ComplaintsforUnited Readers' Service, Inc.

• Initial Complaint

  11/10/2023

  Complaint Type:

  Billing Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  On May23 2023 **** was contactd by phone by Primetime readers service. Their phone is 800 8607323 address po box 771747 lakewood ohio 44107-0067 He answered questions on a unsolicited call that was taped, but didn't understand that he would only get magazines they sent not his specific choices . He also didn't understand that he couldn't cancel and would have to pay the full 2 year no matter what. He gave them his credit card which was hacked the next month so no automatic payments from then on. We paid 3 x 39.99 for 3 mo. We did not send them a new card number. On Oct 3 when we realized the cost **** called and wanted to cancel . They threatened collections. Yesterday recieved a bill for 89.80$ what they say we owe for magazines we have never wanted. ***** called 11/ 9 and spoke to Delano L****** at 11:15. She played a tape of the May 23 th call when **** replied yes to a bunch of questions . On the tape the seller said she understood he was in a hurry and let's get this done quickly. **** says he did not understand that he couldn't cancel and he had to pay for the full 2years no matter what. When ***** called she offered to pay the 89.80 if the service would cancel the rest. Delano said no that the full 803$ would have to be paid. We do not believe that was clear from the rapid fire questions. We don't want and would have never chosen any of the magazines they sent us. We ate willing to pay the 89.80 but no more and we do not want any more magazines thru this company.

  Business response

  11/16/2023

  Dear ******* *****,
  
  We have received the copy of the correspondence from your office.
  
  ******* ******* was contacted by our company on May 23, 2023.  ***** ******* was never contacted by us on that date.  After listening to a sales presentation from our representative, Mr. ******* placed an order for a package of magazines to arrive at the address he provided to us (**** ****** ***** ****** ** **********).
  
  As part of our extensive process for the customer to understand that they are placing a new order, as well as to ensure they receive exactly the magazine publications they want, we do in fact record the customer’s confirmation of the order.  In that process we go over a series of questions that the customer must answer back to us make sure the details are exactly as presented.  The questions include the magazine titles, length of the service, the monthly cost, as well as the final cost when all monthly payments have been made.  We use this third-party service to make sure the customer is aware of the promotion we are offering, as well as locking in their guaranteed rate.  Once this is all agreed to, the customer provides us with a payment method of their choosing to start their service.  After all of this, Mr. ******* was very aware that he was place an order, and every detail about his new service.  
  
  Just the same, we are sorry to lost ******* ******* as a customer.  His account has been closed with our company and removed from our call files.
  
  Please contact our office if we can be of further assistance.
  
  
  Sincerely,
  Client Services

• Initial Complaint

  10/25/2023

  Complaint Type:

  Service or Repair Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  My mother passed away 3/9 of this year and I took over my fathers finances due to memory and cognitive issues. We started getting a lot of magazines that my dad claimed he didn’t order. I contacted the company and they stated he willingly gave his card information. I explained he was confused and didn’t understand what he was doing. I asked them to cancel and stop sending magazines in July. Card still being billed through sept. Called again to cancel they claim he owes 24 more payments of 39.90 a month. My dad has received 2 magazines only for years. Both related to his hobby of collecting knives. None of the magazines he ordered are even his interests. I see several other complaints saying they took advantage over the phone and didn’t explain things clearly. I’d be curious if there is a copy of the full call? When I called back today 10/22 I was rude and that wasn’t right but I was furious this company is trying to hustle senior citizens. The charge was on a card that was my mothers account. We canceled the card so they won’t get more money however we will face collections. Let it sink in again they told me today he has 24 more payments of 39.90 for magazines. Customer *** ******* Acct ***** ***** *. ***** ******* on behalf of *** *******

  Business response

  11/02/2023

  Dear ******* *****,
  
  Thank you for forwarding this information to us
  
  *** ******* was contacted by our company on May 9, 2023 and he placed an order for a package of magazines to arrive at his home.  To ensure our new customer’s complete understanding and desire to receive this service, we confirmed all of his information was correct, went over the magazine titles, the length of service, and the monthly cost with a third-party order verification check to make sure he was fully aware and accepting of our promotion.  Mr. ******* agreed to all and provided his payment information to lock in the new order. We take our customer’s understanding and satisfaction of the service even before we place a new order very seriously, and have been doing so for over 50 years.
  
  We have since spoken to ***** ******* on behalf of Mr. *** ******* on several occasions. We are very sorry to hear about his father’s turn in health, and together with ***** ******* agreed to end the service.  We explained thoroughly that the magazines will still come for another month or so as it takes the individual publishers varying lengths of time to fully stop the magazines from coming in.  ***** ******* said he understands and thanked us for working with him.
  
  Please contact our office if we can be of further assistance.
  
  
  Sincerely,
  Client Services        

• Initial Complaint

  09/26/2023

  Complaint Type:

  Service or Repair Issues

  Status:

  Resolved

  More info

  My husband ****** ****** (Account number *************) was contacted by United Readers Service and pressured to sign up for magazine subscriptions. Despite what the company says, it was not made clear to him the total amount he would owe, how many payments he would need to make, or that the company would refuse to cancel the service. I have now twice called the company to request that we stop receiving magazines and invoices from them and they have refused on both counts. I even stated that I was willing to pay a reasonable cancellation fee, but was told that any cancellation at all was not possible. I was threatened with our account being sent to collection agencies if we did not pay the invoices. I just want them to stop sending us invoices that we did not agree to pay and to stop sending us magazines that we do not want. Thank you.

  Business response

  09/28/2023

  We appreciate you informing us of our customer on this matter.
  
  ****** ****** placed an order for a magazine service on July 31, 2023 at 2:50pm.  At that time, we offered a package of 7 magazine subscriptions to Mr. ******.  We went over the terms of the new order including total cost of the service, his monthly payments, when his magazines would start arriving, and all the details on how the service works.  We confirmed this information a second time with our third-party order verification system to ensure the customer had a complete understanding of the service which he purchased.
  
  We recently spoke to Mr. ****** ****** about the order, and both parties have decided to immediately stop the magazine services.  We are sorry to lose Mr. ****** as a customer.
  
  Please contact our office if we can be of further assistance.
  
  
  Sincerely,
  Client Services        
  

  Customer response

  09/28/2023

  [A default letter is provided here which indicates your acceptance of the business's response.  If you wish, you may update it before sending it.]
  
  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.
  
  Regards,
  
  ****** *******
  
  
  

• Initial Complaint

  09/20/2023

  Complaint Type:

  Customer Service Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  I didn’t know how expensive the subscription was , and was not informed it was a 2- year , non cancelable subscription

  Business response

  09/22/2023

  Thank you for forwarding this issue to us.
  
  *** ****** placed an order for a magazine service on July 19, 2023 at 3:21pm.  We spoke to Mr. ****** over the phone, where we offered a selection of magazine titles.  Mr. ****** picked which magazines he would like to receive at that point we then explained the total price, the length of service, and confirmed all of the magazines which he selected.  We ensured his mailing address was correct and then with his permission entered the order for his magazines to the publishers.  We then double-checked all of this information again with our third-party order verification service to make sure everything for *** ****** was perfect, and he agreed to the conditions of his new order.
  
  Despite all of this Mr. ******, called into our office on September 20, 2023 and was exceedingly rude to our customer service team. We have stopped his order with our company.
  
  Please contact our office if we can be of further assistance.
  
  
  Sincerely,
  Client Services        

• Initial Complaint

  09/18/2023

  Complaint Type:

  Sales and Advertising Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  On July I received multiple phone calls and I called back the phone number wich was a business called United Reader’s Service Inc. I spoke to a lady and I got myself subscribing to multiple magazine’s issues by the company just mentioned. After giving out my personal information and payment method to this company I decided to go online to see if this was real. I found out that they have multiple complaints already filed through the Better Business Bureau. They took out $39.90 from my credit card account on July 26, 23 as a first payment. It’s been a while and I haven’t received any magazines in the mail and I called them to cancel and they denied cancellation of this service even when no magazines have been provided. I’m looking for cancelaron as I feel like I was pulled into a subscription that I don’t really need. Today I received another bill for the amount of $39.90 on the mail wich is due October 12, 23. PLEASE HELP!. I’ve even registered my number on the National Do Not Call Registry so I dont have to go through this again. Account Number for this subscription is ***** ***** *

  Business response

  09/26/2023

  Thank you for letting us know that our customer contacted you.
  
  We contacted Mr. ****** **** on July 25, 2023 at 9:10am. At that time, we went through a very detailed marketing process where Mr. ****s would receive six magazines for 3 years of service on each publication.  We went over with Mr. **** his personalized magazine selection, the total length of service on each publication he would receive, his payment plan, and the overall total cost of the service.  Mr. **** agreed to everything, and was quite happy with his service.  We explained that is new order of magazines could take up to 10 weeks or so for the first issues to arrive, but rest assured he would receive every issue of every magazine for his new order.  We confirmed this information with our third-party order verification processors to ensure that Mr. **** understood completely how his new services would work. 
  
  We reached out to Mr. **** on September 25, 2023 at about 10:00am EST to explain the commitment, and answered his questions regarding when his magazines would arrive.  In the meantime, we have deferred his October 1, 2023 statement until November 1, 2023 to allow more time for the publications to come in.  He said that he has since started receiving his magazines.  We assured him more of his publications would be arriving in the weeks and months ahead.  Mr. **** thanked us for our time and the additional explanation on the particulars of the new service and was happy that his concerns were all resolved.
  
  Please contact our office if we can be of further assistance.
  
  
  Sincerely,
  Client Services        

• Initial Complaint

  09/05/2023

  Complaint Type:

  Service or Repair Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  My husband was contacted by phone by a salesperson. At the time, my husband was replying yes to these salespeople. He was home alone consenting to these transactions. On May 25th, we were told he had a large tumor on the right side of his brain, it was cancerous. He spent 3 weeks in the hospital followed with 6 weeks of radiation and chemo treatments. My husband was the one who took care of the bills throughout out 39 years of marriage. Since this journey, everything has been placed on me. My husband and I are on a fixed income. We are both retired.Prior to the learning about his condition, we were in the process of downsizing, moving and selling our house. We would like to cancel this so-called service. I did not give consent to this transaction. **** has not been himself for the last 9 months. We, as a couple would never consent to paying quarterly $164.60 for 2 years , and get the third year free. It doesn't make sense when we're downsizing. Thank you for your time. Sincerely, ******* *****, wife of **** *****.

  Business response

  09/07/2023

  Dear ******* *****,
  
  Thank you for forwarding this issue to us.
  
  ***** ***** placed an order for a magazine service on May 19, 2023 at 10:35am.  We explained the process and the services we provide to Mr. ***** at that time.  We spent a considerable amount of time discussing the options and types of magazines available.  This certainly wasn’t a simple “just say yes” service.  After we spoke to Mr. *****, we called him back to go over his new account once again – going over the total price, length of service, and all of the magazines he would be receiving.  We double-checked the address for his new service, and made sure everything was in order.  At that time, we also verified all of the details with a third-party service that to ensure our quality control process was maintained.
  
  We are sorry to hear of Mr. ***** medical difficulties, and have canceled his service completely.
  
  Please contact our office if we can be of further assistance.
  
  
  Sincerely,
  Client Services        

• Initial Complaint

  08/16/2023

  Complaint Type:

  Billing Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  The Primetime Readers business said I signed up for a magazine subscription over the phone and has me on a recorded message agreeing to the terms. When the business contacted me i was under the impression that it was a one time thing and not a long term subscription. I am not sure if there was a miscommunication but I would not have agreed to the terms if i knew they would be that long for as much money as they were asking for. Additionally, this business contacted me to initiate this subscription, I did not contact them first. After the subscription started, I realized i was being charged continuously and not just one time. I tried to call the business multiple times to try to cancel and explain the misunderstanding but they were not helpful and repeatedly told me "we have you on recording you are bound to what you agreed to" but would not work with me when explaining that I was not fully aware of what I was being sold. I do not have the money to afford this subscription and i am unable to pay what they are asking for.

  Business response

  08/18/2023

  Dear ******* *****,
  
  Thank you for forwarding this information to us.
  
  ***** ******** (* **** ***, **** ***, ****** ** **********) placed an order for eight different magazines, for the term of 48 months of service.  This order was placed on January 24, 2023 at 9:13am (EST).  At that time, we went over the all of the details of her new order such as the specific magazines she selected, the total cost of the service, her monthly payments, as well as the ability to swap out any number of her magazine selections at any time if her reading preferences changed.  After this, we called Ms. ******** back to go over all of this information again through our third-party order verification service to ensure she understood the terms benefits completely.
  
  Ms. ******** has called into our customer service office several times, and spoken to our representatives.  Our account manager reached out to, and spoke with Ms. ******** on August 17, 2023 at 3:30pm (EST) and they have mutually agreed to end her services.  As explained, Ms. ********’s account is now in good standing, and the rest of her magazines could take up to 8 weeks before they discontinue from the various the publishers.  There are no additional charges for these final magazines, and Ms. ******** can enjoy the rest of them with our compliments.
  
  Please contact our office if we can be of further assistance.
  
  Sincerely,
  Client Services

• Initial Complaint

  08/12/2023

  Complaint Type:

  Customer Service Issues

  Status:

  Resolved

  More info

  Kept contacting me at work, used deceitful practices (lying about canceling anytime), Paid some money but they will not allow me to cancel.

  Business response

  08/17/2023

  Dear ******* *****,
  
  Thank you for forwarding this issue to us.
  
  **** ******* placed an order for a magazine service on April 11, 2023.  At that time, we explained the total cost, time frame, and the details on each specific magazine she would be receiving as part of the new order with us.  We even called **** ******* back after she placed the order to go over these details again as part of our third party order verification process to ensure a complete understanding.
  
  We were completely upfront about the services provided, with absolutely no hidden costs.  Our customer service department is open during normal business hours Monday through Friday, every week (excluding national holidays).
  
  We have tried to reach out to **** *******, but only on the phone numbers she has provided to us as a means to contact her.  We have had no luck in speaking with her – nobody answers the phone and we are unable to leave a message for her.  When she has called into our customer service office, we have tried to explain again to her about the order she already placed, but she just hangs up the phone on us.
  
  We’re sorry to lose **** ******* as a customer.  At this point we have ended her magazine services and no further billing will be incurred.
  
  
  Please contact our office if we can be of further assistance.
  
  Sincerely,
  Client Services  

  Customer response

  08/17/2023

  [A default letter is provided here which indicates your acceptance of the business's response.  If you wish, you may update it before sending it.]
  
  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. 
  
  Regards,
  
  **** *******
  
  
  

• Initial Complaint

  08/11/2023

  Complaint Type:

  Service or Repair Issues

  Status:

  Resolved

  More info

  This complaint is being filed in connection with United Readers Service, Inc., dba Primetime Readers Service. The business provides magazine subscriptions, advising potential customers that they can cancel at any time without penalty. When we have attempted to cancel, we were advised that actually the subscriptions cannot be cancelled. Apparently, while there is no additional "penalty" for cancelling or blocking future automatic renewals, subscribers are still obligated to pay the monthly charges for the balance of the "current" contract. On 7/18/23, we were advised that the "current" contract still required that 8 more payments of $59.14 be made. On 8/3/23, we asked for details about the "current" contract and were advised that the contract had been renewed on 11/16/22. When we asked for a copy of the contract, we were advised that there was nothing in writing but that a manager would call us back to share with us a recording of the renewal authorization. As of today (8/11/23) we have not heard from the manager or anyone else. We are requesting that the balance on the "current" contract be waived and a letter be issued by the business correcting any potential credit report damage. Thank you.

  Business response

  08/15/2023

  Dear ******* *****,
  
  Thank you for forwarding this correspondence to us.
  
  Ms. ******* ***** placed several magazine orders with our company -- the first being on April 19, 2022.  Ms. ***** then placed another order for additional services on Nov 16, 2022.  We use a third-party order verification system to confirm every order with our customers, and this system went over every aspect of the order in detail, such as total price, length of service, and the magazines that will be provided to Ms. *****.  She agreed to both orders in kind.
  
  Recently, several people called into our office to get more information on Ms. *****’s account.  We provided everything they required, and even attempted to call back Ms. ***** at their request.  However, we could not reach anybody.  Today, our senior account manager spoke with ******** ***** and explained our entire process again.  We went over all the details she asked for, but could not reach an understanding.  ******** ***** then abruptly ended the call.
  
  Ms. ******* *****’s account is in good standing with us.  Be that as it may, we have processed a cancellation with the publishers for her magazine services.  Please allow 6 to 10 weeks for all of the magazines to discontinue.  All billing has been completely discontinued.
  
  Please contact our office if we can be of further assistance.
  
  
  Sincerely,
  Client Services        

  Customer response

  08/16/2023

  [A default letter is provided here which indicates your acceptance of the business's response.  If you wish, you may update it before sending it.]
  
  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. 
  
  Regards,
  
  ******** *****
  
  
  

• Initial Complaint

  07/26/2023

  Complaint Type:

  Service or Repair Issues

  Status:

  Resolved

  More info

  What a scam- Didnt open the service didn't use it they call 3 mths after you start saying that you owe them 200 but they will settle for 159.99. A qr code is provided but they immediately go to spam Email because the company is well know to most google suites as a scam

  Business response

  07/31/2023

  Dear ******* *****,
  
  Thank you for informing us of this issue.
  
  ***** ***** of Align Wellness Center placed an order for a digital magazine service on March 17, 2023.  At that time, we explained the entire process, cost, and all the digital materials (including the QR code that opens up a whole library of digital magazines) that would be provided.  We also talked to Mr. ***** ***** shortly thereafter through a third-party verification/recording system where we confirmed that he had the full understanding, willingness, desire, ability and the authorization to complete the new order for Align Wellness Center.  All electronic correspondence was sent directly to the e-mail address provided by Mr. ***** on the date the order was placed.
  
  As per our latest discussions with Mr. ***** *****, we have mutually agreed to cancel out all the services that have already been provided over the past four months.  No further billing or payments will be required by ***** ***** or ***** ******** ****** **** ****** ****** ***** ****  **********  **  ***********.
  
  Please contact our office if we can be of further assistance.
  
  Sincerely,
  Client Services        

  Customer response

  08/01/2023

  [A default letter is provided here which indicates your acceptance of the business's response.  If you wish, you may update it before sending it.]
  
  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.  They are a scam. Read the reviews on yelp /google.
  
  Regards,
  
  ***** *****
  
  
  

*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. ↩