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:06/27/2025

  Type:Sales and Advertising 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.

  City Lifestyle is a advertising / magazine producer. They do not provide any way in their advertisements / magazines to opt out, cancel, or stop receiving mail from them. Their website has a privacy section which addresses opting out of various things, including email, but no instructions for opting out of physical mail, or for contacting them for this purpose. It is a waste of paper, a waste of resources, and not something I asked to be included in, and definitely not something I want to be included in. There should be a way to opt out of their advertising / magazines.

  Business Response

  Date: 06/30/2025

  We are sorry to hear that you received a copy of our new publication that you did not want.  We have made sure to remove you from our Lake Houston City Lifestyle mailing list going forward.  While you are certainly correct that we don't have a specific "unsubscribe" option on our website, there is a Contact Us button where you can submit a request to be removed from our mailing list as well as the phone number for our corporate office. Either one of those options would get you connected with someone that can remove you from our distribution.  

  I received confirmation that your address has been removed from our mailing list.  We hope that helps!

  Customer Answer

  Date: 06/30/2025

   
  
  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:06/06/2025

  Type:Sales and Advertising 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 have been receiving magazines from this business since 7/2024 that I never requested and would like for them to stop sending, I have tried to contact them at the phone number listed but have not had any luck.

  Business Response

  Date: 06/09/2025

  We are so sorry about the gap in communications.  We have worked with our Distribution team and made sure that your name and address will be removed from our mailing list.  Please let us know if there is anything you need beyond that.

• Initial Complaint

  Date:04/10/2025

  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.

  I subscribe to a reoccurring ad in the Murfreesboro, TN magazine with a cancellation period after 12 month. I emailed during my cancellation period and have a responded email confirming my cancellation was received. I have been charged for the two months so far after this cancellation period, and now when I call both the publisher and the parent company I get no response. I am currently owed $3100 for refund from Feb and March payments which cover March and April ads, and have been reaching out daily to ensure this next month does not pull for an additional $1550. I am disappointed, and want people to know that the accounting department does not follow through and then stops responding. Poor customer service, and horrible experience

• Initial Complaint

  Date:02/19/2025

  Type:Sales and Advertising 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.

  We entered into an advertising agreement to advertise our boudoir photography services in the Daytona franchise of City Lifestyle. The salesperson was fully aware of our business focus and courted us based on this business yet still encouraged us to sign a 24-month contract for the ad space.
  
  After signing and submitting our first ad, we were informed that our content could not be published due to the nature of our business—something the franchisee, ***** should have known. He initially suggested advertising other services while he sought a workaround, but we were later told we couldn’t even use the word “boudoir.” This restriction was never disclosed upfront, and we feel misled. The magazine misrepresented their services to us by signing our boudoir photography business and not disclosing that we could not even use the word boudoir.
  
  We were also promised access to key metrics like distribution data and web inquiries but have received no proof—only unverifiable figures from *** ****** via email after having to request the data. When we sought to cancel due to these issues, *** ****** claimed it was out of his hands and that we owed the remaining balance of over $4k plus a $200 cancellation fee.
  
  We attempted multiple times to contact City Lifestyle directly—leaving messages, submitting online forms—but received no response only to be contacted by ** that we had to "deal with him" and that cancelation fees are out of his hands. We have submitted cancelation requests multiple times to ** and yet our contract has not been canceled. Why would we continue to communicate with ** if LifeStyle Publications is who manages it yet we can't get a response back from them? We called, emailed, and filled out their online form.
  
  We've requested to cancel our contract on the terms of misrepresentation and mistrust and yet ** will not do so.

  Business Response

  Date: 03/10/2025

  We do have content policies that restrict the advertising of boudoir photography in our publications, but, after meeting with the Publisher and reviewing the content policies, the client indicated that there were other services that they could advertise instead and they proceeded to supply us with advertisements for three issues in a row. Four months into the agreement, the client seems to have changed their mind about the continued advertising but does not want to follow the terms of the contract they signed. All our magazine staff and the corporate Lifestyle Publications team rely on the legally binding terms of our contracts for operational security and forecasting and early cancellation of the terms of any agreement have real financial consequences for all parties. However, we are aware that circumstances can change and we do offer cancellation terms on all contracts that are clearly outlined in the agreement for transparency, which all partners have easy access to via their personal customer portal. The contract cancellation terms are very clearly presented on every Advertising Agreement. It is the longest section in the contract terms to be sure it is clearly communicated and cannot be missed. I have copied the section below. Advertisers agree to a term of months to get a discounted rate. If they cancel early, they forfeit that discount and must pay the month-to-month (Open) rate for the ads published plus a $200 cancellation fee. Until the payment is made, the contract continues as agreed.
  _________
  

  Cancellations. Advertiser understands that Lifestyle Publications offers discounted rates for multi-month contracts, and that Lifestyle Publications relies on Advertiser’s agreement to fulfill a multi-month term in its business planning, in determining magazine layout and forecasting, and in determining publishing rates and schedule. Advertiser understands and agrees that Lifestyle Publications will incur damages that may be difficult to quantify by Advertiser’s early cancellation.
  If Advertiser cancels this contract for any reason, Advertiser will be charged a $200 cancellation fee and all published advertising and design services under the contract will be re-invoiced at the open (month-to-month) rate for advertising and the applicable design services rate published in Lifestyle Publications’ most current Media Kit. Advertiser understands that the monthly ad rate in the most current Media Kit may differ from and supersedes the rate presented at the time of signing for the purposes of re-invoicing under this section.
  

  Upon cancellation, Advertiser will be charged the most current open rate for all editorial content published as part of the Advertising Agreement, if Advertiser had not been previously charged for it. Editorial content shall be charged at the open rate for advertising, according to the size of the editorial. For example, if editorial is a full page, the Advertiser will be charged the open rate for a full page ad.
  

  Advertiser must give written notice of cancellation 20 days prior to the next scheduled ad submission deadline. The contract will only be deemed cancelled when Advertiser has paid in full all amounts due, unless otherwise stipulated in writing by an authorized agent of Lifestyle Publications.
  _________
  

  This client can cancel at any time upon payment of the cancellation fees. Alternately, they can provide notice at least 20 days prior to the November 2025 issue deadline to take advantage of a contracted opt-out in their agreement and pay no cancellation fees. The date by which written notice would need to be received is September 5, 2025. In the meantime, City Lifestyle will continue to uphold it's portion of the contract until a time when we are forced to pursue the client for unpaid invoices.

  Business Response

  Date: 04/08/2025

  We have attached the contract with *** ********* signature on the first and second page of the contract indicating her acceptance of all the terms outlined — despite her claims that she would never have signed the contract had she known the terms. Following the first month of Lunar Studio's contract, it became clear that they would not be able to advertise boudoir photography as initially expected. Despite this, Lunar Studio continued to advertise other serviced with us for multiple months. In an effort to support their business, we offered an increased ad size—from a 1/3-page to a 1/2-page advertisement—at no additional charge, in exchange for photography services. This offer was made with the understanding that Lunar Studio would advertise in the larger ad space, which they made full use of it without marketing their boudoir photography. We honored the terms of the agreement and fulfilled our obligations on Lifestyle Publications' end.
  
  It is important to note that Lifestyle Publications has met, and in some cases exceeded, all terms and conditions stipulated in the contract. While the issue of advertising boudoir services was raised and we were unable to include content around that subject matter, we believe that the modifications made to the agreement were reasonable and in good faith.
  
  Regarding Lunar Studio’s request to cancel the contract, Lifestyle Publications has followed the standard process outlined in the contract for cancellations. Since we have upheld our side of the agreement, any request for cancellation is being treated according to the contract’s procedures.
  
  Additionally, we acknowledge the concerns raised about our sales representative, *******, and the tactics used by **. We take these claims seriously, and we are currently reviewing the internal practices to address any potential issues. We are committed to ensuring that our business interactions are conducted ethically and professionally.
  
  We trust that this provides a clear picture of our position in this matter. Lifestyle Publications remains open to resolving this issue fairly and will continue to engage with Lunar Studio’s legal counsel to ensure that all concerns are addressed appropriately.
  

  Customer Answer

  Date: 04/08/2025

  
  
  Complaint: ********
  
  
  
  I am rejecting this response because: ** told us that he was going to talk with City Lifestyle about the boudoir restriction. He never have us a response to this after telling us that the word boudoir couldn't even be used. We only submitted headshot ads to fill the space until he came to a solution. You did not upgrade my ad space to make up for this. The ad space was upgraded because we agreed to exchange photography servcies. We were told we would receive a half page ad for this but instead was still charged for our smaller ad space. We were led to believe this would be a full exchange of servcies, not only partial valued at $400. I have the emails to prove that ** mislead us. 
  

  We revoked our copyright as well when we submitted cancelation and yet our ads are still running. 

   

  We have escalated both matters to our attorney. We began with a Cease and Desist which you have refused so now we ae moving to litigation. 

  
  
  Sincerely,
  
  
  
  ******** *******

• Initial Complaint

  Date:02/05/2025

  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.

  Subject: Complaint Against City Lifestyle for Unauthorized Charges and Miscommunication
  Dear Sir/Madam,
  I am writing to file a formal complaint against City Lifestyle, headquartered at *** * **** **, Kansas City, MO 64108, due to unresolved issues concerning unauthorized charges and significant miscommunication.
  In September 2024, I agreed to publish an advertisement with City Lifestyle within their Long Branch City Lifestyle publication. The engagement was fraught with challenges from the outset. There was poor communication regarding advertisement deadlines and the ad was not published in the first month. The local publisher, *** *****, frequently cited personal reasons, which led to repeated apologies but no substantive resolution.
  In November 2024, after these numerous issues, I communicated via email my decision to discontinue advertising, which *** ***** acknowledged in writing. Despite this clear cancellation, I have been continually charged $400 monthly without my consent. These charges have persisted for a total of four additional months.
  *** ***** has repeatedly assured me via email and text message that these charges would be refunded and that my credit card details had been removed from their system; however, the unauthorized charges have continued unabated, with the most recent charge occurring on February 3, 2025. Efforts to resolve this issue directly with the main office have been unsuccessful as their voicemail remains full and unresponsive.
  This situation has placed a significant financial burden on me and the continued lack of resolution is unacceptable. Given these circumstances, I seek the assistance of the Better Business Bureau to mediate and help resolve this matter. I can provide all necessary documentation and correspondence related to this case upon request.
  Thank you for your attention. I look forward to your prompt response and assistance.
  Yours sincerely,
  ********* ***** ***

  Business Response

  Date: 03/04/2025

  After reviewing the documents sent, we see no evidence that a cancellation was offered. However, we do see that it was communicated to the client that they could expect a refund for the first month of their contract. As such, we have cancelled the final month of their agreement, which was slated to expire after the April 2025 issue in order to ensure they will not be charged and to honor that refund approval. 
  
  Per the terms and conditions of the contract signed (attached), the client is not owed a refund in the event that their branded ad does not run in the magazine, which seems to be the basis of your dispute:

  ----------
  
  Provision of Advertising Materials. Advertiser will provide all materials for the advertisement in accordance with City Lifestyle policies in effect at the time, including without limitation to the manner of transmission to City Lifestyle and the lead-time prior to publication of the advertisement. City Lifestyle shall not be required to publish any advertisement that is not received in accordance with this provision and may substitute a previously published ad or other ad in City Lifestyle's sole discretion. If the Advertiser fails to provide materials in accordance with this provision, Advertiser will be charged for the ad space reserved whether the advertisement runs in the publication or not.
  
  ----------
  

  This client is also attempting to breach their contract and dispute the charges to their credit card for the remaining months of their contract. Attached are screenshots which clearly show that their ad, which they provided to City Lifestyle, have run in the Dec 2024, Jan 2025, Feb 2025 and March 2025 issues as contracted. We will continue to pursue payment for these months. 

• Initial Complaint

  Date:08/04/2024

  Type:Order 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 recently completed my original $4500, 12mo. 1/4 page ad contract (July 2024-June 2024) on May 2024 (June 2024 issue). I did not renew or sign for another contract due to horrible ROI and waste of my advertising dollars over the term. On June 24th, 2024 City Lifestyle Publications forged my name/signature on a new 12mo contract (August 2024 - July 2025), which no one from City Lifestyle Pub had contacted me to discuss or agree to, and I only found out when I received an email that the August 2024 ad placement was due. I then tried contacting CLP to let them know I never signed or authorized this new contract, I left voice messages, sent emails to their "contact" info listed on their site and invoice requesting someone contact me, with no reply from corporate office. I did get a response/call from my local West Chester CL rep, **** ********* who insured me that this would be taken care of. After two follow ups with him over 3 weeks, he notified me that he has had no response from the corporate office. I have now just received the Sept 2024 ad invoice.

  Business Response

  Date: 08/21/2024

  We have reached out to the author of the complaint and believe that the matter is resolved to their satisfaction. 

• Initial Complaint

  Date:10/27/2023

  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.

  City Lifestyle is a spam magazine maker. I have never signed up for their magazines and I have asked for them to remove me from their mailing list. Despite being assured I would be removed from their list back in May of 2023, I continue to receive this unwanted junk mail. Further attempts to get them to stop harassing me have, to this date, been ignored.
  
  I have a right to no be harassed by consistent junk mail and have no obligation to provide them for any reason. this harassment and lack of responsiveness is not what I would expect from a company in good standing with the BBB.

  Customer Answer

  Date: 12/05/2023

  The company has addressed my complaint and I would like to withdraw this filing with the BBB. It appears I might have waited too long and it has auto closed out and will be listed as customer remains unsatisfied. What can I do to formally withdraw this complaint?

• Initial Complaint

  Date:02/22/2023

  Type:Sales and Advertising 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.

  A local branch of this magazine (******** **** **********) used one of my most iconic photographs as an inside cover print ad for three of their issues. These issues were also still available online until this past week. When I contacted them and told them this was copyright infringement, the editor and owner first told me an outside design agency had created the ad. Then, later in the day, she said that an unpaid intern at the magazine had created the ad and that she was sorry, but the copyright infringement wasn't intentional. When I explained that this was still copyright infringement and that I needed to be paid for the advertising use of the image, she replied that print is in a tough market, that profit wasn’t a priority, and that she wouldn’t pay the amount I proposed even if she could afford it because it wasn’t fair or reasonable. She instead offered an editorial opportunity in the magazine. When I told her that ad space in their magazine was not an appropriate offering, and asked her what she considered fair and reasonable, she stopped communicating with me and took the digital version of the ad off of the three online issues of the magazine.
  
  This magazine's editorial process is extremely flawed and companies or businesses that advertise with them should be warned that ads they pay for have been and could be created with stolen artistic work. Rather than simply paying me for the use of the image, they are now trying to cover up their copyright violation. As an advertising company, they should know better.

  Business Response

  Date: 02/22/2023

  My understanding is that the local publisher has been very
  open about the image use. I believe some of the materials were provided by an outside
  agency, but the actual image in question was downloaded by the intern (it could
  be that the intern provided the image to the agency – I am not sure of the
  specifics).

  I think you misunderstood her response, as she wrote that she WOULD
  pay if a fair and reasonable amount could be agreed upon (quote, “I have
  no problem doing the right thing as long as it is reasonable and hope we can
  come to an equitable arrangement.”) Her offer of trade/editorial
  was a good faith attempt to add value to the settlement.

  I do not think she has
  stopped communicating but is trying to determine how much she can offer as settlement.
  As a very small business, a large cash payout will be tough for her. Be assured
  she will be reaching out and is committed to doing her best to make this right.

  We manage the production of over 150 magazines across the country and our
  training and systems make this kind of mistake very rare. On occasion,
  something like this gets through and we join with the local publisher in
  apologizing that this happened. Nobody is trying to cover up anything, but we are trying to help and everyone
  is doing their best to correct any and all infringement as quickly as possible and work
  on the best settlement offer the local publisher can offer.

  Thank you for your patience-

  Customer Answer

  Date: 02/23/2023

  [A default letter is provided here which indicates your acceptance of the business's response.  If you wish, you may update it before sending it.]
  
  
  
  Better Business Bureau:
  
  
  
  I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID ********. The editor of Chandler City Lifestyle Magazine has agreed to pay me for the used image and we have resolved the issue amicably. This resolution is satisfactory to me.
  
  
  
  
  Regards,
  
  
  
  ****** ******

• Initial Complaint

  Date:12/19/2022

  Type:Product 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.

  1. Date of Transaction: I signed and paid $6,000 on October 31, 2022 to be an Owner/Publisher of a magazine franchise called **** *********. My local magazine was going to be Port City City Lifestyle. They are headquartered in Kansas City *** ** **** ** ****** **** ** ***** ************
  2. I paid this scam/religious cult $6,000.00.
  3. What the business committed to provide They committed to provide was ownership of a local franchise magazine, as an independent contractor, and not as an employee. They committed to providing online training within 7 days of signing the agreement and paying the money. They failed to do that. Online training started 14 days after signing agreement. They committed to providing in person training within 30 days of signing the agreement and paying the money, they failed to do that, they provided in person training after 33 days from signing. This all will become further relevant when you look at one of the attachments that talks about the Deposit and Nondisclosure agreement
  4. What is nature of dispute Their breech of contract. They took $6,000 from me, and said they would return the whole amount, then said only 4,800. I have received ZERO from them.
  5. Did business try to resolve Not yet they have not. They said they deposited my money last Monday, but none has been returned to me.
  I was told in a text message which is included by *** ******* Recruiter, that I would get 6,000 back, and also in an earlier call from him. I was then told by **** *********, apparently a replacement of ********* ****, who handled on boarding, that I would only get 4,800.
  My desired resolution is to have the $6,000 returned to my bank account, and also be reimbursed for the plane ticket and the transportation and meals that I had to buy while in Kansas City. Totaling another $1,100.00.

  Business Response

  Date: 12/20/2022

  *** **** signed a Deposit and Non-Disclosure Agreement with Lifestyle and paid an Initial Franchise Fee Deposit. She had not yet been offered the franchise. Regarding the deposit, the Agreement reads in part, "the Initial Franchise Fee
  Deposit shall be *non-refundable* in consideration of the administrative and
  other expenses incurred by Lifestyle Publications in allowing Publisher to
  evaluate this opportunity and for Lifestyle Publications’ lost or deferred
  opportunity to franchise to others" (emphasis added).

  Although the deposit was non-refundable under the Agreement terms, Lifestyle agreed in good faith to refund all but $1,200, which was kept to cover direct costs of materials purchased for her. And her attachment from *** ******* never promised a $6,000 refund, as that was not owed by Lifestyle.

  Lifestyle, in fact, attempted the refund, but, as can be seen on the attached transaction receipt, her bank declined the refund. Lifestyle was only recently informed that *** **** did not receive the money and is willing to send a check instead if *** **** is unable to resolve matters with her bank, which matters are completely outside of Lifestyle's control.

  To clear up her misunderstanding of the Agreement terms and address her complaint, Lifestyle had no contractual requirement to offer training within 30 days. Rather, it was *** **** who was required to complete training in 30 days. On this matter the Agreement reads, "INITIAL TRAINING PROGRAM. Publisher must complete, to Lifestyle Publications’ satisfaction, the (a) online training program within seven (7) days from the Effective Date, and (b) in-person training program within thirty (30) days from the Effective Date. The online training program and in-person training program are referred to collectively as the “Initial Training Program.”"

  Again, Lifestyle is ready and willing to refund $4,800, even though it is not due under the Agreement's very clear terms. *** **** can coordinate with her bank as to why the bank is rejecting the refunds attempts by Lifestyle or can request a check for the refund offered instead.

  Customer Answer

  Date: 12/20/2022

  [To assist us in bringing this matter to a close, you must give us a reason why you are rejecting the response. If no reason is received your complaint will be closed as Assumed Answered] 
  
  Complaint: ********
  
  I am rejecting this response because:
  
  Regards,
  
  ******** ****

  I have repeatedly contacted Lifestyle Publications via email, text and phone calls, and NO ONE responded back to me each time. I called and left a message to call me.  I even asked the Recruiter who I should talk to about my refund as recently as December 19th. Every day I checked my bank account, no deposit of $4,800.00 I just spoke with my bank and they said that no attempt to deposit $4,800 or any other amount of deposit from Lifestyle Publications has been attempted.  The bank said that maybe the company incorrectly entered the account number, that would cause it to be rejected.  They also said that the company that tried to deposit the refund would be notified that the transaction did not go through. By the company's own exhibit, aka, "**** ******,"  Lifestyle Publications knew this refund was rejected on December 13,2022 at 11:15:25 CST. I am requesting a paper check in the amount of $4,800.00 be issued and sent immediately to: ******** **** **** ********* ****** ********** ***** ******** ***** Only then I will agree that this complaint is resolved
  

  Business Response

  Date: 12/21/2022

  We have been in touch with *** **** to overnight the $4,800 payment. If she doesn't not want this we can simply retain the non-refundable fee that was paid. This refund was offered as a good faith resolution, not something that was in any way required.

  Customer Answer

  Date: 12/26/2022

  [To assist us in bringing this matter to a close, you must give us a reason why you are rejecting the response. If no reason is received your complaint will be closed as Assumed Answered] 
  
  Complaint: ********
  
  I am rejecting this response because: I keep getting the run around regarding the $4,800 refund. I was told on December 20,2022 that I would be "overnighted"  the refund of $4,800.00. Of course, I received nothing.  I then contacted the company today, and they said that they thought it was already overnighted. **** claims he will find out tomorrow where the refund is.  I will not be satisfied until this money is back in my account, then I will agree the complaint is resolved.
  
  Regards,
  
  ******** ****

• Initial Complaint

  Date:10/09/2022

  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.

  I signed an agreement for a 12 month ad space in the magazine at a cost of $475 per month. (Back story this was the second time I had dealings with them). They promised me an editorial which was ran which was elementary at best. 6 months in I realized that I didn’t receive a single call from this ad being run. I emailed the editor in September to cancel my subscription and was advised that there would be a $200 cancellation fee. In November I noticed a charge on my card and again reached out to her. She basically told me that I would be charged $875 per month if I cancelled. This would bring the total cost of the 12
  Month subscription to double he agreed upon rate. She told me there was nothing she could do. How is a company allowed to charge a person two rates at a time? It’s either you are going to charge me a cancellation fee but not a cancellation fee and double what was agreed upon. I will be contacting my bank ad well to prevent them any further access to my account and will be reporting them to anyone who will listen. Judging from all the complaints here I’m not alone

  Business Response

  Date: 10/13/2022

  I do not read anything in the complaint that demonstrates this client was misled in any way or that Lifestyle did anything wrong at all. The client seems to have changed their mind about the continued advertising but does not want to follow the terms of the contract they signed. They clearly write that they signed a 12-month agreement and wanted to cancel halfway through that term.

  Based on the statement this was the second partnership, the advertiser must have determined there was value in a second advertising term. If the advertising yielded no results, I am not sure why they would have pursued a second term of advertising.

  Some advertisers seek a free story in the magazine and then attempt to cancel the ad contract right after to maximize the value of their marketing. Our contract cancellation terms are very clearly presented on each Advertising Agreement. It is the longest section in the contract terms to be sure it is clearly communicated and cannot be missed. I have copied the section below. Advertisers agree to a term of months to get a discounted rate. If they cancel early, they forfeit that discount and must pay the month-to-month (Open) rate for the ads published plus a $200 cancellation fee. Until the payment is made, the contract continues as agreed.

  _________

  Cancellations. Advertiser understands that
  Lifestyle Publications offers discounted rates for multi-month contracts, and
  that Lifestyle Publications relies on Advertiser’s agreement to fulfill a
  multi-month term in its business planning, in determining magazine layout and
  forecasting, and in determining publishing rates and schedule. Advertiser
  understands and agrees that Lifestyle Publications will incur damages that may
  be difficult to quantify by Advertiser’s early cancellation.
  
  If Advertiser cancels this contract for any
  reason, Advertiser will be charged a $200 cancellation fee and all published
  advertising and design services under the contract will be re-invoiced at the open
  (month-to-month) rate for advertising and the applicable design services rate published
  in Lifestyle Publications’ most current Media Kit. Advertiser understands that
  the monthly ad rate in the most current Media Kit may differ from and supersedes
  the rate presented at the time of signing for the purposes of re-invoicing
  under this section.
  
  Upon cancellation, Advertiser will be charged the
  most current open rate for all editorial content published as part of the Advertising
  Agreement, if Advertiser had not been previously charged for it. Editorial
  content shall be charged at the open rate for advertising, according to the
  size of the editorial. For example, if editorial is a full page, the Advertiser
  will be charged the open rate for a full page ad.
  
  Advertiser must give
  written notice of cancellation 20 days prior to the next scheduled ad
  submission deadline. The contract will only be deemed cancelled when Advertiser
  has paid in full all amounts due, unless otherwise stipulated in writing by an
  authorized agent of Lifestyle Publications.

  _________

  Lifestyle has simply honored the contract terms as agreed and fulfilled its end of the bargain.