ComplaintsforSelfstarters, Inc.

• Initial Complaint

  06/03/2024

  Complaint Type:

  Delivery Issues

  Status:

  Resolved

  More info

  I never received the 2 magazines.

  Business response

  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 response

  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

  05/03/2024

  Complaint Type:

  Sales and Advertising Issues

  Status:

  Unanswered

  More info

  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.

• Initial Complaint

  04/16/2024

  Complaint Type:

  Sales and Advertising Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  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

  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

  03/29/2024

  Complaint Type:

  Delivery Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  I ordered a magazine from *********************** for my granddaughter but she has not received a copy. Ordered Girl Life subscription for $40.00. ***********************************************************************************

  Business response

  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

  02/26/2024

  Complaint Type:

  Product Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  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

  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

  02/01/2024

  Complaint Type:

  Sales and Advertising Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  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

  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

  05/30/2023

  Complaint Type:

  Sales and Advertising Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  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

  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.

• Initial Complaint

  03/03/2022

  Complaint Type:

  Service or Repair Issues

  Status:

  Resolved

  More info

  A salesman from Self Starters, Inc. came to my door this afternoon, Mar 2, 2022 to sell me magazines. Although he tried to persuade me to spend $300, I yielded to a $56 purchase. C. M. is a very talkative and amiable man, but he wasn't going to leave without a sale, even though I mentioned scam, researching the company, etc. The receipt states "You the buyer, may cancel, this transaction at any time prior to midnight of the third business day after the date of this transaction. . ." I want and expect a refund. -- I usually don't answer my door when I'm home alone, or if I don't know the person. I'm sorry I did this time, especially after I learned of so many complaints.

  Business response

  03/24/2022

  Consumer Response /* (3000, 10, 2022/03/18) */ Kayon E. of Self Starters, Inc. left a message on March 14 that he could not find any record of a sale and asked me for the salesman's name, the amount of the sale and the receipt #. Info I gave him: Salesperson Name: Cornelius M. Animal Tales magazine: $56 Receipt #: ***** It's likely Kayon did not find record of the sale because Cornelius left me the Customer Copy and the Office Copy. Business Response /* (4000, 12, 2022/03/21) */ Hi *****, We got it , Your order was a cash order. As you have requested. We will cancel your order, and sand you a refund of $56.00 Hopefully next time you will be able to give us a chance to served you. Consumer Response /* (2000, 14, 2022/03/24) */ (The consumer indicated he/she ACCEPTED the response from the business.) Thank you for your quick response in returning my purchase price of $56. It may be helpful for Self Starters to know that it was uncomfortable to not see a clear list of magazine offerings along with terms and prices. Very difficult to make an informed decision.

• Initial Complaint

  02/21/2022

  Complaint Type:

  Service or Repair Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  On 2/17/22 I purchased a two year magazine subscription from someone who came to my door saying he was selling them for Selfstarters Inc. I looked into the company afterwards and realized that people were never receiving their subscriptions or their refunds. I immediately reached out via their email and called their customer service line to cancel the next day but have not received a response and the call went straight to voicemail.

  Business response

  03/18/2022

  Business Response /* (1000, 5, 2022/02/23) */ Hi *****, We did received your massage for cancellation. And we did pull your so that it wont go to the bank. When I get those orders I will send your check back to you. Consumer Response /* (3000, 7, 2022/02/23) */ (The consumer indicated he/she DID NOT accept the response from the business.) If you did, in fact, get my message you would have heard that it was a Zelle payment, not a check. Please let me know how you will be refunding my $80.00 Business Response /* (4000, 9, 2022/02/24) */ Hi ******, sorry about the mist understanding . most of our orders are checks. So when the manager told me she pull the order, I just taught she pull a check also. We will pay you back with Zelle also.

• Initial Complaint

  11/15/2021

  Complaint Type:

  Order Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  On 4/26 a young man came to my door selling magazines. He said he had struggled but sales from these magazines help him achieve an education. I'm a teacher so I felt compelled to order $200 from him-money I'd been saving for my wedding. By June 22, I'd still not received any magazines and contacted the company asking for a refund. I was told to wait 120 days. On Sept 13, well past the 120 day deadline I again asked for a refund. I was instead asked to give until the end of October. Surprise surprise, no magazines. On October 17 again I asked for a refund, to which they did say they'd process it. It's now November 15th and I haven't received a refund or further communication.

  Business response

  12/02/2021

  Business Response /* (1000, 5, 2021/11/17) */ Hi ******, Thanks again for your orders, As I mention on the phone, Your orders was cleared for processing with the publisher 6/9/21.I don't know why it took so long .As promised I would send you a refund. And you could still have the magazines when they come. A check was mail out yesterday 11/16. Again thanks for your patience.

*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. ↩