HandyMan Club of America / Scout.com review: Mail Fraud 31

I just had the same experience..They sent me a letter threatening collection. I just fired back a letter to the attention of Robert Masters ( if this is a real person) He is the one that signed the letter to me. I explained that I told them on a few occasions that I had NO desire to be a member but they keep billing me. In my letter, I warned them if they did not cease, and confirm to me in writing, the next letter they get will be from my attorney. Lets see what happens.

Wow, I thought I was having problems. I still have not heard from Handyman Club of America. I wrote to HCOA in January, 15th of 1009. Asking to cancelled the HCOA membership and I just wanted the magazines. When I looked on this Complaints pages, now I now why I haven't recieved nothing from the Handyman magaizne since the last issue in Febrauary/March 2009.

Yeah I got an extortion letter from them saying that I need to either pay or face collections. I'm fighting back this type of threat is BS, contact your Attorney Generals and send them what you got.

I guess since I just joined and received my first collection agency threat, I am in for more surprises. M.Mitchell Thornton, Colorado

I also posted on /link removed/ as I said there I contacted the Colorado Consumer Protection Agency, The Freud Agency, and the Attorney General. I provided a scanned copy in my email to them. I was contact the same day by the Consumer Protection Agency who said this was mail freud and gave me a link to the USPS to report the matter to, which I did. I know it might take a few weeks to a month to hear back from the Attorney General on matters but they typically do get back to you in Colorado.

Please report your letter, especially that you are in Colorado. I'm not sure why people bother to write the company back. My wish, is that they really do report me to collections, with no proof it will be an easy win when I take them to court. Hell it be like winning the lottery, what proof will they show, I never mailed them anything, I never received any products (if I did unknown to me I shredded or tossed the envelope) still they would have no PROVE they mailed me a product (signature confirmation being used), so I am not sure what defense they could possible have.

I'm guessing they do not want to really give it to collections, but instead this is some idiots idea at a company to scare people into paying them money, and joining some club they otherwise do not want to join, thus is why it is extortion. By the way which is very serious...

I just received a second letter from a collection place, stating if I didn't send in 335.00 they would be forced to proceed with further collection steps to the full extent. I sent a letter to Handyman Club of America over a year ago, requesting them to cancel my membership and not to send me any more junk.. This club never sent me anything else or any other bills.
I am more than upset and will be contacting the Attorney Generals office here in Indiana in the morning.
I am with any person out there who is against this junk company. E-mail me at b.stilson@comcast.net or call me at [protected] leave a message if I don't pick up and I will call you back

I did an online survey and checked a box for 3 FREE Handy magazines. I just received an invoice for $12 for a 12 month subscription and membership, which I don't want. There is no phone number or e-mail on the invoice to cancel. I will google and go to the site, if I can find a legitimate one. They are invoicing me for something I did not order.

Today 6/1/10 is the first time I ever heard of Handyman Club of America when I received a DUES INVOICE requesting payment for $12.00 for a 12 month membership. I NEVER JOIN OR HEARD OF THIS COMPANY? I really don't know what to do other then send a cancel across the statement and keep a copy to see what happens next. If you decide to launch a complaint against this so called company then count me in. My email address is michelemarchak@comcast.net

8-2-2010 I got a membership for my husband. We received all kinds of junk, with the bills of coarse. Now we are getting a bill for landscape structures and decks.Guess what... we never got this book. Now what? there's no number to call. I guess that wouldn't matter after reading some of these letters.The best part is now they want him as a life memeber, life memeber of what! I want my money back for the years membership I got him, lol!

Donna Bieber Schnecskville P.A.

DITTO ON THE ABOVE LISTED PROBLEMS

I returned the books and DVD with documentation on their Dime to Louisville KY Center and I continue to receive various invoices, after I informed Handyman I did not want anything from them and to cancel my membership within around 30 days they shipped 4 books and a DVD with a prepaid mailing label for the return of the DVD therefore I packaged the four books, all the paperwork concerning the transaction and shipped everything to them while attaching the supplied label with them to pay the required postage; I will gladly join a class action against this company

I am in the same boat here. Went on line and joined cause hubby saw an ad in Outdoor Magazine. I ended up with 2 accounts because of computer problems (their end not mine) the night I did it. I called and cancelled the one to me and kept his !. Mine does show canceled. I paid his invoice. OK 1 membership, get a couple magazines and lot's of "Lucky you " You have been chosen for LIFETIME Memebrship. Check it out, couple hundred dollars, NO THANK YOU send nothing in or back. This was back in June 2010. Then in September I get mail and have a damaged box with stamp form USPS showing received damaged. Inside is an invoice for a book, keep it and pay or return it to, free gift (set of small craft screw drivers and some other papers. I call and ask Rep...whats going on, clearly a book is suppose to be in the package, I am not paying for something I did not get nor do I really want, and yes did get the free to keep screwdrivers BUT. He said " OK since it is stamped by the USPS damaged, he will send out another one." I asked is that necessary, I don't want it anyway ! He says well yes, check it over and if I don't want it I can return it. I say is there a return address label wth it and shipping ? He said YES ! First package shipment date was August 16, 2010 and INVOCE for 10.00. Second package arrived Yesterday September 28, 2010 shipping date September 15, 2010 and an invoice for 21.99. The book, another set of screwdriver, and more papers BUT NO RETURN SHIPPING ! Theres a label, but postage is on me, not as the Customer Service Rep said it would be ! I want to kick myself, because after talking to Customer Service and feeling like things were OK, I threw away the original stuff. Now it says I owe them 31.99 original 10.00 + 21.99 new ! I will be calling tomorrow afternoon and have already sent an E-mail and if no satisfaction in this matter found, you can count me IN !
Peter and Sandra Raz

I have finally been able to cancel a membership. I have one item to send back that I did not request, but my problem is that I cannot find a mailing address for the company. Anyone out there have an address? Thanks.

thurstonanthony7@gmail.com

having the same type of problems with hca - sick of dealing with these people - sent them certified letter stating that i did not want any further merchandise and to cancell my membership - today i got a "free gift" package which contains a dvd and an invoice. if anyone is going to do class action on these [censor] let me know...
tomorrow will return the dvd and the invoice via certified mail along with another letter... guess they just can't read!
dave thomas (davethomas845@gmail.com)

About 2 months ago they sent me, unsolicited; a box of router bits as "a free gift" with an offer that if I pay them $29.99, I will get another box of router bits every month to 6 weeks. I returned the letter, electing the option that I did not want their bits (they are at best of average quality). I have since received two more letters asking that either return the box of router bits or pay them $29.99. I plan to file a complaint with the Texas Consumer Protection Agency and the Attorney General's office.

I just received a collections notice for $335 for a bogus lifetime membership. I'm filing a complaint with the USPS, and the Attorney General. I noticed that amongst other clubs, they also have an affiliation with the History Channel through the "History Channel" club. I intend to complain to the History Channel as well. I encourage all to start a letter writing campaign to the History Channel to let them know that they should end their affiliation with North American Membership Group, Inc. and it assorted clubs. Start by speaking your mind on their Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/History

Not a doormat!

I have a pile of books from these clowns, i paid for a couple of them, but they kept sending me more after I emailed them and told them to stop. Now I have received a letter from a "collection agency" for payment of the rest of the books. I don't want to pay for shipping, but I also do not want my credit destroyed. Any advice? Is the collection agency legit or is it a scare tactic? I feel like I should keep the damn books and stiff em the money I supposedly owe.

Here is a letter that I just sent to the Handyman Club:

Hi, I noticed that I had a $27 charge on my account. Si I called the clubs phone #, and I was told that it's because there is a $300 charge to be a life member and it says it at the end of the letter (which it doesn't).
So I told him that I didn't want to join then, and he told me he'll ttake me off of it.

Well the charge is still there.

I therefore want my full $12.00 refund for joining the club which is "satisfaction guareenteed", and I'm not satisfied.

Please note that if I don't hear back from you within 24 hours I will dispute the charge with my credit card.

Thank you.

(p.s.I will be posting this letter on the internet.)

Thank you for these notices. I would suggest you send complaints to the Attorney General of the State of Minn. & not the governor. I received one of these "lifetime membership" offers with a $75 dues rebate check to be used against the "lifetime" dues. However, no where could I find in any of their literature could I find out what the cost of a lifetime membership would be. Thanks to these notices I decided to "roundfile" their offer after wasting a half hour reading their material. I also note that the "History Club of America also uses the same address of 12301 Whitewater Drive, Minnetonka, Minn.55343 but different P.O. Boxes in Hopkins which used to be a separate city but may now be part of Minnetonka so they may be pulling the same scam. I grew up in Eden Prairie which was then a rural township 8 miles from Hopkins & lived in Minn. for most of the first 36 years of my life.I now live in Calif.

Ready for class action lawsuit!

I too am a fool that paid for a "lifetime membership". My problem started when they began offering router bits with a free case. Got the case and several bits (bits were offered over a several month period). But then the offer came to a screeching halt, with no explanation.I never received any merchandise I did not order, nor was I billed for anything I did request. I have not seen a magazine since they merged with "Scout". I would just like my $395.00 back. A class action lawsuit makes the most sense. I would like to be included.

Hello, the name is Ron. Handyman Club of America Life Member, #[protected] since 11/99. After trying to check in to the site and forum, found out that things have apparently changed. Not only was I not able to, as I once was, access the site, I have come across this and many other pages of complaints stating what I am now finding and realizing that there are a large amount of other Lifetime Members with similar concerns and complaints. I am a total advocate of a Class Action Suit being brought forward against Handyman Club of America. They have deceived us and ripped us off.

I am also a Lifetime Member and paid my money in Good Faith.. but have not heard from these folks in years.. How do I recover my Life Time Fees?

Hello my is Dennis Budmark and live in calif. I have been a life member for over 30 yrs., but have not got a mag. for a very very very very very long time I can't remember when I rec'vd my last mag. and have moved and have never heard from them.

WOW! I am so mad. I haven't received a letter yet, thank goodness. I thought just the other day, I noticed I hadn't received my magazines in quite a while, looked up the web site so I could ask about it, and find out people are having this problem. I guess there is no way to get a hold of anyone about this? Beth Solis

Been a long time no refund on anything they took 329.09 pif nothing since P
3-18-07 this is 2021 with interest plz. :-(

I have all but one red book I sent the cooking one back since it has nothing to do with wood working also a life member starting 3/2011 haven't seen any thing since fall 2014 that's the last magazine I received. Class action suit fine by me . Sign me up.

Earle Mitchell - 11-01-2021

I joined HCOA at the end of December 2000 and became a LIFE Member as of 12/01/2001. From 2001 to about 2009 I had no major problems with the company as I received all items promised and none I did not request and also I sent back all books I did not want without incident. In 2007, I became extremely involved in my career and company and paid little attention to HCOA as I was still receiving their magazine. In going through my files after a move I came across my HCOA file and that got me to thinking " WOW" I had not heard anything from them for yrs, so I googled to find out their status. After reading all the posted complaints and time line I now no the the company status and reason of ceasing magazine production and distribution and lack of communication with me. I believe they made some bad decisions and potentially illegal ones in their quest for survival during the Financial collapse of 2008. I am in no way approving their business methods before or after the 2008 debacle. I have all my copies of transactions with HCOA and would help in anyway needed if a class action is initiated.

I've been a Charter Member and a Life Member of HCA since 12/94. In the past 29 + years I have received one product to review (can't remember any more than that). It was a folding roller stand - pretty decent and useful for extended wood stock applications and good quality. I've used it frequently over the years. Did the review and sent it in as requested, but that was the end of the product reviews. I even contacted the company on a couple of different occasions to ask about product review in the future and was told that I would definitely receive more products. Never happened. The magazine "Handy" stopped coming several years ago. I never pursued that because it wasn't that good in the first place. In fact, I just went through all of my DYI type magazines, and I think I threw away every one of the "Handy" magazines I had. Tried to call the company several times but the line is out of service. Got some of their books over the years but only kept ones that had any remote value to me and what I do. So...the Charter Member and Life Member stickers look good on the inside of my tool box lid. Beyond that...not too impressed and definitely would not recommend to anyone else. For an almost 30 year membership - Charter at that - I have received pretty much nothing.