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HandyMan Club of America / Scout.com

HandyMan Club of America / Scout.com review: lifetime membership renewal? 140

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7:53 pm EST
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Ok, I have been a LIFETIME member of this club for over ten years...It has been awhile since I recieved my bi-monthly LIFETIME Handyman magazine.
I just got a postcard today saying they have not heard from me in a while and I quote "If you wish to continue receiving Life Member Benefits, we need to hear from you"!

First off, why do they need to hear from me? I signed up for a lifetime of benefits. Secondly, I recently moved in the last year AND UPDATED my information on the club website, so in essense THEY HAVE HEARD FROM ME QUITE RECENTLY.

So, fearing to lose my membership, which has to be completely illegal, I went to the site and did what I needed to do. The thank you message stated that "My account has been REACTIVATED"! So they are telling me the deactivated my lifetime membership because "they have not heard from me in a while"? How about you try and contact me first before you just deactivate something I have paid for?

I am really getting sick of these companies offering LIFETIME or UNLIMITED products only to try and screw you down the road!

Resolved

The complaint has been investigated and resolved to the customer’s satisfaction.

140 comments
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Crazymailman
, US
Jan 25, 2016 9:11 pm EST
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Same as the rest, lifetime member for 10 + years and just stopped receiving my magazines. I would be happy to be part of a lawsuit.

Keith Corey
Member [protected] 1

kacorey@hotmail.com

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Robert Dean Thomas
, US
Jan 22, 2016 4:35 pm EST
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Same complaint as rest - lifetime member and have not gotten magazine since summer 2014. What's up Handyman Club of America? Seems like a scam to me!

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DSpera
, US
Jan 08, 2016 9:26 am EST
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D Spera lifetime member #[protected] since 11/1995 . Why has the magazine stopped coming? I can't remember when I last got one. Whats up?

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jerome battye
, US
Jan 08, 2016 8:47 am EST

I am a life member and also paid the 300 dollars fees and have not received any magazine for the past two years .I tried calling the number but it comes constantly busy

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Fred Ihde
, US
Dec 22, 2015 4:27 pm EST

Heh. I recently found 21 volumes of "Handyman Club of America" books at the local thrift store. In one of them was an embroidered jacket patch that says, "Handyman Club of America - Life Member." ! The books are great! Especially when you consider I got the whole works for $11.00! So much for honesty and integrity on the part of those knuckleheads in Minnetonka! Let the buyer beware! farree55@yahoo.com

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GpaSteve
, US
Dec 18, 2015 7:33 pm EST
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I have been a life Member since 1998. I t has been a year or more since I received a magazine, or anything from them. I used to get things to try, and offers in the mail.
I sent them another email asking where my magazines are or if Im not going to get them again.
Will see if I get an answer.

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Kane1952
, US
Dec 09, 2015 12:58 pm EST
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I have NOT received ANYTHING from Handyman since 2012 and I am a life member ! I never received any tools to try, the Only thing I got was a roll of tape for holding things together, it only sticks to itself ! I sent them my opinion, they printed in the magazine, HAVEN'T HEARD FROM THEM SINCE When I signed up they sent me a router which I didn't use As soon as I got it, when I opened it' IT WAS BROKEN ! I even purchased an entire set of bits from them. I Don't think they care about their members ! I miss my Magazine, it had some great projects in it . I don't even get e-mails anymore, it's really SAD !

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Lee Roy Romero
, US
Dec 07, 2015 5:46 pm EST
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I am a master life member when they came out. I started as a member, and then went to a life time member. They came out with the Master Life Member and I joined up then spent over $500.00 on member dues and over
$500.00 on a case with 12 knifes in a display case. What is going on with the club. Are they folding up the company or what

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junkroom p c
, US
Dec 05, 2015 5:26 pm EST

I also am a life member ([protected]) Plus I was a charter member (2255346) I have not heard from anyone from Handy magazine staff nor have I received a magazine in over a year . If you needed to hear from me you should have informed me of that need NOT JUST THROUGH ME AWAY LIKE WET TOILET PAPER . Renew my membership, send me all back copies owed to me David L. Jennings Madison Ohio 1995 Benjamin Rd

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CTre
, US
Dec 03, 2015 7:58 am EST

Well looks like I got scammed. I too paid a little over $350 for a lifetime membership. I haven't received anything from them other than the initial extractors and tote. I wish I would of read this board first. I have tried several phone numbers to reach them and they have been discontinued. Anyone have any ideas on how to get in contact with them and fix this or if absolutely necessary any info on a class action suit we can all take up against this fraudulent company.

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Wesley Collins
, US
Nov 21, 2015 10:22 pm EST

I am a master life member ([protected]) the last thing I received from them was a bill for a folding landscape saw and two pocket watches. I looked up the dates of the payments clearing my bank. They confirmed those payments had been received. I told them they should check their own records before sending bills. You guessed it. Sent the same bill the next month, and this one ask for renewal fees. Nah, don't think so. Don't waste your money

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Robert Rutt
, US
Nov 17, 2015 4:56 pm EST

I just counted 23 or more in this same boat. That/s about $7, ooo.oo and I am sure there are a lot more. Seems this whole world is going the way of ISIS. Next it will be our heads! What a shame well this world doesn't know what shame is any more either. Chalk it up to another new age program. I'm glad this world is not my home. The Lord has over and abundanty supplied my needs. Just need to be more cautious from now on. I thought this company was legit but I was mistaken. We did get that nice leather coat which I will now remove the handyman decal. member #[protected] RGR Burleson, Tx

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davidstdavid
, US
Nov 16, 2015 2:02 pm EST

Hi, I too am a lifetime member, #[protected], a member since 07/02. My address has changed a couple of times since then but I am not receiving anything from you.
my new address is:

David Lines
21267 e. stone crest drive
queen creek, az 85142
Ph. no. [protected]

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Keith J. Whitmore
, US
Nov 02, 2015 9:31 pm EST

I too, joined the Handyman-club of America. And, like you all here we got screwed, big time. I have found out that the club magazine is no longer printed. And is taken over by www.scout.com. And, that my lifetime membership is still in, at that site. So, maybe all of you as well. Still having a lifetime membership with this outfit doesn't mean much. But, from what I have gathered it still honors the membership. It's just that they don't have the magazine anymore. And, that all what was in the mag is now offered on the above web site. Maybe you all can get some answers to your complaints there. What got me wondering about the whole thing was Family Handyman magazine wanted to know if I wanted to start getting a magazine subscription. Not know and or forgot, that Familf Handyman & Handyman club of America were two separate things.
Good luck on all your luck at the web site that I mentioned. And, for your information, here it is again, WWW.SCOUT.COM.

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Jim Booth
, US
Oct 16, 2015 1:13 pm EDT

i have been a life member since 2000 and stopped receiving their magazine about 3 years ago . i decided to just say screw it with them! J.Booth

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Reviewer30014
,
Sep 29, 2015 8:45 pm EDT

I have been a member of handyman club of America sense 2010. Was promised lifetime bi monthly magazine and tools to test. Have not received my magazine for the last ten months. And have never received any tools to test.

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nathanlh
, US
Oct 11, 2015 4:48 pm EDT

I to am a life member and haven't received a copy of Handy magazine in I don't know when. You can send me all my back issues. You have a record of that I'm sure. Member # [protected] Thank You

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Guy Basselet
, US
Oct 09, 2015 3:57 pm EDT

Same here, been a Life member for over 20yrs. enjoyed the magazine
but i have not received any magazines in over 2 yrs, would be nice to get
a notice to WHY! and a refund if they are stopping.

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Kenwells
, US
Oct 01, 2015 1:41 pm EDT
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My name is Kenneth Wells Member #[protected]. I to got took by this Handyman Club and I am very angry with them. I think a class action would be the way to go. My magazine is not being delivered anymore and that was part of the deal. It is impossible to to communicate with them. Any hungry Lawyers out there to do this for a commission?

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Dwight Manley
, US
Sep 30, 2015 10:31 am EDT
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1 more thing Handyman should refund all monies to those entitled and close their doors

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Dwight Manley
, US
Sep 30, 2015 10:15 am EDT
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Everyone's complaint has just put all my words in theirs. I don't understand why a company such as this would just take the money and do fairly well for awhile then just STOP doing what they said they WOULD do for its members? I haven't received my magazines in over a year now and I was wondering what the problem is. Now I know- another way to cheat the public. I've been a member for over 10 years and was a product tester but they changed the rules sometime? and didn't let people know until you called and found out by yourself. Like the gentleman above I spent about $300.00 for a LIFETIME member but I don't guess that matters to them. They got their money.

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Anne Marie Reyes
, US
Sep 26, 2015 9:56 am EDT

Same thing happened to us. I have already contacted them once and they sent the magazine 3 more times and now it has been nothing for a year. I too have been ill and husband also, so receiving your magazine is not what you notice first when there are more pressing issues at hand
. After things calm down and you would like to sit back with an issue, you realize you don't have one and haven't for quite some time. Checked all the magazine racks to make sure one of us did not get it without the other knowing and sure enough, WE DO NOT have any issues...
We paid for the lifetime membership too. Really enjoyed the magazine, so what is the recourse now?

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Bo Barker
, US
Sep 21, 2015 6:28 pm EDT

I've got to find my Lifetime membership number, but I' with you guy's. I haven't received a magazine in about two year's. What does lifetime mean? Come on Handyman club of America. Did you sell out to China or something. I know we get screwed everyday by the government, but this is suppose to be something a little special, for some of us handymen, can share and be a part of. It's probably time all of us, who has lost our contact with these thieves, take a little action. Anyone want to start a petition, to send to a legal source or maybe A TV stations news reporters, or maybe seek some help from our congressmen. I'm pissed.

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drich1064
, US
Sep 15, 2015 3:11 pm EDT
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I guess now its my turn to complain about the same thing, I too am a life time member and want to know why I paid for something that I no longer get
We should all get together and file a class action law suite if we are not going to see any results.

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Paul Puhaida
, US
Sep 11, 2015 3:42 pm EDT
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I agree because i have been a member for years my number is [protected] and have not heard from you in forever along with not getting a handy in over a year

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jatman70
, US
Sep 09, 2015 6:37 pm EDT
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I also have a Lifetime Membership and can, t remember the last time I have received the magazine. At least the magazine was decent. My email and mailing address have not changed in the last 10 years. J.Cruz

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G. Houghton
, US
Sep 03, 2015 8:09 pm EDT

Like all the others, I paid for a LIFE TIME MEMBERSHIP, the only thing I received from them since then was a Card that says I am a lifetime member. ? This cannot be legal!

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Cynthia Michel
, US
Sep 03, 2015 10:08 am EDT
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I have been a life member since1996 and have enjoyed receiving the Handy Magazine. However my last issue I received was fall 2014. I am a life member #[protected] and would you to send me the missing issues, i.e. Winter 2014, Spring 2015, Summer 2015 and Fall 2015(as soon as it comes out). I do not feel that I need to keep communicating with you to get this service continued. Once a life member should mean always a life member. Now that I am retire I can finally use the magazine to my benefit. I have limited internet service and do not want to read this over the internet. Thank you and I hope that this will get a response from you to me personally.

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lcn
, US
Aug 16, 2015 8:49 pm EDT

Also have not received the magazine since early 2014. and also no response from the company. lifetime member since mid 90's
Now you say it's only available as an e-zine? sign me crabby carpenter! wife saved for nearly a year to buy me the membership.
She will be soooo unhappy when I tell her; and she doesn't take kindly to being swindled. Frauds and miscreants! all of them and now they have done their dirty deeds to not just me, but my darlin.

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doyle,neil
, US
Aug 12, 2015 3:36 pm EDT

12 august 2015
I also are a lifetime member of HANDYMAN CLUB. The last magazine I received was Feb mar 2014 issue NEIL DOYLE #3ooo7858 Never happened when Larry was editor

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Tom Nielsen
, US
Aug 11, 2015 9:16 am EDT

Lifetime member, I also stopped receiving the magazine, so I emailed them. I was told that it is no longer a paper magazine. you have to have internet to get the magazine online now. So I asked if they are going to pay me so that I can have internet. I have not received a response yet, but I just sent it today.

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Wolf man Jay
, US
Jul 01, 2015 3:38 pm EDT
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I am also a lifetime member #[protected] 8 and has not received a magazine for over a year or a test product ever what can be done about this club taking your money and giving no service.

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Donald Cook
Eugene, US
Jun 25, 2015 1:24 pm EDT

I also have been a life member of the Handyman club of America since 1996. I have no idea when the last time I heard from them or received a magazine. I know it's been several years. I tried calling was informed by operator that 800 number was disconnected. What do I have to do to start getting my magazine again.
Member #[protected]
ANOTHER PISSED OFF LIFE MEMBER

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Paul Adling
Garden Grove, US
Jun 20, 2015 6:37 pm EDT
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I also have a Life Time Membership and have not received my life time subscription magazine since the beginning of 2014. I also have not heard a thing from the Club. Why did I pay a Life Time membership fee if I don't receive any of the benefits. I live at the same address and have the same e-mail as I did when I subscribed however I don't use the e-mail service much. What do I have to do to get my benefits from Handyman?
Paul Adling Member [protected]
12161 Euclid Street
Garden Grove, CA 92840
Also I have been in the hospital for most of last year and did not receive even one magazine!
One pissed off master life member

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Randy L. Hurley
Bridgeport, US
Apr 02, 2015 1:51 pm EDT
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I also am a Lifetime Member since 1996 and this is the second time this has happened to me. My magazine stopped again around a year ago and I was told when I joined that I would be able to test tools and other products. A "Life Member" since since 02/1996 and have never received a single tool to test! Way to treat your members!

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Bill Amstutz
Fort Wayne, US
Feb 21, 2015 10:30 am EST

Email from this site goes to the spam box.

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Bill Amstutz
Fort Wayne, US
Feb 21, 2015 9:55 am EST

I recently started to get the mags again. In late 2005 I was laid off and became homeless for a while, when I got a place again it took a few years to convince them I am a life member who will not pay for something that is already paid for. Now I have changed my email address and gave them several notices and they still won't take the hint.

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william lee bex
palestine, US
Jan 24, 2015 2:09 pm EST
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its been 14+years since i bought/ordered anything from handyman of america.today-01/24/15, i recvd a collection notice 4 $74.i am confused on why i got this!can't get a answer online or by phone!if i owed anything, it would have been paid off 14+years ago!

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Mike Wakeland
Bradenton, US
Jan 21, 2015 7:04 pm EST

I also have a Life Time Membership and have not received my life time subscription magazine for a number of years. I contacted Handyman Club of America numerous times over the last 1 to 1 1/2 and was told that my account is still active. My response is always the same, then why am I not getting my magazine. I am always told that I will receive the next issue. Now they only except emails no phone calls, lost that personal touch have we. I also have not heard a thing from the Club in a long time. Why did I pay for a Life Time membership? I have news for you Handyman Club of America, I am going to plaster your lying thieving ways everywhere I can until you refund my membership fees or until you are out of business. If any lawyer is willing to help me collect damages for membership fees, an incomplete set of books and whatever else, my Name is Mike Wakeland and my email is mwakeland@live.com.

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Freeman W. Snell
Galesburg, US
Mar 09, 2012 9:23 pm EST
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Would like this problem corrected by the Handyman Co.