Cooking Club of America / Scout.com
Reviews and Complaints

Scout.com also scammed me by offering me a Free trail membership. I tried to cancel during the Trial period and they will not answer their phones and they sent me an email later Billing me. I left a cancellation message and they are still billing me. I currently have to dispute these charges with my credit card company. I called the company about 10 times to cancel. They will did not answer their phone. The call is transferred to another and it rolls over to voice mail. I'm assuming its a business decision for them. They probably figure most people are not going to dispute the $9.95 cents. I don't like being scammed. I don't care if its $9.95 or it's $1, 000, I'm going to dispute these charges.

I didn't join the club and receive the bills .

I also have had a bad experience with Cooking Club. I purchased a fry pan, granted I was late paying this but, I had financial problems, too.

Long story short I did pay for the pan and then 2 years after paying the bill, I am being dunned for the bill from a collection agency in New York. Not mention this is the 2nd time, 1 year earlier the same agency try to collect it also.

I am filing a compliant with NYC consumer's affair as this agency is registered with them.

IDID NOT SIGN UP FOR THERE SUBSCRIPTION OR AGREED TO ANY 30 DAY TRIAL MEMBERSHIP TO COOKING CLUB OF AMERICA. AND IKNOW I SURE DIDNT SIGN UP FOR ANY 12 MONTH MEMBERSHIP. IS ANY ONE HONEST ANY MORE?

I don't guess I should be surprised with all the scams via internet, but I guess once again obviously, I clicked on the wrong website or a legitimate company that I registered with sold my information. I have received a bill from Cooking Club of America for membership fees that are due immediately. I never signed up for this service. I have never received anything from Cooking Club of America other than threatening letters demanding money. The letter states that I still have the chance to settle my account in a positive manner and become a fully paid member in the CCOA. Just pay the bill for my membership IMMEDIATELY. As soon as payment is received, your status as a member in good standing will be reinstated. The name at the bottom of the letter is Andrea Meester, Member Services Director. I am very upset about being hounded for money for something I never signed up for or received. I will be contacting the Better Business Bureau in reference to this scam. I hope if there is anyone else out there being taken advantage of by CCOA, please file all the complaints possible with the BBB. On this most recent "bill" the toll free number is [protected].

I paid for lifetime membership with getting magazine ad test products. Well, I got absolutely nothing after spending all that money, got filled with all lies...such a major scam. They should be sued for all there lieig claims of testing products and all.

I too have been a victim of this scam. I was cleaning out my files and came across the Lifetime Member folder. After paying $300 for the membership, there has been no further communication. How can we be covered by this situation.

I have the same problem. I don't get anything. What's the use of being a Life Time member, you get nothing, nor hear from anyone.

Linda Snook

Earline951@aol.com

I sound like everyone else that have been complaining. I paid my $300 on Jan 22 2002 and after receiving a few items that was it. I have a lot of drama in my life over the years and just came across my file folder with my Cooking Club of America information in it. I'm kinda guessing by all of what everyone else is going through that this CLUB has gone belly up. Took our money and ran so to speak. Anyone else thinking this? I'm not even going to bother trying to reach these folks. Just gonna chalk it up to being taken for a ride and toss out my file folder. Take care everyone. Just be more skeptical in the future I suppose.

I have been a lifetime member since 2011 and after I paid $300, I received the pots and pans and then nothing. Tried to put in a change of address and unable to speak to anyone. The number is only a recording. I would love to know if anyone has another phone number.
Lisa Goodwin (lisargoodwin@outlook.com)

Hey! I've been a lifetime. member for many many years. The last magazine I received in 2013 after I moved from Ontario to Nova Scotia. I originally received them once a month then it went down to very couple of months.
I joined back when you received a complete set of stainless steel cookwear.
I also had to pay the lifetime membership.
Where are my magazines and samples . Can I please get a response!

I have been a life member since 2005.I paid $300.00 and I got some pots and apron and up until about a year ago I was recieving the cooking pleasures magazine.I never got any of the other free benefits that I was entitled to get.I never got to test any products and keep the free product.I am very much dissatisfied with the company.I would appreciate any information on any lawsuit or rebates.

I am a Life Member also since 2002, I have not received anything at all. No publications, no notifications of any sort! This so called club is indeed a scam!

I also joined the Life Member on April, 2011. I got the pots and pans, apron and a few other little things, then Ihave been ghosted. Nothing from them! Connie if you decide to do something with class action, I will be in. Just want my dues paid back in full. cas1261@aol.com member #[protected].

Carol Smith

write to you i want jion back cookclub america member a anaing plesa

Ok people I found out how to save your credit! This might take some time and a little bit of money (depending on state laws) but what you have to do is Freeze your credit. I know it sounds extreem, but this will save your credit in the long run. Cooking club of America might try the collection agency but you don't pay them, they can't mess up your credit with a freeze on it! The three major credit unions are: Experian,
Trans union, and Equifax. Do this for yourself and your credit. Have any question feel free to email me.

I have cancelled my account with cooking club of america. They kept sending me books. I refused them. Then I quit getting them but they are sending me collection notices for books I did not get. I want this stopped now.

I do not have a complaint. I just need a phone number to reach someone to report on an item I have tested. I have Parkinson's desease and it is verydifficult for me to write so I would prefer to report by phone if that is possible,
Thanks JRB
Member #[protected]

I paid my bill on June 6 and got another bill.

I thought they were fair at first but then whenI seen you had to pay for to be a member which I thought to myself why do you have to pay another 24.00 dollars which I thiink is crazy .so I think to myself I am not even going to do that. so they can cancel me all they want to . I think It is all a scam they just want is your money which is wrong in my eyes . they never sent me any things to test out but they did send me a cookbook that I did pay for but thats the only thing I will ever buy off them again . I don't think that was right for them to do such a thing me which I should I threw It away.

I recieved everything that was promised in the beginning, but after I signed on for lifetime membership I haven't recieved anythying on product testing. Why has this happened? I thought I would be testing products or recipes. But I get nothing. It appears that all you were interested in was my signing as lifetime member only for the monthly payment.

Melva M.
Life Member #[protected]

I am fairly new to the Cooking Club of America. But am duly disappointed in what I have gotten for my money so far. I have recieved "One'..."1" magazine. Only "one" test product. As far as the grocery gift card, that is a joke.
When a company attaches "America" to their logo, they had darn well be on the up and up. The 'patriot' side of me gets a littel testy when someone, some company uses the word "America" to make their company look/sound impressive. I am so NOT impressed with the "Cooking Club".

I received a bill for $24.00...they said it was $12.00 annually in their information. I couldn't get their web site to come up. I finally called the [protected] number and got hold of an empoyee by the name of Jeff Jacobs, He wouldn't give me an employee number. I told him I wanted it cancelled. He said he would. I also told him I was sending it to the Illinois Attorney General Fraud Unit...he said that was my privilege. I'm sure it will lead to a collection notice. I told him I was taping the call...he said he was also taping my call. I am sending the bill back to them, with a USPS returned receipt required.

Carla Clemens

I too am a victim of the scam. When I sent in my authorization for a $12 one year membership with a few freebies that is what I expected. I didn't really believe I was going to get free prodect to test, but I figured $12 was probably worth the magazine and a few little freebies. But then the old bait & switch happened. I was sent only a couple of the promised freebies and got a bill for a $24 two year membership. I sent them a letter back with the billing saying that I wasn't paying it & accepting the membership because it was not what I agreed to. But alas I kept getting bills and now they are threatening a collection agency. I have very good credit and don't want it ruined because of a $24 incident so I'm paying, but they aren't getting anything more from me and I will do my best to let everyone know that they are SCAM ARTISTS!

I have not hadany trouble with the club. I love the things that they have sent me and I love the cooking pleasures magazine. I have been a club member for over two years. People need to realize that there is nothing in this world that is free. My credit is fine and every invoice they send me in the mail is explained and all of their contact info is there. If you don't want to be billed end back the products.

I've been reading this and thinking of going to a major news station and getting them to stop this scam! I have a bill, i did sign up for them, but i had no clue they were a scam, well intill now! I wont be sending them money! Who is with me, and putting a stop to it? Any idea what news station should we tell?

I was a member for 1 year many years ago. I never had any problems with the Cooking Club of America. I had no problems after i canceled either. I love their cookbooks. I don't know why you all are having problems.

This letter is to complain about the way you treat your “Members”. Cooking Club of America has misrepresented itself. This was supposed to be a member’s only club about the passion of cooking. Yet you treat your members as a captive group in which you can send unsolicited items without the prior approval of members, and expect them to either purchase or return the item. This has happened to me several times and I have instructed you in the past not to continue to do this, yet you still send me items that, quite frankly, have nothing to do with the culinary arts, just some overpriced trinket or calendar.
Consistently I have returned these unsolicited items the same day I receive them yet each time I receive a notice three weeks later asking for payment. I am tired of it. According to Maryland law, any unsolicited item received is considered a gift and payment cannot be collected by the sender. It is not the obligation of the receiver to return the item, even if there is a postage paid return label provided. This is to discourage companies from doing the very same thing you are doing.
I expected a much higher level of focus on cooking than trying to sell an array of gadgets, overpriced mixers, skillets, electric pans and steamers. The Cooking Club of America is nothing more than a rouse for selling merchandise than collaboration of their members and their passion for cooking.

There are vast numbers of disappointed members according to postings on the internet. You are well known, but it’s not flattering. Many have experienced no responses from written inquires, e-mails to customer service, receiving notices from collection agencies for lack of payment even though the items had been returned.

I am upset at the way you conduct your business. Even though I am a Life Member, I am requesting to be removed from your membership list. I do not want to receive your magazine, offers, or any unsolicited “try before you buy” offers, EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY. I will state again that if I receive an unsolicited item, it will be considered a gift. It will not be returned and no payment will be made. You have been served.
538 days ago by Teri J [send email] 0 Votes
You can call [protected] to cancel. If you got the time to wait to talk to someone. Hey I just got through. I sent back everything and told them that I had also cancelled. They said the would cancel today and to disregard any billing from here on out. I hope it really works this time!

I believe that this company should be turned over to the better business bureau. With this many complaints it does not sound good. I never did get any products to try but as a Lifetime member I did spend 300.00 to be in the Club so how about some money being returned would be nice.

Just received a bill for $3 for a "12 month Membership" that I NEVER ordered -- I have ABSOLUTELY no interest in anything related to cooking. I almost called my local state's attorney for advice, but instead I went to their ("Cooking Club of America's") website and found their customer service number - [protected]:30am-8pm M-F, 8am-4:30pm Sat.). I had to enter my "Member number", then a couple of menu choices ("invoice", "cancel a membership") and talked to a real person. I told her in no uncertain terms that I NEVER agreed to this and to take me off their list immediately. She assured me I'd receive no more bills, and tried to apologize. I told her, "Good luck working for people like that, " and hung up.
If I were retired and had a lot of time, I'd report the fraud to my local state's attorney (or whomever they tell me to), ignore all the invoices until they sent them to a collection agency, then I'd sue them and the collection agency in a class-action suit. But I don't have a lot of time, and ### like this isn't worth it.
Sometimes I think we need to administer a little bit of the old 'frontier justice' when stuff like this shows up...

Your going to love this one..I said that they never email u back..well they just did..gave me a #, I called it, recording said "North American Hunting Club" I couldn't believe my ears, I stayed on the line, A girl came on the line, I asked her if this was CCOA & she said "yes it was", told her what the recording said, she just abt ignored me.I said "well U answered the phone, & this is supposed to be NAHC?"she really ignored that question, asked me how she could help me..I knew what was going on then...So..we dealt w/the billing problem @ hand, which she rushed right through, no good customer service @ all. What is happening w/this company? I am befuddled as to whats going on, used to be, service was good, you could call & you could reach a human, talk about any problem or just talk nicely w/a person..Now you can't talk at all, or if your lucky enough to get a human..they rush you through & don't want to talk to you. **1 tip I found out..*****DIAL # [protected] CCOA & DO NOT PUT IN YOUR MEMBER NUMBER-->WAIT & SOME-1 WILL COME ON THE LINE...THEN U CAN GVE YOUR MEMBR #******If U get anothr compny name-dont worry, multple names use that #--just wait thru recordng-->trust me..thats how I finally got a HUMAN! :) [protected]--->GETS u NOWHERE! 5-25-12 Caroline

Well...Your going to like this one.about Cooking Club of America..I have been a member since 2007.So I am a lifetime member. I used to get cheap little things to 'rate' through their test profile, I have had my share of problems w/them saying that they did not recieve the books that I sent back, but the worse thing about them NOW is TRY TO CALL THEM about ANYTHING..now you just get **press 1 for this OR press 2 for that. You cannot reach a human anymore, AT ALL, FOR NOTHING! I have been having an ongoing billing issue with them, about a payment that I made back in April 2012, and this is now almost the end of May 2012. I am really ticked off & ready to go to the A.G. for help with this company. I think that it is VERY POOR company business that a business cannot answer their telephone, especially in this day & age. I cannot believe that they are even treating their members this way. I was shocked when I first started calling them about 2 months ago, & got NO ONE, on the line..They used to answer the phone. Is business really that bad that they DON'T DARE TO NOW? Is anyone else having this issue? I think everyone needs to file a complaint w/AG or BBB about this company about these issues, IDK, maybe we can do a class action suit against them.. Something is very wrong here..Any thoughts? I know that sometimes you can't even get through w/email + they NEVER email you back.Scam 4 sure! ..5-25-12

Well, as mama taught me, "If It sounds too good to be true, it likely is". I received a weird looking knife (supposedly a ceramic paring knife...uh-huh) and some block of wood to put in our grill which is only pretty much good for a couple of uses. I signed up for at least 1 year (may have been 2...was a little while ago). I definitely WILL NOT sign up again. I love to cook...but these people aren't about all that. They just want to see how far they can reach into your pocket. And, for those of you who have had a GOOD experience with them? You appear to be among the EXTREMELY lucky few, and, I suspect, possibly employees of the company sent here to talk the place up amidst all the complaints. If I'm wrong, I apologize. But, my gut tells me I'm not. If you're considering joining, think long and hard and REALLY READ all of the material. You definitely DO NOT get any bang for your buck here...you just get duped and they laugh all the way to the bank. As someone who loves to cook and to try new things, I was expecting so much more than this. If you really want to join something, try a local class or something. Most of all of this online stuff is just wasted money.

To antidisa, how wrong you are and don't know what you are talking about. There is little or not information on costs with the literature. Today I received a piece of mail stating my subscription price would be refunded for answering 4 questions and I would become a lifetime member. In the literature in one place did it refer to a cost, but did not say what that cost would be, just your lifetime membership would be billed to you. So, antidisa, people are being scammed. So glad I found this website before I sent in my refund paperwork. The $24 refund could have cost me $300.

Ha this company cannot be serious. How dare they try and scam a college student. Not only am I informing some of the best computer science students about this website (so they may do with it what they wish), but I am personally going to troll the living hell out of them. They will wish they never contacted me. WE ARE ANONYMOUS.

I started filling out an application to join the cooking club of America, but i changed my mind and deleted my info. a few days later (3/ 27/11) I received an invoice urging me to send $12.00. I went to their website and sent them a message telling them to cancel and remove my name from their mailing, and email list. I decided to check them out and I am so glad that I ended up here reading all of the complaints about this company. I never purchase anything on line nor do I join any clubs on line and I refuse to be strong armed by these people or any other on line crooks...

I have been with them for just about a year and haven't had any problems. I have received several test products. It does state every time you receive a test product that you have to do they survey they send you or they don't send you anymore...but that's the point of testing. You also have to fill out another test product questionaire...to see what else would they can match you up with. If you don't do that every time then you don't get new test products.
Like I said I haven't had any problems with them.

Just got mine in the mail yesterday with the flimsy pasta measurer, Good thing I googled it! I have looked on 4 different websites and the feedback is def more negative than positive, So I will decline. I will not send ANYTHING to them I will just toss it all in a burn pile and lets see if they still try to contact or bill me as an above member stated.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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!

Pitiful that it was a scam all along; shame I ever trusted You! Never again 💯; it makes me sick🤕🤒✅

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