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HandyMan Club of America / Scout.com

HandyMan Club of America / Scout.com review: frustrating and unauthorized membership! 270

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12:00 am EST
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My husband recently received unsolicited mail from the Handyman Club of America. We did not sign up for anything from this company. We just received an official notification saying they were going to take us to a collection agency for past due membership. The letter has no contact information for the company, nor could we find any way to contact them on their website. This is extremely frustrating and should be illegal!

270 comments
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Randal Nollan
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Mar 04, 2008 9:26 pm EST

They first sent a book with the option to pay for the book and they will send another, cancel any time. Their specific wording was "You can keep each volume at the regular Member price, plus shipping and handling, or return it to the club. You're under no obligation to continue in the program now or in the future. You can choose how many or how few volumes you want and can cancel at any time. No questions asked". There was also a part about being able preview for something like 30days.

Well what happened was, I would receive a book on Friday, send payment on the following Monday and when I would get home from work and check the mail, there would be a late payment notice! After about 4-5 of these, on the payment of one, I wrote a note to cancel and send no further books. A week later I get another book So I send back (paying S&H) with another note stating that I canceled and I would no longer pay for the books or any other merchandise sent with me specifically ordering it, and that I would not pay to send anything back. They sent 3 more books and approx 50 notices to pay or be sent to collections notices.

Today I received 3 more notices and also a phone call from a person from CMS Communications? (the person talked with an accent and was very hard to understand) notifying that I owed the money. I told him of the letter and that I would send the books back if they send me a pre-paid label. This company is totally insane and after a bit of research I found it owns a group of 'Clubs'. The company is "The North American Membership Group Inc" It has at least 6 different Clubs under its belt which I will make it a point to stay away from.

I am hoping to get the pre-paid labels and when I mail them back I will mail them with signature receipt.

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Susan North
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Feb 26, 2008 6:02 am EST

I received a collection notice from RMCB on behalf of the Handyman Club of America for $359. I paid them my past due balance of $10 late in 2007 after quitting around January 2007 and thought I was done with them. Out of the blue, I got this notice and have no idea what it's for.
They don't list an address for HCOA and I have no clue what my member number would have been once upon a time. I did call and press the button for "if the order was cancelled press 2". No person was available at RMCB.
I'm about to file a claim with the Better Business Bureau.

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Mike Patterson
, US
Aug 23, 2016 2:11 am EDT
Verified customer This comment was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

I paid my lifetime fees and 2014 was the last magazine I ever received.I am suppose to receive them for life time. My name is: Mike Patterson 2505 Bernice Drive Bakersfield california 93304 Club Member number is [protected]

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Brian Nguyen
, US
Aug 22, 2016 6:51 am EDT

I've paid for a lifetime membership but I no longer receive any subscription and am not able to access the website with my credentials. May I ask for my money back since it does not sound right to me?

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turbopropdude
San Antonio, US
Aug 10, 2016 5:44 am EDT
Verified customer This comment was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

Dear Handyman Club of America,

I am writing to you in regards to your deceptive practices. I have received notices for payment in the amount of $37.98 for a book entitled “Landscape Structures and Decks” (RE: Billing LMRN9862) that I never requested nor received. You have now referred this matter to a collection agency so in an effort to preserve my good credit I am hereby sending you payment in the amount of $37.98 so you will close this matter immediately. In addition, I am returning to you a book entitled “Tools and Techniques” that I also never requested from you, but I did previously send you payment for.

I joined your organization as a “lifetime member” in January of 2011. I sent you payment in the amount of $355.00. I received some low grade cheap Chinese tools, all of which I could have purchased from Harbor Freight Tools for much less than $100.00. My standards for tools that I purchase and use are much, much higher than the crap that you sent me.

I am hereby notifying you that I wish to cancel my membership (#[protected]) effective immediately.

I will consider that I have been scammed for $355.00 and an additional $75.96 for two books that I never requested from you and one of which I never did receive. Considering the character of your organization I am relatively confident that I will never be reimbursed any part of the $430.96 that I have paid to your organization to date.

With hopes of receiving any restitution, I will be sending a copy of this letter to the Texas Attorney General’s Office, The Minnesota Attorney General’s Office and to the Better Business Bureau. In addition, I will be posting this letter and negative comments about your organization (the truth) to any and all consumer feedback websites that I can find in an attempt raise awareness about your deceptive practices so others will not fall prey to your scams.

Sincerely,
turbopropdude

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DARLENE MCDOWELL
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Aug 10, 2016 5:44 am EDT

My husband and I have been fighting with this company for 2 years now. We do not have a membership with the Handyman Club of America, they keep sending useless stuff to our address and we keep calling them to stop this. 1 year ago we received a letter from Handyman saying that we owed over $400.00. When I contacted them, they finally got the message, (or so we thought) and we were told to disregard this notice. Today we received a bill from RMBC Inc. collection agency for $530.00. I called them and tried to explain what was going on, and was hung up on. Nice customer service. The battle continues.

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JAMES Z MCNELLAY
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Aug 10, 2016 5:44 am EDT

THE ONLY THING HANDY ABOUT HANDYMAN CLUB OF AMERICA IS THEIR HANDS. THEYARE GODDAMN PICK POCKETS, OR SO THEY THINK!THEY ARE THREATNING ME WITH A CLLECTION AGENY FOR $24.00 DUES , VIA NEW MEMBERSHIP FOR TWO YEARS. I NEVER AGREED TO ANY THING EXCEPT TO RECIEVE ONE FREE ISUUE OF THEIR MAGAZINE. THEY SENT ANOTHER UNAUTHORIZED. THEN THEY STARTED WITH THE THREATS. TO BE FAIR THE HANDY MAG IS WORTH THE $$. THIS SCAM OF THEIRS IS NOT GOING TO WORK ON ME. THE $$ IS NO BIG DEAL , I COULD PAY IT NOW WITH MY DEBIT CARD. MY PROBLEM WITH THEM IS THER DISHONESTY. I HAVE TAKEN THE TIME TO TYPE THIS WITH MY ONE THINGER TYPEING SKILLS TO WARN OTHERS. BELIEVE ME I HAVE BETTER THINGS TO DO...GO PLAY WITH YOURSELF HANDY... I DONT NEED YOUR HELP, AFTER ALL I HAVE MY ONE FINGER SKILLS! BUYER BEWARE!

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Bill C. Jackson
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Aug 10, 2016 5:44 am EDT

I chose to drop my membership. Now I am being threatened with a collection agency.

Beware!

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Joseph Sweeney
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Aug 10, 2016 5:44 am EDT

I was in receipt of a debt collection from Handyman Club of America for $359.00. for something I do not receive nor did I order. Either Handyman is a rip off or the collection agency is a rip-off. Read other reports from consumers in regards to this. Some consumers are receiving letters from RCMB collection agency and others like me come from RMCB. I plan or notifying the Attorney General of New York where the collection agency is supposedly located. BE SMART... Do not send money to this collection agency for something you never ordered SCAM>>>>>

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David W. Kendziora
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Aug 10, 2016 5:43 am EDT

Handyman sends you a book that they make you believe is free. Three weeks down the road you get a bill for $15.00. And they tell you they will send you more books. In that correspondence they give you a phone number. You call the number and cancel the subscription to Handyman and they tell you ok. Then after that they continuously send you a bill and those bills do not have a telephone number to reach anyone or if there is a phone number at that point in time, it is only voicemail when you call it. They keep sending invoices month after month for a $15.00 membership. This particular bill has no phone number on it to reach out to anyone at the company. Now that I have moved the bill still comes forwarded to me. Eventually I will wind up in a collection agency because this last invoice says "Second Reminder". The envelope says, "Time-Sensitive Document Inside." Something must be done for this bogus company to stop harassing people and trying to collect funds that they have no right billing people for.

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gedavis
, US
Apr 14, 2016 1:26 pm EDT

I am life member since 02/2001. I have not received any products in 3 or 4 years. I request back issues if possible and products to test and comment. I expect begin receiving the magazine again. Please help me with this GED

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Reviewer43262
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Feb 12, 2016 2:12 pm EST

I bought a life time membership and haven't received a magazine since Jan 2014 Im not dead so why in the hell did you stop sending me my magazine lgwagner@tds, net

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Reviewer70564
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Feb 05, 2016 2:25 am EST

I have not received a magazine in about oh close to a year now. I have been a member for a very long time almost 20 years. How do I get my mag?

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Bobby Neville
, US
Feb 04, 2016 7:33 pm EST

Have nor received the Handyman Magazine for over two years and I don't believe that I should have to contact Handyman every whip stitch just so I can get my subscription as promised when I became a lifetime member.

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Reviewer46231
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Jan 28, 2016 10:40 am EST

i am a lifetime member and have not received my bi-monthly magazine in 2 1/2 yrs. i would like to know you stopped my membership with out notifying me !

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mmoser3
, US
Jan 23, 2016 11:49 am EST
Verified customer This comment was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

i have not received my magazine for over a year now . why have I not received any more ? i'm a lifetime member !

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Robert Birchfield
Rutland, US
Apr 01, 2015 9:55 pm EDT

I don't know why I'm not getting my handyman magazine delivered to my home any more. I have not moved in all most 20 yr. Club MBR# [protected] DY

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Earl Edmond
Scott City, US
May 06, 2015 8:15 am EDT
Verified customer This comment was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

I am a Life Member and my number is [protected]#DY. I have not received a magazine for over two years. I paid my Life Membership and now I am not getting my magazines. If they want to cancel my membership give me back my life membership fees.

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Judy Myers
, US
Dec 28, 2015 1:03 pm EST

My husbands customer # is [protected] I am a life time member and I have not received any magazines from you lately, just wanted to see what might have happened.

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David3
, US
Dec 06, 2015 6:51 pm EST
Verified customer This comment was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

I have had a lifetime membership since 12/2003. I have now been informed that I will no longer receive my benefits because they "have not heard from me". To my knowledge this was not a requirement for lifetime membership

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Charles Stansbury
, US
Oct 27, 2015 2:42 pm EDT

I am an original Life Member #[protected] and have a written contract that can only be canceled by myself and not arbitrarily by you with out acceptable compensation. My life membership clearly stated for my lifetime, with a Leather Club Jacket, club magazines and an a sundry of other club benefits, including the testing of new equipment. The original contract clearly stated that all these benefits were for my natural life time or upon my discretionary cancellation. I have never received any notification from you on any attempted modification of this original contract, or, any type of acceptable compensation. I am demanding full restitution and if not received, I am prepared to seek legal action for the just compensation, in addition to filing a legal complaint with the Washington State Consumer Protection Division of the States Attorney Generals Office. unless an acceptable agreement can be reached within a reasonable time frame.
Sincerely,
Charles Stansbury

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Wilben Dahl
, US
Oct 14, 2015 12:40 am EDT

I failed to accept one of their sales invitations and they stopped my magazine subscription and quit even attempting to contact me. They do not seem to know what a "life time membership" is or even understand the concept.

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Darrell Stephenson
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Aug 10, 2016 5:44 am EDT

Handyman Club of America came out with this deceptive advertisement making you think you were getting some usefull tools to try and you signed up for this trial offer and paid a small amount up front for postage.

Next think I know they were billing me for a $24 subscription to a Handyman magazine. I called in and asked for cancellation back near the first of the year and also sent cancellation notice to them.

I received nothing as far as useful tools, just some plastic items which I don't even know what I done with them. This company has kept sending out these billings for $24 and has turned over to a RMCB Collection Agency.

I consider this a hungry greedy company trying to sell magazines by deceptive practices. Stay away from them or you will get burned.

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ralph corrigan
, US
Sep 15, 2015 7:40 pm EDT

My magazines have not been coming for several years. I paid for a lifetime subscription& I think they canceled me. What for?

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Patricia L.Z
Saint Clairsville, US
Dec 31, 2014 11:46 am EST
Verified customer This comment was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

Being charged for something I didn't receive. Now being harassed from Chase Receivables Collection Agency.

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jwellswoodworking
Franklin, US
Nov 22, 2014 6:22 pm EST

I received a bill for a book I did not receive. The bill was received on November 22 2014 and requested payment 11/19/14.

I think I would have purchased this book if I had received it.

Your prompt response to this request is requested.

Thank you,
Jim Wells

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meadowssylva
Sylva, US
Mar 07, 2013 8:22 am EST
Verified customer This comment was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

I am life member you do not send me any thing to test and keep for free you send me letter try to get money for master life member seems all you want is everyones money for nothing in return

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Handyman Club Of America SCAM
02131, US
Jan 20, 2013 11:30 am EST
Verified customer This comment was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

I sent in a postcard they had in a pacakage of discount coupons I recieved. I sent in the post card to inquire about thier club. I NEVER officially signed up for membership. Now they keep sending me a invoice for dues and they did send a magazine. I will not pay the membership fee. This is a big SCAM.

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Eugenie Adams
Bradenton, US
Apr 23, 2012 3:16 am EDT

I canceled my membership in Feb., 2012, from Handyman Club. I never received or accepted any books from them but they are billing me for a book titled TOOLS & TECHNIQUES. Shortly after joining a friend of mine told me how crooked these people are and I canceled membership immediately

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William Goldsby
, US
Oct 14, 2011 12:16 am EDT

I recieved a Book in 8/2011. Ithen sent them a check for $37.98, I then I wrote on the
Check this is FANAL PAYMENT. They are still sending the book and a BILL.

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Dale Bartel
Cherokee, US
Sep 23, 2011 1:26 am EDT

I paid for a 2 year membership with this company by credit card on 4/25/11 ($24.00) I was to receive a 35-pocket organizer and an screw extractor set. I have received neither. I have, however, been receiving the magazine. I am very disappointed and will continue to send negative information about the company.

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CTorris
Bradford, US
Mar 14, 2011 9:53 am EDT

From The BBB Website

http://www.bbb.org/minnesota/business-reviews/clubs/north-american-membership-group-in-minnetonka-mn-2735

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Maria Barrera
Converse, US
Feb 15, 2011 10:11 pm EST

I paid the $24.00 for the year. I never got the free 35-pocket bucket organizer or anything else that they promised, BUT they did CASH my CHECK! There is no phone number on any bill they keep sending me.
THEY ARE STILL BILLING ME !

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Nathan Napihaa
Kapolei, US
Jan 19, 2011 7:48 am EST

I did not apply for membership with Handyman club of america got sent 2 issues of magazine I will be sending it back to you please do not keep sending me a bill payment. Thank you Nathan Napihaa

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Edward A bGoch
Marshfield, US
Jan 06, 2011 2:34 pm EST
Verified customer This comment was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

This is a NO THANK-YOU letter. I've returned the book that you sent me and I don't want anything more to do with your club. Please stop sending me membership bills for a club that I don't want anything to do with.

sincerely,

Edward A Goch

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big blue nyg
johnstown, US
Dec 21, 2010 4:30 am EST

I recieved all of the b.s. that all of these other people are complaining about. I can not afford to have any blemishes on my credit. I think I may send them a money order with the notes cancel this subscription.
does anyone think it would actually go on your credit bureau? any other ideas?

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mamby
, US
Aug 13, 2010 2:17 pm EDT
Verified customer This comment was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

I recieved an envelope in the mail wanting me to join because I was nominated.I would like to know where they get their nominations from.

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F. Stann
Sherman, US
Apr 02, 2010 12:13 pm EDT
Verified customer This comment was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

My husband joined the lifetime Handyman club. He hasn't received any products to try out and this has been 2 years ago. We had to keep after them just to send magazines and that was part of the membership. The only thing that has been good is the magazines. Noting is done in a timely manner

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craig andersen
Tacoma, US
Feb 01, 2010 7:10 pm EST

handyman club of america is a ripp off and sent me to collection ageny saying owe$ 318 for membership i told them i didnt want thier membership or books they sent me. sent them all back and recieve nothing from them, except free cheap dollar store gifts supposedly.

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Oliver
, US
Jul 22, 2009 6:18 pm EDT

On 03/04/08.all they sent me was a demand that I buy books at $10.00 each..I told them i was not interested in the books and to send me my refund. Nothing happened.. On 06/10/08 I sent Kate Pope a letter to cancel my membership and send me a refund. Nothing happened. This is not an honest company!