Reader's Digest Reviews

I paid for a one year subscription to Reader's Digest for 2014 for my sister, intending it to be just for that year, no mention of renewal anywhere. This week (end March 2015) I received a "Gift Subscription Renewal - Payment Reminder", saying they had already sent the second copy of this year's subscription to my sister. The letter had large red writing and a red banner across and was obviously intended to resemble an overdue payment request. Very poor tactics by Reader's Digest, intending that their demographic of mainly older people would be taken in easily by the appearance of an overdue payment demand, and of course until I checked, I couldn't remember whether I had started that subscription for this year or last - it was a Christmas gift. No more transactions from me, gift or otherwise, with Reader's Digest for such underhand marketing.

I'm getting annoyed with these people with high prices with books, dvds and cds. The highest price for 1 of the books is $69.96, the highest dvd price I've got is $79.98. Today, I got the demand for payment letter bill showing I owe them $317.41 that's including the administration fee is turns to $10. They also give you stuff you didn't order and also demand payment. I've seen people on YouTube going downhill from Reader's Digest bills giving us letters and repeating their crap. It's just a big rip off, it's like they don't care. If they did, then why are we pay so much for their stuff. These people should be stopped.

I do not understand why they are doing this. You tell them to cancel. We did not ask for these books. They called my Dad at home, he said okay. Did not understand what they fully wanted which is common for 80 year old. They kept sending these books and billing him. I called and cancelled 3 times on his behalf. He was on the phone with me. Returned all the books. 3 months later I get the books and bill again. I am not sure what Reader Digest have in mind, but it is taking so much time and effort to get them to stop. I am complaining to my state Attorney General office today. Because this is harassment. My family including cousins all canceled their subscription because the way they treated my parents. As much as we enjoyed reading the magazine, this was not worth it.

I have been dismayed for several years over the content of our beloved Reader's Digest. I even stopped subscribing for a while. Recently I have observed a marked improvement in content. It isn't the old condensed books we enjoyed so much, but it also isn't the flimsy stories about entertainers and their personal life. I am enjoying the practical advice we are once again receiving. I see some stories about real life and the heroes of today. I would prefer to not get my magazine filled with not-easy-to-pull-out card stock ads. Overall, I am still pleased with the return to some of the values of Reader's Digest. I am renewing today.

Every month, I'm once again dismayed at the content of my Reader's Digest magazine. It used to be such a good read, almost from cover to cover. Today I actually took the time to turn to the organizational page to read who is presently responsible for the pitiful volume in my hand. Then I sought to find an online place to share my thoughts and concerns. A Google search brought me here to Consumer Affairs.

I assumed that a company shouldn't send out products without receiving the payment, but I guess I was wrong. Exiting from the payment page didn't stop the RD from mailing me the items, which I didn't even open the boxes they came with. So I explained to them and asked for return labels. They sent me two return labels with a Canadian address, so I mailed two items back. But I have two more items and despite my 10+ requests, RD kept sending me US return labels, which were useless in Canada because I had to pay for the international shipping fee. So I mailed the rest two items to the same address I mailed to the first time. And I thought it's the end of the story. But I was wrong again, I received a bill notification for all four items yesterday. I really don't know what to do now. Can somebody give me some advice? Thank you.

They smartly send gifts and renew subscription without customer's intent and send bills. No services should be provided unless and until the customer asks for it. I have been forcefully made to shell out money for the books and gifts which I never wanted. I would never advise people to subscribe for RD. If you want to read, buy copies from the stand.

After collecting my data, and my credit card info, I was informed that I had purchased a Gift Subscription. I did not order a Gift subscription nor did I want one. I cancelled the order and requested proof of cancellation. So far I have not received proof.

Just looked at my bank account and saw unauthorized withdrawal. I called and was told I was on automatic renewal. Had received several notices about my subscription ending and was debating on whether I wanted the paper or digital edition. After this fraud, I will no longer be reading ANY form. And my refund will take one to two billing cycles, which is 7 to 10 business days. Basically, whenever they get around to it. It's not the money, it's the principle.

I registered about several years ago for the $5,000 daily giveaway Reader's Digest Contest. Honestly, they make it so difficult to enter. Every day they ask me to sign in, so I sign in with my email and passcode, then they say Hello to me - when I enter the daily code for the contest, they then tell me I have to sign in. I usually have to do this at least 10 times, but today I have signed in 18 times and they still will not let me enter the contest. I have been their customer for nearly 40 years but I am sick and tired of their incompetence and nonsense.

Ordered 2 books from them on July 29, 2013 for $29.95 each which I selected that I would pay upfront so I didn't have to pay any shipping or handling. I noticed that there wasn't a charge on my credit card and since I am unable to check the status of my order online - I call them on Aug 7. I call them and they had no information as to when it will be sent out. I call them again the following week and the woman on the phone advises me that they were switching warehouses so no books have been sent out. The company didn't even bother to send out an email stating that the books were on back order nor did the website say there was a back order. No further information on when it will be sent out.

I ordered and paid for a subscription 7 months ago and still have not received my magazines. I know I never will because when I called, they had no record of the order. I paid for this via a school fundraiser and received a confirmation notice about the subscription from the company. I figured because I went through the school, which went through the fundraising company, which went through Reader's Digest, that this was too many hoops to jump through to get my $20 back. But now I am furious since I ordered a subscription for my mom for Christmas 5 months ago and she still has not received a single magazine. I will be calling to check on this. Reader's Digest better get their act together. I love the magazine and want to read it, but I am afraid to pay money for it because twice in one year we have not gotten our magazines.

This happened to me also! My aunt bought me a 1-year-subscription. They sent me recently a "past due bill". I mean, it was clearly a 1-year agreement. Is there anything we can do?

On July 10, 2012, they cashed my check of $29.96. I did call them 3 different times and told me they were sorry and they will send my books. Now today, 4/5/2013, I called and demanded my money back. I hate this company.

I hate RD with a passion! Last spring, I took RD up on an offer to get one magazine free. If I didn't want the subscription, just write cancel on the bill. I did precisely that then I started to get billed for the selected book club for books I never received nor had agreed to buy into. Then, the threats of taking it to collections came. I wrote one letter and it didn't help. I wrote a second letter, this time sending it registered so it had to be signed for. In this letter, I clearly told them they had no proof that I agreed to join their club for condensed books, no proof that I had received any of them, and that they had no proof of my signature agreeing to anything!

I have experienced problems with Reader's Digest demanding money for products I returned or even worse, products I did not order in the first place. Recently, they claimed they do not have the returned item in their warehouse! How convenient. I told them if the returned item was lost in transit or if a warehouse worker did not record the return, that is their problem. They have the colossal nerve trying to scam innocent, hard working people.

Reader's Digest consistently sends me books that I never ordered and then require that I pay for them. There is no way for me to send the books back and again, I did not order them. What do I do?

I received a book in the mail that had free all over it. A month or so later I received another one that stated the same, free, except this one also had a free gift enclosed on the box; it was a cheap ink pen. A few weeks or a month later, I received an invoice (bill) saying I owed them $. I promptly wrote a letter stating that I did not order the book. I sent the book back - at my own expense, and I'm still receiving bills! The second bill they were threatening to turn over to collections. The latest bill was yesterday. I didn't even open it. I wrote return to sender, but I did write on the envelope stating the same things I mentioned above. There is no phone number to call, just an address. This is my second complaint online.

I got a one-year free subscription to Reader's Digest. Now, they are sending me books I didn't order. The first time, it said it was a "free gift." So I opened it. The second time, I assumed it was also free since I never ordered anything. Then I got a bill for $30! This was one of those mind stretchers books, one I could pick up from the magazine rack for $5. So I tried to fight it. I called them, emailed them, nothing. I got about four more notices and was in the process of buying a home, so I paid it. Then, another book comes. I refuse it this time, because their website says it will cancel the bill and future mailings when you do that. But guess what I received a month later? Another bill. So I tried to email them again. And I still have no response. I'm not paying this bill. I don't even have the book! I am so fed up with this company!

I just received a bill in the amount of $31.22 for volumes 4-12 of Reader's Digest Select Editions. Since I have never ordered anything from them or received a book, I wanted to call and clear this up. No phone number was provided so I had to look it up online. When I was finally able to speak to a human being, she stated (in a very heavy accent) that I had ordered and received a book in August. I assured her I had neither ordered nor received this book. She asked if I would be interested in continuing the series? Um, no! She let me know another book was on its way and would I consider keeping it and paying for it, again no!

I went to the internet to renew my Reader's Digest subscription and every site I went to have a different price from the one they sent me. There is no phone number anywhere on the statement to call them. Why don't they want anyone to call? I just wanted to renew. You used to get someone in the US. Now who knows where you call? They messed up my last renewal. I got one free for someone. They never renewed mine, just the free one. Where is the great customer service they used to have?

I received a letter from a Collections Department from Readers Digest! Charles ** claims I ordered a book which I never did or never even heard of, The River Bones Collection. They keep sending me magazines. I ordered a one-time subscription of their magazine. They keep billing me for other things I've ordered. They're obviously not keeping track of their records. I innocently go out for their sweepstakes that are for free supposedly. I get charged fro unrecognized objects that I never received or ordered. I keep refusing and returning their packages and other magazines to get a first time past due notice on something I never ordered and received and I definitely would not want. It's not of interest to me and I don't read books, once in a while magazines.

I currently subscribe to an RD periodical (The Family Handyman). Now, RD sent me a book unsolicited and is threatening to send my account to collection if I don't pay. I never received the book and never ordered it. I am going down the road of the Department of Consumer Protection and Better Business Bureau. Does anyone know if this is a Federal crime as they use the postal system to execute their scam? Also, while the individual scope is small ($30 per person), the total must be in the millions. Doesn't that along with interstate scope make this Racketeering (RICO) charge?

I was wrongly billed for an item I never requested or received. I have attached here a screenshot of the final portion of my chat online today with Eliza at Reader's Digest. Eliza told me that my name was on a sweepstakes entry form and that is how I got the book (which never arrived) and the invoice. I told her this sounds like the old telephone slamming scam where companies would put a letter of agency on the back of a sweepstakes form so that filling out the form would also allow them to switch your long distance carrier. After two years in that scam, I had a letter from the FCC thanking me for my help in shutting down a very large company performing these scams out of Florida. I wish I could help shut down those responsible for this stunt by Reader's Digest. Time will tell if they truly have removed this bogus invoice.

I have a bill from Reader's Digest for volumes 4-12, The Bungalow, for $31.65. I didn't order nor did I receive. After reading the reviews of all the other people this happened to, I need to know just what to do with this bill that is not my own. My bill doesn't have a phone number listed on the bill but has an address: Reader's Digest PO Box 25860, Lehigh Valley, PA 18002-5860. Help me out here!

I entered a sweepstakes at their website and it said that no purchase was necessary. I clicked where it said, "If you'd prefer to just enter the sweepstakes, click here,” and I got charged anyway. I completed the entry procedure and immediately received a confirmation order for a product I didn't order for $31.96 plus $7.99 for shipping.

I tried calling Reader's Digest #800-304-2807 and could not get through. When I logged onto their website using the account number provided on the invoice, there was no such account number. When I tried to log on using my personal information, there was no recognition of my name and address either. Isn't this suspicious? I submitted an email to RD customer care support team on 9-6-12 asking them what was Vol 4-12 The Bungalow and why was I being billed for $30.71 for something that I did not order? An email auto-response said it will be answered within 24 hours.

Sometime in the second week of May 2012, we received a crossword puzzle-type book. On the front of the package in 2-inch bold letters, it said 'free gift'. There was no invoice in the package. Today, we received a past due billing of $27.98 for this book, which was never ordered! There is no phone number to call to resolve this issue. I went to the internet and found a list of 574 complaints against Reader's Digest for this same type of problem. We do not plan on sending money for this scam by Reader's Digest!

I had written a handwritten letter requesting for there to be no more of your products to be mailed to this address and it has not stopped. It seems like I receive more now that I have asked to be taken off the list. Please discontinue any further books, magazines, music or any other product you carry. Thank you for your cooperation.

Subscription was paid vide cheque no ** GPT Rs.519, drawn from Bank of Maharashtra Andheri West branch, which was debited on 28.11.11. However, I have received letter on April 12, stating that the payment is still outstanding. Please check and confirm receipt of the payment. I have received 4 issues of RD.

As a senior citizen living in the boonies, I started a subscription in November 2011. I received a bill which I paid in December for a great rate of $8.00 for one year. The check was cashed in December. Without receiving one issue, I started receiving renewal notices. I wrote two letters, including a copy of my cashed check which indicates my experience.

Notice of delinquency and books sent without consent: I paid by check on 3/28/12 the amount of $22.89. Also, I paid by check on 3/28/12 the amount of $30.56. I presumed it was for the last book I received, and I don't think I asked for the said book. Please, do not send me anything more.

I am trying to renew my subscription on my computer to save $5.00 off the $17.98 listed on the voucher. I have called your 800# about the problem, with no results. Each time I have tried to renew, I ended up on a service company site, not the Reader Digest site. They are offering $14.98. I want the $17.98 less $5.00 offer ($12.98). If this doesn't work, then I guess you do not want my business. I hope you will resolve the problem. You have my info above.

I keep receiving bills we didn’t order. Please stop sending these bills.

I agree with all the comments, it has also happened to me and is a work of evil people who are trying to make money at the expense of other people. It is ongoing and all complaints are good enough for the government to step up.

Unsolicited books, followed by a bill for $30.13. I wrote to them that I don't owe them anything. They acknowledged that letter but said I still owe the $30.13. I do not nor will I pay it.

I have been receiving magazines sent without any request by me, the abused customer. First, it was "OK" and now "Everyday with Rachel Ray." Why is this happening? I am not the only one when I go online. It is ubiquitous. Of course, I took my precious time to contact these people to no avail. Yes, OK stopped; but now the other. The post office should be forced to send these back without me paying postage, since they delivered them without my request. Let the perpetrators of fraud pay.

I received a collection notice for a book Reader's Digest sent me three months ago, that I never ordered or wanted. The package was marked "free gift" and there was no paperwork inside. It contained a cheaply printed paperback full of bad short stories. I just received the collection notice for $30.13 and I tried calling to complain, but the phone is always busy. Tonight I have spent most of my evening submitting complaints to the FTC, the Better Business Bureau, ABC news, Diane Sawyer, GMA and there will be others.

A box arrived saying "free gift" and had no other indication what it was. It was a crappy book of mediocre nonsense stories. The kind of crap people who watch the hallmark channel or soap operas would think was intelligent literature. I tossed it. There was no paperwork or info with it at all other than the "free" stamp on the box. Several weeks later, I got a bill for $30.93! In truth, the bill doesn't even state what its for. All it says is to "send payment" and enter some sweepstakes. I assume the bill is for that book but have no way to know. There is no contact information, no explanation of charges and no phone numbers or website listed. This is illegal. Furthermore, think of all the older people I'm sure they target with this who just pay things that they get bills for. The media needs to get involved. I am not paying it but do not know how to fix it.

I am the granddaughter of an elderly woman who does not have the ability to take care of her own finances. I have been fighting with Reader's Digest for 10 months over my grandmother's account. I find it very odd that Reader's Digest can send a bill stating that her subscription is due: "Please pay $13.98 for your subscription." In fact, her subscription was not due; they just added another year on her subscription. This is how an 88-year-old woman has a 4-year subscription to Reader's Digest. My grandmother may not even be alive in 4 years to read their magazine.