I know I have posted on here once, but here goes again.
Like a dummy, several months ago I ended up subscribing to the family readers service. I ended up giving them my account number. A few days after I subscribed, I called to cancel, and they told me I couldn’t. So I waited a couple of months, and then chose to close the account, rather then continue paying 30.00 a month. So they called me, and I told the collections person that they wouldn’t let me cancel, so I closed the account. The collections person acted shocked, and gave me the 1-800 number. The company, Family Readers Service, sent me an invoice. Today, I called the number, and was told I couldn’t cancel. So I said thank you, and hung up. I don’t suppose anyone here knows what I should do?
[quote]BarneyFife wrote:
I know I have posted on here once, but here goes again.
Like a dummy, several months ago I ended up subscribing to the family readers service. I ended up giving them my account number. A few days after I subscribed, I called to cancel, and they told me I couldn’t. So I waited a couple of months, and then chose to close the account, rather then continue paying 30.00 a month. So they called me, and I told the collections person that they wouldn’t let me cancel, so I closed the account. The collections person acted shocked, and gave me the 1-800 number. The company, Family Readers Service, sent me an invoice. Today, I called the number, and was told I couldn’t cancel. So I said thank you, and hung up. I don’t suppose anyone here knows what I should do?[/quote]
I’d get a hold of your local better business bureau. They can probably either tell you how to get this resolved or direct you to someone who can help.
Dependinig on how annoyed you are about it, if you know any reporters, their paper might be interested in doing a story on this. Or, if you know any hungry, young lawyers, you might talk to them about the possibility of a class-action lawsuit. Without seeing the original agreement it’s hard to know if you’ve got a case, but I think there’s at least a good chance you do. Lots of people get screwed by these companies.
Return the magazines? Write CANCEL on the next bill? My dad had a magazine service (PCWorld, I think) do that to him. They would never accept him cancelling. He wrote CANCEL on the next 2 bills and I think that did it.
[quote]ThatGirl77 wrote:
Return the magazines? Write CANCEL on the next bill? My dad had a magazine service (PCWorld, I think) do that to him. They would never accept him cancelling. He wrote CANCEL on the next 2 bills and I think that did it.[/quote]
Ah. Good thinking. Should I pay for the one month that I supposedly “owe” them, or just write cancel on the bill?
I looked up the Ohio BBB, as ohio is where the company is located. I thought about calling them.
I thought about possibly paying for my one month debt with a postal money order, and sending a letter of cancellation. It just makes me mad that they wont let me cancel, and that they have already gotten 60 dollars of my money. My bank thought the company was a little suspicous whenever I told them I had to close my account and open a new one because the magazine company wouldn’t let me cancel.
[quote]BarneyFife wrote:
ThatGirl77 wrote:
Return the magazines? Write CANCEL on the next bill? My dad had a magazine service (PCWorld, I think) do that to him. They would never accept him cancelling. He wrote CANCEL on the next 2 bills and I think that did it.
Ah. Good thinking. Should I pay for the one month that I supposedly “owe” them, or just write cancel on the bill?
I looked up the Ohio BBB, as ohio is where the company is located. I thought about calling them.
I thought about possibly paying for my one month debt with a postal money order, and sending a letter of cancellation. It just makes me mad that they wont let me cancel, and that they have already gotten 60 dollars of my money. My bank thought the company was a little suspicous whenever I told them I had to close my account and open a new one because the magazine company wouldn’t let me cancel.[/quote]
If in that month you received magazines and did not return them–you ‘owe’ them the money. If you have documented the calls and want to play hardball with them, I suppose you could refuse to pay and just take the consequences. That could be harrassing phone calls, mailer lists, even collection or legal battles. May be easier to pay the 30 and move forward… Your call.