Magazine Sales
OutsideHeadquarters
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Complaints
This profile includes complaints for Outside's headquarters and its corporate-owned locations. To view all corporate locations, see
Customer Complaints Summary
- 26 total complaints in the last 3 years.
- 10 complaints closed in the last 12 months.
If you've experienced an issue
Submit a ComplaintThe complaint text that is displayed might not represent all complaints filed with BBB. Some consumers may elect to not publish the details of their complaints, some complaints may not meet BBB's standards for publication, or BBB may display a portion of complaints when a high volume is received for a particular business.
Initial Complaint
Date:06/16/2023
Type:Delivery IssuesStatus:AnsweredMore info
Complaint statuses
- Resolved:
- The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.
- Unresolved:
- The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.
- Answered:
- The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.
- Unanswered:
- The business failed to respond to the dispute.
- Unpursuable:
- BBB is unable to locate the business.
I purchased a picture package on JUne 7th. The event was on June 11th. The photos were posted online on the 13th but I have not received my link to download my pictures. I have emailed them several time and have only recieved an automated response. There is no phone number to contact them onlineBusiness Response
Date: 05/22/2025
After reviewing the customers account history, it appears the photo package was successfully delivered to the email address ********************* It is possible the message was filtered into the customers spam or junk folder.
If additional assistance is needed, the customer is welcome to respond to this claim and we will be happy to help.Initial Complaint
Date:06/06/2023
Type:Service or Repair IssuesStatus:AnsweredMore info
Complaint statuses
- Resolved:
- The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.
- Unresolved:
- The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.
- Answered:
- The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.
- Unanswered:
- The business failed to respond to the dispute.
- Unpursuable:
- BBB is unable to locate the business.
I recently ran in the Bolder ******* race and because myself and another runner were given the same Bib number, the pictures that ordered from finisherpix, were not of me but another runner. I emailed their support asking for a full refund and all they did was send me the same pictures of the other runner, even though I provided picture proof that the person in the pictures is not me. In the files I uploaded, the one titles " this is me" is ME. The other is the runner with the same BIB number, which I paid for 78 pictures of a complete stranger.Business Response
Date: 07/25/2023
As stated in this case two runners were issued the same (or very similar) bib numbers causing the photo tagging system to pull the incorrect photos into their gallery. We resolved this issue and sent the correct gallery once we identified which of the two persons was the correct customer.Business Response
Date: 05/22/2025
After reviewing the customers account history, it appears this participant was mistakenly issued the same bib number as another runner, which caused the confusion. According to our records, the issue was resolved within 3 days and the customer did receive the correct photo gallery link. Since the correct gallery was ultimately delivered, no refund was issued.Initial Complaint
Date:04/26/2023
Type:Service or Repair IssuesStatus:AnsweredMore info
Complaint statuses
- Resolved:
- The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.
- Unresolved:
- The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.
- Answered:
- The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.
- Unanswered:
- The business failed to respond to the dispute.
- Unpursuable:
- BBB is unable to locate the business.
I got an email on April 26. Fraudulent advertising. Pushing outside online at $2.99 month but billed as $35.99 year. Thats ***** year. Not $35.99. Math is wrong. Please adjust your fraudulent add. It is $35.99 per year. Not $2.99 month.Business Response
Date: 04/26/2023
Thank you for reaching out regarding the recent promotion. Due to the non-rounding of numbers into dollars the stated monthly value is $2.99 however our billed annual rate is $35.99. We only bill annually. If ************ would like to order Outside+ at $35.88 we will honor it for him. I've attached a copy of the marketing email for reference.Customer Answer
Date: 05/02/2023
Complaint: 19984001
I am rejecting this response because:
no. End fraudulent advertising!!!!
Sincerely,
*****************Initial Complaint
Date:04/15/2023
Type:Delivery IssuesStatus:AnsweredMore info
Complaint statuses
- Resolved:
- The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.
- Unresolved:
- The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.
- Answered:
- The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.
- Unanswered:
- The business failed to respond to the dispute.
- Unpursuable:
- BBB is unable to locate the business.
The magazine will not give me a status update on my magazine. What happened to my last magazines of backpacker? When will I get the refund for the issues they didnt send? Also. When does my outside magazine subscription end? Probably plan on me not renewing outside. I have been with them for almost 2 ***********.Business Response
Date: 04/20/2023
Thanks for reaching out about print subscriptions. According to our records, your Backpacker print subscription expired with the Fall 2022 issue. We cannot find any active subscriptions as of 4/19/2023, so no refund is available.
In a prior request filed through the Office of ********* Attorney General (File No: BJW/2022/5378382/C) for Triathlete Magazine, we issued a refund check dated 10/12/22 for $9.00. As a good faith measure, we issued a refund check for $60.00 on 10/20/22. In addition, we transferred the remaining two issues of your Triathlete subscription to Outside Magazine, as a one-time courtesy. That subscription expired with the Jan/Feb 2023 issue. A copy of the Consumer Assistance Request Form is attached for reference.
Thank you!Customer Answer
Date: 04/22/2023
Complaint: 19941053
I am rejecting this response because:
why wasnt I receiving written notification along the way? Why did I have to badger them to get a status update? so it sounds like my outside is now expired. I dont remember receiving the harassing letters asking to renew. Thats interesting.
Sincerely,
*****************Business Response
Date: 05/01/2023
If the customer is inquiring about a notice from Backpacker magazine, then they are correct in their assumption that we did not send a notification of the transfer. This is because the Backpacker subscription for this particular customer had already been fully served.
With regard to renewal notices, our fulfillment center stopped sending renewal notices in early 2022 on all publications.Customer Answer
Date: 05/05/2023
Complaint: 19941053
I am rejecting this response because:When was the last issue of backpacker?
when was my last issue?
I dont see any dates here
Sincerely,
*****************Business Response
Date: 05/10/2023
Here is a comprehensive overview of ****'s subscriptions. ****'s subscription to Backpacker ended with the Fall 2022 issue. As for Triathlete, there were two remaining issues, which were then transferred to Outside magazine. **** received the Nov/Dec 2022 and Jan/Feb 2023 issues of Outside magazine, in addition to being fully refunded (2 refund checks, one for $9.00 and one for $60.00).Customer Answer
Date: 05/14/2023
Complaint: 19941053
I am rejecting this response because:I dont remember the $9 check. I remember the $60. Once again when was the final issue of backpacker? Not my last issue. When was the last issue of the magazine? Was it before my final issue or after?
Sincerely,
*****************Business Response
Date: 05/22/2023
Enclosed are the receipts indicating that both checks have been cashed. The Backpacker Fall 2022 issue marked the conclusion of the magazine, serving as the final issue for both the publication and your subscription.Customer Answer
Date: 05/26/2023
Complaint: 19941053
I am rejecting this response because:why didnt they send written notice of this?
this is the rebate check for another magazine. Triathlete. Which they also ended early with no refunds unless I contacted the state ag That was a breach of contract
this check was not for backpacker. Why are they sending this check copy? This was for another magazine
What they should send was original payment I made for backpacker and terms of that contract. How long I had it. How convenient my subscription finished the month their print copy finished. Im not buying it. If you send check copies, make sure its relevant. Send copy of my payment for backpacker (not triathlete) and then send the terms of that contract ***** months or whatever.
again this check copy is misleading. This was for the other magazine they ended early without refunding unless I contacted state ag.
Sincerely,
*****************Business Response
Date: 06/05/2023
Hi ****,
I'm reaching out to provide some clarification regarding your previous complaint. Since you didn't recall the $9 Triathlete check, I went ahead and sent copies of both Triathlete check receipts for verification purposes. As mentioned in our previous communication, the Backpacker Fall 2022 issue marked the final edition of the magazine, serving as the last issue for BOTH the publication and your subscription.
Here's a breakdown of your most recent Backpacker order:
Payment: $36.00 received via credit card on 08/26/19 for a total of 26 issues. This subscription began with the Jan/Feb'20 issue. Please note that most issues were double issues, meaning they count as two issues. You received the following 26 issues:
2020
Jan/Feb (double issue)
Mar/Apr (double issue)
May/Jun (double issue)
Fall (double issue)
Nov/Dec (double issue)
2021
Jan/Feb (double issue)
Mar/Apr (double issue)
May/Jun (double issue)
Summer
Sep/Oct (double issue)
Winter
2022
Jan/Feb (double issue)
Spring
Buyer's Guide
Summer
FallCustomer Answer
Date: 06/07/2023
Complaint: 19941053
I am rejecting this response because:once again. The checks were for triathlete. Not backpacker. Please quit confusing the two. I still think you owe me 1 issue of backpacker. I had 3 magazines with your company
Sincerely,
*****************Initial Complaint
Date:03/21/2023
Type:Billing IssuesStatus:ResolvedMore info
Complaint statuses
- Resolved:
- The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.
- Unresolved:
- The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.
- Answered:
- The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.
- Unanswered:
- The business failed to respond to the dispute.
- Unpursuable:
- BBB is unable to locate the business.
My Pinkbike account has been flagged as a "SCAMMER ACCOUNT" causing me a lot of problems. I could not find a customer service phone number. I emailed the company several times. They do not respond. I want to know why I never received a warning, etc. just woke up and found my account locked out. I have asked why my account has been flagged as a "SCAMMER ACCOUNT" in an attempt to resolve any issues but they have not responded. Unbelievable!!!! I need to know who ruined my account and why???Business Response
Date: 03/27/2023
Thank you for the notification. This profile was marked as a "Scammer" on the Pinkbike website because the account was hacked, most likely due to a weak password. This account was used to scam other members in the buy/sell marketplace of the website. The customer contacted support several times requesting that the account be deleted:
Ticket #****** (9/17)
Ticket #****** (9/20)
Ticket #****** (9/21)
Our support team processed the account deletion per the customer request. If the customer would like access to the profile again, we can reactivate the account and login. If reactivation occurs, please keep in mind that this will essentially be a new account under the same email and username.Customer Answer
Date: 03/27/2023
Better Business Bureau:
I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID ********, and find that this resolution is satisfactory to me.
Sincerely,
*******************************Initial Complaint
Date:02/20/2023
Type:Product IssuesStatus:AnsweredMore info
Complaint statuses
- Resolved:
- The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.
- Unresolved:
- The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.
- Answered:
- The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.
- Unanswered:
- The business failed to respond to the dispute.
- Unpursuable:
- BBB is unable to locate the business.
Im being charged monthly for a service owned by this company (ROAM). *** contacted the former owner *********************** with no response. Their website says to contact support but does not actually give a number or email of support. I believe their practices are unethical of creating subscriptions and then not letting people cancel.I would like a refund and to stop transactions immediately. Transactions are only 15/month but it is the principle of the issue.Business Response
Date: 02/21/2023
Thank you for the notification. The last 3 orders were refunded in full ($45 total) and the **** credit card on file was removed. Merchant customer id for reference: ******************Initial Complaint
Date:02/12/2023
Type:Product IssuesStatus:ResolvedMore info
Complaint statuses
- Resolved:
- The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.
- Unresolved:
- The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.
- Answered:
- The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.
- Unanswered:
- The business failed to respond to the dispute.
- Unpursuable:
- BBB is unable to locate the business.
I paid to participate in NASTAR, a recreational ski racing program. Halfway through the seasn Outside *** locked account access unless a subscription to Outside+ was purchased.Business Response
Date: 02/22/2023
Thanks for reaching out about the NASTAR & Outside+ partnership, *****! Historically, NASTAR has been supported by a title sponsor but a decline in sponsorship has created a challenging business model for long-term sustainability. This year, ****** has chosen to move to a membership model to sustain our program for future generations. To learn more about the decision to move towards a membership model, please visit this FAQ (*******************************************************). With your support, ****** looks forward to continuing to introduce people of all abilities to the sport of alpine racing and bring greater participation and awareness to the sport. Our shared goal is to motivate participants of all ages and to get everyone Outside. In regards to your desired settlement, Outside+ is unable to provide refunds for your resort pass, but the NASTAR team has shared the following contact information for the host resort. You can reach out to Race Director ***************************** at ********************** or by calling ************. Please let me know if there's anything else I can do to help. Thank you!Customer Answer
Date: 02/28/2023
Complaint: 19390775
I am rejecting this response because:I have paid for NASTAR for the 2022/2023 ski season including access to all of my results on the website. To resolve the complaint unlock my account on the NASTAR website so I can access my results for this ski season.
Sincerely,
*************************Business Response
Date: 03/06/2023
Thank you for the follow-up and response. We discussed this issue with our Nastar team and as a courtesy granted ***** access to his results, without purchase of an Outside+ subscription. Please let us know if you have any other questions or concerns.Customer Answer
Date: 03/09/2023
Better Business Bureau:
I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID ********, and find that this resolution is satisfactory to me.
Sincerely,
*************************Initial Complaint
Date:02/02/2023
Type:Product IssuesStatus:ResolvedMore info
Complaint statuses
- Resolved:
- The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.
- Unresolved:
- The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.
- Answered:
- The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.
- Unanswered:
- The business failed to respond to the dispute.
- Unpursuable:
- BBB is unable to locate the business.
I had a yoga journal subscription and the print version went out of circulation so as I had already paid for it I was moved to this platform! I do not use it and do not want it - in retrospect I should have just sought a refund for the remaining ********** they have charged my credit card $49 for the website renewal ( the magazine was less than $20 a year )- their phone goes straight to voicemail and their email form says to expect a long wait .I have a change back form from my credit card ready to go but want to give them a chance to refund me first and cancel the account ( I tried myself but its not allowing me to even do that )I also suggest that they make this policy bold and not embed it in sone small print somewhere ThanksBusiness Response
Date: 02/07/2023
Thank you for the notification. We pulled up the customer's account and issued a refund of $49 on 2/7/23. Please note: It may take **** days, depending on your bank, to receive the refund. A refund receipt confirmation has also been emailed to *****************. Thank you.Customer Answer
Date: 02/13/2023
Better Business Bureau:
I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID ********, and find that this resolution is satisfactory to me.
******************************************************Initial Complaint
Date:01/23/2023
Type:Billing IssuesStatus:ResolvedMore info
Complaint statuses
- Resolved:
- The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.
- Unresolved:
- The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.
- Answered:
- The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.
- Unanswered:
- The business failed to respond to the dispute.
- Unpursuable:
- BBB is unable to locate the business.
I was an original Oxygen magazine print subscriber, they abruptly stopped print in the middle of my subscription and transferred to Outside+ for the remainder. I do not want it, did not want it and did not want to auto-renew, they just owed me something to fulfill what I had already paid for. I needed to sign up for an Outside+ account during this "free" period to obtain Oxygen Challenges I had already paid for as well. Apparently since they already had my credit card info they took it upon themselves to charge me $49 to auto-renew. They did not contact me before charging my card on January 12, 2023. (attached)Business Response
Date: 01/24/2023
Thank you for the notification. The customer's membership has been cancelled and the order has been fully refunded ($49.00). Refunds take **** days to appear on a customer's statement. Also, the credit card on file has been removed from the account.
Please see the customer information below:
*************************
************************
Payment ID ***************************Customer Answer
Date: 01/24/2023
Better Business Bureau:
I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID ********, and find that this resolution is satisfactory to me.
Sincerely,
*************************Initial Complaint
Date:01/23/2023
Type:Billing IssuesStatus:ResolvedMore info
Complaint statuses
- Resolved:
- The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.
- Unresolved:
- The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.
- Answered:
- The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.
- Unanswered:
- The business failed to respond to the dispute.
- Unpursuable:
- BBB is unable to locate the business.
My first subscription to the magazine was a gift from a friend. However, I had to put in my credit card information to access it. When the renewal came back around, I decided not to renew because I never have time to access the material. So I got an email saying that my payment information needed to be updated. (I have since got a new card with a different date and code.) I figured that the company could not access my account since they do not have the updated information, so I assumed that my subscription would be cancelled. A few days later I viewed my bank account and it had been charged. No other company has ever been able to access my account without updated information, so I feel that this was illegally done. I tried to email, no response. I called their number..."high volume" and no response. I am expecting a refund of $49.Business Response
Date: 01/25/2023
Thank you for the notice. We resolved the issue with the customer today (ticket #*******. The membership has been cancelled and full refund has been processed. Please keep in mind it may take 5 ~ 10 business days to see the refund on the account statement.Customer Answer
Date: 01/25/2023
Better Business Bureau:
I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID ********, and find that this resolution is satisfactory to me.
Sincerely,
***************************
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