ComplaintsforWestern Reader's Service
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Complaint Details
Note that complaint text that is displayed might not represent all complaints filed with BBB. See details.
Initial Complaint
11/13/2023
- Complaint Type:
- Service or Repair Issues
- Status:
- Answered
Recently I received two issues of ************** (Account No. *************/** that I had not subscribed for. On 11/09/23, I called Vogue to cancel the subscription and was informed that they could only stop the mailing. I was informed that I would have to contact National Publishers Exchange (NPE) to cancel the subscription since they had placed the order. Upon calling NPE on 11/10/23, they said that they would cancel the subscription and the order had originated from Western Reader Services (WRS). I tried to call WRS on 11/10/23 but was not able to reach anyone. I have given no consent for this subscription and would like for it to be cancelled by WRS. I would like all of my personal information, including but not limited to my name, address, and billing information, to be deleted from the database of WRS and its business partners and/or affiliates. Also, I would like to make sure that I will not be receiving any bills from any fraudulent subscription. I refuse to pay any bills from WRS as well as its business partners and affiliates. Please cancel any and all subscriptions WRS and its business partners and affiliates have subscribed to using my information and do not do so in the future. I would like conformation that my information has been deleted, my account has been closed, and I will not be receiving any bills regarding this matter.Business response
11/13/2023
Hello....I reviewed ********* subscription details and it appears that this magazine was a free promotional subscription with no billing on file. I do see it was canceled by National Publishers Exchange, so I made sure it was also canceled on our end as well. Doing so also removes your name and address from the file so that this will never happen again. You may receive one more copy if it has already been mailed, if so please disregard. I apologize for the trouble this has caused and can assure you that this will put a stop to that.
Sincerely, Ed
Customer **********************, ************************************************************Initial Complaint
11/13/2023
- Complaint Type:
- Sales and Advertising Issues
- Status:
- Resolved
I recently received a magazine from GQ that I didn't subscribe to. I tried to cancel with GQ and was told to do it through "National Publishers Exchange." They responded to my complaint and pointed me to "Western Reader's Service." I have never interacted with this business and I never contacted any one from this business to subscribe me to any magazines. NPE has already cancelled the subscription(s) and I don't want to receive any more going forward. I don't want to receive any invoices/bills for something I didn't consent to.Business response
11/13/2023
Hello....I reviewed the ** subscription details and it appears that this magazine was a free promotional subscription with no billing on file. I do see it was canceled by National Publishers Exchange, so I made sure it was also canceled on our end as well. Doing so also removes your name and address from the file so that this will never happen again. You may receive one more copy if it has already been mailed, if so please disregard. I apologize for the trouble this has caused and can assure you that this will put a stop to that.
Sincerely, Ed
Customer **********************, ************************************************************Customer response
11/14/2023
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
11/08/2023
- Complaint Type:
- Service or Repair Issues
- Status:
- Resolved
I received an unsolicited subscription to GQ magazine after contacting them I was told the subscription originated from National Publishers Exchange. After contacting NPR I was told that it again originated from Western Readers Service. I have never had contact with WRS . I did not request this subscription and do not want it. I have called several times and left many voice messages that have gone un returned. I want WRS to cancel this subscription and never send any unsolicited subscriptions to me in the future or bill me for something I did not want or requestBusiness response
11/13/2023
Hello...I believe this has been resolved. My records show that we spoke with ************** on November 6th, 2023. If there are any further issues, please advise. Thank you, ***Customer response
11/14/2023
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
11/02/2023
- Complaint Type:
- Service or Repair Issues
- Status:
- Answered
I was recently enrolled in a magazine subscription without consent. I attempted to contact the magazine company directly, but was given the number for National Publishers Exchange. Upon calling, the *** customer ********************** rep told me he could cancel the subscription, but could not answer any questions regarding billing nor could he tell me if I was going to be receiving any additional magazines that I did not sign up for. He transferred me to Western Exchange Services, the originator for the order, and I left a voicemail. It has gone unanswered. And after several additional calls, I cannot get a service rep on the phone to answer my questions.If a company is going to use my name and address to enroll me in such a service, there needs to be an accessible way to discuss and address customer ********************** concerns.Business response
11/02/2023
Hello,
I believe we spoke earlier today but just for the record, I reviewed the subscription details and it appears that this magazine is a free promotional subscription with no billing on file. I do see it was canceled by National Publishers Exchange, so I made sure it was also canceled on our end as well. Doing so also removes your name and address from the file so that this will never happen again. You may receive one more copy if it has already been mailed, if so please disregard. I apologize for the trouble this has caused and can assure you that this will put a stop to that.
Sincerely, Ed
Customer **********************, ************************************************************Initial Complaint
10/30/2023
- Complaint Type:
- Service or Repair Issues
- Status:
- Answered
Ive gotten two issues of GQ that I did not order.I called GQ customer **********************, waited on hold for half an hour for them to tell me a random third party got a hold of my personal information, and signed me up for a mens magazine. I tried to call National Publishers Exchange for the customer ********************** line only to find out theyre closed on weekends. I got transferred to Western Readers Service and was told to leave a voicemail. I expect:- This subscription canceled - My name and info to be removed from any future mailings from your organization - My information deleted from your database, as this is a clear violation of my privacy and abuse of personal information. I will not be paying for any accrued or future charges relating to this unwelcomed subscription. Unsure what the end game is here - but they try to give you the run around, no one to contact, just to ping pong you back and forth. Very scammyBusiness response
11/02/2023
Hello,
I believe an email was also received direct to us, so I replied via that. But for the record, I reviewed the subscription details and it appears that this magazine is a free promotional subscription with no billing on file. I do see it was canceled by National Publishers Exchange, so I made sure it was also canceled on our end as well. Doing so also removes your name and address from the file so that this will never happen again. You may receive one more copy if it has already been mailed, if so please disregard. I apologize for the trouble this has caused and can assure you that this will put a stop to that.
Sincerely, Ed
Customer **********************, ************************************************************Initial Complaint
10/23/2023
- Complaint Type:
- Service or Repair Issues
- Status:
- Resolved
I received an unsolicited subscription to Conde Nast Traveler. After contacting the company to cancel I was informed that the subscription originated from Western Readers Service. I have never had any contact with WRS. I did not request this subscription and do not want it, but all attempts to contact them to find out the reason for it have led to a voicemail that is not answered. I want WRS to cancel this subscription and never send any unsolicited subscriptions to me in the future.Business response
10/24/2023
Hello....I reviewed the subscription details and it appears that this magazine is a free promotional subscription with no billing on file. I do see it was canceled by National Publishers Exchange, so I made sure it was also canceled on our end as well. Doing so also removes your name and address from the file so that this will never happen again. You may receive one more copy if it has already been mailed, if so please disregard. I apologize for the trouble this has caused and can assure you that this will put a stop to that.
Sincerely, Ed
Customer **********************, ************************************************************Customer response
10/25/2023
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
09/18/2023
- Complaint Type:
- Service or Repair Issues
- Status:
- Answered
Like all of the other complaints, I began receiving an unsolicited subscription to a magazine (GQ) in August of 2023. After calling Conde **** to cancel, they informed me that they were unable to as the subscription was ordered by a third party, National Publishers Exchange. Upon reaching out to NPE, I was informed that they could cancel the subscription but were unable to confirm whether any billing had taken place, as the order came from yet another company, Western Readers Service. When reaching out to ***, I was directed to a voicemail that appeared to be for both an individual (*************) and the *** organization. As ** is also the one who has responded to all of the other BBB complaints, it appears as if this is a one-man operation with no real customer *********************** established. The multi-level process is clearly designed to frustrate and dissuade their customers into giving up on the cancellation in hopes that they will eventually pay for their unsolicited subscriptions. While ** does appear to have satisfactorily closed the majority of the previous complaints, I feel that this organization requires further investigation.Business response
09/18/2023
Hello.
With regard to the complaint, yes, this is a free promotional subscription, with no billing on file or used. It was indeed canceled, and I wanted to advise that you may receive one more issue, should it have already been mailed, and if so, please disregard.
Usually, these promotional subscriptions, generally for half a year or so, are sent to former subscribers of the same magazine (or something similar). In any event, I have made sure that your name and address were deleted from the database so that this does not happen again.
Again, my apologies for the trouble. Please advise if any further questions.
Regards,
Ed
Initial Complaint
07/24/2023
- Complaint Type:
- Sales and Advertising Issues
- Status:
- Answered
Western Readers Service signed me up for a GQ magazine subscription without asking me. I had to go through the steps of cancelling with GQ only to have them tell me that National Publishers Exchange placed the order. I had to then call NPE, wait on hold, and ask them to cancel the subscription. NPE told me that this request for the magazine came from Western Readers Service, without my knowledge or authorization. Seeing as how this may lead to unauthorized bills, it is at least unethical if not illegal.Business response
07/25/2023
Hello....I reviewed the ** subscription details and it appears that this magazine is a free promotional subscription with no billing on file. I do see it was canceled by National Publishers Exchange, so I made sure it was also canceled on our end as well. Doing so also removes your name and address from the file so that this will never happen again. You may receive one more copy if it has already been mailed, if so please disregard. I apologize for the trouble this has caused and can assure you that this will put a stop to that.
Sincerely, Ed
Customer **********************, ************************************************************Initial Complaint
07/21/2023
- Complaint Type:
- Sales and Advertising Issues
- Status:
- Resolved
Just as everyone else has stated: I was mailed a copy of a magazine, in this case GQ, that I have no interest in and wasn't expecting at all. I contacted GQ who directed me to the 3rd party: National Publisher's Exchange (NPE) who said they were filling an order on behalf of Western Reader's Service.I've never contacted nor been contacted by Western Reader's Service. I never wanted the magazine in my name. I asked both GQ and NPE to cancel the subscription. NPE said they cancelled it and redirected my call to ********** which was just a voicemail for a guy named **. I anticipate the response to this complaint to be the same as the other's. "Free promotional subscription, NPE cancelled so I'll remove your name. You might get one more. Etc" Not sure what their end goal is here, but I have never wanted nor will ever want to be connected with this business.Business response
07/21/2023
Hello....I reviewed the subscription details and it appears that this magazine is a free promotional subscription with no billing on file. I do see it was canceled by National Publishers Exchange, so I made sure it was also canceled on our end as well. Doing so also removes your name and address from the file so that this will never happen again. You may receive one more copy if it has already been mailed, if so please disregard. I apologize for the trouble this has caused and can assure you that this will put a stop to that.
Sincerely, Ed
Customer **********************, ************************************************************Customer response
07/24/2023
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
06/01/2023
- Complaint Type:
- Service or Repair Issues
- Status:
- Resolved
You have several complaints of the scheme this place is doing from me now and lots of others. My issue is the same problem previously described by others. Received a magazine called architectural design in the mail that I didnt ask for or subscribe to. Called architectural digest at ************** told the same thing as others that National Publisher Exchange placed the order, so called them at ************** to be told that yet another third party enrolled me in the subscription which was western readers service, called them at ************** and guess what same as all others this line just goes to voicemail assuming that no one ever answers the call and no one ever returns a call. This is a totally scam that needs looked into that this company is subscribing people to magazines that they didnt ask for and never gave consent for. I want to ensure Im not be charged for something I didnt ask for and didnt consent to. I want to ensure ** never enrolled by this company again and that all my data is erased and destroyed in their database.Business response
06/01/2023
Hello....I reviewed the subscription details and it appears that this magazine is a free promotional subscription with no billing on file. I do see it was canceled by National Publishers Exchange, so I made sure it was also canceled on our end as well. Doing so also removes your name and address from the file so that this will never happen again. You may receive one more copy if it has already been mailed, if so please disregard. I apologize for the trouble this has caused and can assure you that this will put a stop to that.
Sincerely, Ed
Customer **********************, ************************************************************
Customer response
06/02/2023
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. One item to note is why there is no one answering their customer ********************** line goes straight to voicemail. Im sure this will happen to others and it appears the only way to resolve is contacting BBB. Shouldnt they have someway for people to contact them to resolve by themselves?
Sincerely,
***************************
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Contact Information
Customer Complaints Summary
36 total complaints in the last 3 years.
7 complaints closed in the last 12 months.