact the agency, which we did and threatened to report them to the BBB. Also, since it was a cell phone they called we reported them to the FCC for being on the Do Not Call list.

We then called the bank and said that they were a scam company and refused to reverse the false charges. After calling GAR every day for a week they actually said they would cancel it. Somewhere between that the charge WAS reimbursed!

However we still get magazines randomly all the time. We tape them shut and black out the address, write RETURN TO SENDER- NO SUBSCRIPTION!

Note the dates any magazines are called and contact the Customer Service Department to ensure they are getting them back and that the mailman isn't keeping them.

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1:24 pm EST
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Great American Readers cannot cancel

This company is a SCAM. They hook you in stating that you will get all these magazines and a 1000 gift certificate to shop on line for gifts. Well when I spoke to a lady when I first signed up I figured magazines would be great and I asked if I could cancel at any time and the lady told me yes, BUT when I went to cancel they said I passed my date to cancel. What BULL, they want to send me to collections for over 700 dollars (the balance was like 900.00) then they threatened to send me to some Firm that collects uncollected debts and said that they were going to GARNISH my wages! the the representative names LAURA hung up on me and told me that she was documenting that I refused to pay a finance agreement! What is she talking about ! Dont ever sign up with these people. The gift certificate is BS because I went on line and the gift were crap like bookbags and fake leather jackets and the certificate expires in 30 days. WHo wants that crap. DONT do it and Dont believe these people that they will garnish your wages its BS. Im reporting them to the BBB as we speak !

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katieturner
, US
Jun 01, 2010 1:20 pm EDT
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I got suckered in too. My husband was in iraq and I had an infant. I thought oh how great, ship the magazines to me and I can go shopping. I tried to cancel it about 3 months ago and they refused, my husband called them and took down all their names, and asked to speak to the head guy which we were told was the owner. My husband left his name and number and was told the owner would call him back. they never did. One lady even lied to him. Finally I just canceled my card and they've called several times wanting me to make an alternate payment. What should I do? If I just stop paying them will i get in trouble?

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zebra kitty
Indianapolis, US
Apr 05, 2010 3:10 pm EDT
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My friend had alerted the bank who eventually allowed the charge to go through. After contacting the bank again they said we had to at least contact the agency, which we did and threatened to report them to the BBB. Also, since it was a cell phone they called we reported them to the FCC for being on the Do Not Call list.

We then called the bank and said that they were a scam company and refused to reverse the false charges. After calling GAR every day for a week they actually said they would cancel it. Somewhere between that the charge WAS reimbursed!

However we still get magazines randomly all the time. We tape them shut and black out the address, write RETURN TO SENDER- NO SUBSCRIPTION!

Note the dates any magazines are called and contact the Customer Service Department to ensure they are getting them back and that the mailman isn't keeping them.

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MHud
Indianapolis, US
Mar 19, 2010 9:00 pm EDT

i was told that they are going to take me to court for refusing to pay them any longer. can they really do that? im kinda scared and i dont know what to do

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7:53 am EST
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Great American Readers scam/fraud

Dear Sir/Madam,

Great American Readers magazine company called me last March 2009 to tell me that I have won a $1, 000 gift certificate and a magazine subscription. They have told me that it will be a one-time payment of $39.90 and the magazines will be free for 20 months. I was excited when I heard this but I wasnt aware that this is a scam. On my second bank statement, I noticed that there was another charge of $39.90 on my account. I called Great American Readers but for a few days, only the answering machine was answering my calls. Finally, after many days of calling and leaving messages an operator picked up, and when I told them my issue they told me that it is 39.90 a month for 20 months. I told them politely that I would like to cancel because I can't afford that much, but they said it is non-cancellable. I have been trying too many times to cancel an expensive magazine subscription but they won't let me do so. I already cancelled my debit account because they are continually taking money from my account without my consent. I researched their company and only found many complaints from other people who are also going through what I'm dealing with. Great American Readers don't even have a website.Please I need assistance, they are trying to call me everyday because I closed my bank account.

They also call me from different numbers with different area codes, as well as random 1-800 numbers. It is very inconvenient because they call me during work hours (or even as early as 8AM)

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asapua
Honolulu, US
Feb 15, 2012 6:12 pm EST

PLEASE HELP! i am in the same situation as the post. i have tried cancelling but they have given me the run around so many times. and at this point all they do is forward me to the collections department they have. i got a phone call from them, very unprofessional, a man named U.I. James... then i call back and another man answers, i asked why someone called, he said he had no record of someone calling. i talk with him to try and get rid of this damn subscription and he harassess me and tells me to "grow up" or i will forever be in the collections department. also said if i wanted to cancel i'd have to pay off the remaining $900 on my account. WTH. F THAT! Please if anyone knows what to do, please contact me at rtahni@yahoo.com. I have already cancelled my debit card so they can't take out money, but as for being in their collections department and stopping them from harrassing me, i need help. PLEASE!

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RON 1964
Converse, US
Feb 12, 2010 10:08 pm EST

in august 2009 i have same promble i cancelled my order i have a call from grat amercian readers they told me 49.99 1 time fee but i got my statement from my bank it took it 49.99 9 times i call to cancelled told me no i call my bank they say no i close my account with my bank and federal trade center in washington dc told me to call amercian genreal right now they call 3-9 times a day on my boyfriend phone threat him this not ronald it blongs to michelle i have cell phone records with ronald information on it

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chevalla cable
Lawton, US
Feb 09, 2010 4:11 pm EST

this is ms. chevalla cable i want my subscripion cancelled have not recieved or seen any of these magazines, ya'll keep takein money out my account STOP TAKIN MY MONEY I'M CANCELLING EVERYTHING FROM UR COMPANY i think you guys r frauds & should be sued. now we see why you people don't give out ur phone number because ya;ll are frauds CANCELL TODAY FEBUARY 9TH 2010. TOUCH MY ACCOUNT AGAIN 7 i will find a way to sue the crap out of ur company. have a nice freakin day. bunch fraud & money thiefs. my addresss is 2402 sw D ave, lawton oklahoma. 73505. phone no# to reach me at is [protected] cancell today or else.

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3:58 pm EST
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Great American Readers fraud

i pretty much have the same complaint no magazines yet but have taken 49.90 dollars out of my checking account i notified my bank and they told ne that i could pay 32.00 dollars to stop this but all i want to do is cancel i should have that right this fraud and someone is making a bundle of money. I understand that Peter Hanessen is the ring leader behind this scam .

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Great American Readers youre being scammed

I received a phone call stating I had won a $1000 gift certificate. This company told me that they were with the BBB and asnwered every question as if they were really legitamite, all I had to do was agree to some magazines for a certain period of time. They recommened that I not cancel my subscription. Like a fool I agreed to give them my card information (by that night the transaction was through the bank). I went to work and told my co-workers and they immediately said I was scammed. Sure enough I went online. They are not with the BBB and everywhere you look with them you read other peoples stories just like mine. I never received the gift certificate, but I have gotten about 6 different magazine subscriptions in the mail. These are not magazines that I signed up for and when I tried to cancel them, they will not let me. This company calls me at least 5 times a day trying to get their money (I cancelled my card) and have threatened me with legal action. They curse and laugh at me and have hung up on me. NEVER, NEVER, NEVER do business with them. They are playing on peolpe during a bad economic state.

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rjaguar3
Nashville, US
Apr 07, 2010 11:51 am EDT
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Not a lawyer, but you should check whether your jurisdiction has a statute of frauds, which would require certain binding contracts to be in writing.

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zebra kitty
Indianapolis, US
Dec 10, 2009 12:51 pm EST
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Last week they were making calls claiming a person won a $1000 gift card from purchases made using their Visa or Mastercard on Black Friday.

They deduct that money right away. No sooner had my friend called me about that uneasy feeling we were online checking the bank account and it was already a pending transaction...

Christmas time is always a difficult period to understand someone may be evil, but during this recession is especially daunting.

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4:17 pm EDT
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Great American Readers say you're getting gift but really are spending same amount for magazines

I was called and was told I was on the internet and clicked on something that put me in a group of names and I was picked to recieve a $1, 000 gift card which I could use at any stores to purchase whatever I wanted.

Then in a bit of a confused message I was told that I would receive 5 bonus magazines and they would be billed at $3.83 for all five weekly. I was told this was a 60 month payment! Then I was told that rather than bill weekly they would bill me monthly and "bundle up" payments so I would only have to pay $49.90 for 20 months and then I would'nt have to worry about the rest.

After I gave them my credit card reluctantly, and hung up the phone I started to do the math. There's no free anything. I will be paying $998.00 for those magazines - which I really don't want!

I am contacting my bank immediately to make sure no more money is removed from my account.

Please arrest these people!

Annette Diebold

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Virginia Sanders
Navasota, US
Aug 03, 2010 7:20 am EDT
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The same thing happened to my daughter who is 24 years old. She cancelled her debit card after a couple of payments were deducted. Now she has received an invoice through the mail asking for the balance. They said they are going to go through a third party collections. Here is a number they gave [protected].

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lindsay20
delaware, US
Jan 14, 2010 8:28 am EST

hey colonel wind i faced the same problem as yours..whats your status now?

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zebra kitty
Indianapolis, US
Dec 09, 2009 1:25 pm EST
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Last week they were making calls claiming a person won a $1000 gift card from purchases made using their Visa or Mastercard on Black Friday.

They deduct that money right away. No sooner had my friend called me about that uneasy feeling we were online checking the bank account and it was already a pending transaction...

Christmas time is always a difficult period to understand someone may be evil, but during this recession is especially daunting.

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colonelwind
edgar, US
Dec 07, 2009 12:03 pm EST

Going thru the same thing here! there's a nasty man named chris who claims there is no one above him to speak to. now they are threatening me that its going thru their legal department and that will be ruining my credit. I've canceled my card and they just keep bugging me. I tried repeatedly to cancel with in the first week and they would trick me with deals and then i called to for sure cancel not make deals and they said it was past cancellation date. He kept saying i was lying. and then he made me listen to a recording of me accepting the offer in the beginning but did not have ANY of the recordings of me trying to cancel the account. Has anyone gone far enough with this to see if they are real and will really ruin your credit and take you to court. i'm only 21 years old and i have worked so hard to establish good credit i'm so worried about this anyone help.

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Kara E. Lurz
Knoxville, US
Nov 19, 2009 2:26 pm EST

Right there with you. I had my credit card company change the numbers and send me a new card so that they would no longer have access. These people have been calling me non-stop for weeks and have been extremely nasty to me. I have recently found out that they also go by the name of "iprofitkit". I wish you luck in getting them to stop. I have found that I must be nasty right back otherwise they will not listen to a word I have to say. They are nothing but a scam, I was promised the same thing as you. They will not get another penny out of me even if I have to go to court to get this settled.

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2:36 pm EDT
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Great American Readers shopping spree/magazines

Like all the other Great American Readers posts on here, I was an idiot and fell for this, They just took the money out yesterday, I like many of you, told them after I found out all details, not to run card thru 4 times, she still did, then when I complained she hung up
Then someone else called me like 20 min later and asked how I liked my customer service, I told him that I had told her 4 times not t o make it go thru, I just didnt have the money, I told him 3 times that I wanted this charge reversed, but he hung up on me as well, said I was being recorded. I hope I was cause I told them a total of 7 times to stop this, anyway, my bank gave me the 1800 cust service # for them and I called it and IT IS A PHONE SEX RECORDING!
I was so mad, well, I have canceled my debit card and I will be soon switching banks because mine refuses to let me stop payment or even file a report

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Merideth
Elk Grove, US
Dec 11, 2009 11:15 am EST

Yeah, I fell for this too. I got the magazines, but what they don't tell you is that the so called "Gift Certificate" is a joke. They send you to a certain website where you can choose certain items for free... what they don't tell you is that you have to pay $5 for each transaction plus shipping and handling, which you cannot use the gift certificate for. The s+h charges are rediculous, they range from $15-25 or more per item! Also, the items you can choose from suck!

They called me today at work and said that there was a problem getting the money from my card (I canceled it) and wanted to know if I had a new card. I told them that I had chosen not to pay for it and reminded them that I had requested they cancel this 'subscription' last month. I was told that this is a financial obligation and I cannot just choose not to pay for it.

Oh well! good luck getting any money from me.

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zebra kitty
Indianapolis, US
Dec 09, 2009 1:27 pm EST
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Last week they were making calls claiming a person won a $1000 gift card from purchases made using their Visa or Mastercard on Black Friday.

They deduct that money right away. No sooner had my friend called me about that uneasy feeling we were online checking the bank account and it was already a pending transaction...

Christmas time is always a difficult period to understand someone may be evil, but during this recession is especially daunting.

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Great American Readers tried to get my credit card info

I was offered $1000.00 giftcard and (5) magazine subscriptions for 5 years for the low cost of shipping $3.83 for 60 months. They neglected to say $3.83 a week. They stated this was a gift form visa, mastercard, discover etc. (That they worked for them) for being a good paying customer. As others on the great american readers website I said "it sounds too good to be true" then a supervisor came on the line to get my feedback on london who was the person offering the gift. Shameka was the supervisor. They used the same phone number as others complained about [protected]. When I asked for the name of the company I was told great american readers aka blue whale publications. They are a scam. I called my cellphone provider and had their number blocked. They have called my home using an 866 number. All of this comes from an offer from walmart for a free giveway shopping spree wherein they get your cell. I went on the internet while on the phone and asked them to call me back - to get my credit card info. If they work for visa, mastercard, discover, etc. Wouldn't they have it? No-they needed a debit card. Buyers beware! This is really a scam!

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rjaguar3
Nashville, US
Apr 07, 2010 11:49 am EDT
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A contract for more than 1 year would not be valid unless in writing

See California Civil Code 1624(a)(1)

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Great American Readers scams

They got me on their little scam and have been harassing me and my parents for 6 months now. Today they called and threatened to garnish my wages.

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Lalalss
Kileen, US
Feb 02, 2011 7:57 pm EST

I was stupid enough to give them my details also. I don't know why, maybe because I actually am medically inclined partially [censor]ed, if you consider calling someone who is depressed out of their mind and can't take 'no' for an answer, then yeah, I'm stupid. But i got scammed, they must have hacked into careernetwork.com cause in order for me to apply for a job i had to click two ' free' subscriptions (im pretty skeptical of those things but since it was a re-nouned website i was like, "this surely can't be right, but whatever"). Then i received a call from them and they said "thanks for your application" ( they didn't clarify, i was just thinking it was the actual job application), then they told me my subscription would be "$3.88p/w so, $18.00 a month" for 20 months, and told me that i can't back out or cancel the subscription then transferred me to their 'financial' division. There they told me i had subscribed to apparently 49.90 for 20 months and asked me when they would prefer the first payment to come out, i told them 1st March. However, a week later on the 20th Jan $49.90 came out and i was like, "wtf, over!"

I lost my card (suck [censor] to them) so i went to the bank and got a new one and when i called a couple of days later to make a stop payment their was no point cause the card was already canceled and they can't use it. ( i guess thats one way to get rid of them) Only problem i have now, is that if they try to threaten me in any sense, well let's just say it's lucky i went to JAG, filed disputes and whatever else and if they cause mental distress to a mental ill patient already ( yes, i have a personality disorder, and others) well.. poo to them.

Don't fall for this scam. It's terrible.

P.S The million dollar sweepstake they sent me is funny. They used random 'deluxe' rich style pictures, also all the winners on the bottom look like their pictures were taken in the 40's, and their isn't a single winner who looks like they are from this era in time. Sad. Below it says ' Real people - real winners'. Lol.

Also. The $250 gift card, is just a peice of A4 paper with a [censor] colored watermark, which so easily was done on word.

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zebra kitty
Indianapolis, US
Apr 05, 2010 3:08 pm EDT
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My friend had alerted the bank who eventually allowed the charge to go through. After contacting the bank again they said we had to at least contact the agency, which we did and threatened to report them to the BBB. Also, since it was a cell phone they called we reported them to the FCC for being on the Do Not Call list.

We then called the bank and said that they were a scam company and refused to reverse the false charges. After calling GAR every day for a week they actually said they would cancel it. Somewhere between that the charge WAS reimbursed!

However we still get magazines randomly all the time. We tape them shut and black out the address, write RETURN TO SENDER- NO SUBSCRIPTION!

Note the dates any magazines are called and contact the Customer Service Department to ensure they are getting them back and that the mailman isn't keeping them.

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ganaganah
Auburn, US
Mar 29, 2010 8:04 pm EDT

I clicked on an ad on Facebook and filled out my phone number just to see what happened (but then backed out of taking any offers). I just got a call from a guy from Great American Readers saying that I was "chosen" to receive a $1, 000 shopping spree to Ikea if I would agree to pay the shipping and handling on 5 magazine subscriptions. The guy was even coy enough to mention that I could cancel at any time and still get the gift certificate (as long as I didn't tell his manager that he said it;), then he asked me for my debit card over the phone, I was thinking, "you got to be kidding." The guy on the phone was very charming and polite, and when I said that I'm not comfortable giving out any info on the phone, he said that his manager would call me back. I got the call back 5 minutes later. I told the supervisor that I don't give any information out over the phone, but if they want to mail or email me some sort of contract and a better description of their offer, I would look over it and get back to them. She said it wasn't possible and wished me a good evening. Now that I see what you guys are going through, I'm glad I went with my gut instincts. It's sad that companies like this are even allowed to exist. Then again, how is this any different from what the government has been doing to us lately;)

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zebra kitty
Indianapolis, US
Dec 09, 2009 1:44 pm EST
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Last week they were making calls claiming a person won a $1000 gift card from purchases made using their Visa or Mastercard on Black Friday.

They deduct that money right away. No sooner had my friend called me about that uneasy feeling we were online checking the bank account and it was already a pending transaction...

Christmas time is always a difficult period to understand someone may be evil, but during this recession is especially daunting.

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R Pomerleau
New York, US
Sep 10, 2009 3:03 pm EDT

I got caught too and they are now saying they will contact my employer, etc...where are you at with this is you posted this back in May?

Thanks

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Great American Readers taking money before time and not giving you an out if you need also a 945.00 balance need to know what i can do

i can not see paying that much for books talking about prepaid i will cancel my credit card pay it off for get about great american readers someone tell me what to do

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zebra kitty
Indianapolis, US
Dec 09, 2009 1:44 pm EST
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Last week they were making calls claiming a person won a $1000 gift card from purchases made using their Visa or Mastercard on Black Friday.

They deduct that money right away. No sooner had my friend called me about that uneasy feeling we were online checking the bank account and it was already a pending transaction...

Christmas time is always a difficult period to understand someone may be evil, but during this recession is especially daunting.

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bull
Independence, US
Jul 08, 2009 2:39 pm EDT

they did same thing to me except i'm not sure how theygot my credit card information and when i asked them for documents or to cancel they refused

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Great American Readers fraud of takin money out of account

I had got a call bout a thousand dollar offer if I buy some magazines. They told me exactly that they are goin 2 bring the papers in the mail and see if I am interested. So, I say yes cause I thought it wouldn't hurt me and I knew maybe dat thousand dollar offer was too good to be true. So, I give the information bout my address and how to contact me. Then, they told me that I would have to pay a payment of 49.90 and they will give a supply of magazines for 20 months and that was all. So, like a two days later I figure I do not trust this so I try to call to close the account but nobody answer and that maybe think I have to close my credit card account, which I did. Then, a two weeks later they have called my job and report I owe them a due payment of 49.90 and I didn't even receive nothing to have a payment. While still on the phone, I told them close the account immediately and they told me that I have to close it with a total of 980.35, which I told them, no. So which again, they call my job and my employer answer and they ask for me and he ask why, but they did not really tell him but I owe them money and they wanted my social security number. Last time I check u should not ask for information like dat.

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Great American Readers unauthorized order

This company conducts business in a very rude way. I tried to reach them for days to let them know that this magazine subscription was unauthorized and I did not want their product. I could not get through to anyone and had to contact my bank and file an affidavit about this situation. They are rude and obnoxious and are taking advantage of the elderly. This is my 88 year- old fathers account and he does not understand what has happened although I have tried to explain it to him. I am asking anyone with dealings with this company to beware of unfair business practices

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zebra kitty
Indianapolis, US
Dec 09, 2009 1:43 pm EST
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Last week they were making calls claiming a person won a $1000 gift card from purchases made using their Visa or Mastercard on Black Friday.

They deduct that money right away. No sooner had my friend called me about that uneasy feeling we were online checking the bank account and it was already a pending transaction...

Christmas time is always a difficult period to understand someone may be evil, but during this recession is especially daunting.

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scotty
Greenville, US
Apr 27, 2009 3:43 pm EDT

Im dealing with a great american reader too and in my cace they called me and i just wanted 20 magazines for $54.99. I paid $54.99 then the after reciving the 20 magazines they still sent me more. So i tried to call them and they would never return my messages. Now they say that i owe them $980... i never asked for this. Now im having to go to court. Also they are very rude, obnoxious and will not listen to what you have to say. Please be carfull befor you say anything to these people...

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Linda Sparrow
Acokeek, US
Mar 26, 2009 1:12 pm EDT

Yes they are really nasty and use foul language when talking to you, disgusting!

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Great American Readers total fraud!!!

This company contacted me and basically started speaking super fast. The guy I spoke to was named Richard Wall and he told me he was new at the company so he didn't know any of the details (and he was flirty, making jokes, singing...all a ploy to suck you in) but if you have seen the movie Boiler Room, this is not unlike this company's schemes I just wish I realized this before hand. I have contacted the cancel number that this very rude and GHETTO woman gave to me after I figured out what was happening after which I called my bank and my bank has filed a claim to cancel this charge. The ghetto operator for Great American Readers gave me this number and told me not to say that she did while on tape but she prompted me to give the answers to questions so again, I was continuously tricked bc if i hung up, the damage was already done. The number they gave me to cancel does in fact have a live person at it if you call at exactly 9 am eastern time. The woman I spoke to was named Kelly and she told me that the charges would "fall off" after 7-10 business days but I can't trust anyone or anything affiliated with his company so I called my bank for backup. I have no idea what is going to happen but I promise I will not pay for this despite this being my mistake, this company does a fantastic job of duping me.

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zebra kitty
Indianapolis, US
Dec 09, 2009 1:44 pm EST
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Last week they were making calls claiming a person won a $1000 gift card from purchases made using their Visa or Mastercard on Black Friday.

They deduct that money right away. No sooner had my friend called me about that uneasy feeling we were online checking the bank account and it was already a pending transaction...

Christmas time is always a difficult period to understand someone may be evil, but during this recession is especially daunting.

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jess
, US
Apr 03, 2009 4:21 pm EDT

Do y0u have the phone number to cancel?

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This review was chosen algorithmically as the most valued customer feedback.

Great American Readers - this is fraud; no existing number to cancel!!!

This company scams people into giving them a debit card number so that they can take out $49.90/month (Which they don't tell you) but instead say that they will be sending you a "gift certificate" to shop online for $1000. They twist things around like saying that you're getting this because you're in the military, so on and so forth. They don't mention...

Read full review of Great American Readers and 71 comments
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9:27 am EST

Great American Readers fraud and taking out money out of my account sooner than discussed

This company contacted me on a sat offered a thousand dollars if i purchased a year subscription of magazines.they are not even open on sat only mon- fri. i knew it was to good to be true but since they were sending me info in the mail i figured it was ok. they still havent sent me the thousand dollars or magazines. the agreement was to take the money on dec 2 but before then they have taken 2 payments out of my account for 49.90. i have tried to contact the company to cancel and i keep getting transfered to another dept or keep getting hung up on. THIS IS A FRAUD AND I HAVE CONTACTED MY BANK.

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Sandrarhodes54
, US
Jan 05, 2019 12:00 pm EST

My name is Sandra Rhodes I've called several times about canceling and I get told it's to late to cancel now either it gets canceled or I'm contacting the better business bureau and other places to see what I can have done this is a scam

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Rayban86
, US
Sep 05, 2018 11:52 am EDT

This is a problem somebody needs to shut down this company it not good for business it's alot of loopholes in this company they are taking people's money and that's not right

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cclove1
Philadelphia, US
Jul 21, 2012 5:34 pm EDT

Yea im going thru the same stuff with this company two companies thats under great american readers they took out 100 dollars from my checking account without my knowledge and then i checked my checking account and they took extra 35 dollars out my account. I getting a police report and changing my whole bank numbers around. they are really stressing me out i have to pay bills

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knightsan1
Greenville, US
Sep 21, 2011 1:56 am EDT

I am worried because I think I just got scammed by this magazine company Great Amercian Readers after reading about this. What can I do ? Can we get our money back and put a stop to them? Please help

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Kennie22
Leesville, US
Sep 10, 2011 6:04 am EDT

IM dealing with the same problem today does anyone know how i can resolve this

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jedibill
East China, US
Jun 22, 2011 8:08 pm EDT

This company pitched to my son that he was getting like 9 different magazines for the cost of one. Yet they were charging him 50 dollars a month for those 9 magazines, which did arrive. He tried to cancel, and they told him they had a verbal agreement and they would not let him cancel. Then they bullied him into giving them his debit card #, and then they began taking frequent hundred dollar amounts.
Today, they tried to take a hundred out four different times, leaving him with a huge overdraft fee from each one. Of course, now he is broke for two more weeks, and I instructed him to close his bank account and open up a new one.
I called the company but they said I was not authorized.
I spoke to Kenneth Jennings, IE 6329, but he insisted I had to be authorized on the account to discuss this with me. I asked him who was in charge, he said the GM was Ed somethingorother, he couldn't even spell the guys name! and when I asked to speak to the person or get his voice mail, they would not let me do so.

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sdenninger
Lewisville, US
Feb 07, 2011 8:16 pm EST

ive been dealing with this as well and i just wanna know how to get my $1000 shopping spree. i sent in the form in early jan. and havent gotten it how long should it take?, and they are not sending me the mags that i asked for, im getting married and if i have to pay for this i want magazins ill actually read and look at.is there anything we can do about this company?

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james huber
Bentonville, US
Nov 12, 2010 8:35 pm EST

they just dont give up i let them waste all of the money they want on stamps i stoped the card and now they want paid i didn't rec any 1000 gift card and not one magazine that i was promised so Screw them i am64and white what do i need with latino balck business or parenting that is the real kicker as my youngest will be 32 this month and i reportd them to the better B.B, in Littlerock arkansas thanks for letting me [censor]
James Huber

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james huber
Bentonville, US
Nov 12, 2010 8:29 pm EST

they took the mony never sent gift card never sent corect magazines never furnished the promised number to change magazines i didnt get the 1000 and i didnt get a single magazine that i adk for i am white 64 years old what do i need with parenting or latino ar black busines but as i canceled the card i keep getting phone calls and bills that i trash before i even open them if it says great amearican readers i trash it and i did report them to the better B.B in little rock arkansas thanks flr letting me [censor]
James Huber

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alice fay clark
Milford Center, US
Oct 06, 2010 9:29 am EDT

Yea I to am here because of gar I think that we should all come together and file a class action suite against them any other thoughts

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