Western Reader's Service

I apologize for the delay...this ended up in another email folder.  Anyway, I have forwarded this complaint to the originating sales office, so the large charge can be addressed.  Thank you.

In regard to the unrequested magazines, it was apparently sent in error to the customer.  On occasion, a magazine company will provide a magazine subscription to those that have either inquired about, received, or have other demographics that relate to a...

particular magazine, with the goal of increasing reader interest and circulation; however, despite our best efforts, some information (including the individual's name and address) may be outdated or incorrect.  We have canceled the magazines ESPN along with Muscle & Fitness and in doing so removes their name and address (which is all we have) from the database of any future promotions.  Please keep in mind an issue or two may arrive after today's date, should it be in the mailing system already, but rest assured the magazine has been canceled. In addition, because this is a promotional product, there is and will never be, any billing.  We are confident this resolves the situation and apologize for the trouble this has caused.

Hello.  I have called and rectified the situation with Mr. [redacted].  The Men's Fitness magazine was canceled, with no billing whatsoever.  In addition, we have removed his name and mailing address from the database.  Also advised Mr. [redacted] that there may be an issue that arrives...

after the fact but otherwise will cease immediately.  Our apologies for the inconvenience this has caused.

Initial Business Response /* (1000, 7, 2015/11/19) */
In regard to the ESPN magazine, it was apparently sent in error to the customer.
On occasion, a magazine company will provide a magazine subscription to those that have either inquired about, received, or have other demographics that relate...

to a particular magazine (in this case, sports interests), with the goal of increasing circulation and (hopefully) generating a renewal subscription should the customer like the title; however, despite our best efforts, some information and demographics (including the individual's name and address) may be outdated or incorrect.
We have canceled the magazine and in doing so removes their name and address (which is all we have) from the database of any future promotions. Please keep in mind an issue or two may arrive after today's date, should it be in the mailing system already, but rest assured the magazine has been canceled. In addition, there is, nor never was, no billing or obligation associated with this. We are hopeful and confident this resolves the situation.
Regards,
[redacted]
Western Readers Service
Initial Consumer Rebuttal /* (2000, 9, 2015/11/25) */
(The consumer indicated he/she ACCEPTED the response from the business.)

Initial Business Response /* (1000, 10, 2015/11/20) */
In regard to the ESPN magazine, it was apparently sent in error to the customer.

On occasion, a magazine company will provide a magazine subscription to those that have either inquired about, received, or have other demographics that...

relate to a particular magazine (in this case, sports interests), with the goal of increasing circulation and (hopefully) generating a renewal subscription should the customer like the title; however, despite our best efforts, some information and demographics (including the individual's name and address) may be outdated or incorrect.

We have canceled the magazine and in doing so removes their name and address (which is all we have) from the database of any future promotions. Please keep in mind an issue or two may arrive after today's date, should it be in the mailing system already, but rest assured the magazine has been canceled. In addition, there is, nor never was, no billing or obligation associated with this. We are hopeful and confident this resolves the situation.

Regards,
[redacted]
Western Readers Service

Initial Business Response /* (1000, 9, 2015/08/03) */
In regard to the ESPN magazine, it was apparently sent in error to the customer. On occasion, a magazine company will provide a magazine subscription (promotional title, at no cost, with hope the recipient likes it and renews on their own) to...

those that have either inquired about, received, or have other demographics that relate to a particular magazine or interest (in this case, sports); however, despite our best efforts, some information (including the individual's name and address) may be outdated or incorrect. We have canceled the magazine and in doing so removes their name and address (which is all we have) from the database of any future promotions. Please keep in mind an issue or two may arrive after today's date, should it be in the mailing system already, but rest assured the magazine has been canceled. We are hopeful and confident this resolves the situation.

Regards,
**
Initial Consumer Rebuttal /* (2000, 11, 2015/08/04) */
(The consumer indicated he/she ACCEPTED the response from the business.)
This response resolves my individual case. However, I still don't understand how this business practice passes [redacted] ethical muster. If they are sending magazines to people based on personal and demographic information then there is apparently no error. Why do they claim it was a mistake? This company knows full well that many people will pay for magazines sent to them out of fear. The Revdex.com must be a really feckless entity if it cannot do anything about an OBVIOUSLY crooked organization like Western Readers Service.

Revdex.com:I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID [redacted], and find that this resolution is satisfactory to me. I would like to say that I have still been receiving the issues. I know they stated this may happen, but if I receive more than three from this date, I will file a new complaint. I still do not see how this is legal, if I never signed up. But, for now, I will take their word that I am out of the system. Sincerely, [redacted]

Revdex.com:I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID [redacted], and find that this resolution is satisfactory to me. Sincerely, [redacted]

In regard to the US Weekly magazine, it was apparently sent in error to the customer.  To promote and increase awareness of a particular title, on occasion, the magazine agency will provide a magazine subscription to those that have in the past either inquired about, received,...

or have other demographics that relate to a particular magazine or genre; however, despite our best efforts, some information (including the individual's name and address) may be outdated or incorrect.  We have canceled the magazine on our end and in doing so removes her name and address (which is all we have) from the database of any future promotions.  Please keep in mind an issue or two may arrive after today's date, should it be in the mailing system already, but rest assured the magazine has been canceled.  There is no billing associated with this, now or in the future.  We apologize for any inconvenience this has caused.

Revdex.com:I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID [redacted], and find that this resolution is satisfactory to me. Sincerely, [redacted]

Initial Business Response /* (1000, 5, 2015/12/23) */
In regard to the ESPN magazine, it was apparently sent in error to the customer. On occasion, a magazine company will provide a magazine subscription to those that have either inquired about, received, or have other demographics that relate to...

a particular magazine; however, despite our best efforts, some information (including the individual's name and address) may be outdated or incorrect. We have canceled the magazine and in doing so removes their name and address (which is all we have) from the database of any future promotions. Please keep in mind an issue or two may arrive after today's date, should it be in the mailing system already, but rest assured the magazine has been canceled. We are confident this resolves the situation.
Initial Consumer Rebuttal /* (3000, 7, 2015/12/28) */
(The consumer indicated he/she DID NOT accept the response from the business.)
Verification that no charges were incurred as a result of this, as well as assurance that no charges will be incurred as a result.
Final Business Response /* (4000, 9, 2016/01/04) */
Since this is a promotional title, no charges were incurred and there will not be any billing or obligation. By virtue of the cancellation, this removes the mailing address and name from the database. We hope this resolves the situation, and again we apologize for the inconvenience this has caused.

Initial Business Response /* (1000, 8, 2016/01/04) */
We apologize that this is happening. I do show we canceled the subscription and while it is common for an issue to arrive shortly afterwards (if already in the mailing system for example) it will eventually cease. Rest assured there is no...

billing and no obligation, and never will be. Please allow us to investigate and to make sure that this is canceled for good. We have already removed the individual's name and address from our database so that this does not happen again.
Initial Consumer Rebuttal /* (2000, 10, 2016/01/11) */
(The consumer indicated he/she ACCEPTED the response from the business.)
I am satisfied as long as they have removed my information from their database permanently. This has been way too much hassle for a magazine I never asked for or subscribed to in the first place.

It appears the magazine he received was ESPN but that is a promotional product, meaning it was sent at no cost to him. He was probably pre-selected for this promotion based on prior reading interests. I had it canceled and that also removes his name and address from the system. But I don’t believe...

he paid for it, maybe he thought he did because it started to arrive? However, if he did pay, I will promptly refund. Can he provide any billing that shows the charge? Otherwise, please advise if any further action is necessary. Regards, **

Revdex.com:I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID [redacted], and find that this resolution is satisfactory to me. Sincerely, [redacted]

In regard to the Golfweek magazine, it was apparently sent in error to the customer.  To promote and increase awareness of a particular title, on occasion, the magazine agency will provide a complimentary magazine subscription to those that have in the past either inquired about,...

received, or have other demographics that relate to a particular magazine or genre; however, despite our best efforts, some information (including the individual's name and address) may be outdated or incorrect.  We have canceled the magazine and in doing so removes his name and address (which is all we have) from the database of any future promotions.  Please keep in mind an issue or two may arrive after today's date, should it be in the mailing system already, but rest assured the magazine has been canceled and there is no billing associated at all.  We apologize for any inconvenience this has caused.

Hello,
I was able to determine that the ESPN was a promotional title, with no billing and no obligation.  It appears that the selection was based on “prior reading interests” which doesn’t state much but essentially means the individual was qualified to receive the trial subscription. ...


I confirmed the cancellation which also removes his name and address from the list so that this does not happen again.  It is possible to receive an issue or two after today should there be any in the mailing system, otherwise it will cease completely.
Our apologies for the trouble this has caused, and again, there is no billing involved.
Sincerely, [redacted], at Western Readers Service.