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
    John
    Just got my invitation and wondering who nominated me? Wow! I knew something was up with only 10 days to respond. Thanks Larry but I will pass on this opportunity.
  • 0
    duane
    | 1 reply
    got a problem with handyman go to ripoffreport.com
    • 0
      tj replies to duane
      If they are sending unordered merchandise and billing for it, file mail fraud complaints with the U.S. Postal Inspector.
  • 0
    Bob
    The magazine is indeed useful.  But they send tools and books that you never asked for.  Then comes the bill.  The bills keep coming.  You ask to cancel.  They won't.

    Now I'm worried this $10 invoice could ding my credit.  

    Some a**hole named Robert Masters runs this scam.  Hope he sees his due justice.
  • 0
    Joe
    The phone number for Handyman Club of America is 1-800-243-7679 . Be prepared for long waits,pre-recorded messages and rude customer service.But most of all,don't lower yourself to their standards and be persistent.
  • 0
    Tenosee Jed
    Great to hear so many other complaints about this company (Handyscam). I cancelled my subscription after 2 yrs of receiving maybe 5 magazines a year and really cheap [***] chinese tools . Fullfilled my end of the bargain for the subsciptions, they sent a renewal letter. I decided I was done with it , now I'm being taken to collections for over $300 . This can't be legal . Does anyone know what can be done here ?
  • 0
    Winton
    I got an  unexpected $3.00 charge on my credit card as "NMG Handyman Club dues."  The telephone number associated with that charge is 800-243-7679.  I don't recall ever having indicated that I was interested in being a member.  I'm definitely not a "handyman."
  • 0
    Dennis Deater
    In returning one of their unsolicited books they gave a return shipping label with No Postage Due and a bar code to attach to the book.  I took it to the post office and started to give it to the post master at which she stated this isn't a postage paid label.  It was bogus and I ended up having to pay for sending their book back.  One scam after another.
    DD
  • 0
    Elizabeth
    | 1 reply
    I also received a charge from this company that I did not authorize. They advised that I work with my bank's fraud department to get a new credit card account. What a pain!
    • 0
      tj replies to Elizabeth
      Wheneverr you are dealing with fraudulent checking or credit card charges, ALWAYS dispute the charges as fraudulent through your bank, and ALWAYS close the account or block the card number to prevent further fraud.  Follow up with a fraud affidavit sent to your bank's fraud department.  Keep records of everything.

      That pushes the charge back through the banking system, reversing it and forcing a "chargeback" fee on the merchant who made it, raises their chargeback ratio so that merchants with high levels of fraudulent charges get cut off, and also documents the reason for the reversal.

      Once you find fraudulent charges, you must assume your account information is in the hands of people willing to make more of them, so you BLOCK IT.
  • 0
    David
    | 1 reply
    I just called their number (1-800-243-7679) and spoke with a member services rep.  I had to wait on the phone roughly 30 seconds and she quickly cancelled my subscription.  I was also told to email memberservices@handymanclub.com to request conformation of this cancellation.  The operator was very nice and gracious.  Maybe I caught them on a nice day?
    • 0
      tj replies to David
      More likely they are just stringing you along, and the charges will continue.

      Contact your bank to block your card number, before more charges start "accidentally" showing up.
  • 0
    R.D.
    Thanks, folks. I got the "invitation" to join the club. Looked pretty good. But was it too good to be true? Guess so. I too am sending the envelope back empty - or maybe with a note saying I ain't no fool.
  • 0
    Russ Life member #30142961
    I have been a life member for years and even once recieved a worthless tool to evaluate. Howevever I enjoy the building articles in magazine BUT! With their new website the club no longer recoginzes me or my member number  .So I cannot enter any contests, for whatever thats worth after reading complaints. I will not reccomend Handyman Club of America to my friends.
  • 0
    John M
    Thanks for the feedback.  I received my announcement of my "Nomination for membership" today.  It smelled when I opened it and after reading all of this information I now know why.
  • 0
    annae allred
    Handyman Club of America is 1-800-243-7679. You need to listen carefully and wait till she starts to list the 8 things to press about.  There is a member cancel button.......
  • 0
    tj
    Complaint profile is consistent with other order cramming scams, like what Columbia House was known for.

    If a company crams through charges for unordered products, file disputes through your bank, and shut down your account or block your card number to prevent further crammed charges.  Your bank can reverse charges back 2 to 3 months, under FRB Reg. E or FCBA.

    If they are shipping or billing you for anything unwanted, file complaints with FTC and your state Attorney General.  In addition, file mail fraud complaints with the US Postal Inspector.
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