Bbeing charged for a membership we didn't join

ComplaintsOtherHandyman Club of America

Complaint

0
Paula Linn
Country: Canada
We received a latter from Handyman Club of America demanding that we pay "our past due membership fees". Our balance said $470! I've never heard about this company.

The letter didn't have any invoice number or phone number I could use to call them. I couldn't find their phone # anywhere including their website to dispute this matter so I e-mailed them asking them if they had any records of us signing a contract with them and of course I got no response.

Comments

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  • 0
    TreyP
    | 1 reply
    As I thought this HandyMan site or what ever they won't to call it is a FRAUD!!! Logged on started filling out the subscription club joining info......got to the priceing area,  and decided....I better look into this club a little closer.  After about 3 weeks I received a bill in the mail and wondered....I never joined this club what are doing sending me a bill.  As I nvestigated further... the clubs a SCAM!!  and if was a reputable club like the one post said...they would ahve had a contact no# or contact information on it...So now I'm left with trying to find numbers to call to report and cancel this subscription.
    • 0
      Johnny replies to TreyP
      Try the Attorney General or due a small claims court hand have them send an attorney or be in contempt. Get damages $$ and sue them
  • 0
    Richard A.
    | 3 replies
    I thought it was to good to be true, luckily I ended up here. After reading all of these complaints and others, I now realize how corrupt this Handyman and the BBB is.... A+, what a JOKE. Is there any integrity anymore? All I can say is Thanks...
    • 0
      David G. "The Ferretman" replies to Richard A.
      Having paid for a one year subscription to this "company" I found out that they were nor as honest as they would lead you to believe. I joined back in 2008and never received a magazine until I started to complain in a manner they never dealt with before. After a great deal of yelling they agreed to upgrade me to a lifetime membership.  and extend the membership by a few years. They also claimed I would be getting their magazine at no charge for that period of. time. However all I received was two copies of the magazine, no test products, no membership card, no surveys, no anything as they advertise. So I told them go away and cancel the account. I thought that was the end of it. Today September 13,2012I received a call from Chase Receivables,a collection agency, wanting to discuss a debt. It took six calls to find out what they were calling about. I then found out it was about Handyman Club of America. I asked them for a number they refused. I did some digging and found their 800 number and seas told after getting a supervisor that it was a mistake. The account was closed back in 2010. I asked what do you intend to do to make up for raising my blood pressure? Their response was "nothing". I told them to make up for their major [***] up they will give me at no charge a five year membership that will include all the perks of a life membership including testing products , surveys and such. Lastly there would also be a requirement that they have Larry Okrend,and Michael ,the CEO of the whole company, call me plus get the CEO of Chase Receivable call me as well. Sheila the supervisor said she would het right on it. She never did anything and when I called back at 1:21 pm est. to find out why I didn't get the call by 1 pm as I requested I was told they were not going to do anything. What needs to be done is everyone that has a bad experience with them needs to flood the Better Business Bureau with calls complaining about them and demanding that the company's rating be reduced to below the lowest rating. If they refuse explain that a complaint will be filed against them with the US Attorney's office.
    • 0
      David G. "The Ferretman" replies to Richard A.
      Having paid for a one year subscription to this "company" I found out that they were nor as honest as they would lead you to believe. I joined back in 2008and never received a magazine until I started to complain in a manner they never dealt with before. After a great deal of yelling they agreed to upgrade me to a lifetime membership.  and extend the membership by a few years. They also claimed I would be getting their magazine at no charge for that period of. time. However all I received was two copies of the magazine, no test products, no membership card, no surveys, no anything as they advertise. So I told them go away and cancel the account. I thought that was the end of it. Today September 13,2012I received a call from Chase Receivables,a collection agency, wanting to discuss a debt. It took six calls to find out what they were calling about. I then found out it was about Handyman Club of America. I asked them for a number they refused. I did some digging and found their 800 number and seas told after getting a supervisor that it was a mistake. The account was closed back in 2010. I asked what do you intend to do to make up for raising my blood pressure? Their response was "nothing". I told them to make up for their major [***] up they will give me at no charge a five year membership that will include all the perks of a life membership including testing products , surveys and such. Lastly there would also be a requirement that they have Larry Okrend,and Michael ,the CEO of the whole company, call me plus get the CEO of Chase Receivable call me as well. Sheila the supervisor said she would het right on it. She never did anything and when I called back at 1:21 pm est. to find out why I didn't get the call by 1 pm as I requested I was told they were not going to do anything. What needs to be done is everyone that has a bad experience with them needs to flood the Better Business Bureau with calls complaining about them and demanding that the company's rating be reduced to below the lowest rating. If they refuse explain that a complaint will be filed against them with the US Attorney's office.
    • 0
      David G. "The Ferretman" replies to Richard A.
      Having paid for a one year subscription to this "company" I found out that they were nor as honest as they would lead you to believe. I joined back in 2008and never received a magazine until I started to complain in a manner they never dealt with before. After a great deal of yelling they agreed to upgrade me to a lifetime membership.  and extend the membership by a few years. They also claimed I would be getting their magazine at no charge for that period of. time. However all I received was two copies of the magazine, no test products, no membership card, no surveys, no anything as they advertise. So I told them go away and cancel the account. I thought that was the end of it. Today September 13,2012I received a call from Chase Receivables,a collection agency, wanting to discuss a debt. It took six calls to find out what they were calling about. I then found out it was about Handyman Club of America. I asked them for a number they refused. I did some digging and found their 800 number and seas told after getting a supervisor that it was a mistake. The account was closed back in 2010. I asked what do you intend to do to make up for raising my blood pressure? Their response was "nothing". I told them to make up for their major [***] up they will give me at no charge a five year membership that will include all the perks of a life membership including testing products , surveys and such. Lastly there would also be a requirement that they have Larry Okrend,and Michael ,the CEO of the whole company, call me plus get the CEO of Chase Receivable call me as well. Sheila the supervisor said she would het right on it. She never did anything and when I called back at 1:21 pm est. to find out why I didn't get the call by 1 pm as I requested I was told they were not going to do anything. What needs to be done is everyone that has a bad experience with them needs to flood the Better Business Bureau with calls complaining about them and demanding that the company's rating be reduced to below the lowest rating. If they refuse explain that a complaint will be filed against them with the US Attorney's office.
  • 0
    Irene A
    My husband and I also received a bill and a threat that our account was being sent to collections.  I sent $12 thinking my husband had ordered this.  My husband then informed me he had not ordered.  We have received nothing.  I also believe this is a big scam.  I will write a letter to this company and send a copy with a cover letter to Minnesota's Attorney General requesting they investigate this company.  Anyone else have any ideas?  Someone is making a living from what appears to be a big scam.
  • 0
    Ed Team
    The subscription envelope was sealed and ready to mail, but I decided to check out potential problems using the internet.  After reading your experiences, the envelope gets shredded.  You all have my heartfelt sympathies for your bad experiences, and my pocketbook thanks for your advice.  Thanks for your postings.
  • 0
    Keith C
    For those of you getting tools that you did not order,such as the one I got today "Quick Cut Backsaw" that I did not order I found this on the USPS website https://postalinspectors.uspis.gov/investigat ... citedFraud.aspx
    If you do not wish to pay for unsolicited merchandise or make a donation to a charity sending such an item, you may do one of three things (in each case, by law, you have no obligation to the sender):

    •If you have not opened the package, you may mark it "Return to Sender," and the Postal Service will return it with no additional postage charged to you.


    •If you open the package and don't like what you find, you may throw it away.


    •If you open the package and like what you find, you may keep it for free. In this instance, "finders-keepers" applies unconditionally.

    Furthermore, it is illegal for a company that sends you unordered merchandise to follow the mailing with a bill or dunning communication.


    If you are aware of violations of the federal law prohibiting the mailing of unordered merchandise, or if you have personally had difficulty with such items--especially if you are sent statements demanding payment for the merchandise--you should contact you local postmaster or the nearest Postal Inspector.


    I suggest you keep the stuff...and seek the Postmaster General if they try to collect.

    Good luck
  • 0
    Chris W
    I thought I was signing up for a free newsletter and exited the process before giving them a credit card. I started receiving magazines in the mail and then a bill for $12. I also received a threatening email to pay because the trial period was over. These guys are nothing but crooked and deceptive.
    I will have nothing to with them or any company that has deceptive business practices.
  • 0
    MARINE
    I got the letter and read on this site to find out the real story behind this company. So here's what I am going to do. I work in marketing and have resources to find personnel with every company. I will post all contact information (including personal) to this post as I attain them. I'm sure people here could make some use of it. Legal of course. For instance, call he CEO at home since he won't take you call at work. Or maybe mail an executive all the books you've recieved and include no return address. I'll start my search tomorrow.
  • 0
    Bill Gorgus
    I had joined by sending them a check for $12.00 I was supposed to receive one of two free gifts. about a month later I got another package welcoming me to the group but told that my gift would arrive the middle of February. Instead of a gift I received a skillfully prepared advertisement requesting  I submit another $24.00 for an additional 2 year subscription in order to get my free gift. I have not received a single copy of any said magazine and it has been several months now.
  • 0
    Arthur Baca
    this is a scam i recieved this magazine i know i never ordered. what is wrong with these people ... I refuse to pay any bill i sent them back but I keep getting billed... there out for the money to try to get whatever they can from anybody.... even us who can't afford to even buy a magazine what is this world coming to ...its all the devils work... readers digest is doing the same thing
  • 0
    A.  Sheppard
    My dad has done this, He mailed his payment of $24.00 they say they never recieved it and he has not recieved the 35 pocket bucket set either.
  • 0
    H.Z.
    THANK YOU!!! So much for everyone for posting  these complaints. This has saved me a lot of grief. I had just talked my dad into signing up & decided to do a little research. Would have never heard the end of it if he had started receiving bills for this SCAM!!!    Again THANK YOU VERY MUCH!!!!!  H.Z.
  • 0
    H.Z.
    You are my HERO! That is such cool idea I will definitely be coming back on here to get these scam artists information. I assume since you called yourself MARINE you have access to all the cool government tools. It would be good to know that my tax $$$ are actually going to to help people who deserve it.   NOT WELFARE CASES!!!!!!
  • 0
    Tom
    I got the same offer the rest of you got. Having had a recent need for both of the "free gifts" they offered for a 2 yr subscription, I sent a check for $24. The check cleared shortly thereafter but no gifts arrived. Two months later got a notice of late payment. Returned the request form with a note advising them of the confirmed payment and requested they fulfill their offer. Today, I got another bill labeled SECOND NOTICE. Glad I came to this website before responding again. Has anybody had any luck yet? As an ex AF General, my next contact will be to my friends in the FBI.
  • 0
    Thank God That I Checked Here First
    I got an invitation letter from Handyman Club of America today and the offer and conditions just seem too good to be true. So I googled to find out if there is any complaint about this company. Thank God that now there is the Internet that allows people to share information. I am throwing the invitation into the trashcan. In the future, I will do a search whenever I receive any offer like this.
  • 0
    MikeinNC
    Folks, the person who posted the "unsolicited goods" advice is correct.  If you never asked for it or agreed to buy it, keep whatever they send and throw everything else away or file it away for your future counterclaim and BBB complaint.  Be sure to at least attempt to cancel your membership in the manner prescribed by writing cancel on the invoice, no payment attached, and returning it.  If they charge your card, call the credit card company, dispute the charge(s), and have the card replaced with a new one so that no additional charges can be made.  Cancellation of Visa cards is critical to the chargeback process, so don't waffle, just do it when you dispute the charges, and request a replacement immediately. Contact the BBB at bbb.org (the national one).  The postmaster route is a criminal complaint, and not likely to gain a lot of traction -- too much scamming out there to go after the small fish.  If you think they've ding'd your credit, There's just no way.  But order a free credit report from annualcreditreport.com -- you're entitled to one per year from each of the 3 agencies, and this is the ONLY authorized credit report site -- the others are just more scams.  Look it up.  If your credit report is damaged by this company, which I seriously doubt since they don't have your SSN to report it, you would have legal recourse to sue if they don't immediately remove the derogatory info.  So all in all, enjoy the free gifts, throw away the mail, stop the charges by replacing your card and dispute any existing ones, file the bbb complaint, and then ignore them.  Don't waste time calling or trying to exact revenge...  Their financial analytics are most likely geared toward sucker payments, unaware consumers, and minimal disputes, so if you mess up their financials, they'll move on.
  • 0
    mike
    i have been a member of NAHC for over a year now and I have had no complaints. if you receive a book/product you don't want you simply print off a postage paid shipping label from their website and mail it back. I enjoy the books and i use the tools. If i get any books or tools that i don't want I simply send them back and don't pay for them.
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