ComplaintsforDotdash Meredith

• Initial Complaint

  05/01/2024

  Complaint Type:

  Service or Repair Issues

  Status:

  Resolved

  More info

  Southern *************** deducted $39.95 without authorization from my checking account.This occurred on Friday, April 5, 2024. On Monday I called the ************ phone number, and was told this money would be refunded in two to three weeks. I waited the three weeks, and called again as I did not receive this money. Again, I was informed that it could take the three weeks. I repeated the dates, and was informed that my money would be in my account by April 29, ********** is April 30, 2024, and I have not received one ***** of my money, and I was told that it would be another two to three weeks to be corrected. This is out and out stealing from a private checking account. I filed a compliant with Southern Living on April 8, 2024, and it was totally ignored. Not only do I not have my money, but they copied information from my check to further enhance their fraudulent scheme.

  

  Business response

  05/03/2024

  
  We apologize for any inconvenience ****************** has experienced regarding Southern Living.

  Our records show a refund check was processed April 8, 2024. We apologize that the refund check did not arrive. 

  We have now processed a refund to the credit card that was charged ***** ending in 9563). ****************** should see the refund in the next 72 hours.

  Customer response

  05/06/2024

   
  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.
  
  Sincerely,
  
  *********************************

• Initial Complaint

  04/24/2024

  Complaint Type:

  Delivery Issues

  Status:

  Resolved

  More info

  We began receiving Better Homes and Gardens magazines and have never subscribed to this publication, nor are interested in having a subscription. Today we received a bill for $16 Payment Due Now with a letter than begins By subscribing you have guaranteed yourself substantial savings . . . But we never subscribed. These magazines have been an annoyance as they go straight to the recycling and sending them to us is wasteful and unwanted.

  

  Business response

  04/25/2024

  We apologize for any inconvenience ****************** has experienced regarding Better Homes and Gardens.

  We have cancelled the order and removed ****************** from our promotional list. ****************** should disregard any invoices that *** cross in the mail.

  Customer response

  04/25/2024

   
  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.
  
  Sincerely,
  
  *************************

• Initial Complaint

  03/27/2024

  Complaint Type:

  Delivery Issues

  Status:

  Resolved

  More info

  I received a magazine, "Allrecipes), in the mail along with an invoice for $15.00. I did not order this magazine. I am reporting this company as being fraudulent.

  

  Business response

  04/09/2024

  We apologize for any inconvenience **************** has experienced regarding Allrecipes.

  The order and Payment for $13.00, received July 8. 2022, included continuous service. The automatic renewal was processed January 2, 2024, and an invoice was sent.

  As requested, the order was cancelled March 27, 2024. **************** should disregard any further invoices that *** have crossed in the mail.

• Initial Complaint

  03/08/2024

  Complaint Type:

  Product Issues

  Status:

  Resolved

  More info

  Charge for a magazine we did not sign up We started gett BHG last year starting in May 2023 we never signed up fr this magazine 2 years ago we signed up for Allrecipes that is fine I talked to BHG support JohnP he explained what they did.Maggazine.com took a 1 dollar cash and started a subscription in May of 2023.This started the subscription that I did not order if you search the web for complaints I am not alone in this scam **** from *** said they would refund my money to date that has not happened

  

  Business response

  03/09/2024

  We apologize for any inconvenience Ms. *** experienced regarding Better Homes and Gardens.

  Our records show a refund for $29.95 was processed on March 6, 2024. **. *** will need to allow up to ten business days to receive her refund.

  Customer response

  03/11/2024

   
  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.
  
  Sincerely,
  
  ***************

• Initial Complaint

  02/19/2024

  Complaint Type:

  Delivery Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  I have never ever had such difficulty in trying to place a magazine subscription. In October I ordered this magazine and another with a main offering.The order consisted of two magazine orders one to my home address and one as a gift certificate subscription for my daughter! I contacted the company email, phone, and online forms beginning but the following dates: 11 /12/23, November 17, December 6, December 12, December 18, January 4, 2024 January 15, January 27. I have continued to client contact them because I keep receiving an accurate information from at least 10 different representative said I spoke to Or have received emails from(Just some representatives namesLeyden-4 times, *****, ******,..) I have corrected the names and addresses every single time and have been told that I would be getting my magazine subscription! Today I spoke to a supervisor, ***** who confirmed that I might be getting my magazine by the end of February which is a January issue! I just dont understand why this is so difficult to get this information corrected! The customer service is horrible. I have waited each time when I had called at least 45 minutes!Assigned a case number:##******** (KMM160468633V54543L0KM).just SO E of the emails..not including the MULTIPLE PHONE CALLS??

  

  Business response

  02/20/2024

  We apologize for any inconvenience ********************* has experienced.

  Our records show we received an order for ********************** on October 26, 2023. The subscription started with the January/February **** issue. The January/February **** issue was resent to ********************** on February 19, ****.

  The address we have on file is:

  JILLBARBARISE         
  652 **********         
  *******       **  *****

  The order included three free gifts. We are also resending the free gifts.

  In addition, we adjusted our records to include a subscription to Real Simple for ***************************** on January 27, ****. Since our address labels are printed in advance, we allow up to eight weeks for the first issue to arrive.

  Customer response

  02/20/2024

   
  Complaint: 21314050
  
  I am only rejecting this response until I actually receive the magazines to be to both parties..Regarding anything that was sent previously is inaccurate - magazines or free giftsonly because it took this long, over four months to hopefully  correct the errors off the businesss part.I have been told since November I should be receiving the subscriptions in mid January, the latest..still nothing..??
  Sincerely,
  
  ***************************

  

  Business response

  02/21/2024

  Again, we apologize for any inconvenience ********************** has experienced.

  We are extending both subscriptions to compensate for her inconvenience.

  We hope that excellent service from now on will compensate for any inconvenience Ms. **************;has experienced.

• Initial Complaint

  01/16/2024

  Complaint Type:

  Service or Repair Issues

  Status:

  Resolved

  More info

  I sent in a check to Costal Living ( a part of Southern Living) for a two year subscription. The check was cashed. It cleared my bank. $30.00 for a two year subscription. I never heard anything from ****** living. I emailed them. Twice they have responded saying they have no record of my Order even though they cashed the check. I wrote to the *** of ********************** and sent him copies of the emails I received and copies of the cashed check. No Response from Dotdash Meredith *** *******************. I am out $30.00. I have wasted so much time with this they should give me the 2 year subscription for free. How do you cash someone's check but you have no record of it? This is ridiculous! Their service is pathetic. They say they still have no record of my order even though they have the money. I do not want the Subscription now. After the terrible service it is not worth the $30.00. I just want my money refunded.

  

  Business response

  01/17/2024

  We apologize for any inconvenience Mr. ************ has experienced regarding Coastal Living.

  Our records show we received his order on January 5, ****. The subscription will start with the Spring **** issue.

  As requested, we have processed a full refund. **************** should allow up to four weeks for delivery of his refund check.

  Customer response

  01/17/2024

   
  Complaint: 21121226
  
  I am rejecting this response because: I want the subscription. I DO NOT WANT THE Subscription cancelled. I WANT THE SUBSCRIPTION!!! If they are refunding the money because of their awful service that is wonderful, but I DO NOT WANT THE SUBSCRIPTION CANCELLED!! I WANT THE SUBSCRIPTION!!!
  
  Sincerely,
  
  ***************************

  

  Business response

  01/18/2024

  We were able to stop the refund.

  Coastal Living is published four  times per year. The Spring **** issue should arrive no later than April 10, ****.

  The subscription is paid through the Winter **** issue.

  Customer response

  01/19/2024

   
  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.   It is a 2 year subscription.  
  
  Sincerely,
  
  ***************************

• Initial Complaint

  12/29/2023

  Complaint Type:

  Delivery Issues

  Status:

  Resolved

  More info

  I am receiving bills for an order I never placed nor received any merchandise from this company. I have returned the bills to them and stated such information. They continue to bill me for merchandise I never ordered nor received. The account # is ************* have asked for information as to when the order was placed, where it was shipped to, and tracking number. The bill is also is my former name of ******, which I have not used in over 4 years. The company is ignoring my questions and has not provided me with any further information, nor will they stop billing me for merchandise I did not order.

  

  Business response

  12/29/2023

  We apologize for any inconvenience **************** has experienced regarding Meredith Annual Books.

  We have attached a copy of the original order we received to start a book series.

  The balance due for the book sent May 30, 2023 has been cancelled. **************** should disregard any further invoices she may have received.

  We have discontinued the book series and removed **************** from our promotional list.

  Customer response

  12/29/2023

   
  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.
  
  Sincerely,
  
  *******************************

• Initial Complaint

  12/19/2023

  Complaint Type:

  Product Issues

  Status:

  Resolved

  More info

  Being billed for books/magazines not ordered. Two books sent automatically and not provided a way to return them. Should not have to pay for shipping for books/magazines not ordered. Currently over $100.

  

  Business response

  12/19/2023

  We apologize for any inconvenience **************** has experienced regarding Meredith Annual Books.

  We have cancelled the balance due and there is no further obligation.

  We have also discontinued the book series.

  Customer response

  12/19/2023

   
  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. Would like to know what the book reductions are for.
  
  Sincerely,
  
  *********************

• Initial Complaint

  11/27/2023

  Complaint Type:

  Order Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  I am a *************** subscriber. Meredith Publishing took over and every year when I go to renew they try to charge me sales tax. I have no problem with paying sales tax, which in my county of Clark County, the sales tax rate is ****% and they are trying to charge me nearly 25% sales tax! I called and they waived the sales tax, but why and how are they trying to charge 3 times the actual sales tax rate? I'm sure I'm not the only one experiencing this.

  

  Business response

  11/28/2023

  
  We apologize for any inconvenience ****************** has experienced regarding People.

  Our records show the tax rate for Ms. ****************** is 4.6 percent and for her County is ***** percent. Our system automatically adds the specific tax for each State. We collect the use tax from our customers and turn the money over to their state's ********** of ********************************* has called our *********************** and has been given a lower renewal rate. Her subscription is paid through the December 23, **** issue.

  
  

  Customer response

  11/28/2023

   
  Complaint: 20920111
  
  I am rejecting this response because:

  The tax rates that they quoted are not the tax rates they were trying to bill me. They were charging me nearly 25% tax rate prior to me calling and talking to a supervisor and getting the tax waived. 

  I believe they are trying to overcharge everyone and this will happen to me again if I try to renew my subscription next year. 

  I have no problem paying sales tax, if my state really does charge for it, but only the tax rate applied, not more. 

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

  

  Business response

  11/29/2023

  The order that was processed on November17, 2023, was for one year for $89.10 plus $7.46 tax. The total due was $96.56. That order was cancelled.

  A duplicate order was processed on November 28, 2023, for one year for $94.00 plus $7.87 tax. The total due was $101.87. We have cancelled the duplicate order. ****************** should disregard any invoices she may receive.

  The amount charged for ****** is $4.6% and *****% for ****************** county. We have not charged 25% tax.

  We apologize for any confusion regarding the tax collected.

• Initial Complaint

  11/20/2023

  Complaint Type:

  Service or Repair Issues

  Status:

  Resolved

  More info

  Hello. I have been a user of ********************** for many years. I have used the personal recipe function to add my family recipes. Sometime around May 2022, some of those recipes started to disappear. I have now lost access to almost all of my personal recipes that I entrusted Allrecipes.com with. I have contacted support many times over the last year and a half with no solution. I just want someone to find my recipes and either put them back in my account, or simply send them to me in PDF form.

  

  Business response

  12/20/2023

  Hi there,

  Our teams are currently working on the issue and Personal Recipes will appear onsite again once resolved. We'll notify ***** directly once they're visible onsite again. In the meantime, attached is a copy of *****'s Personal Recipes on Allrecipes.com.

  Thank you,
  CQ

*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. ↩