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Sent in the card for the special 1 year subscription to Runners World magazine. The subscription expired Jan 2009. I didn't want to renew a second year, so I did nothing. Against my intention, the company automatically renewed the magazine. Early Feb 2009 I received a notice from the North Shore Agency requesting collection for payment.
Classy magazines such as the Economist don't assume you want to renew unless you specifically state that. Now I'm trying to stop the company Rodale from sending them to me. This is pretty sleazy stuff and it seems to be the way this company does business. There have been similar tactics with Prevention Magazine and Men's Health (also published by Rodale). So, buyer beware of doing business with Rodale! I wish I hadn't gotten involved with this company and will avoid their magazines like the plaque going forward.
The complaint has been investigated and resolved to the customer’s satisfaction.
This has happened with more than one magazine, including Runner's World. TOTALLY UNACCEPTABLE!
I had the same issue with Men's Health. When I originally subscribed there was no indication that the subscription would auto-renew. I didn't like the magazine so when my scubscription was over I never sent in another payment. At some point they did send a notice that they would renew automatically, and that I need to call up to cancel. Since I never agreed to this auto-renew policy (never was it stated on the original subscription form) and didn't have time to call I ignored this. Eventually I got collection agency notice suggesting they would soon issue a negative credit report. I went to menshealth.com and called the customer service (same number as on collection agency letter [protected]) and without any hesitation they cancelled and told me I didn't owe any money. They know this is a scam to extort money out of people. The rep told me that the letter was not from a collection agency, which contradicts the letterhead "Retrieval Masters Creditors Bureau Collection Agency" at the top of the letter. I also filed a complaint at www.ftc.com.
Folks, my husband who is currently serving in Iraq right now, just received a collection notice from Rodale also for a automatic renewal of Runners Magazine. He never elected to renew his subscription in 2009 because he is in IRAQ! When does this stop? I am going to pay the $21 dollars and count it as a loss, then cancel immediately and never do business with them again. As much as he enjoyed the magazine, this is a very unethical tactic to get renewal!
We got several phone calls from Runner's World and each time we made it very clear that we did not want to renew. This week we got an invoice stating that they have not received payment ffor our subscription renewal "even though we renewed your subscription as asked." That is not automatic renewal, that is fraud and we are refering this to our state's attorney general's office.
My wife just got the same notice. We never elected to renew her subscription in 2009 since I now get the same magazine and we do not want duplicates in the house. You would think they might check for other subscriptions at the same address before sending the "Collection Notice"? The strategy of auto-renewal followed by a collection agency 'scare tactic' is deplorable customer service. I am sorely tempted to cancel my own subscription as well.
I have had the same thing happen to my daughter. I find this type of automatic renewal underhanded. They need to stop this behaviour immediately. My daughter's magazine subscription account also went to collections. I will never order a subscription from them again for myself or anyone else. Disgusting.
I just received a collection letter from RMCB Collection Agency on the same issues above. Previously, like everyone else, I just tossed the renewal letters, thinking that not responding would cancel the subscription. When I got the letter, I called the 800 number and gave them (RW) the riot act. The subscription was in my son's name, who is also a minor. I don't understand how they think a collection letter would make people want to renew their subscription! Come on, threatening your readers to subscribe. We live in desperate times. The operator I spoke to at RW gave me a confirmation number for the cancellation, assured me that no monies were owed, and I also demanded a letter indicating that this matter is taken care of. I have never come across anything so shady and slimy. This is appalling and very disrespectful to their readership and to their industry. I will be avoiding any and all Rodale magazines from hereon.
Oh, yeah! I wanted to add that the 12 month magazine subscription I bought was a gift for my son who is a minor. They put the collection agency notice in his name, which is actually a nickname. I don't know if they really have any legal recourse because they have nothing in writing that he or I renewed this subscription. I will call their office on Monday to see if they rescind this or not. If not, I intend to take legal action. I have found on the internet a class action lawsuit against them and hundreds of consumer complaints.
I just had the SAME thing happen to me. Of course I get the collection notice on a Saturday when they are not in to take my call. Did they cancel the collection agency or make you pay even though it was fradulent?
I have had the same problem. They told me AFTER they signed me up for another year and billed me that they had done so, ie after it was too late. Good idea on filing a complaint with the FTC. I've never had this problem with any other magazine.
I just received a collection notice for 21.94 for a subscription that was auto-renewed. I let them have a piece of my mind at www.runnersworld.com/paybill and cancelled. I also filed a complaint with the FTC. There way of doing business is fraudulent. I will never buy another RW magazine.
They are using RMCB Collection Agency with us. Complete 100% BS!