Complaints

The 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:08/26/2024

  Type:Service or Repair Issues
  Status:

  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.

  Request for Refund and Clarification on Bonus Access**Dear International Living Support,I am writing to express my dissatisfaction with the House Sitting Program I purchased for $149. The program promised immediate access to several components, including membership in a private ************** and the "Special Fast-Reply Bonus: How to Get the Best Deal on Every Airfare You Buy." Unfortunately, I did not receive access to either of these. Despite waiting for over a week, I did not gain access to the private ******** group, nor did I receive the Fast-Reply Bonus. As a result, I decided to cancel my subscription today and requested a refund. However, when I inquired about the Fast-Reply Bonusadvertised as "yours to keep, no matter what you decide"the agent informed me that I would lose access to it upon cancellation. This contradicts the original promise made in your offer.I am disappointed with the lack of communication and the failure to deliver on these promises. I hope that my refund is processed promptly as promised, and I would appreciate clarification and actual access regarding the bonus promised.Thank you for your attention to this matter.Sincerely,****** ********

  Business Response

  Date: 09/16/2024

  Hi ******,
  
  I hope you're doing well. I wanted to reach out personally to say how sorry I am for the frustration and disappointment you experienced with us recently. We really appreciate you taking the time to share your feedbackits incredibly helpful for us to know where we can do better.
  
  To make sure we get this right, I arranged for one of our customer service agents to contact you & provide a copy of the report, so you can keep it. We believe in being open and transparent, and we want to ensure you have all the details.
  
  Your input has given us a clear idea of what went wrong, and were already looking into how we can improve our process to make sure this doesnt happen again. Were committed to learning from this and making positive changes.
  
  Thank you once again for your understanding and for helping us get better. If theres anything else on your mind or if you have more thoughts to share, please feel free to reach out.
  
  Warm regards,
  imear

  Customer Answer

  Date: 09/16/2024

   
  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:05/24/2024

  Type:Billing Issues
  Status:

  UnansweredMore 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.

  Hi I ordered a magazine for 49.00 online and then was charged that and also 247.00 for I don't know what. They denied this charge even finished. I want a refund for both

• Initial Complaint

  Date:01/08/2024

  Type:Product Issues
  Status:

  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 have canceled my subscription on March 31st. 2023 and received an e-mail stating I will be issued a refund check in the amount of $351.36.
  After numerous calls I was told, the funds will be credited back to my credit card account and it will take about 7 to 10 business days. Since I did not receive the refund I called again and was assured, the funds will be credited back soon. After a couple of weeks there were still not showing up on my account. Since I had to travel to Europe for 6 months I was not able to follow up until my return in November 2023. After my return in November I called about 8 times and first was told, the funds have been refunded back to my account, but I still did not receive them. After another call I was told, the money has been transferred back to my credit card on Dec. 19th. 2023, but at the same call after the associate put me on hold I was told, I’ll receive a check but it will take 4-6 weeks.
  After another call taking to a supervisor and asking, why they could not return the funds back to my credit card he promised me to get back to me after 24 hours at latest, but I did not receive any call or e-mail up to today.
  I would like to finally get my money back soon

  Customer Answer

  Date: 01/09/2024

  I did receive a refund check yesterday, so please close the case.
  Thank you very much for your help.

  Kind regards

  ****** *******

• Initial Complaint

  Date:12/14/2023

  Type:Billing Issues
  Status:

  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.

  On 09/08/2023 I subscribed to receiving 2-years of International Living MAGAZINE. For 2-months I received nothing from them. I then logged into their website in November 2023, went to my dashboard and it said that I DID NOT HAVE a subscription (I have a 'print-screen' copy). I then asked for a refund and they refused. Additionally, nowhere on their subscription page of 09/08/2023 did they mention that they have stopped sending a PRINTED magazine. It is now digital. There are numerous complaints at various websites about this company. They are headquartered in Ireland and it is impossible to reach a living human being for customer service.

  Business Response

  Date: 12/20/2023

  Hi ********
  
  Thank you for reaching out to us. I can see that you purchased our digital magazine subscription on 11th September this year.
  
  Here’s a link to the promotion you signed up for:
  ****************
  
  You can see it describes the subscription as an online only magazine in the attached – Image 1 and 2.
  
  I understand that you had thought you’d receive a physical copy, and had initiated a chargeback process with your bank – we have a note of this on 8th November.
  
  Please be informed that chargebacks typically undergo a comprehensive investigation, and the resolution period can extend up to 60 days. During this period, we must await the outcome of the bank's investigation and adhere to their decision.
  
  We understand that this process may cause inconvenience, and we appreciate your patience and understanding. Rest assured, we are committed to cooperating with you and the bank to address any concerns and ensure a fair resolution.
  
  If there are any additional details or concerns you would like to share, please feel free to let me know.
  
  Thank you for your patience,

  Éimear ********

  Customer Service Manager

  International Living

• Initial Complaint

  Date:12/20/2022

  Type:Customer Service Issues
  Status:

  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 wanted to attend an upcoming conference and wanted more information on it. There is no email or online support only an "events" phone number. I have left 5 messages over the past week with no response. There is NO WAY I am going to give them my credit card to register. What if I ever had an issue, no one will pick up the phone or return a call. HORRIBLE CUSTOMER SERVICE!!!

  Business Response

  Date: 12/22/2022

  Dear ****,
  
  Yes ******* our events personnel sent you a follow up email - AN email inquiry template regarding the ****** conference and was awaiting your response. when i contacted her with this she then rang you also.
  On our Contact Us age on the website www.internationallivign,com we have an Events section and you can email directly to your account with us from there.
  
  

  Customer Answer

  Date: 12/27/2022

  (The consumer indicated he/she DID NOT accept the response from the business.)
  This is totally NOT true, I never received a follow up email from them AND they only finally left me a message on 12/23 at 4:23pm mountain time the day before the Christmas Holiday and the day AFTER you received their response. I wouldn't do business with these people if they paid me, totally dishonest.

  Customer Answer

  Date: 01/05/2023

  (The consumer indicated he/she DID NOT accept the response from the business.)
  I check my spam several times per day. As a matter of fact due to this incident I UNSUBSCRIBED to your emails about a week ago and STILL GET MULTIPLE EMAILS FROM YOUR COMPANY EVERY SINGLE DAY OF THE ******* Take me OFF YOUR LIST AND NEVER CONTACT ME AGAIN!

  Business Response

  Date: 01/05/2023

  Dear ****,
  
  I can only follow what was told to me by my colleague, have you checked Spam or junk if we are not whitelisted in your email that's where the emails will go, ******* contacted you after she received the voicemails and again when i asked her to after receiving this review. Our ***************** team are based in EST time so they would be in their offices times different to myself.
  
  If there is anything i can help with you can email me directly.
  Kind regards
  *******************
  

  Business Response

  Date: 01/09/2023

  Dear ***,
  
  You have an active International Living subscription so you would actively be receiving emails from us, I have made you inactive for these as requested by you. You can log into view your subscription as I have mentioned previously @ www.internationalliving.com
  
  Kind regards,
  *******************

• Initial Complaint

  Date:12/18/2022

  Type:Service or Repair Issues
  Status:

  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 subscribed to International Living magazine a few years ago. Since then, not only have they sent me monthly magazines (which I wanted), but they have continued to send me massive amounts of unwanted emails. The 'unsubscribe' section in their email footers does not actually link to anything. Going to the member area of my account does not stop the emails. Now I am receiving an email named 'Agora Uncensored' which I never subscribed to, but which is part of this whole International Living ring. All of their emails are 'no reply', so you can't actually respond to these ridiculous emails. Their customer service information is deliberately and willfully hard to find (there are plenty of reviews about this online). I have even sent them direct messages via their Facebook page to get them to stop emailing me. I can see that the messages have been seen/read, but yet I continue to receive the emails. I want International Living to STOP emailing me immediately. I would never order anything from them or read any of their information ever again due to the absolutely relentless amount of emails.

  Business Response

  Date: 01/03/2023

  Business Response /* (1000, 5, 2022/12/20) */
  Customer had all but 1 International living email list unsubscribed, when you click the un subscribe link on the emails it completes it for the customer.
  Customer also has there current International living automatic renewal switched off if they want to cancel and refund please let me know as they dont want contact.
  
  
  Consumer Response /* (3000, 7, 2022/12/20) */
  (The consumer indicated he/she DID NOT accept the response from the business.)
  The business is not being truthful - their unsubscribe link in the footer of their emails does not work (there is no active hyperlink). They have also recently subscribed me to yet another email campaign called "Travel and Opportunity". I want International Living to unsubscribe me from ALL of their emails and then never contact me again. If they can do that, then this issue will be settled.
  
  
  Business Response /* (4000, 9, 2022/12/22) */
  The emails were unsubscribed when I went to them, directly from the customer clicking Unsubscribe, all but one, which I have unsubscribed since Tuesday. The Agora Uncensored is not International livings, but click the unsubscribe link on the email and it will make the email address inactive.
  
  
  
  Consumer Response /* (2000, 11, 2022/12/22) */
  (The consumer indicated he/she ACCEPTED the response from the business.)

• Initial Complaint

  Date:12/05/2022

  Type:Customer Service Issues
  Status:

  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 $249.99 plus tax ($274.52) on 12/3/22 for a comprehensive report about Portugal, with many additional bells and whistles. When I attempted to access the promised information, I was directed around and around the International Living website, but was never able to actually see any of the information I had supposedly bought. Mostly I was presented with more and more ads for other goods and services that IL offers.
  

  Business Response

  Date: 12/26/2022

  Business Response /* (1000, 5, 2022/12/09) */
  The order was made on 4th Decemebr refund was given when customer called on 6th Decemebr, we offered to allow her to log in and see it as she had 30 days before refund policy was over, customer declined.

• Initial Complaint

  Date:10/24/2022

  Type:Customer Service Issues
  Status:

  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 subscription to this magazine and want to cancel. I have spent 30 minutes on the web site trying to do so but the "your account" page just redirects to customer service, which redirects to FAQs that do not provide an answer about how to cancel. They provide only a physical address and phone number that is answered only 8-7 weekdays. It is unethical to make it very easy for International Living to take your money and hard to stop them from taking it.
  

  Business Response

  Date: 11/08/2022

  Business Response /* (1000, 5, 2022/10/26) */
  RE: We received a complaint # XXXXXXXX on your business
  External
  Inbox
  
  Helen **** <*****************************>
  Oct 25, 2022, 8:57 AM (23 hours ago)
  to me, Sean, BBB
  
  Dear Heather,
  
  
  
  Customer called us and cancelled on October 24th? Received a refund and her details of when the refund would be on her statement.
  
  
  
  Kind regards,
  
  
  
  Helen ****