United Readers Service
Reviews and Complaints

If you would just look at the Better Business Bureau about this company, you would see that it is definitely a scam...here's a link...http://www.bbb.org/western-washington/business-reviews/magazine-sales/american-readers-services-corporation-in-bellingham-wa-27028133#ratingdetails

This crappy, lying company has turned over my so-called debt to a collections agency. When I was first called by this crappy, lying company the man who called said I could choose 6 mags., including the TV Guide, which I would receive for four years. He said that I would receive all this for 3 payments of 39.00. I asked this man twice if my grand total was three payments of 39.90. I even said, 'so, I will be getting all this for around 140.00?' He said 'yes'. Then they transferred me to a fast talking operator, who took my debit card number (dumb me), said something about 24 or 48 payments, I remember thinking, 'boy, they sure break those payments down to small amounts!'(dumb me). Three months down the road, they continued to withdraw money from my checking account...I promptly got a new debit card. A month later the phone calls started. They played me a recording of when I was talking to the fast talking operator. I asked them, 'where is the recording of the lying salesman who called?' Naturally, there is no such recording. Now I have been turned over to a collection for 344.00. AND, by the way, all mag. subscriptions have expired now (one year), and TV Guide expires this spring
I doubt anyone will read this, but I sure feel better!

I have been dealing with URS for almost a year. They have been making harassing phone calls. From the first phone call I have asked them what they are charging me for. They have never told me what or when I supposedly ordered. I honestly don"t know what they are talking about. They have told me that it was over the phone that it was in 2004 and also 2006 and that I had made 2 payments on my credit card and then stopped. I looked back in my records and there is nothing on my credit statements and nothing in my checkbook. When I told them that I don"t do business over the phone and that we have been on the Do Not Call list they insisted th have my voice on tape. When I asked what magazines I supposedly ordered they could not tell me. I said thet I dont remember ever getting anything that I hadn"t paid for and why didn"t they send me anything in the mail. When I asked them to send me something in writing and that I would not give them any information over the phone because as far as I knew they were trying to scam me they hung ujp on me. Now they are threatening to take me to small claims court in Florida. I still am unsure of what they are talking about. can they actually take me to court without ever proving that I ever ordered from them? I think they waited this long thinking that I would not have my records. I tried telling them that I would never order from them because I fell for their scam in the "80 "s and that is why I never do business over the phone. They actually hung up on me that time too.

I have been abused by United Reader Service as well. My economic situation did change and I explained that to URS. They were very rude on the phone and said I still had to pay...I am not able to pay. I explained that we had some unforeseen medical bills. I had filed complaints with them over the past year because I did not get all of my magazines I had paid for...very hard to deal with on any issue. I just asked for a manager name and phone number. Mindy Busick was the service person harrassing me and then she told me to call Stacy Conners at [protected] extension 418 it was a generic person answering the pone and they would not identify what company I was calling. Very strange procedure to me! Do not buy from United Reader Service. They do not provide magazines as ordered and they do not cancel subscriptions when you ask them to due to economic hardship. I agree with prior remark that we as consumerd do have the right to cancel what we do not want or cannot afford. I wish I would have read this complaint board before I ever did business with United Reader Service.

This is ssto address eprice1981's remark.
If you order something you should be able to cancel. If you don't pay they shouldn't send more magazines. If they send after you cancel it's their fault. You shouldn't have to pay for something you don't want. And besides, all of the complaintants said they never signed an agreement or contract with them. You should have the right to cancel what youdon't want and can't afford. Situations change especially with this Economy. People have a hard time putting food on their tables or keep their homes. I really don't think Magazines are on their priority lists right now. Simple solution, Stop paying, they'll stop sending. There are too many loop holes for companies like this one to get away with braking the law. Someone should do something about this kind of business practice. DO NOT CALL means DO NOT CALL. How do they gat away with this?

I've had a service with this company for many years. I have never had a problem receiving my magazines, and I have only been charged EXACTLY what I agreed to pay. People with buyers remorse suck! They try to bad mouth a good company because they don't want to fulfill their agreements with a company so they bad mouth them. Why do people order things and think they don't have pay for them?

I also am in this same boat where they refuse to cancel my order, and I would like to know the UT laws on this! Fraudulent people SUCK!

I'm dealing with this company also and i canceled on time and there still trying to collect money and they said they never recieved a cancelation they convently recieved it later than the 10 day, and only 10 days to cancel, WHAT it took them 2 week to send me my mags. I would like to know the CA. laws on this?

This company says they are legit, but they are far, far, far from that! I sent them an email threatening them I'd file complaints all over the world if I have to and demanded they refund my money.
I received an email from them (quite surprisingly) they would refund my $39.90 and cancel.
I've closed my bank account, saved the email and am waiting 3-5 days. If no refund, I have it in writing, I'll take em down!

The same thing happened to me 2 yrs ago. It was during christmas time. The lady who I spoke with talked fast about some sweepstakes, that I would get a free watch, and a subcription of the favorite magazines that I choose for 30+ dollars a month for a 2 yr contract. that 30+ dollars a month got a little too much so I had called to see if I could cancell, they said I couldn't since I guess I made an agreement to pay and finish my 2yr contract...but they offered to lower it to 19.99 a month but that I would get less magazines subcription...so I was fine with it.

I recently got laid off, and just today, someone called me from Uniteds readers saying that my automatic pmt did not go thru...I told them that I wanted to cancel since now I didn't have a job and I don't have enough money to pay them and that since my contract was already over 2 yrs. They said that I can't cancel, since they lowered my monthly pmts, I was then put into a 4 yr contract, I tried to explain to them I just lost my job and they gave me some excuse that that they prepay the magazine company and so I am obligated to pay.

I am thinking of just changing my bank acct so that they will not take money out of my acct but can they really put me for collections and scared that it will affect my credit?

I had the manager of Reaqders promise me he wouldn't take the money out until the 1 of Feb. he must have taken it out as we were speaking and now my mortgage payment might bounce. He promised me he would fix my problems with Heartland Inc, also a magazine company, I believe they are working together to cause confusion. I totally feel raped by both of them.
I have NO idea how to stop this from happening again. I need help.
Heartland took 2 payments out at the same time, this is mean and I feel helpless to fix it. Readers Source promised they would stop Heartland from ever taking my money again!
Heartland sent me a sheet with the names of the magazines I wanted on it on that sheet it said I had 10 days to cancel with I did by sending it to them within the 10 days then they called me and said I could not cancel because that time period was only for the original offer.

I was also, unfortunately, contacted by the United Readers group regarding a sweepstakes. I spoke to Summer first, who told me of my great luck at being selected as a finalist. I agreed to the weekly issue, only to be entered to win either the $25, 000 or a brand new Chevrolet Silverado. Summer then told me that, since she was new to the company, her supervisor would be contacting me at a later time to ensure that she was courteous and professional. Approximately 2 minutes later, another lady telephoned and was equally excited to give me a watch, 6 free magazine subscriptions, and entry into a grand prize sweepstakes. It was during this call, and only after I asked explicitly, that I learned of the four year commitment to the weekly publication subscription at $19.99 per month. I was informed that all I had to do to get everything started was pay for my first month's subscription using my debit card and the remaining payments would be billed to me. When I told Ms. Supervisor that I was uncomfortable giving that information over the phone, I was told that the company was in good standing with the Better Business Bureau and given a website to view while we were in-call. Instead of visiting the website given, I looked up the company under scam websites. The supervisor asked me if I was on the website. I told her that I was on a different one and that the people were posting some unpleasant claims against her company. She immediately became defensive and told me that problems only arose when people agreed to the terms and then tried to cancel. I was told that if I intended to pay my bills, there wouldn't be a problem. I then asked if I could continue research on the company and be contacted a few days later. I was told, "thank you for your time, have a merry Christmas." Then she hung up on me. I immediately contacted my financial institution even though I hadn't given any account information over the phone. I hope all ends well.

I have a complaint to is there something we can all do my son got talked into buying magazines he didnt want the guy kept at him and he gave in . I told him to hang up the phone . He gave them his bank card number i made him change it the next day . But they ripped him off took the money out of his checking not one magazine that was in May this is Nove mber 2, 2009 since that date my son told them no not interested they called about 15 times and they are trying to charge him another 49.98 then they said if he dont pay it by november 1 that for him to avoid Finance charges Please remit the amount due by 11/1/09 a payment of 1149.54 will pay your entire balance . They are scamming people is there any place to call to get help sue these con artists I My dad helped me write a letter to them telling them we will go to the attorneys generals office to get bring charges. I dont know if BBB can help i couldnt find a toll free number . I also did the do not call list several times . and it didnt work they call all times of the day in the morning sometimes and other times at night . The readers souce we are dealing the phone number here is [protected] we got a ton of phone numbers from Denver Lakewood colorado 80226

IM SORRY PEOPLE
I was doped into working for a this company through a temp service in Georgia I got paid 6.55 per hour to call you all and sell magazines... here is the catch when we call we say our name and where were calling from so fast most people miss it and then we slow down for the sweepstakes info so people here what they will never win (computers, trips, cars, tv’s and the grand prize of $25, 000 in cash
then go on and say just so you know how you got here each year the major credit card companies V MC DISC and AMEX choose people and we say congratz a lot so people thing they are winning some thing... then next we ask for our survey of the 4 major credit cards which on gives you the best service and when you say I like my visa... we know you have a visa... so we go on and ask for our survey may i ask are you married if you say no then we ask your age cause they only sell to people born between [protected] any older they might die before the company gets its money or younger and the kid will never pay... then we ask what you do for a living and most people tell us... so now we have that you are married or single you have a major cc or debit card and you have a job so you can pay...
next we told them congratz just for participation get that PARTICIPATION you will receive a 3 day 2 night vacation congraz again we will send you a list tomorrow morning of 80 different places to choose from
Next paragraph we go fast again about magazines first 2 are free next one is a weekly of 4 to choose from JET, ESPN, ROLLING STONE or TV GUIDE... and then we throw in 2 of the sellers choice for a total of 5 mags...
we explain they get the VACATION -- 4 complementary magazines and the only one there paying for in the weekly magazine for just 3.99 per week and then say we will send them a list of over 400-500 magazines incase they want to switch them ever...
We were told to go so fast in the telling YOU the price that you didn’t have time to hear what we were saying
And we also asked you to grab a pen
And here is what I was told to tell you

Now Jane do you have a pen and paper there because I have some real important info about the drawing... ok the drawing will be held on a day say like jan1st 2010 and we are giveing away 2000 prizes so do you have and alternate number so when you win we can call you and YOU give us your cell number or your work number or your mom's home phone number ( think we got all these numbers and are now selling your number to other companys) then we say...
I’m a little new here so my awards supervisor is going to cal you back in a few minutes to make sure I was nice and if you could put in a good word for me I get brownie points on the board OKAY and most people were like sure bill ill do that for you and then we give you an order number 5555 any number and our name again bill so then the awards supervisor calls back but all they really are is a capper to CAP the sale

I hope some of this helps the company I worked for was

UNITED READERS SERVICE in flowery branch GA.

phone number there is
[protected]

I am going through the same nightmare. This company called me and told me they were actually another company, Interstate Readers League of Atlanta, and that they needed to confirm my account information. I was a complete ### and went along with it. It wasn't until now, MONTHS LATER, that I realized that I am getting billed for "magazines" from Readers Source. They even claim they are sending me the same magazines my original subscription with IRL. I have reported this business to the Federal Trade Commission, reported it as fraud to my bank, changed my bank account information, and am trying to contact them to see what they want me to do to cancel my account with them. If the want more money, I may just go through with a lawsuit. Someone needs to teach these guys a lesson.

Also interesting: Their two "home bases" are in Lakewood, CO and Lakewood, OH. I confirmed that these towns exist, but it seems like too much of a coincidence.

I received a call on February 2009 from Barbie offering a magazine service. She told me I would have to pay $34.20 every two months for 7 mangazines. I chose the magazines and gave her my credit card to charge it ONLY FOR THE FIRT TIME. Barbie told me I would receive the magazines and the welcome package wihtin two weeks, that did't happen. I called on the third week, and I was told that it would take two more weeks. Eight weeks passed and no magazines or welcome package. I called again and talked to Stacy and she told me to wait one more month! I tried to cancel the contract but I could't since it is supose to be a two year contract and it was not their fault the magazines did not arrive. Aren't they supose to make sure they arrive on time? Not only that, United Readers made TWO fraudulent charges to my credit card, since I did not authorized them to charge it for future monthly payments. I receive one magazine every once in a while and an issue late. I will take legal accions again them for thiefs. BE CAREFUL! Any body want to join me agains them?

I got a phone call in April from a girl who said using my Visa entered me in a sweepsstakes, and that I was a finalist. They already had my phone number and address, and the last 4 numbers of my card. She told me she was new to the company and wanted to go through the information & have me repeat everything to make sure I understood. At first, she told me about some free magazines I could sign up for. Then she said I had the option to get 5 subscriptions at a locked in discounted rate for 2 years. She also told me about a diamond watch that I could get for free if I signed up. I told her I did not want to pay for anything and I did not want any magazines. Then she told me her supervisor wanted to talk to me and make sure that she had done a good job, was corteous, etc. I talked to this woman, who went through everything again. Then I told them again that I did not want any magazines. They thanked me for my time and said they would contact me after the drawing if I was a winner in the Visa sweepstakes.
After that phone call, I called my bank and they told me that Visa had no sweepstakes. I cancelled that card immediately. I never got any magazines, so I assumed everything was fine. Last week, I received a bill in the mail for $34.20 from United Readers. I called the customer service number to cancel, and the woman told me I was locked in for the 2-yr plan, and that if I didnt pay it would go to collections. I got a phone number off of this site [protected]) and told the woman what happened. She said she would check into it and call me back. She also told me that $34.20 was not one of their billing options and she didn't know why I had the bill for that amount. I got a call back about an hour later from a supervisor named Stacy who said that United Readers hires outside companies to call and get new customers. She said she cancelled my account and would find out what company was making those calls. She also said she would credit my Visa $34.20. The number Stacy called me back on was [protected], which is an Ohio area code.
I hope this helps you guys.

Another thought that I just had was... I think they are heartland! They have to be. The same tricks, the same calls. I think they probably change their number and name. I bet that this is how they are never listed as being a "bad" company with the BBB!

Anyone else think the same thing?

They sound like Heartland. Heartland acted like I was taking a survey about my favorite magazines and all of a sudden I owed them several hundred dollars for 5 magazines for 60 months. I had to contact BBB to finally get them to stop calling me 5+ times a day because I wouldn't pay the bill I supposedly owed. I got the call from Readers source and was like... Sounds like another scam! They said that I had 5 magazines that I subscribed to from their companyand I told the guy, that impossible, I paid for the magazines that I do get up front and don't owe anyone anything for magazines. He said that he would have to check what was going on and call me back. This was 4 days ago. He hasn't called back yet.
The number that showed up on my caller ID is [protected]