Complaints

The 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:07/31/2024

  Type:Billing Issues
  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.

  Sports Subscribers Services of ********* has charged me 3 times during this calendar year for a subscription to Sports Illustrated magazine that I had cancelled late last year. The last issue I received from them was November of 2023. After being charged for $38.64 on February 25th of this year, I contacted the company via e-mail thru their website to contest the charge, and received a refund in the same amount on February 28th. However, I've since been charged 2 more times, on April 28th and July 3rd, again each time for $38.64. I tried to reach them by e-mail again a number of times, and got no response. I also tried phoning them a few times at the number given on their website, where a recording says there's nobody available to take my call, and that I should leave a name and number for a callback. Nobody has ever returned the calls. Now, the "contact us" link on their website leads to a broken link (************************************************************************), so the option of e-mailing them is no longer possible. There is another link (**********************************************) that IS active; however the phone number there is the same one they don't answer, and an e-mail to the address they give ******************************************************** was kicked back as undeliverable.

  Business Response

  Date: 07/31/2024

  Our email address is correct, not sure why your not able to get it through. We have issued refunds for the overcharges. Please allow 5-7 days to post. We have also frozen your account from any future activity.

  Customer Answer

  Date: 07/31/2024

   
  Complaint: 22072546
  
  I am rejecting this response because:

  They've refunded me only half of what they owe me. Refund receipt is attached.
  
  Sincerely,
  
  *******************************

  Business Response

  Date: 08/01/2024

  We can only refund one per day. The second refund has been issued.

  Customer Answer

  Date: 08/01/2024

   
  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,
  
  *******************************

  Business Response

  Date: 08/29/2024

  We have issued 2 refunds today.

  Customer Answer

  Date: 08/29/2024

   
  Complaint: 22072546
  
  I am rejecting this response because:

  While they have quickly responded to the BBB and have refunded me the money owed me, Subscribers Services once again provided no response to my own e-mail to them, and have given no assurance that I won't be charged again. I'm asking that they completely expunge my payment info from their records so that this doesn't happen again.
  
  Sincerely,
  
  *******************************

  Business Response

  Date: 09/03/2024

  Customer has been refunded. Account frozen from any further activity.

  Customer Answer

  Date: 09/04/2024

   
  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:07/26/2024

  Type:Billing Issues
  Status:

  UnansweredMore 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.

  Yet another person with a ****** charge on my credit card with no explanation. Turns out they have been doing this twice a year for two years. It appears they are answering complaints. How about giving me an explanation of these charges. I think the *** rating speaks for itself

• Initial Complaint

  Date:05/22/2024

  Type:Service or Repair Issues
  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.

  I subscribed to 3 years of People Magazine for $197 to be paid in three installments. . My first check was for $78.19 which cleared my bank on March 19, 2024. I noticed I was only credited for $65.68. On April 26, 2024 I submitted a letter to the address for Subscriber Services in *****, ** and included a check for $65.68 for the second payment along with a request to adjust the amount i owed for their mistake. That check cleared my bank account on May 6, 2024. I received another letter from them saying I was in arrears and threatening to cancel my subscription. But I have not received an adjustment to the amount i owe, and today I received an email threatening to cancel my subscription immediately if I did not pay $197. I went online and they said i owed $65.66. I only owe $53.16 according to the initial promotion. In trying to find a number to talk with them I used the numbers given in your records. Neither one of them were valid. And i'm also seeing that they have a rating of F with other people having similar problems with their Sports Illustrated. I also notice that the expiration date on my subscription is in September 2026. The difference in the remaining balance is small but my trust in Subscriber Services is even smaller, particularly after reading the other reports. I called People Magazine and they didnt recognize the link wi.buysub.com which is what it switches to when I enter the link they recommend which is : people.com/myaccount.

  Business Response

  Date: 06/20/2024

  These payments were NOT made to us. You need to contact the publisher directly.

• Initial Complaint

  Date:05/13/2024

  Type:Billing Issues
  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.

  Subscriber service has been sending me a magazines and I never made a subscription. I sent them an email explaining the situation. However the email did not go through- failed to deliver. Theres no telephone number to call them. Now they sent me a renewal notice requesting credit card information. I previously had another company bill my credit card and I took a hit of over $300 dollars on my card. I need your support contacting Sports Illustrated to make sure they dont do what the previous magazine subscription did to me previously.

  Business Response

  Date: 05/13/2024

  We do not publish or send any magazine. Also, we do not request any credit card information. We also did not charge anything as what this person has stated. We also, do not show this person as a customer of ours, he has obviously confused us with another company.

• Initial Complaint

  Date:02/20/2024

  Type:Service or Repair Issues
  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.

  I mailed a check for $68.48 (dated 1/22/2023) to Subscriber Services in ********* to renew a subscription (64 issues on a Subscriber Services renewal notice)) for Sports Illustrated. The check was cashed but my subscription was not renewed. I called the real Sports Illustrated customer support and was told that I had been scammed. I then had to renew my subscription with the real legitimate Sports Illustrated. I wrote this off as a ****** learned. Lo and behold, I just received another Sports Illustrated renewal notice dated 2/1/2024 from Subscriber Services in *********. This is obviously a scam and this operation should be shut down.

  Business Response

  Date: 03/05/2024

  In researching your order we find the renewal was processed correctly. We have sent a tracer on the order that we submitted in early February. In the meantime, we will process another renewal request to get the service started. We are not shutting down.

  Customer Answer

  Date: 03/07/2024

   
  Complaint: 21310856
  
  I am rejecting this response because: Check was cashed but no subscription was filled.
  
  Sincerely,
  
  *********************

  Business Response

  Date: 03/22/2024

  This is the first we are being notified that there is a problem with the customers order. We have resent the original order for renewal, please allow 1-2 issues for the correction.

  The customer assumed we are a scam when they didnt even contact us regarding an issue.
  

  This is a typical response of customers who dont contact us and them assume theyve been scammed.

• Initial Complaint

  Date:02/07/2024

  Type:Billing Issues
  Status:

  UnresolvedMore 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 called in September 2023 to cancel my brothers Sports Illustrated subscription as he passed away. It was canceled and no further issues have been received. Yet there is still a charge for $134.40 that has been charged even after cancellation. $134.40 was charged on 11/08. In fact in January, 2 charges for $134.40 were charged! This is definitely a scam and needs to be removed. We are owed at least $403.20.Name on Subscription: *************************** Address: **********************************************************************************. *****

  Business Response

  Date: 02/07/2024

  The subscription has been cancelled. We have issued a refund.

  Business Response

  Date: 02/08/2024

  The subscription has been cancelled. We have issued a refund.

  Customer Answer

  Date: 02/15/2024

   
  Complaint: 21254074
  
  I am rejecting this response because:

  The subscription was canceled back in September,  2023 and no further issues have been received.   As you can see in the first attachment of my recent credit card statement 2 charges were made per the following:

       - 1/11/24 for $134.40

       - 1/23/24 for $134.40

  As you will see on the second attachment, only 1 refund of $134.40 was posted on 2/8/24.

  Another refund of $134.40 is still required.

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

• Initial Complaint

  Date:01/16/2024

  Type:Billing Issues
  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.

  On 6/3/22 I paid $38.64 for 32 issues of Sports Illustrated. After receiving 16 issues, one-half my ordered number, my subscription abruptly stopped. I never received Oct. and Nov. 2023 or any issues thereafter. I sent several emails and was asked for my account number, which I do not have because I discarded my old issues of Sports Illustrated. The label on the magazine contains the account number. I was then asked for my mailing address, which I provided along with my cellular number. I did not receive a response despite following up with additional emails and telephone calls. The phone number is a recording and I never received a return call despite leaving several messages. Finally, on 11/26/23, I received an email, "Your subscription account has been adjusted and corrected." However, I never received another issue or partial refund or any additional response despite me sending an email on 1/11/24 asking them to clarify what they meant by "adjusted and corrected." I believe I was cheated out of one-half of my paid subscription by a scam subscription service. I want either the balance of my issues, 16, or a one-half refund. I also have strong reason to believe that this company sells credit card and bank information to hackers.

  Business Response

  Date: 02/07/2024

  The customers statement that we sell credit card and/or bank information is a total falsehood. First off, we do not retain any banking information or credit card information. The information provided by the customer would be a credit or debit card when they renew online. Our credit card processor does not provide us with any credit card information. They only use whats provided by the customer to process their order. We have no access to it. All other information we receive is used ONLY to process the order. Once the order is processed, that information is no longer available.

  Business Response

  Date: 02/08/2024

  The customers statement that we sell credit card and/or bank information is a total falsehood. First off, we do not retain any banking information or credit card information. The information provided by the customer would be a credit or debit card when they renew online. Our credit card processor does not provide us with any credit card information. They only use whats provided by the customer to process their order. We have no access to it. All other information we receive is used ONLY to process the order. Once the order is processed, that information is no longer available.

  Customer Answer

  Date: 02/08/2024

   
  Complaint: 21146316
  
  I am rejecting this response because: They only addressed one accusation in my complaint, which of course they denied. Firstly, I never paid by credit card or debit card. I paid with a personal check, which means they had access to my checking account information and routing number. Someone attempted to wash a check in my account but the ***** Fargo fraud department alerted me. That account was frozen and shut down immediately. Secondly, what about the fact that my subscription was terminated halfway through the subscription term and I never received 16 issues of Sports Illustrated that I had paid for? I want either the remaining 16 issues or a refund of one-half the subscription fee. It is interesting that they never even responded to that part of my complaint, but only to the other accusation because the identity of the check washer cannot be proven. Despite their denial and failure to address the other part of my complaint, it is uncontested that this is an unscrupulous subscription service with NUMEROUS complaints lodged. The number of complaints is legion! That is a matter of record. The proper authority should shut down this service, but law enforcement has other priorities.
  
  Sincerely,
  
  ***************************

  Customer Answer

  Date: 03/11/2024

  The matter was finally resolved to my partial but not complete satisfaction. It is done now. 

• Initial Complaint

  Date:01/02/2024

  Type:Billing Issues
  Status:

  UnansweredMore 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 renewed my subscription to Sports Illustrated Magazine using my debit card in the amount of $ ***** . This was processed by M&T bank on September 6, 2023. As of 2 weeks ago I had not received a single issue. I then decided to cancel my subscription and requested a refund of my $ ***** purchase. I called the customer service number and no one answered. An automated voice provided an email address which I requested a refund by email. Instead of responding to my email to cancel my subscription they debited my card another $*****. I sent numerous emails all this week requesting a full refund of $ ******. I received no response to my requests. I fear that I have been scammed out of my money. Please help me in this matter if possible. Thank you.

• Initial Complaint

  Date:10/03/2023

  Type:Service or Repair Issues
  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.

  This is not the first time I have had issues with my People online subscription. Although I am paying $9.99/month for my issues, I am not receiving them. Ive put complaints/service requests through the suggested channels and no response. I have also completed all troubleshooting steps as directed by the site and its not working. In my email to the site I stated I completed all troubleshooting actions, still no response. I would either like my issues owed to me or I would like a refund.

  Business Response

  Date: 10/03/2023

  This is not our company. We do not charge people monthly. Customer is confused.

• Initial Complaint

  Date:09/15/2023

  Type:Billing Issues
  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.

  Paid Sports Illustrated directly for my *****yr Sports Illustrated account jul 2021 for 4 years equaling 40 issues. Received an invoice with an Sports Illustrated logo on top right hand corner from Subscriber Services in Jun *************************************** my credit card for 160 issues +20free issues for $134.40.Subsciber Services charge me Aug 2022 and Jan 2023 and Jul 2023 each for $134.40. We do not receive any magazines from them at all. Why being charged 3 times with my permission?They do not answer the phone nor do they respond by email. I have email twice. They owe me $403.20 at this point. If you look at BBB they have a lot of similar complaints and I feel this is scam

  Business Response

  Date: 09/29/2023

  We have researched this account and it looks like there was a duplicate account and the recurring charges were marked incorrectly which caused multiple charges. We have issued a refund for the July, 2023 charge not including August and January as these are to old to refund. Our bank only allows us to process a refund that is within 6 months of the order date.
  
  We have also deleted the duplicate account and marked the existing account record with a no further contact. The refund will show within a few days. We do need the customers account number for the Sports Illustrated to research why the order that we sent was not fulfilled properly. Account number from the ****************** starts with SPI along with 10 numbers.
  
  Customer Service Support Team.

  Customer Answer

  Date: 10/03/2023

   
  Complaint: 20593997
  
  I am rejecting this response because:     I am a business owner and I can refund a customer for a refund for whatever and whenever I want to.   The excuse they are using blaming their bank is a bogus one.  That they cannot refund me for something they never delivered on AND had the indecency to charged me 2 more times. The 1st charge that was suppose to be for a 5 year subscription but yet they charged my card 2 more times without my permission is simply ridiculous.  They owe me a credit for the 1st 2 charges as well as the 3rd.   A total of $406.50 is the correct amount to make me whole.
  
  *****************************************************

  Business Response

  Date: 10/19/2023

  A refund was issued for $134.40 on September 29, 2023. An additional refund was issued for $134.40 as well. The remaining $134.40 charged and ordered in January, 2023 and cannot be refunded as this order is over 6 months old. The customer was told this information in an email earlier. Also, the recurring charges and the existing account has been marked frozen with no further contact.

  The customers statement that we owe her $403.20 in inaccurate.