ComplaintsforC D S Global

• Initial Complaint

  11/22/2023

  Complaint Type:

  Service or Repair Issues

  Status:

  Unanswered

  More info

  On January 5, 2023 I ordered HGTV Magazine. The rate was $12 for the year. My check #**** was cashed on January 17th. For the past few months I have been receiving invoices by mail and email saying I owe $19.97. I responded twice by mail and twice by email to the company. They have placed me on an automatic renewal, which I do not want. I don't even want the magazines! On November 21st I received a reply. After sending apologies, "******" stated that I still owed $19.97! I believe this is a terrible plot to put people in unwanted automatic renewal. To add insult to injury, I recently received the same treatment from this company for an automatic renewal of the Food Network Magazine. The difference is that I NEVER ordered the Food Network Magazine! Attached is a DOC showing the offer I paid for, the cancelled check, and email exchanges. I've seen on your website that my wife and I are not alone. This company has a series of similar complaints. Please help us, Thank you ***********************

• Initial Complaint

  08/03/2023

  Complaint Type:

  Billing Issues

  Status:

  Resolved

  More info

  People Magazine has been sending me magazines and I found out why today.I got a postcard saying that I had received this subscription because I subscribed to Entertainment Weekly. And I would now be automatically enrolled in a subscription that I would need to pay for unless I took action by a certain deadline.I do feel like this practice of sending me a subscription I never asked for and then sending me a tiny postcard to inform me that I will be automatically renewed and charged is predatory. I could have easily missed the postcard as junk mail. The fine print could not be smaller so assume that you capture a lot of business from people just not understanding that you have signed them up for something they never asked for.

  Business response

  08/08/2023

  As requested, we have cancelled your subscription and removed the to People magazine. The last issue mail is dated August 21, 2023. The automatic renewal has been removed from your account as well.

• Initial Complaint

  05/16/2023

  Complaint Type:

  Delivery Issues

  Status:

  Resolved

  More info

  On April 23, 2023, I placed an order for a 6 issue free trial (***********. magazine). The terms of the promotion and the order confirmation make clear "Subscriptions start in 3-4 weeks. Your credit card will not be charged until after your 6 issue trial." But I was charged $49.95 on April 25 -- just two days after placing the order and before receiving a single issue, let alone the first 6 issues. CDS breached its own terms of the magazine promotion and fraudulently charged my credit card. I reached out three times via e-mail (May 5, May 8, May 15). CDS's responses were generic and didn't substantively address the billing issue. At minimum, they should have promptly reversed the charge.

  Business response

  05/17/2023

  Dear **************,

  First please accept my sincerest apologies for the error that occurred with you being charged before your 6 week trail period for your order to TWJ. We have found the problem and it will not happen again.

  We are going to send you out a tote bag for the problem that you have encountered.

   

  Regards,

  Customer response

  05/18/2023

   
  Complaint: 20064884

  I am rejecting this response because:
  

  Foremost, the response is directed to another customer, ***************  It is not clear that the business is even responding to the proper complaint.  Even assuming the customer name was an inadvertent error, the business did not agree to promptly refund the improper charge.

  Sincerely,
  
  *****************************

  Business response

  06/02/2023

  Dear *****************************,

  I would like to apologize for the frustration that the order you placed for *************** has caused you. The order that was placed should not have been charged until after you received 6 issues of *************** and not before. There was a glitch in our system that did not put your order on with the delayed billing as advertised. *************** was in no way trying to scam you out of $49.95.

  I know that you were stating that you wanted a full refund and we were happy to give it to you, but we see that there was a "charge back" done on May 25, 2023 by your credit card company and you have already received your $49.95 back in full.

  We here at *************** are hoping that one day we will be able to do business with you again.

  If you have any question or concerns please let us know.

  Regards,

• Initial Complaint

  05/11/2023

  Complaint Type:

  Product Issues

  Status:

  Resolved

  More info

  First, I served as the President of a local BBB chapter based in *************** several years back. I received a notification in the mail that my "account is past due" for a magazine subscription that has expired. I prepaid for the subscription, and I have not renewed it and there was no auto-renewal feature, nor did I authorize any renewal. I have NOT been receiving the magazine. The letter also said it is the 4th notice. I am sure this is just a marketing technique used by the company they have hired to do their marketing. I am filing the complaint as I know this is the only way the actual company will know of the deceptive techniques being used. I emailed them through their website and from my personal email stating the following: "I am cancelling a magazine I actually enjoy reading due to your outright, bordering illegal marketing. I am reporting you to the BBB. You have just mailed me an invoice stating, "4th INVOICE- PAST DUE"! This is an outright lie as I prepaid any subscription to your magazine!!!! What deceitful, horrible marketing obviously designed to fool the unsuspecting. You people are awful and should not be allowed to do any further business!! I can only hope your editor sees this, but I seriously doubt you will forward it."

  Business response

  05/15/2023

  We apologize for the frustration. We show that you previously had an account on file with ** that was attempting to automatically renew. I see that we have cancelled the pending renewal and you should no long receive any correspondence from ** in the mail. IF you have any questions or concerns, please reach out to our customer support department at ******************************* or call ** M - F 8AM to 6PM CST @ **************

  Customer response

  05/15/2023

   
  Better Business Bureau:
  
  I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID ********, and find that this resolution is satisfactory to me.
  
  Sincerely,
  
  *********************

• Initial Complaint

  03/30/2023

  Complaint Type:

  Service or Repair Issues

  Status:

  Resolved

  More info

  0n 5/08/2022 I purchased a digital subscription to National Geographic. I paid for one year. Today I received an email from National Geographic <*********************************************> telling me all I need to do do cancel the subscription is to send an email, informing me of the upcoming auto-renewal. I was informed sending an email to You may cancel your subscription by calling **************, sending an email to ******************************************* requesting cancellation.I received a reply this same day telling me Your request has not yet been fully processed. We regret to hear your wish to cancel your subscription to National Geographic magazine. To complete your cancellation, please reply to this email with your account number information and/or name and address information or visit our *********************** site: National Geographic (www.ngmservice.com)This is an additional step not mentioned at all in the first email. I have had problems with CDS Fufillment in relation to another 'digital subscription'. Free trial of software. Their website would not connect, nobody at the phone support could do anything except tell me how sorry they were to see me go. They totally stonewalled me until AFTER they had grabbed my money. I spent hours searching and trying the methods CDS Fulfillment said would work...THEY DIDN'T. And somehow after grabbing my money, they were suddenly knowledgeable and helpful with cancelling. But they didn't refund the money. This is a SCAM. I will have to get a new debit card before they charge me again, and go to all my online suppliers to update my payment information. This is totally unreasonable. I want them to regret their actions.

  Business response

  03/30/2023

  I write in response to the complaint filed by this customer. 

  I have stopped the automatic renewal for this customer's ********************** to National Geographic magazine Digital.

  This customer's ********************** is set to expire with the July 2023 edition.

  I apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused.

  Customer response

  03/30/2023

   
  Better Business Bureau:
  
  I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID ********, and find that this resolution is satisfactory to me.
  
  Sincerely,
  
  *****************************

• Initial Complaint

  03/29/2023

  Complaint Type:

  Product Issues

  Status:

  Resolved

  More info

  I received a bill from Guideposts in November 2022 for a product I did not order. I called Guideposts on 2 December 2022, described my situation, and stated the bill is linked to an account # ********. The rep on the phone stated the account was linked to an email ******************* which is not my email. When I stated that I did not order the product and that was not my account, the rep stated I would not receive another bill. Additionally, it was billed to my military rank, which is not something I've ever done. I received two more bills from Guideposts and, on 23 Feb 2023, I called again and spoke with a Guideposts rep who stated that their billing was indeed an error and that I didn't have an account associated with my name. The rep stated I would receive no more bills. In March, I received yet another bill from Guideposts. I emailed the customer service address found on their website as there was no full address on the bill. I received an automated response but no resolution. At this point, I am still receiving bills for a product I did not order, based on an account I did not open, and Guideposts refuses to fix the issue or even respond to my emails.

  Business response

  03/29/2023

  Thank you for contacting us concerning ************************* inquiry. We appreciate you sending the information for review and for the opportunity to respond. On 03/29/2023 full credit was issued to his account for "Walking In ***** 2023 Devotional" in which he states he did not order. The account has been closed and has a $0 balance. Please advise **************** to disregard any invoices and mailings for Guideposts.

  We apologize for any confusion and inconvenience. Should you have any further questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact me directly at ************************ or call **************.

  *************************, **************** Manager

  Group Account Services
  **************

  Customer response

  03/29/2023

   
  Better Business Bureau:
  
  I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID ********, and find that this resolution is satisfactory to me.

  I appreciate the Better Business Bureau facilitating this interaction, especially because I can keep the correspondence as a matter of record.  Although I was given a similar message in my first, phone interaction with Guideposts, this fourth interaction finally includes written acknowledgement of account balance and closure.  

  
  Sincerely,
  
  *************************

• Initial Complaint

  03/08/2023

  Complaint Type:

  Product Issues

  Status:

  Resolved

  More info

  {BBB transcription via walk-in, see attachment]I am and have been receiving unwanted mail and advertising repeatedly. (some of which are suggesting I would be charging.

  Business response

  03/09/2023

  Thank you for contacting Consumer Reports regarding mailings and promotions.
                                                                    
  We have requested your address be removed from our promotional mailing list. Please allow ***** days for mailings to stop.
            
  Please accept our apologies for any inconvenience and thank you for your continued loyalty.
  
  Sincerely,
  

  Member Support

• Initial Complaint

  02/27/2023

  Complaint Type:

  Billing Issues

  Status:

  Resolved

  More info

  - My subscription to Family Handyman was due for automatic renewal in December ****. - I went on their web portal and requested it not be renewed.- Subsequently they charged my credit card anyway, $21.98 - I contacted customer service numerous times to report this and requested a refund.- Each customer service rep offered some useless excuse as to why they couldn't find my account etc. There is a clear pattern of avoidance/brushing one off.- Recently they sent me a last issue/renewal notice despite collecting the $21.98.- I sent them a copy of the billing label and (once again) a copy of the credit card statement showing the payment. with a request that my funds be returned to me by check as the original credit card was cancelled to prevent further fraudulent activity. Their response, once again, was sorry we can't find your account. But obviously they found it to send me the notice/renewal notice.- ************ has an obvious pattern of committing fraud on, I'm sure, many people and should not be in business.

  Business response

  02/28/2023

  February 28, 2023
  
  
  Office of BBB Serving Greater ****, Quad Cities &Siouxland Region
  2625 *************
  **********, ** 50310
  
  
  RE: 19495106
  
  I write in response to your letter dated 2/27/2023 regarding the complaint by this customer. I would like to provide some information about the customers order and clear up any misunderstanding.

  Our records reflect that last payment from this customer was on October 21, 2021 in the amount of $21.35. We do not reflect a payment of $21.98 in December 2022 from this customer.

  This customer will need to contact their credit card company to dispute the charge, and find resolution.
  
  I hope this helps clear up any misunderstanding. I apologize for any disappointment the customer may have encountered with our company.
  
  Please contact ** if we can be of further assistance.
  
  ***********************
  Customer Service Center
  
  CC: *******************
         102 *******************
         ***********,** 27596

  
  

  Customer response

  03/01/2023

   
  Complaint: 19495106
  
  I am rejecting this response because:the copy of the attached credit card statement shows they charged $21.98 on December 9, 2022 despite my requesting that the subscription not be extended prior to that time, and they never credited the $21.98 to my account to continue the subscription in force. This is a continuation of their denial of having charged my card that has been going on for months.
  
  Sincerely,
  
  *******************

  Business response

  03/02/2023

  March 2, 2023
  
  Office of BBB Serving Greater ****, Quad Cities &Siouxland Region
  2625 *************
  **********, ** 50310
  
  RE: 19495106

  I write in response to the customers rejection dated March 1, 2023. The attachment the customer is referring to is not available. There is no proof of payment or credit card statement attached. Please have the customer resubmit the attachment.

  I hope this helps clear up any misunderstanding. I apologize for any disappointment the customer may have encountered with our company.
  
  Please contact us if we can be of further assistance.
  
  ***********************
  Customer Service Center

  Customer response

  03/02/2023

  Please see attached docs

  Business response

  03/02/2023

  March 2, 2023
  
  Office of BBB Serving Greater ****, Quad Cities &Siouxland Region
  2625 *************
  **********, ** 50310
  
  RE: 19495106
  
  I write in response to your letter dated 3/2/2023 regarding the complaint by this customer. I would like to provide some information about the customers order and clear up any misunderstanding.
  
  We have received the attachment with proof of payment. This helped in locating the payment of $21.98 made to Family Handyman.
  
  We located the payment on an account under the name of ***************. This $21.98 has been refunded back to the customers **** card. This customer will need to allow 5-7 business days for the refund to process.
  
  I hope this helps clear up any misunderstanding. I apologize for any disappointment the customer may have encountered with our company.
  
  Please contact us if we can be of further assistance.
  
  ***********************
  Customer **************

  Customer response

  03/02/2023

   
  Better Business Bureau:
  
  I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID ********, and find that this resolution is satisfactory to me if they follow through as stated. Kudos to the BBB!
  
  Sincerely,
  
  *******************

• Initial Complaint

  02/13/2023

  Complaint Type:

  Product Issues

  Status:

  Resolved

  More info

  On Sept. 26, 2019 I emailed CDS requesting a cancellation of my subscription to the New Yorker magazine and a refund of the $119.99 charged against my Amazon account that same day (see copy of emails attached). CDS replied via email first that they couldn't identify my account, and then again on Oct 6 2019 that their best offer was $99. They did not honor my request to close the account. CDS has continued to charge me $169.99 per year for 2020, 2021, and 2023 without my consent. Most recently CDS has sent me Past Due notices demanding payment for 2023 (attached) stating that I requested this invoice. In fact, I requested the cancellation and refund in 2019 and have not since requested the subscription or invoice as they stated. I am requesting a full refund of all amounts charged to me by CDS in 2019, 2020, 2021 and 2022.

  Business response

  02/28/2023

  A refund for $419.97 was processed on February 14, 2023. ***************** will need to allow up to three weeks for delivery.

  Customer response

  03/02/2023

   
  Better Business Bureau:
  
  I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID ********, and find that this resolution is satisfactory to me.
  
  Sincerely,
  
  *************************

• Initial Complaint

  12/27/2022

  Complaint Type:

  Service or Repair Issues

  Status:

  Resolved

  More info

  Purchased a 2 year **************** magazine subscription from Themeredithstore.** for my mom in October 2022. Have not received the magazine and when I reached out for an ETA to the email address provided on the order confirmation **************************** they told me the subscription expired in Spring 2022 so no magazines would be mailed and no refund would be issued. That was before I even made the purchase. Would like a refund .. paid *****USD. This business is not legitimate. Thank you kindly for any assistance you can provide.

  Business response

  12/28/2022

  We apologize for any  inconvenience Ms. ****** has experienced regarding ************ Journal.

  A full refund is being processed. Ms. ****** will need to allow up to four weeks for the refund. 

  Customer response

  12/28/2022

   
  Better Business Bureau:
  
  I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID ********, and find that this resolution is satisfactory to me.
  
  Thank you kindly,
  ***********;

*Some consumers may elect to not publish the details of their complaints, some complaints may not meet BBB's standards for publication, or BBB may display a portion of complaints when a high volume is received for a particular business. ↩