The bastards at Shooting Times Magazine turned me over to a collection agency. They claim they sent my wife 1 issue in February and several invoices for a subscription and we never paid. Well hello I don't want your F@cking magazine and I never ordered it. The best part is that the collection notice and the subscription were in my wife’s name. Like she would order a magazine called shooting times. I just wanted to let everyone know what kind of company Shooting Times is. Has anyone ever herd of something so ridiculous as turning a person over to a collection agency for $16.95 because they think they sent my wife one issue of there magazine?
Shooting Times Magazine - They can go to HELL!
- Thread starter JKnight
- Start date
Actually, with magazines, this type of stuff happens all of the time.
Wanna get back at somebody, get those return postcards that are floating around in magazines and fill in somebody's name and address and mail them in. This happened to a former girlfriend of mine. She broke up with her boyfriend and moved out. He found out where she lived and subscribed her to dozens of magazines. When she got the first issue, she ASSUMED that they got her name some how in relation to her moving. When she got a bill, she ASSUMED that it was a mistake because she never ordered it. Then the nasty letters and collection agencies started in on her -- created one hell of a mess for her.
Usually, it just takes one certified letter with a note saying that ... I did not order this magazine, I do not want it and I am not going to pay for something that I do not want ...
Wanna get back at somebody, get those return postcards that are floating around in magazines and fill in somebody's name and address and mail them in. This happened to a former girlfriend of mine. She broke up with her boyfriend and moved out. He found out where she lived and subscribed her to dozens of magazines. When she got the first issue, she ASSUMED that they got her name some how in relation to her moving. When she got a bill, she ASSUMED that it was a mistake because she never ordered it. Then the nasty letters and collection agencies started in on her -- created one hell of a mess for her.
Usually, it just takes one certified letter with a note saying that ... I did not order this magazine, I do not want it and I am not going to pay for something that I do not want ...
I think this is common to most all subs. They make a paper notice of failure to repair, with the hope that you'll just drop the dime, thereby averting a nasty stain on the credit report. Dirty business at work, by caniving sorts.
Have a talk with your local Better Business Bureau, and file a complaint with them on the matter. Take all papers you have, especially the nastygram, and see if they'd be willing to make a call on your behalf. This would then show up on a file, showing their practices, for all to see. Fair chance they're doing this with a lot of people.
Keep in mind that phone solicitors have been known to get rejected by John Q. Public on magazine offers and such, and the caller goes ahead and checks you down for okaying the solicitations.
Any time someone calls you about this stuff, make a note of it, in a common place. Get all the information from them, who they work for, they're supervisor's name, phone number's of their business, etc. Also what they're calling you for specifically.
I know this is a lot of bs, but believe me, it's worth it. And it'll keep you on the offensive with this stuff. Instead on the defensive.
Good luck!...
[This message has been edited by Donny (edited September 26, 2000).]
[This message has been edited by Donny (edited September 26, 2000).]
Have a talk with your local Better Business Bureau, and file a complaint with them on the matter. Take all papers you have, especially the nastygram, and see if they'd be willing to make a call on your behalf. This would then show up on a file, showing their practices, for all to see. Fair chance they're doing this with a lot of people.
Keep in mind that phone solicitors have been known to get rejected by John Q. Public on magazine offers and such, and the caller goes ahead and checks you down for okaying the solicitations.
Any time someone calls you about this stuff, make a note of it, in a common place. Get all the information from them, who they work for, they're supervisor's name, phone number's of their business, etc. Also what they're calling you for specifically.
I know this is a lot of bs, but believe me, it's worth it. And it'll keep you on the offensive with this stuff. Instead on the defensive.
Good luck!...
[This message has been edited by Donny (edited September 26, 2000).]
[This message has been edited by Donny (edited September 26, 2000).]
dennie suman
New member
I just recently had the same thing happen to me with Stock Car Magazine.
I never subscribed, but was all of a sudden threatened by a collection agency. I called the publisher's 8oo number and really went off on a young lady. Probably not at all her fault, but she was the first one in line.
I asked for her name which she gave first name and last initial. I told her of my displeasure of this sort of tactic, and that my attorney would handle this the next time I was contacted by them or the collection agency.
She told me that she would take care of it.
It has been over a month now, and I haven't heard any more.
Hoping my luck keeps going!
I cannot recall the name of the publisher, but it used to be Petersen.
Oh yeah, don't they have Guns & Ammo and other firearm related mags? Are we being burned again by those we support?
VOTE! VOTE! VOTE!
Dennie NRA Life Member, GOA
I never subscribed, but was all of a sudden threatened by a collection agency. I called the publisher's 8oo number and really went off on a young lady. Probably not at all her fault, but she was the first one in line.
I asked for her name which she gave first name and last initial. I told her of my displeasure of this sort of tactic, and that my attorney would handle this the next time I was contacted by them or the collection agency.
She told me that she would take care of it.
It has been over a month now, and I haven't heard any more.
Hoping my luck keeps going!
I cannot recall the name of the publisher, but it used to be Petersen.
Oh yeah, don't they have Guns & Ammo and other firearm related mags? Are we being burned again by those we support?
VOTE! VOTE! VOTE!
Dennie NRA Life Member, GOA
Bull! I had a magazine try this on me. They sent the alleged "debt" to a collection agency. They threatened to ruin my credit. Told them to get lost.
Since then I have purchased three automobiles, a compuer system, a home equity loan and a shotgun on credit. No problems!
Collection agencies are BS, I love to mess with them when they call. Throw their letters in the trash.
They keep selling the alleged debt to different agencies, I get the same threatening letter each time, it goes in the shredder. My credit is still good, most banks and other lenders disregard these BS debts, they know they mean nothing. If you pay your legitimate debts, you will have no problem.
BTW, I offer to send the mag back to the collection agencies, you should hear them choke on that offer.
BTW, the same mag keeps sending me offers to subscribe!
Geoff Ross
[This message has been edited by K80Geoff (edited September 26, 2000).]
Since then I have purchased three automobiles, a compuer system, a home equity loan and a shotgun on credit. No problems!
Collection agencies are BS, I love to mess with them when they call. Throw their letters in the trash.
They keep selling the alleged debt to different agencies, I get the same threatening letter each time, it goes in the shredder. My credit is still good, most banks and other lenders disregard these BS debts, they know they mean nothing. If you pay your legitimate debts, you will have no problem.
BTW, I offer to send the mag back to the collection agencies, you should hear them choke on that offer.
BTW, the same mag keeps sending me offers to subscribe!
Geoff Ross
[This message has been edited by K80Geoff (edited September 26, 2000).]
<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by K80Geoff:
Bull! I had a magazine try this on me. They sent the alleged "debt" to a collection agency. They threatened to ruin my credit. Told them to get lost.
Since then I have purchased three automobiles, a compuer system, a home equity loan and a shotgun on credit. No problems!
Collection agencies are BS, I love to mess with them when they call. Throw their letters in the trash.
They keep selling the alleged debt to different agencies, I get the same threatening letter each time, it goes in the shredder. My credit is still good, most banks and other lenders disregard these BS debts, they know they mean nothing. If you pay your legitimate debts, you will have no problem.
BTW, I offer to send the mag back to the collection agencies, you should hear them choke on that offer.
BTW, the same mag keeps sending me offers to subscribe!
Geoff Ross
[This message has been edited by K80Geoff (edited September 26, 2000).][/quote]
Same here. No problem. It`s a scare tactic that sometimes works on old people and the extremely naive.
[This message has been edited by dinosaur (edited September 26, 2000).]
Bull! I had a magazine try this on me. They sent the alleged "debt" to a collection agency. They threatened to ruin my credit. Told them to get lost.
Since then I have purchased three automobiles, a compuer system, a home equity loan and a shotgun on credit. No problems!
Collection agencies are BS, I love to mess with them when they call. Throw their letters in the trash.
They keep selling the alleged debt to different agencies, I get the same threatening letter each time, it goes in the shredder. My credit is still good, most banks and other lenders disregard these BS debts, they know they mean nothing. If you pay your legitimate debts, you will have no problem.
BTW, I offer to send the mag back to the collection agencies, you should hear them choke on that offer.
BTW, the same mag keeps sending me offers to subscribe!
Geoff Ross
[This message has been edited by K80Geoff (edited September 26, 2000).][/quote]
Same here. No problem. It`s a scare tactic that sometimes works on old people and the extremely naive.
[This message has been edited by dinosaur (edited September 26, 2000).]
As far as I know, without your SSN AND a signed contract, all the threats of bad credit are horsefeathers.
They could, theoretically, take you to court; then, if they win, perhaps they could get a judgement. But for a lousy $16.95?!?
If you do a search for "credit" you will find several sites which offer information on this, including how and where to file a complaint against a collection agency.
They could, theoretically, take you to court; then, if they win, perhaps they could get a judgement. But for a lousy $16.95?!?
If you do a search for "credit" you will find several sites which offer information on this, including how and where to file a complaint against a collection agency.
Had the same problem with the magazine "eCompany". I wrote a letter saying in no uncertain terms that the magazine was never ordered and if anything happened to the credit rating, they would be sued. I also mentioned that any further communication on the subject would come from an attorney. Also reported their scheme to the Better Business Bureau who followed up on it and helped in giving them some hell and getting the record cleared.
Sounds like this type of crap happens all the time. Turn the threats of legal action around on them. As someone else said, no one in their right mind will pursue it over $19.95 (although I would have happily sued them out of principle--which means I might be out of my mind).
Sounds like this type of crap happens all the time. Turn the threats of legal action around on them. As someone else said, no one in their right mind will pursue it over $19.95 (although I would have happily sued them out of principle--which means I might be out of my mind).
tony stapleton
New member
I get slammed frequently by magazines coming to my place of employment with my name on them. I always call the publisher and inform them that I did not order it.
If they give me grief I then inform them that I would send all pertinent information to the attorney general's office. They usually back off.
If they give me grief I then inform them that I would send all pertinent information to the attorney general's office. They usually back off.
Tony,
Well done, Sir!
-----
JKnight,
When this happened to me I sent a certified (return receipt requested) letter
to the publisher. I requested a certified copy, within ten business days, of my request for their
magazine. In the absence such proof, further
dunning letters would be sent to my attorney to initiate civil prosecution
for harassment. Any unfounded detrimental information to my credit rating
would substantiate civil prosecution for libel. Please advise.
As Tony said, I sent copies to MY attorney and the Attorneys General and Better Business Bureaus both in my area and in the publisher’s area. (Listed "Copies sent" at the bottom of my letter so the publisher would take this seriously.)
Hmmm.
Never heard back from them.
Nothing in my credit report.
------------------
Either you believe in the Second Amendment or you don't.
Stick it to 'em! RKBA!
Well done, Sir!
-----
JKnight,
When this happened to me I sent a certified (return receipt requested) letter
to the publisher. I requested a certified copy, within ten business days, of my request for their
magazine. In the absence such proof, further
dunning letters would be sent to my attorney to initiate civil prosecution
for harassment. Any unfounded detrimental information to my credit rating
would substantiate civil prosecution for libel. Please advise.
As Tony said, I sent copies to MY attorney and the Attorneys General and Better Business Bureaus both in my area and in the publisher’s area. (Listed "Copies sent" at the bottom of my letter so the publisher would take this seriously.)
Hmmm.
Never heard back from them.
Nothing in my credit report.
------------------
Either you believe in the Second Amendment or you don't.
Stick it to 'em! RKBA!