Complaints
This profile includes complaints for Dotdash Meredith's headquarters and its corporate-owned locations. To view all corporate locations, see
Customer Complaints Summary
- 100 total complaints in the last 3 years.
- 35 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:04/24/2024
Type: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.
Unsolicited mail, advertising in my mailbox and lengthy process to opt out and cancel membership requiring logging in. I chatted with a robot and it didn't cancel. I emailed and it did not cancel yet. Automate and simplify cancellation, like other modern orgs such as: ******* Amazon and ******** This business must change its practices and not waste my time or anyone's.
Business Response
Date: 04/24/2024
You will need to contact Consumer Reports regarding their publication.Business Response
Date: 04/25/2024
Consumer Reports can be contacted at ************** or:
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Initial Complaint
Date:03/28/2024
Type: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.
There is a database that has been shared with a VERY offensive addressee name attached to my address. This is the second complaint that I have filed with this issue. The first complaint was #******** against SmartEnergy. I had requested that the database be cleaned up, and it doesn't seem like it has been. My address is linked with an Addressee name as Animal Abuser. I want my address deleted from the database, and if this database has been shared with other companies, I want my address to be removed everywhere. I would like to know where this came from. I want to know that my address has been removed. And I want an apology.Business Response
Date: 04/01/2024
We apologize for any inconvenience ************** has experienced regarding Dotdash Meredith.We are not locating an account with the information provided. Please have ************** provide a copy of what she is receiving.
Customer Answer
Date: 04/01/2024
Better Business Bureau:
I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID# ********, and have determined that my complaint has NOT been resolved because:I attached a copy of the one of the three Golf magazine labels with the offensive name. I want my address deleted from the database and do not want to receive any more unsolicited mail.
In order for the BBB to appropriately process your response, you MUST answer the question above.
Sincerely,
***********************
Customer Answer
Date: 05/16/2024
Better Business Bureau:
I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID# ********, and have determined that my complaint has NOT been resolved because:Who is Dot Dash ********, and what do they have to do with my complaint? And why can't you contact Golf Magazine?
In order for the BBB to appropriately process your response, you MUST answer the question above.
Sincerely,
***********************
Business Response
Date: 05/22/2024
You will need to contact Golf Magazine regarding their publication.Initial Complaint
Date:03/26/2024
Type: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 ordered two magazines from Magazines.com years ago. I asked them to cancel my order last year. They keep playing games and pretending that my address and payment information is not on file, yet I keep receiving magazines and charges from them despite me asking repeatedly to cancel.Sometimes, they do not respond at all. If I call them, then they pretend not to be able to find my information. They plan to not cancel my order regardless of my complaint.They are scammers and need to be put out of business.Customer Answer
Date: 03/26/2024
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 and the matter has been resolved.
Sincerely,
***************************
Initial Complaint
Date:02/22/2024
Type: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 just filed a similar complaint to this company regarding another magazine subscription which was paid for in October 2023(Real Simple .case # ********)This complaint refers to a magazine subscription Better *************** account #************. After over four months I finally spoke to representative Meredith who had that whole time told me the addresses were still incorrect! It has been at least 20 phone calls and emails with absolutely no results all of which Im going to attach to this complaint. Hopefully she corrected the information finally. Bottom line if my checked was ****** October 23, over four months ago why is it taking this long to get a magazine?And worse yet, why hasnt any representative corrected the information. Just horrible ,uneperienced customer service! three hours on the phone just today trying to get this settled! Hopefully Meredith corrected it but one of the representatives at a earlier phone call told me they cannot send two different magazines to two different addresses! Today alone I spoke to six different representatives attached are just the emails thank you.. Please note it is not the amount of money Im concerned about its a lack of professionalism and people know what theyre doing and to one others of the aggravation that they will face and just trying to order a simple magazine subscription!??Business Response
Date: 02/22/2024
Again, we apologize for any inconvenience ********************** has experienced.
Our address labels are printed in advance and that is why it takes a few issues for subscriptions to begin.
We hope that excellent service from now on will compensate for any inconvenience you have experienced.
Customer Answer
Date: 02/23/2024
Better Business Bureau:
I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID# ********, and have determined that my complaint has NOT been resolved because:I will not accept this until I actually receive my magazines which I ordered or four months ago the answer then the labels were printed in advance is absolutely incorrect and does not apply to me since when I called the first few times, they didnt even have the correct information, the correct name for the correct address.tu[Your Answer Here]
In order for the BBB to appropriately process your response, you MUST answer the question above.
Sincerely,
***************************
Business Response
Date: 03/22/2024
We corrected our records on January 27, 2024, to include the gift subscription to ***************************** to Real Simple magazine. The subscription started with the January/February ***************************************************** advance, the first issue will take six to eight weeks arrive.
We have extended the subscription one issue to compensate for the delayed start date.
Customer Answer
Date: 03/29/2024
Better Business Bureau:
Finally, after 5 months of paying for the subscription the first issue was delivered in3/26/24! Maybe the company thinks that customers would forget about receiving a magazine that was ordered after such an extended time..
I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID ********, the matter has been resolved,I hope now to continue receiving the yearly subscription that was ordered!tu BBB a for your help..
Sincerely,
***************************
Initial Complaint
Date:02/12/2024
Type: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 subscribed to the *************************** Living Magazine (****) which was bought out by dot dash Meredith. Without warning the **** was discontinued. When I was informed that subscribers would receive Real Simple Magazine instead, for the remaining amount of issues they had paid for, I immediately changed my subscription service to do not renew. When dot dash Meredith took over the service they set my account to auto renew and have erroneously charged me for two years of subscription services I did not authorize. I want a refund because they charged me after changing account information without my permission.Business Response
Date: 02/13/2024
We apologize for any inconvenience ********************************* has experienced.
Our records show a subscription to ****************, *****************************************************, is a gift subscription from *************************** that was processed December 3, 2023. We are updated the name on the account to **********************************
Our records do not show a charge from ***********************
Initial Complaint
Date:02/02/2024
Type: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 had a subscription for Entertainment Weekly and believe that I am entitled to a refund the same as anybody else would be as my contract with them was just as valid and valuable as anybody else's. They are in violation of the the contract we had together (my subscription) by not providing the remaining 11 issues and owe me a refund. They are claiming that since my subscription came through Subco that they are the ones that owe me, but this makes no sense as my agreement with them was for them to provide me with the subscription which they did fulfilling their part of the contract we had. Entertainment Weekly owes me a refund as they have failed to provide the remaining issues of my subscription.Business Response
Date: 02/03/2024
Entertainment Weekly ceased publication with the April 2022 issue.
The remaining issues were transferred to Better Homes and Gardens. Since the subscription to Better Homes and Gardens was cancelled by ******************, we have now extended his active subscription of Food & Wine.
The order for Entertainment Weekly was placed through a Independent Sales Agency. If ****************** would like a refund, he will need to contact ***** as we do not have access to their records.
*****
****************************************
***** ***
****** ****** **
*****
************Customer Answer
Date: 02/06/2024
Better Business Bureau:
I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID# ********, and have determined that my complaint has NOT been resolved because:[Type Your Answer Here]
They continue to refuse to offer me a refund. I have been offered magazines completely unrelated to my area of interest and of no value to me to fulfill a contract they are in violation of and not Subco who provided me with what they promised. Entertainment Weekly wants to both say they do not owe me anything and offer me worthless magazines that I do not need. I have been on message boards where I finally found an email address to get in touch with them and many are upset with how they have handled this and are looking for answers.
In order for the BBB to appropriately process your response, you MUST answer the question above.
Sincerely,
*********************
Business Response
Date: 03/22/2024
****************** will need to contact the agency below to request a refund. If the subscription was a complimentary subscription, there will not be a refund due.
*****
****************************************
***** ***
****** ****** **
*****
************Customer Answer
Date: 03/23/2024
Better Business Bureau:
I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID# ********, and have determined that my complaint has NOT been resolved because:[Your Answer Here]
They are still telling me to contact the party that provided the subscription even though they have already fulfilled their obligations to me. This is no way fulfills their obligations to me to provide either the issues I am owed for having a valid subscription that is just as valuable as anybody else's or comparable compensation.
In order for the BBB to appropriately process your response, you MUST answer the question above.
Sincerely,
*********************
Initial Complaint
Date:12/26/2023
Type: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.
Account # *********** ******************************** ********************** Books has sent me 2 books entitled "Celebrate the Season". I returned both books and sent a letter stating I do not want these books. Today, 12/23/23, I received a bill from Meredith Books for $32.12 stating that "you said yes to our great deal".How do I make them stop? I have done everything possible to stop them from sending these books. Please help!Additionally, I never received their magazine, "Better **************** that I requested and paid $10. (Check #****, dated 7/24/23 ) Meredith cashed the check, (August 10, 2023) but never sent the magazine. A total nightmare!Business Response
Date: 01/10/2024
We apologize for any inconvenience **************** has experienced.
We have cancelled the balance due for Meredith Annual Books. There is no further obligation. **************** should disregard any further invoices that *** cross in the mail.
We have removed **************** from the Book Series.
Our records are not showing we received the order for Better Homes and Gardens; however, we have processed a one year subscription to be served from the January/ February **** issue through the December **** issue.
Customer Answer
Date: 01/11/2024
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 and the matter has been resolved.
Sincerely,
*****************************
Initial Complaint
Date:12/20/2023
Type: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 $11 for real simple magazine publisher stated above in october this year and after repeated attempts telling them i have not received one magazine they keep saying its on its way very poor service and failed attempts to resolve the situation at this point i d like refund dont want to do business with them for stating magazine will be sent and never has been done took the money never supplied product they were paid forBusiness Response
Date: 12/21/2023
We sincerely apologize for any inconvenience ************** has experienced regarding Real Simple.
Our records show we have sent the November 2023 and December 2023 issues to:
**********************
** ********* *** ***
******** ** *****We have extended for the November 2023 issue and we have re-sent the December 2023 issue.
The January/February **** issue should arrive no later than February 10, ****.
Customer Answer
Date: 12/27/2023
Better Business Bureau:
I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID# ********, and have determined that my complaint has NOT been resolved because:[Your Answer Here]
i never received issues of magazines they say theyve sent i am looking for refund as they cant be relied to send product as was promised on subscribing and still dont have any product i dont want to have to keep trying to have magazine sent because theyre not doing job they were paid to do
In order for the BBB to appropriately process your response, you MUST answer the question above.
Sincerely,
*********************
Business Response
Date: 01/20/2024
We processed a refund on for $9.17 on January10, 2023.
An additional refund for $1.83 is being processed.
Customer Answer
Date: 01/27/2024
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 and the matter has been resolved.
Sincerely,
*********************
Initial Complaint
Date:12/19/2023
Type: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 received a mailing in January 2023 from Travel and Leisure Magazine. The offer was 12 issues for $11.00. I sent in the offer *** check. I received one issue in February and none since. The label on the magazine had the wrong u it number for my address. They had **** and mine is ****. I called them in October and was assured that the address would be corrected and I would receive all 12 issues plus 4 additional issues. I have received nothing.Business Response
Date: 12/19/2023
We apologize for any inconvenience ****************** has experienced regarding Travel & Leisure.
Our records show the address was updated on October 27, 2023 effective with the February **** issue. A replacement copy of the December 2023/January **** issue is being sent.
The subscription has been extended 11 issues and is paid through the February 2025 issue.
Customer Answer
Date: 12/20/2023
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 and the matter has been resolved.
Sincerely,
*************************
Initial Complaint
Date:11/29/2023
Type: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 emailing this company to unsubscribe from emailed newsletters for over 6 weeks. I have been requesting to have my email address removed from all Better Home and Garden newsletters specifically. Ive gotten responses from different team members and *** been told that I have been unsubscribed but I keep getting the emails. Theres no clear way to unsubscribe. Some of the responses I get from their staff takes me to a log in for the actual magazine subscription. I DO NOT receive the magazine, which I have explicitly stated in my requests. When I have mentioned to their staff that I do not have a magazine subscription I do not get a response.Business Response
Date: 12/14/2023
Response was directly sent to the complainant on 12/14/2023
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