Cookie Magazien threatening collection agency

[niccig]

I have NEVER subscribed to Cookie. I don't want the magazine. They've been sending me subscription/renewal notices and I thought it was a ploy to get you to subscrive. Now I get a final notice threatening to take it to a collection agency. WTF!!! I can't call until tomorrow. I'm going to tell them to back off or I'll report them...but to who? Has this happened to anyone else???
Thanks, Nicci

[Jenn98]

I'd start with the Better Business Bureau. Good luck with this!

[aidansmommy]

Yes! The same exact thing happened to me last week. A few months ago I sent in the postcard for one free trial magazine. I didn't want to subscribe, so I never did. They kept sending me bills and I of course never paid them because I didn't want a subscription (and they never sent me anything other than the one free trial.)
Then last week they sent me a collection notice. I was so angry! I sent them a very strongly worded email and a few days later I got a reply saying they wouldn't send me anymore notices, bills, etc. Like I have time in my life for this kind of hassle!x(

[clc053103]

That magazine is awful. I had it for a year- at one time, I got an email asking for reader feedback- well, since I felt it was a big book of ads with no content, I was happy to give feedback that could improve it.

Guess what the feedback survey was about? Their ADS! AS in "Did you see this ad in the October issue" "How about this ad". I wrote a nice email back that they had a lot of nerve and that I would never surbscribe to their crappy magazine again.

I didn't resubscribe- but noticed I got another issue randomly last month after at least 6 months. I imagine my collection notice is next!

[jgriffin]

All you should have to do with the bills that arrive after the free trial is just write CANCEL on one and send it back. But you do need to send them something (either money or a cancel notice), I believe they usually say this in the fine print in the offer.

What annoys me is when I start getting bills *before* I've received the trial issue. Um, no, I am not going to send you money because I haven't seen your magazine yet. Sheesh!

[elliput]

We had a similar problem with Consumer Reports a few years back. DH wrote them a very pointed letter explaining that their method of bullying subscribers wasn't very consumer friendly.

Yes, that was in the fine print. I never, never, never get free trial things because of the hassle of having to actively cancel after the free trial.
Sue, mommy to Aurora (Rory) born 5/13/04

[VClute]

I actually reported them to my state's atty general. There have been a couple of "scams" here in NC where a solicitation that LOOKS an awful lot like a bill comes in the mail and the unsuspecting person PAYS it, thinking they OWE it. I also called Cookie and had them call off the hounds. I can't imagine this "marketing" is working for them.

Amy in NC
mom to Dixon, born 2/14/05
...and let the shopping begin!

A GIRL (!!) Due 3/30/07

[supercalifragilous]

Better Homes & Gardens did this to me a couple years ago and I never even asked for a trial.

I think they got my name b/c I had tried to subscribe through Blue Dolphin or some other awful mag subscription broker and never received the mag after 6 months so I canceled my account both with the broker and with BHG.

FIVE years later, I start receiving a bill, basically saying "You've enjoyed our magazine for the past 2 years, now you owe us..." The wording got stronger and stronger each time.

I admit I was being stubborn in not mailing back - why should I when I never subscribed in the first place (and even "canceled" the nonexistent subscription)?!?! They were billing me for something supposedly past due. C'mon - it took you TWO YEARS to realize I never paid a bill but you kept supposedly sending your mag anyway? Has your lone billing officer been in a coma the last two years?

I even ignored the collection notice and I never heard back again. My credit score is fine.

Don't you like that special touch where there is NO CONTACT PHONE # (not even so you can pay your "bill" by phone) on any of the notices? If they REALLY want their money, they'd make it easier for the consumer.

OK... done with my rant!

[niccig]

I didn't even ask for a trial of the magazine. I don't like all the ads in it either. I sent a strongly worded email and so far just have a 'we've received your email'. I think I'll still report them...they shouldn't get away with bully tactics.