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Business Profile

Magazine Sales

Selfstarters, Inc.

This business is NOT BBB Accredited.

Find BBB Accredited Businesses in Magazine Sales.

Complaints

This profile includes complaints for Selfstarters, Inc.'s headquarters and its corporate-owned locations. To view all corporate locations, see

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Selfstarters, Inc. has 4 locations, listed below.

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    Customer Complaints Summary

    • 10 total complaints in the last 3 years.
    • 7 complaints closed in the last 12 months.

    If you've experienced an issue

    Submit a Complaint

    The complaint text that is displayed might not represent all complaints filed with BBB. Some consumers may elect to not publish the details of their complaints, some complaints may not meet BBB's standards for publication, or BBB may display a portion of complaints when a high volume is received for a particular business.

    Sort by

    Complaint status

    Complaint type

    • Initial Complaint

      Date:03/04/2025

      Type:Product Issues
      Status:
      Resolved
      Resolved:
      The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.
      Unresolved:
      The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.
      Answered:
      The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.
      Unanswered:
      The business failed to respond to the dispute.
      Unpursuable:
      BBB is unable to locate the business.
      A Self Starters *** came to my door on 5/20/24. I purchased a magazine for $80 and never received the series of magazines. Ive called multiple times to the primary phone number of the business and left multiple voicemails with no response. I also emailed with no response. Looking to get a refund for my payment that has already been cashed.

      Business Response

      Date: 03/13/2025

      Hi ******, sorry I didn't get your message. I did not find your name in our system . I found your receipt, on our copy of your receipt show the order was place, On the Publisher website right now we no longer have sports illustrated magazines. We had it at the time because the receipt was check off that mean the order was place . Don't know what happen , But we will send you your refund.

      Customer Answer

      Date: 03/13/2025

       
      Better Business Bureau:

      I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID ********, and find that this resolution is satisfactory to me, pending I receive the refund payment.

      Sincerely,

      ****** **********

    • Initial Complaint

      Date:10/23/2024

      Type:Service or Repair Issues
      Status:
      Answered
      Resolved:
      The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.
      Unresolved:
      The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.
      Answered:
      The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.
      Unanswered:
      The business failed to respond to the dispute.
      Unpursuable:
      BBB is unable to locate the business.
      A gentleman rang my doorbell last year, 12/28/2023. He claimed to have been institutionalized and was selling magazines through Self Starters, *** to get back onto his feet. I saw the magazine subscriptions were 300% more than digital copies advertised to me. Still, I wanted to support these young folks to get back into society so I offered to buy ********************* at $90. I really need to break $100 on this sale. Could you buy one more? So I bought a comic book, Daredevil at $40. Mind you, my kids have the Marvel Comic unlimited digital subscription at $40 per year for all *************. I didnt need to pay inflated costs, but I wanted to help this guy. I have a receipt and canceled check for $130 made to Self Starters****** Ten months later, no correspondence, no magazines.

      Business Response

      Date: 11/25/2024

      Hi MR ******* sorry you did not receive your magazine. I don't know what happen attach is a lookup results show that your order was submit to the Publisher 3/26/24 

      and it was cleared for processing on 4/3/24 I sent an email to the Publisher to see why you not getting your magazine. But don't worry I will still send you a refund.

       

    • Initial Complaint

      Date:10/14/2024

      Type:Service or Repair Issues
      Status:
      Answered
      Resolved:
      The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.
      Unresolved:
      The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.
      Answered:
      The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.
      Unanswered:
      The business failed to respond to the dispute.
      Unpursuable:
      BBB is unable to locate the business.
      A door-to-door ******** came to my door with an aggressive sales pitch. I gave them a cheque to get them to leave my property intending to exercise the FTC's 3-day cooling off period. Not only did the salesman not have the solicitation license I believe is required by my city (************) they didn't inform me of the 3-day period as they are supposed to. The receipt says it has an attached explanation of the right and a form to do it, but that was never provided to me. I called the business the following day and informed them of all of this and my wish to cancel. They never returned my call and cashed my check.

      Business Response

      Date: 10/16/2024

      I spoke with Mr. **** ***** today , I told him I will send him a refund and cancel his order. He agree. So I Will put a check for $100.00 in the mail today. 

    • Initial Complaint

      Date:06/03/2024

      Type:Delivery Issues
      Status:
      Resolved
      Resolved:
      The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.
      Unresolved:
      The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.
      Answered:
      The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.
      Unanswered:
      The business failed to respond to the dispute.
      Unpursuable:
      BBB is unable to locate the business.
      I never received the 2 magazines.

      Business Response

      Date: 06/05/2024

      Hi ***** , We respond to your email, and the message did not go through, it was block . and we call you and the phone keep on ringing.

      We did not find your name in our computer. and we do have those magazines. But as you have requested a refund, I will send you a refund of $60.00

      Customer Answer

      Date: 06/05/2024

       
      Better Business Bureau:

      I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID ********, and find that this resolution is satisfactory to me.
      My correct address is: ***************************************** Tampa Fl *****. Thank you.
      Sincerely,

      ***********************

    • Initial Complaint

      Date:05/03/2024

      Type:Sales and Advertising Issues
      Status:
      Answered
      Resolved:
      The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.
      Unresolved:
      The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.
      Answered:
      The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.
      Unanswered:
      The business failed to respond to the dispute.
      Unpursuable:
      BBB is unable to locate the business.
      Self Starters **** misrepresented themselves. I paid $540 for magazine subscriptions and got nothing. *** tried contacting the company and also nothing. This is a scam and needs to be put out of business so others arent hit with it.

      Business Response

      Date: 11/25/2024

      Hi ********, I'm sorry you did not get your magazines, I sent an email to the Publisher along with your address to see why you are not getting your order. All 4 magazines was submit to the Publisher on 5/14/24 and they were cleared for processing on 5/15/24

    • Initial Complaint

      Date:04/16/2024

      Type:Sales and Advertising Issues
      Status:
      Answered
      Resolved:
      The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.
      Unresolved:
      The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.
      Answered:
      The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.
      Unanswered:
      The business failed to respond to the dispute.
      Unpursuable:
      BBB is unable to locate the business.
      4/12/24, *******, ** A man from ****************** came to my door selling magazines. After I refused to purchase any the magazines, he became visibly irritated and started shouting. I told him to leave my property immediately. He then threatened me and my family with violence. He literally said, "Your momma is a bitch"..."Imma f*** you up" during the course of his ranting as I demanded that he leave my property. I didn't catch the man's name, but he was black with face and neck tattoos. From my cursory assessment, I could tell he was on drugs. I looked into the company, **************** and found a mountain of similar incidents reported from other people regarding Self Starters **** employees. I attempted to reach out to the company to no avail. The only email listed is ********************************

      Business Response

      Date: 04/16/2024

      I'm sorry, We only have four agent, two Boys and two Girls. None of them have tattoo on their neck or their faces. 

    • Initial Complaint

      Date:03/29/2024

      Type:Delivery Issues
      Status:
      Answered
      Resolved:
      The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.
      Unresolved:
      The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.
      Answered:
      The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.
      Unanswered:
      The business failed to respond to the dispute.
      Unpursuable:
      BBB is unable to locate the business.
      I ordered a magazine from *********************** for my granddaughter but she has not received a copy. Ordered Girl Life subscription for $40.00. ***********************************************************************************

      Business Response

      Date: 04/23/2024

      I Spoke with the customer, ************ was order. But I told her I will place another order for a 2 years subscription , She agreed.

    • Initial Complaint

      Date:02/26/2024

      Type:Product Issues
      Status:
      Answered
      Resolved:
      The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.
      Unresolved:
      The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.
      Answered:
      The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.
      Unanswered:
      The business failed to respond to the dispute.
      Unpursuable:
      BBB is unable to locate the business.
      On Feb 9th late in the afternoon ****************** rang the bell of the residence where i work. He told the story of his recovery and how he was selling magazines to get back on his feet. He was a fast talker and I feel like I was very much trapped. He talked so fast and strongly I agreed to 3 magizines and then discloses the over $500 price tag. Of course, I was shocked. So, like the good saleman he gets me down to $140. As soon as the man walked away I felt like I made a huge mistake. The next morning, Feb 10th, I followed all the directions on the notice of cancellation that ****************** provided and canx the purchase. I phoned and left two messages, I sent a fax to the number provided, but it went unanswered and I sent two emails, which were never replied to. Documentation for all of these methods requesting cancellation are attached. I request immediate cancellation of my purchase and a complete refund of the $140 subscription. I realize I was an easy target and I initially had buyers remorse, but immediately realized I was scammed when none of the methods of requesting a cancellation worked.

      Business Response

      Date: 02/27/2024

      We have provided a refund to ************** on the 14th of February, 5 days after the order was placed. See attached for proof. 

    • Initial Complaint

      Date:02/01/2024

      Type:Sales and Advertising Issues
      Status:
      Answered
      Resolved:
      The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.
      Unresolved:
      The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.
      Answered:
      The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.
      Unanswered:
      The business failed to respond to the dispute.
      Unpursuable:
      BBB is unable to locate the business.
      I was missold a renewing subscription by Selfstarter and I am unable to cancel it as the magazine publisher will not cancel it without authorization from Selfstarter. That firm does not pick up the phone - I have been calling it for weeks and left several messages.

      Business Response

      Date: 02/08/2024

      We sell magazines subscriptions but do not provide renewal services. We asked **************** for a copy of her receipt so that we could track it down and find out how many years of Cooks Illustrated she ordered and to see if that matched with how many years of subscriptions she has been receiving. She had refused to show us the receipt. We place our orders for magazines through a company called National Publishers Exchange. After that, they(NPE) fulfill the order with the magazine company desired, Cooks Illustrated in this example. National Publishers Exchange did confirm with us the order has been cancelled(See attached).

    • Initial Complaint

      Date:05/30/2023

      Type:Sales and Advertising Issues
      Status:
      Answered
      Resolved:
      The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.
      Unresolved:
      The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.
      Answered:
      The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.
      Unanswered:
      The business failed to respond to the dispute.
      Unpursuable:
      BBB is unable to locate the business.
      I was bombarded by a sales woman while returning from work with my two children. She talked about domestic abuse in front of my 4 year old. She proceeded to come onto my Sidewalk and said shed wait on my stoop until I got my children settled inside. At this point I was torn between feeling empathy and also fear as my husband was out of town. In an effort to get her to go away, I purchased magazines at an absorbent price. I was afraid and stressed and also sold a sob story and shown all the prescription medications she was on for congestive heart failure, blood clots, etc, she showed me pictures of her in the hospital and with IVs. Im so upset for spending that money. Upon googling, I found they were not accredited, had suspect sales practices, etc. before the sale went trough, she called her supervisor on speaker who asked if I felt pressured. What was I supposed to say? The receipt said I could cancel within 3 days so I called numerous times and no one ever picked up or responded to my call. I spent $500 and Im sick about it. I want a refund.

      Business Response

      Date: 05/31/2023

      Hi *****, Thanks for taking the time to speak with our agent. Sorry you have to go through BBB. You say you call, But you did not leave a message. That's why we have voicemail, and email. If you did, we would have pull your check and cancel your order before it go to the bank. Anyway we will send you a refund of $500.00. we will put a check in the mail today.

    Selfstarters, Inc. is NOT a BBB Accredited Business.

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