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

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

165 comments
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Mary Lee 21
San Carlos, US
Feb 27, 2024 1:25 am EST
Verified customer This comment was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

Just as others have stated, our Lifetime memberships completely disappeared. No correspondence, no product testing, etc.

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Judith brown
Brooklyn ny, US
Nov 04, 2023 5:45 pm EDT

I joined the cooking club of america about 2012 I was receiving gifts and my books but it just stopped. My member no.[protected]. I have not received anything since 01/19/15.i can't get intouch with anyone phone numbers changed. I paid for a lifetime what happened.

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Richie L. Larson
Medford, US
Apr 15, 2023 7:31 am EDT

I have been a member of cooking club since the early 2000s, but around 2011 I stopped receiving the magazine or anything related to the cooking club. I paid for the membership and believe that I should either get a refund for what I paid or else I should be recognized as a member, I enjoyed the club and would like to get back into it. please help.

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Karen Jenkins
Harker Heights, US
Feb 08, 2023 3:26 pm EST

I became a lifetime member around 2001. I received a knife set when it was paid in full. I was receiving magazines and some test items. The magazines stopped, the product testing stopped. There has been no communication from them. A refund is requested.

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Tessalex8
Iowa City, US
Dec 26, 2022 1:00 am EST
Verified customer This comment was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

They have changed the benefits for testing and all sorts of changes and just turned me off. They never kept in touch with me, and I have moved from NC, and Now I live in Iowa City. I am a lifetime member, and they have the money. I never heard from them. Not a very happy camper and want to return to being a tester.

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Mcargill
Eugene, US
Dec 22, 2022 2:18 am EST
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I paid almost $300 for the membership and got an apron, magazine, a fridge magazine and a couple other things. I got one pan to try and keep for "free" but in reality cost me about $200. I expected I would receive other offers. I called and checked on line several times about other trial offers, but nothing ever happened. This club was a rip off

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Maria Sustaita
, US
Apr 18, 2020 2:08 pm EDT

I paid for the Cooking Club of America lifetime membership back in 2008. I received the magazines for about 2 years and nothing after that. I wish they would either honor the lifetime membership as described or reimburse me the $350.00 that I paid.

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Joe D'Souza
, US
Feb 24, 2021 7:52 pm EST

Scout Media, formerly The North American Outdoor Group and the North American Membership Group (NAMG), was an American media company, specializing in membership clubs and related magazines. Since 2007 it has been owned by the Pilot Group, a private equity firm run by Robert W. Pittman. In 2013, NAMG acquired Scout.com. NAMG combined with Scout.com to form Scout Media. Pilot Group lost control of Scout Media to a group of Russian investors. Scout Media filed for bankruptcy in 2016; it was acquired by CBS Sports Digital in 2017. This is from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scout_Media
And with that, I am will close my chapter with Cooking Club of America and North American Fishing Club

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Msdaas
, US
Dec 25, 2019 6:19 pm EST
Verified customer This comment was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

I can no longer access the website for my lifetime membership of the cooking club of America and when i call the number on my card its not there number. I paid a lot for this lifetime membership who do i contact for a refund... I use to receive test products and now nothing what happened!

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Polly Hardesty
, US
Dec 16, 2019 3:06 am EST
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Pitiful that it was a scam all along; shame I ever trusted You! Never again 💯; it makes me sick🤕🤒✅

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Valerie Renslow
, US
Dec 14, 2019 5:15 am EST

Paid 349.00 for lifetime membership and I have not been receiving any magazines or can't contact the company at all.

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Xxzyx
, US
Nov 04, 2019 2:31 pm EST

What a Rip Off! This is obviously not an American company, My subscription and testing materials all stopped, Please tell me what the heck happened when we pay our dues for life membership it should be life... NRA stands to their life subscription.. it is an AMERICAN Company...

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Katy Doroski
, US
Oct 27, 2019 5:40 pm EDT

I was enrolled back in 2004! I received my pots and pans but then when I moved and called to change my address I couldn't get ahold of anyone! Such a RIP off! $349 for some pans, a plastic card and a magazine that I can no longer get!

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Unhappyinminnesota
, US
Oct 12, 2019 9:23 am EDT

I paid for a lifetime membership but there is nothing. I would like a FULL REFUND with interest. I have not been to get ant information regarding this "cooking club" in years. Where do we get information on this. Why are organizations like this allowed to be out there.

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Cindy Grogan
, US
Jun 02, 2019 9:15 am EDT

Sad it was a good book to get & i still use the stuff i bought...So the card i hace that says charter member is no good ...Like i said ''sad'' what happend to the cook book mag.

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Beverly Diehl
, US
Apr 15, 2019 3:16 pm EDT

Hello, I have been a lifetime member of Cooking Club of America since 2010. If anyone is looking for them they are now on Pinterest. I will try to contact Pinterest and let them know what they have done to all the people that are lifetime members.

Member [protected]

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Cathy Lane Pleasants
, US
Nov 12, 2018 3:34 am EST

I am a "Life Time Member" but have not received any magazines for a long time. I enjoyed the magazine but have no clue as to what happened to the company. I would like to know what happened to the company.

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T. Liford
, US
Nov 05, 2018 5:31 am EST

My membership number is [protected] and my name is Theresa Liford. I paid for a lifetime membership and now I haven't heard anything from the company in years.

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lori sollenberger
,
Oct 22, 2018 10:01 pm EDT

Ive been a lifetime member since 8/00 membership number [protected]

i have not recieved any magazines in years?

i would like to know why, they had no problem taking my money.
i would like to have my magazine for life as promised.

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Teresa Heslip
, US
Oct 15, 2018 11:35 pm EDT

You can add me to the list of those scammed into paying a lot of money for nothing ! I paid my $299 and I got my pans but nothing else . No more magazines, no more product testing, no more website ! When I go to Scout.com all it is is football crap! I hate freaking football! I love cooking! Definitely not what I signed up for ! I want justice !

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Terri Houghland Graves
, US
Sep 19, 2018 12:06 pm EDT

Paid a lot of money for lifetime membership and never heard from them again. No more magazines or a word about testing new Products! Crooks! Where is the website with all the Benefits? Nowhere.

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Maria Franco
, US
Sep 19, 2018 6:50 am EDT

My name is Maria Franco and i paid for my membership since 2010 and i haven' heard for the club in years. I tried anything to contact them but still no answering. I would like my membership money back. We paid for lifetime i want to receive my benefits or my money. A simple answer it will be nice.

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epicone
, US
Sep 18, 2018 12:38 pm EDT
Verified customer This comment was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

I have been a lifetime member since 2000 (?). I have not received a magazine in at least 2 years. What happened? I do not have much hope in receiving any, since many have made the same complaint and it has not been resolved. I just want my magazines to continue.

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Beate Trottman
, US
Sep 15, 2018 3:02 pm EDT

I used to be a member...they removed me from my lifetime membership. Despite that I requested 2 times not to get calendars mailed anymore, they did mail it. So, I ignored it. Then when I didn't pay, because they also wanted me to return the calendar and I had to pay for shipping, they sent collection agency and cancelled my life time membership! Never received anything from that day on again, not even membership magazines nothing...

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Debbie Bowen
, US
Sep 10, 2018 5:55 pm EDT

I paid for a Lifetime Membership and received the apron and some pots. I even did some product testing. Then all the sudden nothing. If it wad a lifetime membership shouldn't you refund my money. My information is below and I would like a response back.
Thank you,
Deborah Bowen
303 Sunrise Have
Church Hill., TN. 37642
Member#[protected]

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Joseph P Moore
, US
Sep 01, 2018 10:36 am EDT

I have been a life member since September, 2002 and I haven't heard a word from these people in at least 2 or 3 years. They took my money and have scammed me. Is anyone doing a class action suit against these crooks?

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Sharay9
, US
Aug 28, 2018 9:38 pm EDT
Verified customer This comment was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

I'm a club lifetime member all paid up my # [protected]
Sharon Keller
14 Lisa Dr
Dix Hills, NY 12746
I haven't received a magazine in years
What gives? I'm also a lifetime member of gardening club of America...also no magazines in years. Please let me know what's going on.
Thanks
Sharay9@verizon.net

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Kara Travers
, US
Aug 28, 2018 11:41 am EDT
Verified customer This comment was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

I have been a premier life member since 2010, I have not received anything in years...I have tried contacting the company with no results...I paid hundreds of dollars and got a set of pots in return, that's it!...the company has not responded to emails, phone calls or letters, BUYER BEWARE!

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Cherry Stacy
, US
Apr 20, 2018 4:50 pm EDT

Became a Lifetime member in 2008. Enjoyed the magazines and some of the utensils that were offered. Just like everyone else, magazines stopped, products not available, etc. Don't appreciate being "ripped off". Company
should have notified members of bankruptcy and offered some restitution.

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connie forti
, US
Jan 21, 2018 6:48 pm EST

I joined the Cooking Club Of America in 2008 and have NEVER received anything for joining.I informed them of my address and membership # and still nothing. ConnieForti@gmail.com

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Debbie Bowen
, US
Sep 28, 2017 6:02 pm EDT

My address should read
303 Sunrise Avenue
Church Hill, TN 37642

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Deborah McGaughey
, US
Sep 14, 2017 3:01 pm EDT

This company is a complete scam. Had been a member since 10-08. Paid everything and received things for a while then all of a sudden everything stopped. Haven't heard a word from them. Fortunately, the cookware I received from them I didn't need, didn't open and was able to sell for just about what I paid for the membership. Total waste of time. Buyer be ware!

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Jane Wilke
, US
Aug 29, 2017 1:03 pm EDT

This is a complete scam. I was a member since 2001 after all things were paid they disappeared off the face of t he earth. This company sucks. I never heard anything after all was paid.

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Carrie Dulin Kinkade
, US
May 15, 2017 8:16 pm EDT

I joined in 2007 and received everything promised. I feel like I received lots of things they promised, but shortly after becoming a LIFETIME MEMBER, I received another piece of mail to my exact name and address, wanting me to become/sign up for Lifetime Membership. How annoying that was. I received magazines for maybe a year, but never receiving any test products and when I went online to try and figure out how to obtain test products, I became frustrated. I'm disappointed in this company and think a class action suit should be filed against them, but I have no idea how to go about doing it. They promised a LIFETIME MEMBERSHIP and they are now a "sports website"? If anyone knows how to go about filing a class action suit, I'm SURE there are many thousands of people out there who purchased memberships based on false pretenses.

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Eva Polk
, US
Mar 29, 2017 2:03 pm EDT

Hi My Name is Eva Polk
I am really pissed off at this company. I became a member 10/26/2009. And I was suppose to get products to test. Well I got a plastic cutting board and knife. And a glass pie pan to test. I have called and sign up many of times. And nothing.
And now no phone number to even call them.
So I fell I been scammed.

Thank you,
Eva Polk

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Catarr
, US
Feb 09, 2017 1:38 pm EST

I joined the club got the magazines decided I liked what they offered, became a lifetime member and haven't received anything from them in years.

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Tammy Sweet
, US
Oct 19, 2016 12:46 pm EDT

I joined the CCA quite a while ago. Paid for the lifetime membership and got the cooking pan set. That was only after I called to ask where it was because I made the payment but they didn't deliver. Seems like that is the consensus with everyone. They stopped sending out the magazines, no more trial goodies, can't get logged onto the website. I had no idea they had sold out. They sold out alright, on everyone that joined the club! These guys should be made to repay every who spent the money for lifetime memberships and got nothing but the shaft!
My name is tammy and I live in Michigan.

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jwalkermn
Blaine, US
Aug 05, 2016 2:39 am EDT

Don't sign up for this so called "Cooking Club of America" they take your money and do nothing and say that all the test for the past year never matched your profile. GIVE ME A BREAK! In 1 year they couldn't match not one product to someone who checked almost everything on their survey on my cooking preferences! I love to cook and try new things when it comes to cooking. I was excited to join and try new things and then nothing I am very disappointed! All they wanted was for me to join their "Life time membership" for over $200 WOW! They couldn't even do anything with their reguar membership and they wanted me to give them more money, to do what? All I have to say is I am ashamed they are from my home state Minnesota! DON"T SIGN UP RUN THE OTHER WAY!

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maggie#4
Spring, US
Aug 05, 2016 2:39 am EDT

At first I received an invitation to join this club to receive recipes and items from companies to evaluate their products. All you had to do was pay $12.00, try the product, fill out a questionnaire and return it to the company. Then the unsolicited books started coming in the mail. At first I thought perhaps this wasn't so bad but the book was 29.95. I had opened the box and so I just paid it. Then the next month I received another book, stupidly opened it and either had to pay to send it back or keep it. The company sent some crap stuff as a "FREE" gift. Then the offer for a Liftetime membership. I sent a letter to cancel my membership and returned the next book with a cancellation notice. Returned unopened another book and another box of "stuff". I kept getting bills for the lifetime membership--which I never joined--and then forgot about the whole thing. Now, two years later, I got a call from Chase Receivables, to collect over $300.00. Please do not fall into this same trap. They will have to take me to court and prove that I joined their absurd club and I will bring proof and all these complaints and let the court take care of it. PLEASE DO NOT JOIN THIS CLUB! You will be sorry.

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Ray
Visalia, US
Aug 05, 2016 2:39 am EDT

Do not buy the magazine subscription through this club! You're just opening a door that you will not be able to close. The magazine is a come-on for them to keep trying to sell this and that worthless thing to you. I have asked repeatedly that they not send me anything--and had tried to cancel my subscription after reviewing the first cooking magazine they sent before the 30 day trial-period expired. I didn't receive another magazine until a year later, when I received an invoice stating they would turn me over to collections if I didn't pay the subscription fee--even though I had canceled the subscription the year before! I paid the fee because I didn't want it to affect my credit adversely. I wrote and asked them not to send me anything else. Today I received some type of stupid figurine without ordering it with a bill for $15.98! I've emailed the company asking them not to send me anything again, and stating I will return the figurine. These people do not listen--stay away from them! It is not an honestly run company.

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Sabrinagirl
, US
Jun 11, 2016 8:17 am EDT
Verified customer This comment was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

As a Member since 08/2009, my last magazine Cooking Club was Winter 2014, I sent my change of address when I moved. Why has it stopped? My member #[protected] Lucy Monge, my address is 667 SW Granadeer St, Port St Lucie, Fl 34983. I am a Life Member, please rectify and continue my magazines, I hope this is not a scam. Thank you.