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:03/29/2023
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.
Normally I never have a problem with my People subscriptions and I have been a customer for years. I haven't received the last three issues and People has stopped communicating with me altogether. They admitted they have made several mistakes with my deliveries and subscription details, but now are no longer responding to me. Order **************. This is through Magazine store, 1 year subscription, 52 issues. If this is not resolved I will need to dispute this charge through my credit card. I have asked several times to have a manger contact me. This is beyond unprofessional and rude. Order date:Nov 14, 2022 Order total:** $30.00 Order number:************** View order detailsPeople Magazine Subscription - 52 Issues - 1 Year [1st Issue 4-8 Weeks]People Magazine Subscription - 52 Issues - 1 Year [1st Issue 4-8 Weeks]Shipped: Est. delivery Thu, Nov 17 - Mon, Nov 21 Returns not accepted.People Magazine Subscription - 52 Issues - 1 Year [1st Issue 4-8 Weeks]US $30.00 Sold by:magazinetstore
Business Response
Date: 03/29/2023
We have received your inquiry regarding your subscription to People Magazine.
Our records indicate your subscription was suspended and will resume with the May 22, 2023 issue. Your subscription is set to expire with the June 12, 2023 issue.
However, your order was placed through an agency, and therefore, it is necessary that you contact them to report this matter with billing and subscriptions. Our agreement with all agencies is that any such actions must be taken only with their approval.Agency information:
**** ******* ************* * ************** *** ***** ******** *************** ***** ************
Our records indicate your subscription was suspended and will resume with the May 22, 2023 issue. Your subscription is set to expire with the June 12,2023 issue.Initial Complaint
Date:02/28/2023
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.
Over the years I have been sent multiple unsolicited books. In order to return them you have to pay shipping. I am busy and just paid for them. For the past 6 months I have attempted to cancel these shipments using the email address they give **************** but this is an erroneous email address and it gets bounced back. I once again received a book, and I don't want to have to pay to return it. And I am fed up with paying for these as I never ordered them and tried to stop the shipment. I have gone to their website and filled out the contact form and it doesn't cancel anything either. I have clicked on "Cancel" and it says it can't process this. This whole company is creating a fraudulent service- sending books I never ordered, charging me to return them if I don't keep them, and refusing to stop sending them. I am done sending them money for books I don't want and never ordered. I would like all shipments to stop. And I don't want to pay for the current book or pay to return it since I tried multiple times to stop it from being sent without success.The account number they have assigned me is *********** even though I never ordered anything from them.Business Response
Date: 03/01/2023
We apologize for any inconvenience ****************** has experienced regarding Meredith Annual Books.
Instead of returning the book to us, we would like ****************** to keep it with our compliments. We have cancelled the balance due and there is no further obligation.
We have discontinued the book series for *******************
Customer Answer
Date: 03/01/2023
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:02/13/2023
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 originally contracted with ************* for a subscription to Entertainment Weekly on 10/2019 online. I received a postcard notification informing me that People Magazine (which I did not want) would be replaced for Entertainment Weekly which was no longer being published. I called and requested a refund to no avail, and now, when I try to contact ************* (there is an online account I can log into there still), I've tried to call for a refund, and have been referred to Dot Dash Meredith, Synapse and numerous numbers in ***** to again, unsuccessfully request a refund for the money I paid to ************* in October 2019 for Entertainment Weekly Magazine. Three times, I've been told they will escalate my call to a Case Number and that I will be contacted via phone call in three to five business days, but never receive a call. This is totally unacceptable and a horrible way to do business. My personal information has been farmed out, bought out and exchanged without my permission. I'd still like to receive a refund for the magazine I initially purchased, yet cannot go through these calls to ***** anymore.Business Response
Date: 02/22/2023
A refund for $15.80 is being processed for all issues that were transferred to People. ******************** will need to allow three to four weeks for delivery of her refund check.Customer Answer
Date: 02/22/2023
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:02/08/2023
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.
On 12/13/2022 I ordered online a 1-year subscription for $30.00 from ************* for Golf Digest magazine. Today is 02/07/2023 and my son-in-law in Manhattan has still not received it. It was a Xmas gift. I have sent emails & placed telephone calls. No Answer! You can not run a True business like this. I am hoping it is not a scam.Business Response
Date: 02/10/2023
Response was directly sent to the complainant on 2/10/2023.Initial Complaint
Date:01/20/2023
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.
Meredith cancelled publication of *************************** Magazine and Health Magazine and sent me postcards offering different Magazines. I h ad renewed ****** *********************** ****. I called the company both times and requested refunds for each and I have never received refunds. Instead I have received a subscription to Food and Wine Magazine which I do not want. I want a refund.I am attaching the postcards from the company. I was promised refunds by the customer service folks on the phone but it never happened.Business Response
Date: 01/21/2023
We apologize for any inconvenience **************** has experienced.
A refund for $46.80 is being processed. **************** will need to allow three weeks for delivery.
The March 2023 issue of Food & Wine will be the last issue delivered to *****************
Customer Answer
Date: 01/23/2023
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,
*********************Thank you and I am marking my calendar regarding the promised refund delivery date.
*********************
Initial Complaint
Date:01/12/2023
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.
Ive been trying to cancel my FAW magazine subscription since July 2022. I havent been responded to via email and when I attempted to cancel my subscription through the website Im directed to cancel through a third party agency. This has been a recurring charge for years now and I have no idea what agency was used at this point. I simply want to cancel my subscription so Im not charged and dont receive future issues. My account number is **********.Business Response
Date: 01/13/2023
We apologize for any inconvenience.
We have cancelled delivery of Food & Wine. The February 2023 issue will be the last issues delivered.
Any refund request must be sent to the ************************ below as we do not have access to their records:
SYNAPSE/NEW SUB SERVICE
*** ***************
**** ********
********* ** *****
************
********************************************
**************************Initial Complaint
Date:01/04/2023
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 ordered a 26 magazine subscription to People Magazine on 06/23/22 in the amount of $50. The website I bought it through was *************. They are the ones that took out the Paypal Transfer ***** magazines on 06/23/22 for $50. I read on their website that I could cancel instant renewal and I would not be charged for any additional magazines. I have the email confirmation of cancel on 12/17/22. I asked right after I received that email when I would receive my refund because they had charged me $92.40 on 12/09/22 (Paypal Transfer ****** *************) I never received a reply so I emailed them a second time asking for my refund on 12/28/22. I also tried calling their phone numbers - ************* and ************* and trying to use the chat feature. The chat feature is a bot and didn't help at all. The phone numbers that I called always said that I was calling outside working hours even thought I tried throughout the day.Business Response
Date: 01/05/2023
We apologize for any inconvenience **************** has experienced regarding People.
A full refund for $92.40 is being processed. **************** will need to allow up to three weeks to receive the refund.
Initial Complaint
Date:12/14/2022
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 wish to unsubscribe from multiple magazines I receive from Meredith. The unsubscribe function at the individual magazines' websites state that I must go through Meredith. The unsubscribe function on their website does not work.The accounts numbers are ************* and *************Business Response
Date: 12/15/2022
We apologize for any inconvenience ****************** has experienced.
We have cancelled delivery of Food & Wine. The February 2023 issue will be the last sent.
The order was placed through an independent sales agency and it will be necessary for you to contact them. The agency information is below:
*********** *** *******
*** ***************
**** ********
********* ** *****
************
********************************************
**************************
You will need to contact Bon Appetit regarding their publication.Initial Complaint
Date:11/29/2022
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.
Over the years I have been sent multiple unsolicited books. IN order to return them you have to pay shipping. I am busy and just paid for them. For the past 6 months I have attempted to cancel these shipments using the email address they give ***************************** but this is a fraudulent email address and it gets bounced back. I once again received a book, and I don't want to have to pay to return it. And I am fed up with paying for these as I never ordered them and tried to stop the shipment. I have gone to their website and filled out the contact form and it doesn't cancel anything either. I have clicked on "Cancel" and it says it can't process this. This whole company is creating a fraudulent service- sending books I never ordered, charging me to return them if I don't keep them, and refusing to stop sending them. I am done sending them money for books I don't want. I would like all Three shipments per year to stop. And I don't want to pay for the current book or pay to return it since I tried multiple times to stop it from being sent without success.Customer Answer
Date: 11/30/2022
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:11/22/2022
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 emailed the office in **********, ****, 4 times in the last month requesting cancellation of my subscription to Southern Living Magazine and a prorated return of my subscription cost. I never received a reply to my request although company promised to do so within 2-3 business days as stated on their website and request form.Business Response
Date: 11/23/2022
We apologize for any inconvenience ******************** has experienced.
A refund for $39.20 is being processed. ******************** will need to allow up to three weeks for the refund to arrive.
Customer Answer
Date: 12/05/2022
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,
***************************
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