Complaints
Customer Complaints Summary
- 87 total complaints in the last 3 years.
- 29 complaints closed in the last 12 months.
If you've experienced an issue
Submit a ComplaintThe complaint text that is displayed might not represent all complaints filed with BBB. 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.
Initial Complaint
Date:05/29/2025
Type:Status:ResolvedMore info
Complaint statuses
- Resolved:
- The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.
- Unresolved:
- The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.
- Answered:
- The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.
- Unanswered:
- The business failed to respond to the dispute.
- Unpursuable:
- BBB is unable to locate the business.
I received an email from ************* notifying me that my Magnolia Journal subscription is set to automatically renew for another term, with a deadline to cancel by June 27, 2025. However, I have been unable to access my account despite multiple attempts, and the email provides no alternative method to cancel besides signing in. This presents an unfair barrier to stopping the renewal. I am not interested in renewing this subscription and have made that explicitly clear in writing to the company via email. As of now, I have not been charged, but I am preemptively filing this complaint to prevent any unauthorized transaction. According to Dotdash Merediths own Terms of Service (Section 3.2), The automatic renewal and cancellation terms provided during the order process are hereby incorporated into this Agreement, and I am providing written notice ahead of the renewal deadline. I am simply requesting confirmation that the subscription will not renew and that my card will not be charged. The companys failure to provide an accessible cancellation path when their system is malfunctioning is unacceptable and needs to be resolved immediately.
Business Response
Date: 05/30/2025
We apologize for any inconvenience **** and **** ******** has experienced regarding The Magnolia Journal.
We have removed the ********** from our auto renewal program.
The subscription will expire with the Fall 2025 issue.
Customer Answer
Date: 05/30/2025
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
Date:05/27/2025
Type:Status:AnsweredMore info
Complaint statuses
- Resolved:
- The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.
- Unresolved:
- The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.
- Answered:
- The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.
- Unanswered:
- The business failed to respond to the dispute.
- Unpursuable:
- BBB is unable to locate the business.
On5/9/25 i noticed another charge after numerous ********** mailed all subscriptions back saying NO to renew in April, 2025.I ONLY subscribed once, thats it. No matter how many times i reach out NO RESPONE from them.I never even odered People magagzine!I found on a site of theirs all said not renewed then i was billed again. Unfortunastley i dont even remember what charges i used. i caught one recently & i beleive i did see on another charge as well. i asked will it stop from renewing if i order another card, they werent sure?!th amount im fillimg down below is just for ONE magazine.Business Response
Date: 05/27/2025
We apologize for any inconvenience Ms. ******** has experienced regarding People.
Our records show Ms. ********** subscription expired with the March 30, 2025 issue.
If Ms. ******** has documentation confirming that the payment was made, please provide us with a copy for verification. Kindly send a copy of the front and back of the canceled check, money order, or the applicable section of the credit card statement.
For your privacy and security, please ensure to redact or remove all sensitive information, such as the full credit card number or bank account numbers, before sending the document.To ensure your future concerns are handled in a timely fashion, please include all previous e-mail correspondence.
Thank you,
*******
Meredith ****************Customer Answer
Date: 05/28/2025
Complaint: 23376371
I am rejecting this response because:Im complaining about ALL THE SUBSCRIPTIONS!! They SHOULD SUPPLY ALL INFO- They have it!!!!!
BBB Please HELP ME!I have been trying for about 2 years TRYING TO CANCEL entrapment by this company!
Sincerely,
******* ********Business Response
Date: 05/29/2025
Dear Better Business Bureau:
Thank you for contacting Meredith *****************
We apologize for any inconvenience Ms. ******** has experienced.Our records do not show any recent charges.
We have processed refunds for:
Better Homes and Gardens-Refund amount $1.88
Country Home-Refund amount $3.75
Travel+Leisure-Refund amount $5.00
In addition, we have removed Ms. ******** from our promotional lists.
If we can be of further assistance, please let us know. To ensure your future concerns are handled in a timely fashion, please include all previous e-mail correspondence.
Thank you,
*******
Meredith ****************Customer Answer
Date: 05/29/2025
Complaint: 23376371
I am rejecting this response because:
I just want to make sure that you acknowledge on 4/9/25 you charged me ***** for **************** on my Quick Silver card !??
-> And I did NOT ORDER THESE Magazines again!Wouldnt you Owe ME THE ENTIRE AMOUNTS AN ALL THE MAGAZINES??
I kept asking you to stop??
And YOU KEPT CHARGING ME??
if you were Actually Reputable you would!??
It was YOU TAKING what wasnt yours!
Ignoring my attempts to Stop You??I Had my card number changed trying to stop you from doing so in the future, again my bank said not a guarantee
WHERE are you refunding me, To which cards? Or mailing a check out??
It Shouldnt have taken ALL THIS TIME, all the emails, all the renewals I MAILED BACK SAYING - CANCEL??
YOU ONLY STEP UP AND RESPOND A F T E R I ask for help TO STOP YOU!
Sincerely,
******* ********Customer Answer
Date: 05/29/2025
Complaint: 23376371
I am rejecting this response because:
I just want to make sure that you acknowledge on 4/9/25 you charged me ***** for **************** on my Quick Silver card !??
-> And I did NOT ORDER THESE Magazines again!
Wouldnt you Owe ME THE ENTIRE AMOUNTS AN ALL THE MAGAZINES??
I kept asking you to stop??
And YOU KEPT CHARGING ME??
if you were Actually Reputable you would!??
It was YOU TAKING what wasnt yours!
Ignoring my attempts to Stop You??
I Had my card number changed trying to stop you from doing so in the future, again my bank said not a guarantee
WHERE are you refunding me, To which cards? Or mailing a check out??
It Shouldnt have taken ALL THIS TIME, all the emails, all the renewals I MAILED BACK SAYING - CANCEL??
YOU ONLY STEP UP AND RESPOND A F T E R I ask for help TO STOP YOU!
Sincerely,
******* ********Business Response
Date: 05/30/2025
Again, we apologize for any inconvenience Ms. ******** has experienced.
The subscription to Country Home was for two years. The subscription was served from the Holiday 2023 issue through the Fall 2025 issue.
We have processed an additional refund for Better Homes and Gardens for $13.05 to total a full refund.
The subscription to Traditional Home was ordered for one year and was not renewed.
Customer Answer
Date: 05/31/2025
Complaint: 23376371
I am rejecting this response because:
Sincerely,I just recieved a small refund from a ****************** I never had that or People.
see what I mean BBB! OPPORTUNIST!They were charging me for quite sometime & I never received that photo magazine ever!
We else did they charge me for?? Also Partial minuscule amounts Instead of what they charge me.
******* ********Initial Complaint
Date:05/21/2025
Type:Status:ResolvedMore info
Complaint statuses
- Resolved:
- The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.
- Unresolved:
- The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.
- Answered:
- The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.
- Unanswered:
- The business failed to respond to the dispute.
- Unpursuable:
- BBB is unable to locate the business.
Bought several Better Homes and Garden items from ******* and each on had a postcard for $6 refund. Per the postcard, it was one refund per receipt with no maximum. Ended up buying a lot of the items, filling out the postcards and sending them in to Meredith as per the terms and conditions of the offer. Waited specified time and never received my refund check. Reached out to Meredith and they said they denied my rebate because it was one per household/per year. Told then the postcard clearly said 1 per receipt and no maximum. This was their old offer. New items have been marketed differently but these items still have the old postcards with no limits. I even told them they sent me a check last August for 10 of the items, done the exact same way with the exact same offer and postcards (really blew a hole in the one per household defense). After some back and forth, they then told me they never received the rebate cards even though I had tracking through the **** on the first batch of them that shows they were delivered. Just another company that makes up new rules as they go and breaches contracts. I'll see you guys in court!Business Response
Date: 06/02/2025
We apologize for any inconvenience has experienced.
We will need to see copies of the cards and receipts that Mr. ***************** style="font-size: 0.875rem;">n sent.
Initial Complaint
Date:05/21/2025
Type:Status:ResolvedMore info
Complaint statuses
- Resolved:
- The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.
- Unresolved:
- The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.
- Answered:
- The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.
- Unanswered:
- The business failed to respond to the dispute.
- Unpursuable:
- BBB is unable to locate the business.
Meredith Books/Better Homes and Gardens is sending my elderly mother who is suffering from memory issues cookbooks that she did not order. The first was sent back unopened on March 31, 2025 marked "REFUSED. She then received a bill for the book on which we wrote a note indicating the book had been refused/ returned and requesting they close her account and remove her from their mailing list. We have since received another bill and yesterday another book arrived which we told our mail carrier we refuse to accept it so it was scanned REFUSED and returned to sender. We will not be accepting any books from this company and will not be paying for something that was not ordered.Business Response
Date: 05/27/2025
Thank you for contacting Meredith *****************
We have discontinued Ms. ******** enrollment in the book series and cancelled any unpaid invoices. Ms. ****** should disregard any further invoices that may be in process.
Customer Answer
Date: 05/27/2025
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
Date:04/10/2025
Type:Status:ResolvedMore info
Complaint statuses
- Resolved:
- The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.
- Unresolved:
- The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.
- Answered:
- The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.
- Unanswered:
- The business failed to respond to the dispute.
- Unpursuable:
- BBB is unable to locate the business.
I am disputing 2 orders - ***** & *****. I did not order / acct # *********** I have tried to cancel and contact them on their website - won't accept acct number (thats on the bills) even though its the same number used to log in Can't get though to them on the phone Have tried multible times and ways and they keep sending books and invoices They are a sleazy, sneaky companyBusiness Response
Date: 04/11/2025
We apologize for any inconvenience Ms. ******** has experienced regarding Meredith Annual Books.
Our records show on July 16, 2024, we received an order from Ms. ***************** a book in Everyday Cooking book series. We shipped the book on July 25, 2024.
The next Books were shipped November 13, 2024, and March 31, 2025.
We have discontinued Ms.******** ********** in the book series and cancelled the unpaid invoices. Ms. ******** may keep the books and should disregard any further invoices that may be in process for that books.Initial Complaint
Date:03/17/2025
Type:Status:ResolvedMore info
Complaint statuses
- Resolved:
- The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.
- Unresolved:
- The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.
- Answered:
- The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.
- Unanswered:
- The business failed to respond to the dispute.
- Unpursuable:
- BBB is unable to locate the business.
My People and *** magazine subscriptions were cancelled without notice or reason during the delivery period. This occurred after payment of both magazines were paid for and processed. I had to cancel the original form of payment due to the card being hacked and cancelled by me. Im now waiting for a replacement card to arrive by mail. In the meantime, I stopped auto delivery because my subscription were placed under this card. I then immediately attempted to update a valid credit card for my account and both were cancelled. I never wanted either subscription cancelled and want to continue receiving them as was already paid for and happily receiving. Also, I was informed via email I was receiving refunds for both, however, the refund is going into the hacked, closed account. Please, please help me continue receiving my subscription for People and *** as I never intended to stop receiving them, but was merely updating my credit card information. Ive called and emailed the appropriate and correct contact people multiple numerous times without resolution or reason. I feel ****, a supervisor with CS was quite condescending and I felt insulted and hurt. Ive been a very loyal and happy customer of this organization for many years. Ive never had any issues and have enjoyed their magazines and offers. Im surprised at the lack of assistance I received from everyone I spoke to and the email responses that lacked any requested information from me regarding this matter.Business Response
Date: 03/18/2025
We apologize for any inconvenience Ms. ***** has experienced regarding Better Homes and Gardens and People.
We have adjusted our records and resumed delivery of both subscriptions.
Better Homes and Gardens will resume with the February 2025 issue will continue through the December 2026 issue.
People will resume with the April 7, 2025, issue and will continue through the March 30, 2026 issue.
Customer Answer
Date: 03/22/2025
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
Date:02/10/2025
Type:Status:ResolvedMore info
Complaint statuses
- Resolved:
- The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.
- Unresolved:
- The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.
- Answered:
- The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.
- Unanswered:
- The business failed to respond to the dispute.
- Unpursuable:
- BBB is unable to locate the business.
Southern Living sent a Christmas Cookbook that was NOT ordered. It was sent back unopened more than a month ago marked "REFUSED." Subsequently, they have sent two (2) past due bills to which we responded appropriately (i.e., we returned the book): We do not want any further communication from them regarding the cookbook.Business Response
Date: 02/11/2025
We apologize for any inconvenience Ms. ****** has experienced regarding Meredith Annual Books.
Our records show on October 7, 2024, we received an order for the Southern Living Calendar series. As stated in the offer, when ordering the Calendar, the customer would receive cookbook and automatically be enrolled to receive other books in the series with no obligation to buy, and the option of canceling membership at any time.
We shipped the next book on November 26, 2024.
We have discontinued the customers enrollment in the series. Ms ****** should disregard any further invoices that may be in processCustomer Answer
Date: 02/11/2025
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
Date:02/10/2025
Type:Status:ResolvedMore info
Complaint statuses
- Resolved:
- The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.
- Unresolved:
- The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.
- Answered:
- The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.
- Unanswered:
- The business failed to respond to the dispute.
- Unpursuable:
- BBB is unable to locate the business.
This product sent "2024 Christmas with SL" was not ordered. This is a misleading offer. As a senior citizen, I feel taken advantage of and do not wish any further contact by this company.Business Response
Date: 02/11/2025
We apologize for any inconvenience Ms. ****** has experienced regarding Meredith Annual Books.
Our records show on October 9, 2024, we received an order for the Southern Living Calendar series. As stated in the offer, when ordering the Calendar, the customer would receive free cookbook and automatically be enrolled to receive other books in the series with no obligation to buy, and the option of canceling membership at any time.
We shipped the next book on November 26, 2024.
We have discontinued the customers enrollment in the series. Ms. ****** may keep the book(s) and should disregard any further invoices that may be in process.Customer Answer
Date: 02/11/2025
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
Date:01/16/2025
Type:Status:ResolvedMore info
Complaint statuses
- Resolved:
- The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.
- Unresolved:
- The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.
- Answered:
- The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.
- Unanswered:
- The business failed to respond to the dispute.
- Unpursuable:
- BBB is unable to locate the business.
My 93 year old mother received a book from Meredith that she DID NOT order. My mother is not able to read this book, and for sure does not have extra money to spend on nonsense books she did not order! I will not spend any time and energy to see that this book is returned. I want her name and the account number on the attached statement taken off immediately! If she continues getting these unsolicited books, you will get a letter from my lawyer. ***** ********* Acct# on the Statement attached is ***********Business Response
Date: 01/21/2025
We apologize for any inconvenience Ms. ********* has experienced regarding Meredith Annual Books.
Our records show that on August 23, 2024 2024, we received an order from Ms. ********* for a book in the Christmas from the Heart book series. As stated in the offer, when ordering this book, the customer would automatically be enrolled to receive other books in the series with no obligation to buy, and the option of canceling membership at any time. We shipped the book on August 30, 2024.
The next book was sent November 18, 2024
We have discontinued the enrollment in the series. Ms. ********* may keep the book(s) and should disregard any further invoices that may be in process.
Initial Complaint
Date:12/30/2024
Type:Status:ResolvedMore info
Complaint statuses
- Resolved:
- The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.
- Unresolved:
- The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.
- Answered:
- The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.
- Unanswered:
- The business failed to respond to the dispute.
- Unpursuable:
- BBB is unable to locate the business.
I ordered a book in June. I paid for it. I did not want another. They sent another in November with a bill for $31.93. I am on a fixed income and cannot afford this, nor do I want it.I do not want a recurring order sent to me. Never requested it. I am 88 years old and can barely see. I would like to return the book, but cannot pay for postage. I have requested a mailing label pre-paid by them, but got no response.(My daughter is typing this for me)***** ******Business Response
Date: 01/02/2025
We apologize for any inconvenience Ms. ****** has experienced regarding Meredith Annual Books.
We received an order for the Everyday Cooking book series on July 1, ******* stated in the offer, when ordering this book, the customer would automatically be enrolled to preview other books in the series for a 30-day period with no obligation to buy and the option of canceling membership at any time. We shipped the book on July 12, 2024.
The next book was sent on November 13, 2024
Instead of returning it to us, we would like Ms. Lappie to keep it with our compliments. We have cancelled the balance due and there is no further obligation.
We have discontinued the book series for Ms. ***********
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