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Hearst Communications review: scam 62

K
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7:20 pm EST
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I ordered a book from Rodale Books a couple of months ago, came as requested and I paid for the book. Today I received two (not just one, but two) unsolicited books! I did not want the books, did not order the books and sure as heck am not going to pay for the stupid books. Unfortunately, you can return the unsolicited books by printing a return label (generic) from online and PAY THE SHIPPING! I'm not paying the idiots for anything. I am contacting an attorney if I give the run around when calling the only number found online tomorrow. If there are any problems as have been reported all across the internet, I will be contacting the PA Attorney General's office, the USPS and I will inquire with the Texas Attorney General's office as well!

I see that there was a class action lawsuit started clear back in 2005 for this very thing! This apparently is not anything new for these people.

Do NOT buy anything from them. Once they get your information, you are unsuspectingly in deep with no way out. RUN AWAY!

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62 comments
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Cindy Schwab Biancamano
, US
Apr 21, 2017 9:01 am EDT

I feel like I"m trapped in a Rodale circus! I ordered 2 fitness videos and returned them immediately, unopened. This was months ago. After numerous calls I recv'd credit for 1. After many more calls they assured me that I would get credit for the 2nd one and I'm still not only getting a bill for it but nasty messages about being turned to collections. I don't know what else I can do but to say that this is the most messed up company would be an understatement. !

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sue33
, US
Dec 17, 2016 10:51 am EST
Verified customer This comment was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

I am having the same problem, I ordered a calendar and they automatically gave me a magazine subscription and I cannot find out who to talk to about it. I ready to file as many complaints as possible.

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Christy15
, US
Jul 16, 2016 11:14 am EDT

I am going through same issue now. I made the mistake of providing my name and home address before backing out of the order. My husband came into the room and I told him I was ordering this book and he went to the bookshelf. When he returned he had a book very similar. I backed out of the order only to receive it a couple of weeks later. I told them I would be happy to return the book they mistakenly sent me on their dime. No response ever. Just continued bills from them. So today I receive something from a collections company. DON''T PROVIDE THEM ANY OF YOUR INFORMATION!

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Christine Hollis
Houston, US
Jun 14, 2010 11:25 am EDT

I just ordered a book from them then i stumbled onto this site. How can I get out of it because I have 2 small children and dont have time to deal this kind of crap? I have had other companies do this to me and its getting very old.

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Deborah Fowler
Canton, US
Oct 05, 2011 3:23 am EDT

i ordered a book on 400 calories when e-mail sent had me down for 3 books I did not order. Please cancel my order!

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lori vanepps
Canandaigua, US
Mar 27, 2011 6:50 pm EDT
Verified customer This comment was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

I recieved a book called FLAT BELLY REV. WHICH DID NOT ORDER and I keep getting paperwork for it saying I have to pay $46.94 for it or it will go to the criet bureau. Please help me.

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Make things right
Redmond, US
Oct 27, 2010 7:09 pm EDT

All orders are wrong, no customer service ... you just get extra hassle in trying to return your wrong orders back to them! Yeah, and good luck with that!

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Darlene
Wayland, US
May 12, 2009 6:12 pm EDT

My 81 year old mother keeps getting books she did not order she sends them back & they send more PLEASE stop sending them to her it is so hard for her to get around.
Why don't you just stop sending them to her and make it easy for the older folks out there.

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Joylime
, US
Apr 20, 2015 12:55 pm EDT

I had this problem years and yeas ago with Rodale. I reported them to BBB and I think that that helped a lot. Today I noticed a $10 charge on my bank statement for a magazine on my Kindle fire that I never made. Gee, it's a Rodale magazine too. I cancelled the subscription but I'm still trying to figure out how to directly contact Amazon to get a refund, they don't seem to have a 1-800 # or a complaint board. Feeling very frustrated right now...

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nycguy178
West Hollywood, US
Mar 05, 2014 10:39 pm EST
Verified customer This comment was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

Rodalestore, is run by a bunch of incompetent ###s. There are several DVD's which I order from them on a repeat basis, as they are not sold at retail, and it takes 3-4 weeks to receive them, which is ridiculous, especially when they charge more than enough to ship these first class or priority mail. It takes this long, because they are shipping DVD's, which only weigh a few ounces using the Bound Printed Matter rate, which I actually believe is a violation of Postal Service regulations since this rate is not the same as media mail. I have been complaining to them about this for a long time, to no avail. Their phone reps are pleasant, but they cannot do anything right in filling orders, or forwarding information to someone who can do something. I was so mad today at a combination of problems, that I reported them to the U.S. Postal Inspector for possible repeat violation of Postal regulations.

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roy_nav
, US
Feb 05, 2014 12:09 am EST

I completely agree with the sneaky business practices of Rodale. I was about to submit my address on their website to receive a hard cover book, but hit cancel when I was asked for my creditcard information. I immediatelly received an email from Rodale, stating that my order was submitted and the book should arrive in a few days. I thought it was a joke, since I never confirmed my order, but the book arrived anyways.
I am planning to keep the book and pay for it, but I want to avoid getting myself into deeper stuff, like I read on this thread. What is your advice? Do they really have a way to affect my credit score, even when I didn't provide my credit card info?

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mkmxx
Apple Valley, US
Jan 19, 2013 10:40 am EST

I received an invoice along with alot of offers to buy stuff. I never received any book and did not order any books from this publisher. I am not happy about this scam.

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Voodoo1
, US
Jan 03, 2013 6:40 pm EST

Received an unsolicited book today. I do not plan to go to any trouble with regard to returning the book. I'll keep it in the package and if they would like it back, they are welcome to pick it up from my front porch. Exactly where I found it. They should have asked me if I wanted it before shipping.
Unless Rodale can provide me some documentation that I authorized or requested that they send me this book I feel that I have no obligation to go out of my way to ensure it is returned to them.
Unsolicited items cannot be collected via court order nor can they be reported to a credit agency. Good luck to them in retrieving their book... They can call me and I will happily leave it for them at my front door but that is the only option that I will allow.

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rpoy
Covina, US
Jan 07, 2012 12:34 pm EST

Sent me two hard covered books that i did not order. I was infuriated and paid for the shipping just so it would go away. Now (about 2 years later) i receive a letter from a collection agency saying i owe them $56 for both of the books that i already paid to return.

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Karen Gallagher
san francisco, US
Dec 23, 2011 6:01 am EST
Verified customer This comment was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

i bought a subscription to runner's world, . it was advertised with a free training journal - which I would never use. The only training journal I use is on my phone. Well, they sent me a journal then billed me $22. I didn't want it.. I tried to email and it wanted me to set up an account just to email them - I then tried to call and could not get through. they keep billing me. this is BS.

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E. G. Schwartz
Calabash, US
Nov 06, 2011 4:30 pm EST

My name is Ellene Schwartz and I did not order your book. Why did you send it to me? I will not pay to send it back. It's
so unfair. Why do you want to scam me? I thought you were an honest company that would send me the free DVD. Was this a setup? Where is your integrity? I look forward to your response.

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Perry321
fdsfddsfs, US
Sep 05, 2011 5:10 pm EDT

I don't know what the big deal is. Just call Rodale, explain the situation, and if they do not take care of it within a week, throw the book out, and ignore them from there on in.

And this crap about hem always being busy and having a "wait" when calling them is just crap. They don't have enough workers there.

Gee, that's too bad. In the trash the books go!

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Gerald W Saffell
Troy, US
Aug 29, 2011 1:36 am EDT

This is Gerald Saffell in Troy Ohio. Two weeks ago I had a phone call from Rodale Books, that I had missed a payment for the Bisuuick cookbook as advertized at $29.95, the person said I owed $47.94 and I replied would you send me a bill he said Yes. Then last week I had an autmated phone message from a collection companyto pay within 5 days.what is going on with the price and why did I get the call from the collection co..
my e-mail is : wayne_saffell@live.com. M

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AshCakes
, US
Apr 13, 2011 12:20 am EDT
Verified customer This comment was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

I just received books in the mail that I had not ordered, i am not paying a cent to return something that i didn't order, if I do not Pay for this Scam is it going to go on my Credit repost ?

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jhowar16
Muskegon, US
Feb 16, 2011 7:08 pm EST

Holy crap this company gives me nothing but headaches. I was browsing the web sometime last year and came upon one of their fitness books- I did NOT order it as I was just browsing and they send me a book in the mail anyway and a bill saying I owe them 50 something. I say "Screw that" and had the intention of returning the book but I don't have money to do so but I'm glad I can try to get free postage.

They just started calling me recently, well their money sharks called the Tak Hart group. The chick was Indian and I had done my research on them and said "Can you give me your information so I can report you to the BBB. I've read all about you and know you're a scam" and she said "No we are not a scam and are collecting on unpaid expenses from Rodale Books" and so I went off and told her I NEVER ordered anything nor will I pay for anything and she said "Ok will begin the collection process" but I am going to pursue this as well. Glad I'm not the only one dealing with this crap!

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bcinbuffalo
Getzville, US
Jan 24, 2011 5:28 pm EST

I am surprised to see this common complaint about Rodale. Only because my complaint that I am looking to voice is the opposite - they have neglected to give me the "free" book that was supposed to accompany the one I bought! The whole reason I chose Rodale over Amazon or some other more efficient, respectable and well-known vendor was because they said "buy this item, get this one free." It took FOREVER for the books to come (5 days processing followed by 10 days shipping - seriously, 4th class?) and it conveniently is missing the free item. Give me a break. So I call to ask after it and I'm told (1) shipment of the free item will go out today but can't be confirmed via email or shipping info, (2) it will take 5 days, (3) no opportunities to expedite shipping. Sounds suspicious, no? I guess this company is all around not good to buy from, and I won't do it again.

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yonose
, US
Jul 26, 2010 9:36 am EDT

To me it sounds as though you do work for them. I am going throught the same situtation as the previouse person and they left me like 3 months with out any information on when and how to pay for the book. Then I recieved an invoice, being told to call them because I had not paid my book. I dont know but I am a bit affraid of paying these people and giving them my card information. I'd rather do a money order and not deal with them anymore. I think I learned my lesson.

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shunsick
Santa b, US
Jun 14, 2010 1:47 pm EDT
Verified customer This comment was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

Wow what is the scoop? Rodale is a well respected Allentown, PA company. I have had many dealings with them in the past and did not have problems.

Note I do not work for them, I was just visiting this site because I was researching Career Search International. I found a few companies I consider credible listed here and now read it with a bit of skepticism. Some may be valid and others appear to be drama.

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gloria lee
, US
May 27, 2010 2:49 pm EDT

I DID NOT ORDER ANY BOOKS - I WILL NOT PAY ANY MONIES TO SHIP BACK THAT I DID NOT ORDER! SO WHERE EVER YOU GOT MY INFORMATION I DO NOT KNOW BUT IT WAS NOT FROM ME! AND YOU CAN TAKE MY NAME OFF YOUR LIST!

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skeptic runner
, US
Apr 09, 2010 6:24 pm EDT

I got a sketchy phone call from Rodale Inc. today claiming to be Runner's World magazine. The caller knew that I subscribed to that magazine. He began to share facts about the number of women now running and I interrupted to ask where he was calling from (because it did not seem to really be Runner's World). He confirmed (or restated his claim) that he was from Runner's World, but quickly thanked me for my time and said goodbye.

I couldn't figure out his angle until I looked it up on the internet...and now assume he planned to try to sell me something and I as a skeptic, I wasn't worth his time.

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LadyRedhawk4909
Moyock, US
Mar 16, 2010 2:14 pm EDT

Listen up everybody...Rodale has a new wrinkle...Now they are ordering magazines for you. I received an Organic Gardening Magazine in the mail with a renewal notice attached to the magazine. In the envelope there was a flyer note stating "unless you tell us to stop your subscription would automatically be renewed. Since I didn't order it to begin with...I called Organic Gardening and was told it had been ordered for me by another company namely RODALE! I didn't think that was legal? People better start checking these magazines sent to them, making sure they actually did in fact order them. Don't throw them away without looking carefully at the magazine. The one I received had the bill glued to the magazin. Someone needs to do something about these people.

Submitted by LadyRedhawk4909
darozl4338@gmail.com

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austin L
Houston, US
Mar 14, 2010 12:00 am EST

Well. I hate rodale books more than anyone else here.

I was tricked the first time into paying 50 bucks for 2 unsolicited books after they THREATENED to send my bill to the crediting agencies. I yelled at them to remove me from their lists. One year later, i have just received another book from them. Well. I got on the phone and yelled at them and they were ever so pleasant and kind. But guess what. They are sending me a no postage necessary return authorization.

I'm gonna get the box that came with my 52 inch samsung lcdtv and ship that book back in that. on the label it says "postage due computed by acceptance post office". Have fun rodale.

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Pattycakes123
, US
Mar 10, 2010 7:21 pm EST

I made the sad mistake of ordering "Prevention" magazine from Rodelle and have now received a book that I never ordered. I have tried to cancel all transactions with Rodale...Customer service is seemingly non-existent. I have sent emails and snailmail telling them to remove me from their mailing list from all departments and requesting a return label for the book. I sent my final email today telling them that I will file a complaint with my state's Attorney General if they send me another bill. I believe I will send a little letter over to the FTC as well. This is really poor business practice. I cannot believe it is allowed to continue.
PS...It DOES sound like Lollipopgirl works for Rodale. :)

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California Attorney
San Diego, US
Feb 25, 2010 2:17 am EST

I am a California attorney investigating a potential claim on behalf of my client regarding these alleged business practices. If you have information that you believe would be helpful in the prosecution of this case, please contact me at [protected].

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teach2005
Toronto, CA
Feb 06, 2010 10:15 am EST

Re: Lollipop Girl's postings...
{You actually don't have to pay the postage. You can call or email Rodale and they will send you a return label for you to return it free of charge. Also, books are only sent if there has been an order card filled out. If you did not order the book, then someone filled a card out for you. The order card states in fine print that by ordering whatever book (in your case, flat belly) you agree to preview the annual book-if you like it, keep and pay for it. If you don't like it, you can contact them and tehy will send you a prepaid return label-and you can cancel out of the program. Many people claim they have not ordered the series, but really they did. They just failed to read the fine print. I'm not saying it's right, but you really did order it. If you want to order a book and not get the series-just cross it out and indicate you do not want the series when you order.
Crappy, but legal.}

Lolligpop girl you are so wrong! I am sitting here looking at two of the cards my 80 yr old mother recieved from Rodale in the past week alone. Niether the subscription card not the special Book card have any fine print telling her that she is agreeing to anything other than the actual item being requested. There is NOT a line about previewing anything. People (my mother) are getting things they didn't ask for. It is not only 'crappy' as you put it...but it is also Illegal!
Do you work for Rodale? That is the only thing that came to mind as I read your post. Many people are being ripped off - not because they are stupid, but because a very large company has become very good at scamming people. End of story. Rodale needs to be shut down.

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Ridgway
Lansdale, US
Jan 31, 2010 11:50 am EST

About a year ago, I ordered a book on Diabetes from Rodale. Rec'd it and paid for it. I checked my account on-line and noticed a statement about receiving other books for a trial period. I called Rodale and told them I did not wish to receive any further books or correspondence from them. They said they would cancel my account. A year later, I rec'd another book on Diabetes which was unsolicited and unwanted. I contacted Rodale four times over the next six weeks requesting that my account with them be cancelled and that they send me a postage paid label for returning the book. I finally received the label and returned the book.

This company is disreputable and a total scam. However, I did receive a post card from them confirming that my account had been cancelled. Now all I have to do is wait to see if they screw me and claim they never received the book I returned.

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Joeca18888
Albany, US
Jan 05, 2010 4:38 pm EST

This is a complete scam. They sent me letter after letter telling me to pay, eventually they sent a collection agency notice that they'd report me. I was livid. I called there number, they try to hide their customer support by not telling you how to access it. Press '0' after you get the answering service.

I just told the lady this was completely ridiculous, that there was a class action law suit pending against the company, they're been reported to the BBB, and that I would not be paying. I told her I had no obligation to return the mail as it was unsolicited.

She then removed my bill.

Screw this company. Do NOT ORDER MENS HEALTH or anything dealing with them. They will try to steal your money.

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LynneGA
Omaha, US
Dec 29, 2009 9:58 am EST

I called [protected]. The messaging system requested my invoice #, which I didn't have, since I refused to open the package with the book. I kept waiting and finally the system said to push 0 (zero) for the service rep. I had to confirm that's what I wanted, and then didn't have to wait very long before got a live person. I explained I received a book and wanted to cancel. He was able to find the account by the last name and address. He wanted me to print out a return label (or give me an address to send it to) but I kept repeating that I'm just going to put "Return to Sender, Item Refused" on the package and it'll get mailed back to where it came from. He finally agreed to that. He said the account was cancelled.

My father, who's 92, received this book in the mail. I know for a fact that he ordered a book from this company, because he told me he was sending for a particular book and I warned him if he did, he'd get put on a subscription for more books. (That's how it works.) He now doesn't remember even ordering a book in the first place (but I know he did.) Rodale isn't the only company that does this; I've had to cancel subscriptions from about 3 other companies too. My elderly parents just never read the fine print when they order a cookbook or health book or whatever--and Dad refuses to believe me when I tell him whats going to happen--and then he gets mad because unwanted books arrive in the mail!

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Rich Cook
Houston, US
Dec 18, 2009 4:01 pm EST

I just got another book in the mail from these guys. Who's running Rodale? The Mafia? This is nothing short of extortion. I saw a link to a class action lawsuit from 2005. This is the end of 2009. Anyone know of the outcome of this lawsuit? Why are they still running this scam?

If there is a lawsuit, class action or not, I'd like to be a part of it. I want this STOPPED. I emailed their customer support just now and threatened a lawsuit for fraud. We'll see what happens. I said I'd dropped the book in the trash. I may just put DELIVERY REFUSED...RETURN TO SENDER on it and drop it back in the mailbox.

Any help appreciated.

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gcoleman
, US
Nov 17, 2009 2:08 pm EST

Total scammers! They even threatened my credit report by sending the bill to a collection agency! I never ordered the book and they tried to put the burden on me to pay for it or return it. I will never subscribe to Prevention, Men's Health or Women's health (my wife) again. I am reporting them to the BBB and the Massachusetts Attorney General's office.

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Mary G.
New York, US
Sep 28, 2009 4:09 pm EDT

I want to cancel my agreement to purchase books. I have tried to find a way to do this on line but have had no
success. I assume I will have to write a letter and send it by registered mail. I only ordered the books for a
relative of mine who is stationed overseas, and I have no need or interest in them for myself.

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Cooper
Marietta, US
Sep 23, 2009 9:51 am EDT

I went through the same thing at the end of last year. I subscribe to Women's Health, and received an unsolicited hard back book before Christmas that I did not order nor want. I refused to pay to ship it back, and I could NEVER get anyone on the phone to get them to send a 'prepay' label. After a couple of weeks, I filed a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission and got a reference number for the complaint. I then sent a registered letter to Rodale (text below). I never received another bill from them, and as I just refinanced my house and have recently reviewed all 3 of my credit scores, there has been no postings on my credit from Rodale. I guess if you let them know they can't bully you, they drop it.

January 5, 2009

To Whom It May Concern,

I have not ordered any books from your company, but received a package in the mail around the Christmas holiday that contained the book “Women’s Health Total Fitness Guide 2009”. I did not order this book, and I do not want it.

After numerous attempts, I have been unable to reach anyone at your customer service number to discuss or resolve this issue. As a result, I have contacted the Federal Trade Commission and filed a complaint (reference number xxxxxxx). I am aware of my rights against unsolicited or unordered items, and it is against the law for you to demand payment or report my non-payment to any credit agency for this item.

Per the Federal Trade Commission, anything I receive in the mail that I have not ordered can be considered a gift and I am under no obligation to purchase or return the item. If you would like to send me a prepaid shipping label, I will be happy to return the book. Otherwise, I will consider it a gift. You may send me a prepaid shipping label to

I do not want this address used for any other purpose than to send me a prepaid shipping label to return the unwanted book, and to ship me my current subscription of Women’s Health Magazine. Do not, under any circumstances, use this address for any other direct mail of any kind or supply this address to any other company or third party.

This event has given me a very negative impression of your company and I will not be ordering anything in the future from you unless you can resolve this issue. Thank you for your immediate attention to this matter.

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AngryMedStudent
Athens, US
Aug 23, 2009 4:56 am EDT

I am currently fighting with Rodale books as well. My girlfriend got me a subscription to Men's Health as a birthday gift a year ago. I didn't renew the subscription because the magazine used to be three times as thick and now they break their old magazine into 3 mags and expect you pay for each one. They just recycle the same articles. How many ways are there to lose your gut? How many different ways can I bench press?

Anyways, the problem is Rodale has been sending me notices about 2 books I apparently received back in December of 2008. I never received any books nor would I have asked for any books. I got a letter in the mail the other night now threatening my credit and saying I would be sent to collections if I did not pay the $50.90. I never received any books, and I've tried at least 30 times off and on this week trying to talk to a real person at their office, but I always get hung up on or get a message saying they are experiencing a high volume of calls. I reported this obvious scam to the BBB and the FTC.

Has anyone ever actually been sent to collections with this scam and has it ever affected anyone's credit score?

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I love my babies!
, US
Aug 20, 2009 3:17 pm EDT

Just like the others who have posted on this site, I am upset at Rodale books. I clearly told them that I no longer want their sub-par products. I have twice requested a return shipping label, and I still recieve bills for products I didn't want. Additionally, the information that they provide in their materials is common knowledge (well, to me anyway), and is nothing desired or exceptional. What a terrible company all around!

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mattvsrodale
, US
Aug 13, 2009 12:45 am EDT

if it's legal why have they already lost one major court case dealing with this subject? it's ILLEGAL and a scam.

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