Complaints

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.

• Initial Complaint

  Date:08/24/2023

  Type:Product Issues
  Status:

  ResolvedMore info

  Complaint statuses

  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 have unsubscribed from all email notifications several times, but still get emails sent to me every few days.

  Business Response

  Date: 08/24/2023

   

  Hello *****,

  Your were receiving free emails and do not have a paid subscription. I have removed your email address from our records.

  You should no longer receive any emails from Sports Illustrated. Please email me *********************************************** or forward me any emails 

  should you receive any moving forward. We apologize for any inconvenience this has caused. 

  Customer Answer

  Date: 08/25/2023

  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 and the matter has been resolved.
  
  Sincerely,
  
  ***********************
  
  
  
   
  
  

• Initial Complaint

  Date:04/27/2023

  Type:Billing Issues
  Status:

  AnsweredMore info

  Complaint statuses

  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.

  Without my knowledge or Consent a 3rd party Was able to sign me up for sports illustrated. Sports illustrated would not let me cancel their magazine. I had to cancel through the third party. Despite the fact that it's my name Is in my address and payment information. Sports illustrated will not let me Cancel this subscription. It would seem to me that they are actively allowing A scam to pay the money.

  Business Response

  Date: 05/02/2023

  Dear ****************** and BBB,

  Thank you for you inquiry into the set up of a Sports ******************* subscription.  Your subsciption was set up on your behalf by a third party company called National Publishers *************** *********** is located at **********************************************************************  The phone number to reach them at is ************** and the website is ***********.  Third party agencies often offer subscriptions to magazines at very low rates or even complimentary when a purchase is made for another product or service they offer.  For example when buying sports shoes a subscription to a sports magazine may be offered for a limited time as part of the purchase.  Or when purchasing products online or completing a survey the magazine may be part of a special offer.  I am not sure how or why National Pubishers Exchange provided a Sports Illustrated magazine subscrition to you.  Only National Publishers Exchange can check that information.  In addition, since Sports Illustrated did not set up the magazine or collect any monies directly from you, we can not cancel or refund the order.  That is why it is the procedure to refer people set up through third parties back to the originating company to cancel or get clarity on the subscription.  I can understand why you would expect Sports Ilustrated to be able to handle the request since it is our end product, but we did not actually sell or set it up directly.  We did reach out to National Publishers Exchange and have been advised that your subscription has been cancelled.  I do apologize if the process isn't what you expected but when a magazine is sold through another entity it is better to have that entity update the records and refund where appropriate any monies it collected from a consumer.  If you are experiencing any difficulties with National Publishers Exchange or we can help you with any other inquiries you may have please reach out to our **************** Manager, *************************** at *********************************************** or myself ******************************* VP Customer Support & Sales ****************************************************************.  We do apolgize for any inconvenience the process may have caused.  I hope this response answers your complaint and question about our the process.  

  Sincerely,

  ****************************;

  VP Membership Sales & Support

  The Arena Group

• Initial Complaint

  Date:03/28/2023

  Type:Service or Repair Issues
  Status:

  ResolvedMore info

  Complaint statuses

  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.

  Unknowing to me I was signed up for a Sports Illustrated magazine. I call Sports Illustrated to cancel the unrequested subscription and they advised that they cannot due this because a 3rd party signed me up. Representative provided me a number for the 3rd party. Called the 3rd party, between the companies business hours and received an automated answering machine advising business was closed. I also tried to cancel my subscription on the companies web page and it gives me an error message when I try to submit my request.

  Business Response

  Date: 03/28/2023

  Dear ************** and BBB;

  I am very sorry to hear you are having such trouble reaching the third party agency called **********.  In the subscription business there are third party agencies that offer magazine subscriptions when you purchase certain products from them for free or a small fee for a period of time.  Then when the term of the subscription expires they may offer you to renew the subscription for a fee.  Unfortunately ********** is not an affiliate or in any way connected to Sports Illustrated.  ************ operates on their own and offers many magazines as part of their offering.  I will try to contact them as well and request that they reach out to you to set up a refund.  How much did you pay for the subscription?  Where did they get your credit card information from, do you recall signing up for anything online or through the mail?   I would be happy to extend a Sports Illustrated subscription to you for 12 months complimentary, if you are interested in that.  Please keep trying to contact **********.  I think a BBB complaint aimed at their organiztion may also be warranted if we can't reach them. 

   

  Sincerely,

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

  Vice Presidet, Membership Support & Sales 

  The Arena Group 

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

   

   

  Customer Answer

  Date: 03/30/2023

  Better Business Bureau:
  
  I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID# ********, and have determined that my complaint has NOT been resolved because:

  Thank you for the reply. I have no idea how this company got my information and I am unable to get a hold of them to find out how they got it or what they are charging. I would just like the magazine to be canceled. I feel that if your company is sending the magazine out, you should be able to override the 3rd party you are doing business with.

   

   

   

   

  In order for the BBB to appropriately process your response, you MUST answer the question above.

  
  Sincerely,
  
  *************************
  
  
  
  
   
  

  Business Response

  Date: 04/03/2023

  Dear **************,

  Our internal staff at Sports Illustrated were able to reach the agency via the communication channels that were provided to you.  Your subscription has been cancelled  and a refund of $70.00 has been processed to you.  It is my understanding that the third party agency spoke with you directly and advised you of this information.  If you did not speak with anyone and are unaware of the refund and cancellaion please let ** know.  Please let ** know if we can be of any further assistance to you. 

   

  Sincerely,

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

  Vice President ********** Sales & Support

  The Arena Group 

  Customer Answer

  Date: 04/03/2023

  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 and the matter has been resolved.
  
  Sincerely,
  
  *************************
  
  
  
   
  
  

• Initial Complaint

  Date:10/03/2022

  Type:Product Issues
  Status:

  AnsweredMore info

  Complaint statuses

  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 have not received my copy of the 2022 Swimsuit Issue and not its October. The organization lied about me always getting a issued every yer when I renew my subscription a few years ago.

  Business Response

  Date: 10/24/2022

   

  
  October 24, 2022

  
  Dear ******,
  
  As of 2022, the Swimsuit Issue is no longer part of the paid Sports illustrated
  subscription. It is now a separate purchase. Although the Swimsuit issue will no
  longer be part of the paid Sports Illustrated subscription moving forward, we will
  be sending you a complimentary print swimsuit issue this year 2022. Please
  expect to receive the print swimsuit issue within the next 2 to 3 weeks.
  
  ******** ******* ****************************** **** *************  *********** ** *****  *** **********
  We apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused.

  
  
  Sincerely,

  
  
  Sports Illustrated Customer Support Team

   

• Initial Complaint

  Date:07/26/2022

  Type:Billing Issues
  Status:

  ResolvedMore info

  Complaint statuses

  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.

  Received the following debit transactions in my checking account with no communication, invoice, statement, or explanation.03/30/2022 POS PURCHASE SPORTS SUBSCRIBERS SERV ************ NV ****** ********* 03/29 03:53 -$68.48 07/11/2022 POS PURCHASE SPORTS SUBSCRIBERS SERV ************ NV ****** ********* 07/10 08:22 -$68.48 **************** was able to confirm the charges were not attached to my existing account. The problem is that they will not help identify what account they were charged to and why they were rendered at all. I would like to have these charges reversed.

  Business Response

  Date: 08/10/2022

  Dear *********************,
  
  We are sorry to hear about the issue you are having. The charges you mentioned are from a 3rd party agency who is not authorized to sell Sports Illustrated. Our legal team is working to stop this practice. We are offering to refund the 2 charges as a courtesy because we understand the confusion and want to separate our name from the fraudulent actions by  the Sports **************************** I left you a voicemail on the number you have listed and am leaving my contact information here as well
  
  

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

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

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

   

  Please contact me so we can discuss next steps to refunding you and also have you contact *************************** (which is the email from Sports ********************* to make sure your account is cancelled and no future charges take place.  I would suggest possibly cancelling the card that was charged if you do not hear back from them.

   

  Thank you
   
  

  Customer Answer

  Date: 08/11/2022

  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 and the matter has been resolved.
  
  Sincerely,
  
  *********************
  
  
  
   
  
  

• Initial Complaint

  Date:06/15/2022

  Type:Service or Repair Issues
  Status:

  AnsweredMore info

  Complaint statuses

  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 have been a subscriber for 8 - 9 years. I renewed my 3 year subscription on 1/24/22 in the **** of $84.00.In the past 8 or 9 years around March I have received the "swimsuit" issue. This year I did not receive it and when I called to inquire, I was told they no longer send out that issue and I would have to "go to a news stand to get it". I was never notified before or after my renewal that there were certain issues I would no longer be receiving. I feel they were deceptive. I would like them to send me the "swimsuit" issue that they lead me to believe I would be receiving. And if they are going to discontinue any other issues, that Sports Illustrated notify subscribers before they renew their subscription.

  Business Response

  Date: 06/16/2022

  
  
  Dear ****,

  
  We are sorry to hear about the poor customer experience you have described. Although the Swimsuit issue will no longer be part of the paid Sports Illustrated subscription moving forward, we will be sending you a complimentary print swimsuit issue this year 2022. Please expect to receive the print swimsuit issue late July/ early August
  
  
  Shipping Address
  ************************* * ********************** ******* ** *****
  
  
  Again we apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused.
  
  Our hours of operation are Monday through Sunday from 9:00am 6:00pm EST. 
  
  Sincerely,
  
  Sports Illustrated Customer Support Team
  
  

• Initial Complaint

  Date:05/20/2022

  Type:Service or Repair Issues
  Status:

  UnansweredMore info

  Complaint statuses

  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 ********************* publications from SI shop. I have never received the item. I have emailed them many times and they wont respond. I would like my money back or the item.

• Initial Complaint

  Date:05/18/2022

  Type:Billing Issues
  Status:

  AnsweredMore info

  Complaint statuses

  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 began receiving an unsolicited magazine (Sports Illustrated Kids) in April 2022. I did not order this nor did anyone I know order it on my behalf. I do not wish to receive it. I'm concerned I will get a **** for something I didn't order or authorize. I called the customer service phone number found on the website *************) and they were unable to help me. The account number shown on the mailing label is *************/4# with an expiration date J/F24. The subscription label contains my name; *********************. I'm seeking assistance to have this issue resolved and receive confirmation that I will not be expected to make payment for these 2 issues already received or any future issues mailed in error.

  Business Response

  Date: 06/16/2022

  
  
  Hello *********************,  
  
  
  We have found that this is a 3rd party agency order (contact info below).  We have suspended delivery. The last issue you will receive is the July issue already labeled.
  
  You can contact the agency to find out how it was ordered and to request any refund.
  
  NATIONAL PUBLISHERS EXCHANGE
  **** ***********
  ***** *** *********** ** ***** ******** ******** ************ ***** ******** ******************* *** ***** ***************