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

This is no complaint. I joined the Handyman club in March 2010. I have not received my validation Label.
I paid my dues by credit card.

I sure hope that you can help my on this problem.

Thank you,

Byron Maxwell
[protected]

That is BALONEY George,
I read through the entire mailing for the life membership about other payments or fees, and it was NOT mentioned anywhere. I had just gotten stung by RedisetGo and was fighting unauthorized and hidden charges for a "Free" recipe, well hidden below an online scroll bar, so I was suspicious.

I saw the "Free" membership and the $12 check, but didn't bite. I had to look up online to find out that cashing this check would result in a $300 membership fee. The point is when you advertise something in BIG LETTERS AS FREE and then you print in tiny print extra fees, it is a scam. I looked over the mailing 5 times to find out if there was a catch and didn't see one.

Looking to a handbook about a letter offering some service is just a bogus, B@ll[censored] way of scamming people.
In my opinion, any company that operates this way is a scamming, thieving, predatory company. I'm not renewing my subscription to the magazine because of this, although I love the content.

Jeff

I work there, in the membership handbook, it states that we send out preview products (i.e. books, videos, knives etc. and you can opt out at anytime...maybe people should read all the information before jumping head first into anything. As far as life membership goes, it definitely says the membership is paid in 12 installments. So for all the people with common sense, and know how to read. The membership can work out very well, but unfortunately for us a large portion people tend to join without reading anything... even though EVERY THING YOU EVER NEED TO KNOW ABOUT THE COMPANY IS STATED IN THE HANDBOOK AND OTHER INFORMATION WE SEND!

Membership # [protected]
Name : Stanley Ganes
Address : 3332 W.Sells Dr.
Phoenix, Arizona
[protected]
I wish to UN-SUBSCRIPTION, STOP MEMBERSHIP, Quit .

THANK YOU
Stan M. Ganes 04/15/10

I am a lifetime menber and I got a letter that i had to renew my membership I Wish You could keep track of who is a member and who is lifetime members. Stop sending me bills for renewal.

I was wondering the same thing, why am I getting billed for two yrs when I was told I would receive two free gifts, next I would pay a dollor a month or $12 per yr., not $24 dollars up front. Bruce
I am helping all veterans for free with their VA benefits, health care, medals, docs, pensions. www.seaweed4u.ws

My husband did sign on for the special offer. He recieved 1 tool and magazine. They called him to see how he liked the tool and magazine. He told them it was not useful to him and to cancel his subscribion. They told him they would. Over the past 2 1/2 years he has continued to get the magazine. Now just yesterday he recieved in the mail a notification from a collection agency for $351.27. I called Handyman of America at [protected] and complained about this. I was on hold for over and hour to talk to someone. When I finally was able to talk to someone about this I was told that it was a problem with their computer system and that he did not owe this much. In fact he is paid through 2011. So for all of you getting bills from them call them and complain. I agree that this company is a HUGE scam. Hope this helps any all of you having problems with this company.

I have received (2) Tools and Techniques do I send (1) back for a different book or keep?
please contact me. I like the research tools.

thanks,
Alice E. Wilson

My name is robert freudenvoll member #[protected]. I became a member aroun the first of dec. My invoice tells me that I should get my member kit by 12/16/09. This is 02/10/2010 and I have not recieved my member ship kit or the free gifts thast I was to recieve. I would like to know if you plan to send to me anytime this year? Thank you robert freudenvoll

I just started receiving the magazine. I got this offer for a life membership. After just getting burned by a "Club" with RedisetGo and Gaiam, Inc, I searched EVERYWHERE on their sign up for fees associated with this Life Membership. Guess what? It is NEVER mentioned. This has got to be illegal.

WOW! Am I ever glad I never got involved with the company all of you other people have been writing about. I couldn't handle that at all. I got involved with a woodworking outfit back in the early 1990's and enjoyed their magazine and they told me if I signed up for a lifetime membership they would send me a leather jacket.

It's hanging in the closet, a nice looking leather jacket, just like they said. They said I would never have to pay for a magazine again. I though that would be pretty nice, since I enjoy reading the articles included in each issue, even if I don't build every project they show in detail. And they have added a lot more to their website over the years for me to enjoy. I have had a few problems with wives since becoming a life member with them and through four address changes over the years have never missed an issue. Just received the Dec09 Jan10 issue the other day and it has much enjoyable reading included in it as usual.

It is really hard for me to believe we are both talking about the same company. I have been a life member for close to 20 years, ever since they offered the option of Life Membership and have never had a complaint about my membership.

I find it hard to believe I have been "lucky" all of those years I have been a member, don't you?

Ken Chevy
Salem, Oregon

My father in law is being harrassed by these people as well. He received an offer for a free tool with no obligation and sent in the form. He then received a letter from them saying in order to receive his 'free' tool he needed to send in membership dues. Ha. So he ignored this because he never intended to join a club and that wasn't the original offer; now they are threatening to turn his 'past due account' over to a collection agency if he doesn't send them $24 for a 2 year membership. Of course he never received any tools. I've emailed them (thanks for the earlier post w/ email info) and I'm sending them a letter telling them to immediately cease all collection attempts. I don't think they have a leg to stand on and this is just fishing hoping he'll send it in out of fear which probably works more often than I'd like to think about. Regardless, he's 61 and has enough to worry about without these people rattling his nerves. They should be heavily fined or shut down by the federal government for threatening collection without cause. This has to be illegal.

Okay news update, I called the local number listed, and the lady said I had to call the 1-800 number so I did. After on hold for 15 minutes I give the guy the member number listed on the letter and he says that I inquired back in May. Which is 100% not true as I stated to him, he said "well maybe someone else did on your behalf". So let me get this straight I can inquire for my neighbor and just an inquiry will trigger a Collection Agency letter after "X" amount of months? That does not sound legal at all, maybe I should of let this go to collections then I could of sued them. Let them tell that to a judge that an inquiry somehow triggers membership.

I let him know I have reported this to my Attorney General as extortion. He said he was sorry about that but an inquiry was made. Then he had the balls to give a short description of their services and asked if I wanted to join. No, I do not want to join. He then claimed he removed me from their database.

I'm going to hold onto this letter till I here back from the Attorney General on this mater, I am more then willing to see this company punished for its practices into causing fear in getting people to pay for something they do not want.

My Colorado Consumer Protection agency told me to report the scam to the USPS, so I did at:
https://postalinspectors.uspis.gov/forms/MailFraudComplaint.aspx

If we all speak up, maybe something will be done. I also sent my letter to my Attorney General, and some local news agencies. Took me minutes to do.

Please note this is extortion, telling you, you must pay or face Collections. When you never asked for, or received a product, nor have signed any contract stating as such.

Don't even know what they are or who they are 10-01-2009 I been tossing their mailing out for the last 10 years. I received a letter saying that I joined 5 months ago, however even if that was true I never received a product/magazine from them. It also says "despite our repeated requests for payment (this is the sixth), we still have not heard back from you." Then it goes on to say it has left them with no alternative but to refer me to collections. I say let them, as I will sue them, they have nothing with my signature on it.

I'm going to scan the letter in and send it to the Attorney Generals office to see what they can do. As I would believe this is extortion to get me to sign up for something I do not want or have asked for. Plus it might be mail fraud as they used the US Postal Service.

As others have noted there is no contact information in the letter, and they say they want me to pay a 2-year membership of $24.00 It clearly says "Please pay this invoice immediately to avoid referral of your account to a collection agency."

Off I go to send this to my Attorney General.

After getting several notices and returning them, I got a collection notice and called. I talked to Jessy who was very nice and calm and said he removed my name and negative information from their records. I certainly hope so but I will check my three credit ratings in a few weeks to see what they say. I don't think this is a scam but a very badly managed operation that has a lot of problems with paperwork. I am just glad I was able to get away from them before it got totally out of control.

How many of you readers out there agree that this organization is a scam? How many of you would recommend this business? I appreciate your input!

How many of you agree that this site is a scam? How many say that it is a worth while investment? I appreciate your input!

THE NUMBER ON MY HUSBANDS BILL IS [protected] 7:30 am-8pm cst m-f & 8am-4:30 pm saturdays

THE NUMBER ON THE WEBSITE IS [protected] SAME HOURS AS ABOVE

GOOD LUCK! WE ARE TRYING TO CEASE DOING BUSINESS WITH THEM NOW.

Scam, you be the judge. Let's put this in persective. Handyman claims 900, 000 + members. Multiply that times 12 months. Hmm, $10.8 million dollars a year. Supposedly all tools are furnished to them for free so you can try them out and they pay the postage. I have not idea how long they have been around, but this does seem like people are paying a lot and receiving very little. By the way, I did receive one of those secret nominations. I'm not going to far for this one.

HANDYMAN IS THE BIGGEST RIP-OFF ON THIS PLANET. I SUBSCRIBED TO IT FOR 1 YEAR AND RECEIVED 2 ISSUES! THEN THEY STARTED SENDING ME THE BOOKS, OF WHICH I PAID FOR 1 AND THEN CANCELLED THE MEMBERSHIP...BULL PUCKY! I HAVE SENT 2 OR 3 LETTERS AND CALLED THEM TWICE TO CANCEL MY MEMBERSHIP AND THEY SAY, "YOU ARE CANCELLED", BUT 2 WEEKS LATER, I GET ANOTHER BOOK. ALSO THEY TOLD ME I WOULD GET A RETURN SHIPPING LABEL, ... ANOTHER LIE! I WILL CALL AGAIN AND THIS TIME, I WILL RECORD CONVERSATION, SO I HAVE IT ON TAPE TO PROVE WHAT A BUNCH OR CRAP THEY TRY TO PULL. WARNING! STAY FAR AWAY FROM THIS COMPANY...ALL THEY ARE IN IT FOR IS THE $$$$. AGAIN I SAY...STAY AWAY FROM THIS COMPANY! - bw

WELL I AM A LIFE MEMBER FOR OVER A YEAR NOW, AND, I HAVE NOT GOTTEN THE THINGS THAT I WAS PROMISED WHEN I JOINED AND PAID MY MEMBERSHIP IN FULL. I CALLED [protected] AND GOT TO TALK TO A REAL PERSON. TO WHICH I EXPLAINED TO HER WHAT I DID NOT GET. SHE ASSURED ME THAT IN 4 TO 6 WEEKS I WOULD HAVE THE THINGS. WELL, WE'LL SEE! 7/13/2009

I've been a life member for 9 years, and I have never had any problems with them whatsoever. If you have a complaint, and actually want to solve it, as compared to simply whining about your unfortunate circumstances, send an email to: memberservices@handymanclub.com. Despite what some people have posted, the club is not out of business, and the website is active.

I just sent them money ( $24.00), , , i got the magazine, but no gifts for joining!, , , , i hope this goes well!, , , , , , , , , lol, , , , , i may be doomed!

Their website addy is www.handymanclub.com

http://minnesota.app.bbb.org/report/2735/?&language=1 check out this site, it is the better business bureau of minnesota.

I just got a big yellow envelope from these folks and was really excited, but now that I've read these posts, I'm throwing it away... thanks for your candid posts, everyone! :)

I have recieved offers from them in the mail 6 or 8 times over the years.Thanks to seeing this site I am more leery of them than ever.

Interesting that there is an almost identical Gardening Club as well... 'free' gardening tools, chances to 'win stuff', etc etc. Books start getting mailed to you unsolicited. $24 billing (mail solicitation doesn't mention that you're committed to TWO years). Interesting that this club comes from Minnetonka, MN as well. Hmmmm... anyone smell a rat here?

I had the exact experience. The only difference was the dates. I was able to contact them by email through their website and said that I was cancelled. Now I just received another letter from collections.

I would like to sign up for Handyman Club of America, however the Better Business Bureau says they are out of business. Please look this up before signing up with this company.

I did sign up for a trial of this magazine! but I am a little pissed cause they send me an invoice before I even got a magazine! I don't think so! Like i'm gonna pay for something that I haven't even seen yet, I wish I would have seen this posting before I signed up for this BS! I read in one of ur comments that they must be hard up for money and I totaly agree! "May the wind be always at ur back" From: MrIrishOne

i signed up for the club but they also have a book club that includes " how to do it yourself" series. took the first one to see what it was like since it was a low price and i called to inquire as to prices and how many in the set. got an answer of various prices and various books. well i am here to tell you the next one was about $27.oo. sent it back and cancelled my subscription or so i thought. the end of it? not. sent me another. sent it back unopened. got another the other day. just now sent them another email telling them i have contacted them 3 times and i am considering this a gift and any further shipments. well we will see if i end up in court. stay tuned!

So far the only thing I have to complain about is the fact that they were to only send me a book every other month, and now I'm getting them every week some at the rate of two a week. I am going to call and complain about this, so thanks for the alternate phone numbers that I may have to use. I have noticed that they don't send you a phone number in which to contact them. I definitely will go over my records to see where I'm at with my payments towards a lifetime membership. May have wished I didn't get involved with this company. As a former owner of a handyman business I am pleased with their magazine and the information contained in it. As a former business owner in the state of Iowa, some of you people should beware of the practices of the BBB. I received a phone call from the BBB asking for $300.00 to join their Bureau, which I thought was funny way of selling customers a line (that I was a preferred business) low and behold I didn't join.

I was and still think when I sign up for the life time member in 2000 or 2001. That it was a one time thing, but I keep getting billing in the mail to keep the magizine coming to me.Now you send me a new life time again 12/03/08. I guess my first life time is up, and it's time for a new.
If this the deal I no longer will continue with our service after my contact is up. I will miss recieving the magizine after 10 yrs. or better having them.

I received the unsolicited calendar also and it was bent in half by the United States Postal Service. This was returned the very next day. However, I continue receiving notices to return or pay for the calendar 3 months after the fact.

No need to explain my situation...its the exact same as everyone elses. Called [protected]. The woman stated that she cancelled the account. We'll see.

i didn't order your magazine but have been recieving them & now you are threatening me with collections agency. you better think again & check your records. i don't want your mag and no further contact. JL

Handyman did the same to me. I rec'd the trial mag and the crappy gifts to see if I liked the mag, " NO OBLIGATIONS " I did not so did not join. After 3-5 letters to join I recd a deliquent letter to a collection agency. Heres some info from BBB minn.

******************Subscriber BEWARE !**************************

BBB issues Reliability Reports on all businesses, whether or not they are BBB accredited. If a business is a BBB Accredited Business, it is stated in this report BBB Definition:

report - A summary of activity reflected in a company's BBB file. Includes basic business background, BBB Accreditation information, and BBB complaint activity over the previous three years. Also reports may include any known government actions, advertising issues or other information that results from activity conducted by the BBB.
.
Name: North American Membership Group, Inc
Phone: [protected]
Fax: [protected]
Address: 12301 Whitewater Dr

Minnetonka, MN [protected]
Website: www.namginc.com
www.handymanclub.com
Original Business Start Date: June 1978
Principal: Ms. Nancy Evensen, President
Customer Contact: Ms. Nancy Evensen, President - [protected]
TOB Classification: Clubs
BBB Accreditation: This company is not a BBB Accredited business.

Additional DBA Names
Cooking Club of America
Creative Home Arts Club
Handyman Club Of America
National Health & Wellness Club
National Home Gardening Club
North American Fishing Club
North American Hunting Club
PGA Tour Partners Club
The History Channel Club
National Street Machine Club
Motorcycle Riders Club of America

Principal Officer
Ms. Nancy Evensen is the President of the company.

Customer Service Contact
Ms. Nancy Evensen is the complaint contact person for this company and should be contacted at [protected] before filing a complaint with the BBB.

Nature Of Business
According to information supplied by the company, they offer a club-based affinity marketing company that markets in a variety of different special interest categories.

Customer Experience
The company has been the subject of complaints stating that consumers have received invoices/collection notices without having received the product, or without having even ordered anything. Consumers also state that they have made requests to cancel subscriptions or memberships without having action taken. The company has responded to all complaints presented by the bureau, by honoring requests to cancel membership, discontinuing billing and/or collection efforts, and providing refunds whenever due.
When considering complaint information, please take into account the company's size and volume of transactions, and understand that the nature of complaints and a firm's responses to them are often more important than the number of complaints.
The BBB processed a total of 775 complaints about this company in the last 36 months, our standard reporting period. Of the total of 775 complaints closed in 36 months, 308 were closed in the last year.
Contract Issues BBB Definition:

Contract Issues - Claim of alleged failure to honor contract or agreement, work performed without authorization, or invalid contract.

Resolved BBB Definition:

Resolved - The company resolved the complaint issues.

1 - Company resolved BBB Definition:

resolved - The company resolved the complaint issues.
the complaint issues. The consumer acknowledged acceptance to the BBB.
2 - Company addressed the complaint issues. The consumer failed to acknowledge acceptance to the BBB.
Administratively Closed BBB Definition:

Administratively Closed - The BBB determined that the complaint could not be satisfactorily settled using standard methods of voluntary dispute resolution

1 - BBB determined the company made a reasonable offer to resolve the issues, but the consumer did not accept the offer.

Billing or Collection Issues BBB Definition:

Billing or Collection Issues - Claim alleging billing errors, unauthorized charges, or questionable collection practices.

Resolved BBB Definition:

Resolved - The company resolved the complaint issues.

176 - Company resolved BBB Definition:

resolved - The company resolved the complaint issues.
the complaint issues. The consumer acknowledged acceptance to the BBB.
256 - Company addressed the complaint issues. The consumer failed to acknowledge acceptance to the BBB.
Administratively Closed BBB Definition:

Administratively Closed - The BBB determined that the complaint could not be satisfactorily settled using standard methods of voluntary dispute resolution

2 - BBB determined that despite the company's reasonable effort to address complaint issues, the consumer remained dissatisfied.
8 - BBB determined the company made a reasonable offer to resolve the issues, but the consumer did not accept the offer.

Sales Practice Issues BBB Definition:

Sales Practice Issues - Claims of alleged sales presentations made in person or by telephone that contain misrepresentations of the product or service, high pressure sales practices, failure to disclose key conditions of the offer, and verbal representations not consistent with written contractual terms or agreements.

Resolved BBB Definition:

Resolved - The company resolved the complaint issues.

32 - Company resolved BBB Definition:

resolved - The company resolved the complaint issues.
the complaint issues. The consumer acknowledged acceptance to the BBB.
71 - Company addressed the complaint issues. The consumer failed to acknowledge acceptance to the BBB.
Administratively Closed BBB Definition:

Administratively Closed - The BBB determined that the complaint could not be satisfactorily settled using standard methods of voluntary dispute resolution

2 - BBB determined the company made a reasonable offer to resolve the issues, but the consumer did not accept the offer.

Delivery Issues BBB Definition:

Delivery Issues - Claims alleging delayed delivery of ordered merchandise.

Resolved BBB Definition:

Resolved - The company resolved the complaint issues.

38 - Company resolved BBB Definition:

resolved - The company resolved the complaint issues.
the complaint issues. The consumer acknowledged acceptance to the BBB.
84 - Company addressed the complaint issues. The consumer failed to acknowledge acceptance to the BBB.
Administratively Closed BBB Definition:

Administratively Closed - The BBB determined that the complaint could not be satisfactorily settled using standard methods of voluntary dispute resolution

3 - BBB determined the company made a reasonable offer to resolve the issues, but the consumer did not accept the offer.

Service Issues BBB Definition:

Service Issues - Claims of alleged delay in completing service, failure to provide promised service, inferior quality of provided service, or damaged merchandise as a result of delivery service.

Resolved BBB Definition:

Resolved - The company resolved the complaint issues.

1 - Company resolved BBB Definition:

resolved - The company resolved the complaint issues.
the complaint issues. The consumer acknowledged acceptance to the BBB.
3 - Company addressed the complaint issues. The consumer failed to acknowledge acceptance to the BBB.

Customer Service Issues BBB Definition:

Service Issues - Claims of alleged delay in completing service, failure to provide promised service, inferior quality of provided service, or damaged merchandise as a result of delivery service.
BBB Definition:

Customer Service Issues - Claims alleging unsatisfactory customer service, including personnel's failure to provide assistance in a timely manner, failure to address or respond to customer dissatisfaction, unavailability for customer support, and/or inappropriate behavior or attitude exhibited by company staff.

Resolved BBB Definition:

Resolved - The company resolved the complaint issues.

11 - Company resolved BBB Definition:

resolved - The company resolved the complaint issues.
the complaint issues. The consumer acknowledged acceptance to the BBB.
17 - Company addressed the complaint issues. The consumer failed to acknowledge acceptance to the BBB.
Administratively Closed BBB Definition:

Administratively Closed - The BBB determined that the complaint could not be satisfactorily settled using standard methods of voluntary dispute resolution

2 - BBB determined the company made a reasonable offer to resolve the issues, but the consumer did not accept the offer.
1 - BBB determined that despite the company's reasonable effort to address complaint issues, the consumer remained dissatisfied.

Product Issues BBB Definition:

Product Issues - Claim alleging a product does not meet the expectations of the complainant, including defective merchandise.

Resolved BBB Definition:

Resolved - The company resolved the complaint issues.

2 - Company resolved BBB Definition:

resolved - The company resolved the complaint issues.
the complaint issues. The consumer acknowledged acceptance to the BBB.
1 - Company addressed the complaint issues. The consumer failed to acknowledge acceptance to the BBB.

Refund or Exchange Issues BBB Definition:

Refund or Exchange Issues - Claim of alleged failure to honor company policy or verbal commitment to provide refunds, exchanges, or credit for products or services.

Resolved BBB Definition:

Resolved - The company resolved the complaint issues.

22 - Company resolved BBB Definition:

resolved - The company resolved the complaint issues.
the complaint issues. The consumer acknowledged acceptance to the BBB.
1 - Company offered a partial (less than 100%) settlement which the consumer accepted.
37 - Company addressed the complaint issues. The consumer failed to acknowledge acceptance to the BBB.
Administratively Closed BBB Definition:

Administratively Closed - The BBB determined that the complaint could not be satisfactorily settled using standard methods of voluntary dispute resolution

1 - BBB determined the company made a reasonable offer to resolve the issues, but the consumer did not accept the offer.

Company Management
Additional company management personnel include:
Ms Kate Pope
Mr. Tony DeFrance
Ms. Andrea Meester - Director, Member Services

Additional Contact Information
Additional Addresses
PO Box 3449
Minnetonka, MN 55343

PO Box 3492
Minnetonka, MN 55343

P O Box 3496
Minnetonka, MN [protected]

Additional Phone Numbers
Tel: [protected]
Tel: [protected]
Tel: [protected]
Tel: [protected]
Tel: [protected]
Tel: [protected]
Tel: [protected]
Tel: [protected]
Tel: [protected]
Tel: [protected]
Tel: [protected]
Tel: [protected]
Tel: [protected]

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If you choose to do business with this business, please let the business know that you contacted BBB for a BBB Reliability Report BBB Definition:

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.

ID: 2735
Report as of October 24, 2008 01:06
Copyright© 2008 Better Business Bureau

I received a notice from your magazine saying that I had not sent payment I sent one check no. 2835 for 19.98 on 7/3/08 and another one fr 19.98 check no. 2851 on 9/3/08. How many payments do you all want. I wont nwever order another if this is the way you all do business.