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BBB Business Review

This Business is not BBB accredited

Countrywide Periodicals LLC

Additional Locations

Phone: (406) 961-1300 737 US Highway 93 N, Hamilton, MT 59840

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Description

This company is a telemarketing magazine subscription agent that conducts the sale of magazine subscriptions via telephone for various publishers.

BBB is currently working with the business to address its pattern of complaints. Information regarding this business will be updated as soon as information has been verified or addressed.

BBB Accreditation

This business is not BBB accredited.

Businesses are under no obligation to seek BBB accreditation, and some businesses are not accredited because they have not sought BBB accreditation.

To be accredited by BBB, a business must apply for accreditation and BBB must determine that the business meets BBB accreditation standards, which include a commitment to make a good faith effort to resolve any consumer complaints. BBB Accredited Businesses must pay a fee for accreditation review/monitoring and for support of BBB services to the public.

Reason for Rating

BBB rating is based on 16 factors. Get the details about the factors considered.

Factors that lowered the rating for Countrywide Periodicals LLC include:

  • 540 complaints filed against business
  • 9 serious complaints filed against business

Customer Reviews Summary Read customer reviews

13 Customer Reviews on Countrywide Periodicals LLC
Customer Experience Total Customer Reviews
Positive Experience 0
Neutral Experience 1
Negative Experience 12
Total Customer Reviews 13

Read Customer Reviews | Submit a Customer Review | See Trends in Customer Reviews on Countrywide Periodicals LLC

Customer Complaints Summary Read complaint details

540 complaints closed with BBB in last 3 years | 265 closed in last 12 months
Complaint Type Total Closed Complaints
Advertising/Sales Issues 96
Billing/Collection Issues 238
Delivery Issues 11
Guarantee/Warranty Issues 1
Problems with Product/Service 194
Total Closed Complaints 540

Additional Complaint Information

On February 28, 2012 Jason Ellsworth, registered owner of Countrywide Periodicals, LLC and its supervisors, met with the BBB. At the conclusion of this meeting, Jason Ellsworth and the BBB agreed to re-review a portion of complaints filed against Countrywide Periodicals and to do a complete file review of the company's business practices.

On April 17, 2012 the BBB completed its assessment of Countrywide Periodicals' business practices and found seven (7) concerns. The BBB has forwarded its recommendations to the business for their review. The business was given until May 1, 2012 to respond to the BBB's concerns.



Payment Plans

The majority of the complaints reviewed by the BBB were problems surrounding how the payment plans were explained. Consumers reported that they believed they were going to pay only $3.83 per week or roughly $66 every other month or every third month for the duration of their service. Consumers stated they were actually paying roughly $66 or $33 per month for 12 to 24 months.

The business has responded by stating that the payments plans are reviewed with the consumer during the recorded verification call. These payments plays are approved by the consumers before moving on and approving any charges to their credit or debit cards.

BBB recommended the business change how they explain the payment plans in order to lessen consumer confusion and increase transparency. The business has responded by stating that they will ask the consumer to repeat the payment plan back to them during the recorded verification call.



The business is continuing to respond to the BBB's recommendations and concerns. This Business Review will be updated as needed to reflect those responses.

Read Complaints | Definitions | BBB Complaint Process | File a Complaint against Countrywide Periodicals LLC
See Trends in Complaints on Countrywide Periodicals LLC

  • Government Actions

    Stipulated Final Judgement and Order for Permanent Injunction Case No. CV-08-64-M-DWM
    On October 7, 2009 'Your Magazine Provider, Inc' also doing business as 'Periodicals' and 'U.S. Magazine Services', its owners and Jason Ellsworth, entered into a Stipulated Final Judgment and Order for Permanent Injunction with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC).

    Per section '9' of 'Findings' (page 3) of this Stipulated Final Judgment and Order for Permanent Injunction, "This order is for settlement purposes only, and does not not constitute and shall not be interpreted to constitute an admission by Defendants of a finding that the law has been violated as alleged in the Complaint, or that the facts alleged in the Complaint, other than the jurisdictional facts, are true."

    The defendants have agreed and been ordered per section 'I. Prohibited Practices' (page 8), to:

    Subsection 'A' - Disclose truthfully, in a clear and conspicuous manner the following to consumers: 
    1. The amount, frequency, and duration of any payments;
    2. Any policy of refunds or cancelation

    Subsection 'D' (page 10)
    3. Disclose the odds of winning the sweepstakes, or the factors used in calculating the odds of being a winner; There is no purchase or payment necessary to be entered into the sweepstakes promotion; purchasing anything will not increase the chances of winning the sweepstakes

    If you feel you have questions regarding this case, contact the Federal Trade Commission or BBB.

    For the full Stipulated Final Judgement and Order for Permanent Injunction, click here.

    What government actions does BBB report on?

  • Advertising Review

    BBB has nothing to report concerning Countrywide Periodicals LLC's advertising at this time.

    What is BBB Advertising Review?

Additional Information

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BBB file opened: September 16, 1999 Business started: 04/01/2005 in MT
Licensing

This business is in an industry that may require professional licensing, bonding or registration. BBB encourages you to check with the appropriate agency to be certain any requirements are currently being met.

These agencies may include:

Secretary of State-Montana
Room 260 Capitol PO Box 202801, Helena MT 59620
www.sos.mt.gov
Phone Number: (406) 444-2034

Type of Entity

Limited Liability Company (LLC)

Business Management
Mr. Bryce Egglestom, General Manager Mr. Jason Ellsworth, President and Director Ms. Jackie Green, Compliance Officer
Contact Information
Customer Contact: Ms. Jackie Green, Compliance Officer Principal: Mr. Bryce Egglestom, General Manager
Business Category

MAGAZINES-DEALERS

Alternate Business Names
Reader's Services American Readers Service United States Magazine Service Reader Services Countrywide Periodicals, Inc. Periodicals U.S. Magazine Services US Magazine Services
Referral Assistance

The following Government Agency(s) or Association(s) may be able to provide you additional information:

Federal Trade Commission do not call Registry Phone Number: (888) 382-1222 www.donotcall.gov

U.S. Federal Trade Commission One Bowling Green, New York NY 10004 http://www.ftc.gov

Additional Information

This business is under review by the BBB concerning a pattern of complaints received from consumers.

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BBB Complaint Process

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