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I am also a victim of this scam. I received an email containing my "payment due immediately." when I called the customer service # [protected]), which by the way, they do not provide on their website (gee, I wonder why?!?!) in which their email sent me to pay my "bill" & cancel this unwanted subscription that I never ordered, the csr said when I entered a sweepstakes on the hgtv website, I was automatically enrolled for a subscription! What a scam! I told the lady to cancel this unsolicited subscription immediately, because I would not be paying their bill of $18! Ugh! How do these people get away with pulling scams like this? It's a shame that hgtv doesn't put a stop to scams like this that result just from visiting their website & entering a stupid sweepstakes! I thought hgtv was a respectable & safe website! Wrong! I may not ever go their website again! Beware! Unbelievable!
The complaint has been investigated and resolved to the customer’s satisfaction.
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We also fell into this scam by entering to the HGTV dream home contest through a Linc on to the right side on our Facebook walls and then found out it was a scam to there magazine subscription. We unsubscribe immediately but, we received the magazines anyway. I tried to call customer service # [protected]) from the above post, and all i got was a recording saying that "This is a peek time to call and i should try again later. You will now be disconnected!" (CLICK) This should be an illegal Unsolicited subscription! There was nothing stated anywhere that by entering into this contest, you will be subscribing to there Magazine! The Mags came in the mail today but, as of yet no bill. Stay away from anything advertised on Facebook!
It's not a scammer there is a box on the sweepstakes to opt out of the mag subscription, you people are getting all mad because you didn't take the time to actually read the sweepstakes and opt out of the other offers
The introduction to the give-away clearly states "NO PURCHASE NECESSARY." Therefore, why would anyone need to opt out of anything?
The number worked as I spent under 5 mins to get the agent's name and extension. I will be receiving an email indicating that this cancellation is confirmed. The process was relatively painless. Call early as possible. They open at 8am CST. M-F. Be careful with what you click with the sweepstake offers. I know I will as I move forward.
NOT TRUE! As Jeanne Colwell says below, the webpage said in LARGE print "NO PURCHASE NECESSARY". So don't be so self-righteous. Unless perhaps you actually work for Hearst Magazines?
"I would like to receive 1 FREE issue of HGTV Magazine.
If I like what I see, I'll get 1 year (for a total of 11 issues) for just $19.99 – that's 54% less than others pay on the newsstand. If not, I'll return the bill marked "cancel" and keep the first issue with no obligation. I'll still be eligible to win the sweepstakes."
This is directly on the webpage. All sweepstakes say no purchase necessary. Otherwise, sweepstakes would be considered gambling. If you took the time to even briefly read the page you're on, you would notice the big, bold text.
Not so, my friend. I opted out of the magazine subscription, I received an invoice for $19.99.
I too was sent 2 magazine subscriptions-one for my free reg for the Home give away and one for my girlfriend also.They can just keep sending for I will not pay for I didn't order them! In the trash they go.
3/22 at 5pm
I just opened a bill from HGTV Magazine for $18.00. .. This is truly a Scam, I never ordered HGTV Magazine. I called [protected] and spoke to customer rep. Mindy. She said she would cancel the subscription and as a courtesy to keep the first issue that is on its way.
I am hoping she is forthright in what she told me.
We will see?
L. Lee
Long Beach CA
I have had the same thing happen to me. I entered a sweepstake, and a few days later I got an email saying that I owed for this magazine that i did not order, nor did I want this. It is very hard to get a hold of any body. If I wanted this I woudl have order this. I do not understand how this company can do this. It seems a bit like bait and swithc to me.
I did too! and the same thing happened with House Beautiful! I suddenly have a bill for 10.91 and I haven't even received a magazine!
Same thing! I cant remember exactly what it was, must of entered the Sweepstake, and there was a promotion for a FREE MAGAZINE to try to see if we liked it then we could order more issues we wanted. So I gave it a shot...I didn't order anything. The next thing I know I receive a bill! HUH? I hadn't ordered a subscription! So I tossed it. Ive gotten a bunch more, and it angered me. I had thought about ordering it, but because of the way they went about it...I felt I couldn't! As the others have said, no phone number on anything...FLAG! I think I even looked it up online, and there wasn't a phone number either. What a crock of s**t...then letters starting getting nasty. We sent you a magazine, and now you wont pay for it, or something like that...we have an agreement from you to pay us and you have not. Today I get a notice in the mailbox that looks like a collection notice, demanding payment! No phone number. To me this seems illegal, I think we should all get a lawyer and sue them, any lawyers out there reading this? I wonder if Better Homes and Gardens is the same owner. I have gotten their magazine for a couple of years, love it. Every issue there is a bill on it to renew! Even after I have renewed. This last one, I sent all the bill information BACK to them in envelope provided and wrote across it...I already renewed stop sending this! "Now the collections notice from Customer Service." What the heck is going on? HGTV will get a VERY BAD name ...don't they care? Its time for BBB folks !
"I would like to receive 1 FREE issue of HGTV Magazine.
If I like what I see, I'll get 1 year (for a total of 11 issues) for just $19.99 – that's 54% less than others pay on the newsstand. If not, I'll return the bill marked "cancel" and keep the first issue with no obligation. I'll still be eligible to win the sweepstakes."
FOR THOSE OF YOU WHO HAVE RECEIVED BOGUS BILLS ON HGTV MAGAZINE SUBSCRIPTIONS: IF YOU ARE RECEVING BILLS AS I DID, EVEN THOUGH YOU DID NOT ORDER HERE IS WHAT I FOUND TO CANCEL FOUND BY YOUR EMAIL
https://w1.buysub.com/pubs/HR/HGT/ext_cancel_save.jsp?lsid=32410654042017816&vid=1&&cds_mag_code=HGT&cds_to_id=cancel
Hopefully, this will help...I just tried it...we shall see!
Did not order or receive any magazines. So why am I getting threats or putting it on my credit report.
Didn't want magazine...now they keep billing me and threatenedcollections..
I sent notification I didn't want magazine...
Want the magazine to stop and bills to stop
I also was victim of HGTV mag scam. This link works ! Log in with your address and cancel your subscription. Takes only a few minutes.
https://w1.buysub.com/pubs/HR/HGT/ext_cancel_save.jsp?lsid=32410654042017816&vid=1&&cds_mag_code=HGT&cds_to_id=cancel
I agree with much of what is being stated in these comments. I do not understand why such quality companies/magazines stoop to such disgusting, threatening, tactics, and I for one will do everything in my power to share how a once trusted, decent situation where magazines actually had "customer service" and were actually concerned with their image and reputation is now completely ignored and replaced with people like these comments are stating, not to mention all of the people that are duped into believing AND paying for a subscription they may have never ordered! I am fairly certain it is well within "legal" boundaries to do this, and I am (almost) certain that this too, brings in lots of additional dollars that publication of these magazines would not have, but at what cost to the company's reputation...?— although their reputation was never as important as their bottom line, especially in today's world of "ink on paper" barely existing... This does NOT change the fact that one regularly sees / hears / writes these comments regarding "sketchy" business practices, all in the quest for more profit, regardless of reputation or alienation of people... Too bad... HGTV "was" one of my favorites, until now... hopefully everyone will follow my lead and cancel their subscriptions, and continue to complain about such business practices until something is actually done to fix such a broken situation...
Just received a bill for HGTV magazine which we did not subscribe to. We did receive a copy a couple weeks ago and had no idea why. I called to cancel and the rep said my wife probably "forgot" to uncheck the "Do not send me the magazine" opt-out when she entered a sweepstakes on the HGTV website. Very funny. How do you forget something that you weren't aware of in the first place? Too bad, as she likes the magazine but we won't deal with a company that tricks people into subscribing.
We lived in GA when we entered the HGTV dream home contest. My son started receiving the mag, but said he hadn't ordered it. After we got the bills, + threats, I paid the $18, thinking my son had made the mistake. We became homeless, + had no money, + we moved to CO 5 months ago. Since getting into our new apartment, he received another HGTV mag even though the 1 yr subscription was done. Now he has received 2 bills for $25 for the mag he didn't want. The bills were not forwarded from GA, they had our new Colorado address on them. He DID NOT order another year, + he doesn't want the mag, so this bogus bill will not be paid. They suckered me once, but not this time. I wish I had known it was a scam, they wouldn't have gotten the $18 for the 1st yr.
I too have just opened up a letter stating that I have ordered a subscription for hgtv magazine! I have never ordered anything of the sort & unfortunately I did enter the hgtv sweepstakes online & apparently they must get your info from this. This is so unscrupulous it's not even funny. Shame on hgtv for allowing such a scam to take place in their name. I am so disgusted I think I'll discontinue even watching their network. I think the law needs to get involved here because this is fraudulent tactics. I think I'll look into whom to contact regarding mail fraud as this is what this is. Unfortunately, they may scare innocent older senior citizens or the likes into paying for a fraudulent subscription order!
I am sending my invoice along with a copy of all the comments above to my State Attorney General. It is truly sad that HGTV would agree to being involved in such a rip off scam. I'm very disappointed and this has changed my whole attitude toward them. I worry about the poor elderly folks that will endure this harassment! A couple of days before my mother died, I called her and she was crying because someone had just threatened her in a similar situation from another company. I tell anyone who will listen to never do business with that company because they for no good reason wasted some of the last precious moments of my mothers life AND they do not care. This was not HGTV. However today is HGTV and Hearst Magazines, SHAME ON BOTH OF YOU!
Both my husband and I received the invoice that looks like a bill for a magazine that was never ordered. I have been entering the HGTV home giveaway for many years for fun, I loved their product but this one letter just changed my whole outlook on their brand. I waisted a hour of my time trying to figure out how, where and the best link I could find was on this forum. I take care of my 92 year old grandma and this misleading letter would have confused her, with no contact number she most likely would have paid for something she didn't order. Predatory tactics, misleading invoices with no account number where HGTV claims it should be, not cool! I hope the link provided by the other posts worked! I too will be sending the invoice along with the comments to the Attorney General and BBB!
They are still doing this! I did not order the magazine either. I received an invoice suggesting that I had ordered the magazine, and I was told that payment was due now! Scam! I never order magazines, and after this I will not even visit HGTV.
entered sweepstakes received bill for magazine I never ordered.486a3
Ordered and paid for subscription to HGTV magazine and have not received one magazine.
I to am a victim of this HGTV SCAM. I love the HGTV site but will be very carful when visiting it. Which means I probably want go to it as much. This leave a bad feeling for me for HGTV.
I entered a sweepstakes and started getting the magazine. I didn't want the magazine.
I just received a threatening letter from HGTV regarding my failure to pay for my subscription to their magazine. I did have a subscription for two years. It expired in May 2015. In February I received a reminder in the mail that my card would automatically be charged for my renewal on February 27, 2015 unless I cancelled before that date. I cancelled my subscription via the phone # they provided [protected], on February 16, 2015 at 7:05 pm.. My card was never charged but now the letter comes. The letter states, "We extended you the privilege of paying later for your subscription. By entering into this agreement we anticipated that you would remit a payment when billed..." INCREDIBLE! The utter gall of this company. They entered into an agreement with themselves to intimidate a former subscriber into resubscribing. The point I make is whether you subscribe or don't it's all the same to them. Their customer service is non existent. They have become too big for their britches. I'm finished with them! I will send copies of what I have to my State Attorney General as well as the Post Master General and anyone else I can think of to warn others of these despicable tactics. SHAME ON YOU, HGTV!
Today I received an email to my personal email inbox demanding payment. I have received 2 of these invoices for HGTV magazines I did not order
Just over one year ago, I took out a subsciption to HGTV magazine just to try it out, and I paid by check. I did not receive any type of renewal information, but have continued to receive one request after another for payment (X4 now). They are becoming nasty, threatening to get a collection company involved. I sent a note attached to the 2nd notice to pay (because I thought the first was a fluke), stating that I no longer wanted the subscription, and to please discontinue it. The only thing I received back, was more notices to pay.This is very disappointing to me, in that I love their show, and I would never think that such a popular program would want to have this type of reputation associated with it.
IS ANYONE AT HGTV READING THESE COMMENTS, OR EVEN CARE?
So this is why I just got the "Invoice" from HGTV ! What a bunch of crap, there was no where saying I was signing up for a subscription when entering their BlogCabin Sweepstakes and a couple others. True criminals, I believe we need to file a lawsuit.
I had a subscription for hgtv. All was good until I received a payment on my credit card for $34.97. I thought this was high. I went to their Web site where they offer subscriptions for $19.99. Way to show customer appreciation. I can only imagine how many people just let it go not realizing they are being duped. Reputation is everything. They blew it with me. I called hgtv told them what happened. She just said ok I am taking it off. That's it. Didn't even try to change it to $19.99 for me, no apology either. Bad business there.
I have received two bills now for a magazine I did not order. I get nothing in the mail or over the internet. How dare they demand payment for something I did not order and do not get. I want off their mailing list immediately!
Thank you, OJE I just used the link you provided in your 11th of March, 2014 comment! It worked for me today 11, 27, 2015. The page said that the subscription is canceled. I hope it is, but we will see...
SCAMMERS! Oh Yesss here we go: I did not order the magazine either. I received an invoice suggesting that I had ordered the magazine, and I was told that payment was due now! "Thank you for your subscription to HGTV Magazine" "Prompt payment will ensure uninterrupted service to your magazine" What magazine? never received one copy. Uninterrupted? poor elderly people who goes for this SCAM or anyone else for that matter.
I have received an $18 invoice indicating that I ordered the hgtv magazine.
I have not ordered anything form hgtv but enrolled in a sweepstakes .
I've alerted the hgtv website mad waiting for the response,
I received an invoice today for a subscription I did not order. One and only one magazine arrived a few days ago and I wondered why. I thought it might be some kind of promotion - didn't even look at it. There is no phone number listed on the invoice - only instructions to pay!
My husband received an email as he turned his phone on this morning 2/27/16 thanking him for ordering & stating he owed HGTV for a magazine subscription. He never ordered this magazine. He had been entering the 2016 Dream Home give away until the cutoff on 2/18/16 & then out of the blue 9 days later receives an invoice via email. REALLY? He attempted to contact customer service thanks to the phone #'s provided in this forum but they aren't opened yet.
I entered a sweepstakes and I got a bill for HGTV mag. I did not order it and I do not want it I tried contacting them by phone but there was no answer to the phone which was on another page... I guess I have been scammed too but I am not paying any money and am sending the invoice back to say I did not order and cancel it.. I did not order.
I never ordered this, but got a bill.
I never ordered HGTV magazine, but got a bill for it!
Can We file a class action suit? I too am victim of this scam!
First I received numerous emails telling me my bill was due for HGTV magazine I ordered which I never ordered!
Now I am getting bills in mail for $18.00
There is no phone number to contact this bogus company
yes I did enter the HGTV sweepstakes to win the Dream home
which I will never do again
this is the outcome of me entering a sweepstakes free... you can enter twice a day i think
anyway.. does anyone know how i can get in touch. I have tried to email them back to no avail
this is causing me stress that I cannot contact anyone! for this reason they should be punished legally
I received email, and invoice in the mail requesting payment, although I was unaware of subscribing to the HGTV publication. I called the 800 number provided above and a rep very cordially stop the subscription and deleted the charge.
Received a similar invoice via the email I used to enter an HGTV and DIY sweepstakes. Completely deceitful practice, especially for those not tech/google savvy enough to look for the phone number or website. Found the link online to cancel. Hope this is helpful for others, too.
https://w1.buysub.com/pubs/HR/HGT/cancel_reasons.jsp?lsid=61670032486010589&vid=1&cds_mag_code=HGT&cds_to_id=cancel
Same thing, I received a bill and email, what a scam for a network to stoop to just for money. Their reputation is ruined. I will not go near another entry contest situation again. I have also unsubscribed to HGTV, do not want anymore unsolicited products.
Would love to see less property brothers. Like their show but it dominates MOST of the HGTV air time. Can you please spread all the shows more evenly?
I too received an invoice for a subscription I never ordered. Left a nasty post on the HGTV Facebook page. Also called custom service to complain. Hopefully this will be the last invoice they send me. Makes me not want to be part of the HGTV family. What a scam and so disappointed in HGTV.