Magazine Publishers
Highlights for Children, Inc.This business is NOT BBB Accredited.
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Complaints
This profile includes complaints for Highlights for Children, Inc.'s headquarters and its corporate-owned locations. To view all corporate locations, see
Customer Complaints Summary
- 151 total complaints in the last 3 years.
- 15 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:05/06/2023
Type:Billing IssuesStatus:ResolvedMore info
Complaint statuses
- Resolved:
- The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.
- Unresolved:
- The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.
- Answered:
- The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.
- Unanswered:
- The business failed to respond to the dispute.
- Unpursuable:
- BBB is unable to locate the business.
I got an email last night (5/5/2023) from Highlights_for_Children********************* stating that "Your Puzzle Buzz shipment is on its way, bringing new discoveries to your child!" The recipient address of this gift was for my adult son, but had his father's first name...a name we've never provided, used nor been associated with in over 40 years. The email went on to claim that I owe $18.65 for the order with a link and account number to pay it.
It went on to say "You’ll continue to receive shipments every 4 weeks, billed at the previously agreed upon rate.
Thank you for choosing Highlights!
This order never happened. When I called the phone# it seemed to be Highlights, but on entering the so called account #, it was not recognized. Being after hours I could not speak with anyone. This tells me that a scammer may be using a valid business name and contact number, while everything else is bogus. (?)
This issue started after I had received a physical mail from highlights with a scratch and match to reveal a "FREE GIFT package". So, I bit...the scratch-off revealed a gift totaling $26.85, which I enclosed in the return envelope to Highlights, providing my son's name and address; this was for my granddaughter. Shortly after that I was sent a "thank you for your order" and a bill for $4.80 via email. At that time I sent an email back that I would NOT be paying because that was not the agreement. (It's the principal of the thing). Then the $18.65 last night.Business Response
Date: 05/08/2023
Hello ******, I have received a copy of your
complaint to the Better Business Bureau. I am sorry for any misunderstanding
regarding your Puzzle Buzz account. We strive to provide
superior customer satisfaction to all of our customers.
Our records show that we received a response to a promotional
mailing for Puzzle Buzz and it was processed on March 29, 2023. The
promotional material for parents included with the order form indicated that
you could receive an introductory shipment of Puzzle Buzz, for
which you would be charged $0.99 plus a nominal shipping and handling
charge. A free book and tote bag were also to be included in the
introductory shipment. The details stated that you were free to cancel and
return one of the books with no further obligation. Or, if you chose to
continue in the club, you would receive two new Puzzle Buzz books every three weeks at $13.90, plus shipping and handling.
It is clear from the information you sent to the BBB that you
never intended to order Puzzle Buzz. Your account was
successfully canceled and all charges have been removed effectively May 8, 2023. The final
shipment mailed May 5, 2023. Please disregard any notices or mailings that you
may have received and keep the items with our compliments.Once again, I sincerely
apologize for any inconvenience you may have experienced. Should you have
any further questions or concerns, please feel free to contact me at
###-###-####, Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM, EST.Thank
you, **** *******
Director, Customer Contact Centers
Account # ***************
Customer Answer
Date: 05/08/2023
I accept the business's response to resolve this complaint.
Regards,
******Initial Complaint
Date:05/03/2023
Type:Billing IssuesStatus:AnsweredMore info
Complaint statuses
- Resolved:
- The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.
- Unresolved:
- The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.
- Answered:
- The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.
- Unanswered:
- The business failed to respond to the dispute.
- Unpursuable:
- BBB is unable to locate the business.
Our household is receiving threatening invoices to pay for book covers we did not consent to buying (nor did we ever actually receive anyway). We gifted our daughter a one year subscription and did not agree to anything else that was to be charged. This is highly disappointing coming from a children's magazine company. They're inaccurate of us owing any money, and the name on the shipping address is not fully correct either.Business Response
Date: 05/04/2023
Hello Mrs. *****, I have received a copy of your
complaint to the Better Business Bureau. I am sorry for any misunderstanding
regarding your Hidden Pictures Let's Play account. We strive to provide
superior customer satisfaction to all of our customers.
Our records show that we received a response to a promotional
mailing for Hidden Pictures and it was processed on July 25, 2022. The
promotional material for parents included with the order form indicated that
you could receive an introductory shipment of Hidden Pictures Let's Play, for
which you would be charged $0.99 plus a nominal shipping and handling
charge. A free book and tote bag were also to be included in the
introductory shipment. The details stated that you were free to cancel and
return one of the books with no further obligation. Or, if you chose to
continue in the club, you would receive two new Hidden Pictures Let's Play
books every three weeks at $13.90, plus shipping and handling.
It is clear from the information you sent to the BBB that you
never intended to order Hidden Pictures Let's Play. Your account was
successfully canceled and all charges have been removed effective May 3, 2023. The final
shipment mailed September 2, 2022. Please disregard any notices or mailings that you
may have received.Once again, I sincerely
apologize for any inconvenience you may have experienced. Should you have
any further questions or concerns, please feel free to contact me at
###-###-####, Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM, EST.Thank
you* **** *******
Director, Customer Contact Centers
Account # *********
******Initial Complaint
Date:05/02/2023
Type:Billing IssuesStatus:ResolvedMore info
Complaint statuses
- Resolved:
- The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.
- Unresolved:
- The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.
- Answered:
- The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.
- Unanswered:
- The business failed to respond to the dispute.
- Unpursuable:
- BBB is unable to locate the business.
Highlights has been sending me harassing notifications that state I owe $76.45 for unspecified "gifts" that they supposedly sent me. I never gave them permission to send me anything. My children received a gift subscription to Which Way USA from their grandmother and shortly after I began receiving these aggressive letters.Business Response
Date: 05/03/2023
May 3, 2023
***** *******I have received a copy of your complaint to the
Better Business Bureau. Thank you for your feedback, we really appreciate it. Providing
a world class customer experience is our top priority and I apologize that it
wasn’t demonstrated to you.
Our records show that we received an order for Which Way USA on January 24,
2022. The billing information was originally listed under “**** **”, but was
then updated to your address on July 14, 2022, through the online customer
portal. Oregon/Kanas was the first unpaid shipment mailed in August 2022, and
the “other gifts” were the sets sent afterwards before the account was
suspended (Indiana/New Hampshire, North Dakota/New Mexico, Wisconsin/Arkansas).
It is
clear from the information you sent to the BBB that you never intended to continue
Which Way USA. Your account has been successfully canceled and cleared
effective today, May 3, 2023. Please disregard any invoices or mailings that
you may have received and keep the items with our compliments. As requested, I
have also removed you from all further contact.
Once again, I sincerely apologize for any inconvenience you may have
experienced. Should you have any further questions or concerns, please
feel free to contact me at ###-###-####, Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to
4:30 PM, EST.
Thank you,
**** *******
Director, Customer Contact Centers
Account # *********
******Customer Answer
Date: 05/04/2023
I accept the business's response to resolve this complaint.
Regards,
***** ******Initial Complaint
Date:04/19/2023
Type:Customer Service IssuesStatus:ResolvedMore info
Complaint statuses
- Resolved:
- The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.
- Unresolved:
- The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.
- Answered:
- The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.
- Unanswered:
- The business failed to respond to the dispute.
- Unpursuable:
- BBB is unable to locate the business.
This is not a complaint, but a mix up of names and address. I bought the magazine for 2 children in the church l was serving, and then moved before the first magazine arrived. The address is 3** ********** ***** *************** ** *****. The children's names are ***** and ****** *****. They are brother and sister. Please make the changes. The are enjoying the magazine. No settlement needed.
****** *********Business Response
Date: 04/20/2023
***** *** ****
****** *********:
I have received a copy of your complaint to the
Better Business Bureau. Thank you for your feedback, we really appreciate it.
The shipping information (name and address) for the children has been successfully updated in our
records. For your convenience, we have also reshipped the issue from this
month. Please allow 2-3 weeks for the reshipped item to arrive at their new
address.
Should you have any further questions or concerns, please feel free to contact
me at ###-###-####, Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM, EST.
Thank you,
**** *******
Director, Customer Contact Centers
Account # *********
******Customer Answer
Date: 05/05/2023
************
I am not complaining l just want to be sure you have the correct information.
I have been informed that the magazine is being delivered to the correct address. The problem has been resolved.
****** ********Initial Complaint
Date:03/25/2023
Type:Billing IssuesStatus:AnsweredMore info
Complaint statuses
- Resolved:
- The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.
- Unresolved:
- The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.
- Answered:
- The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.
- Unanswered:
- The business failed to respond to the dispute.
- Unpursuable:
- BBB is unable to locate the business.
March 2023
I received a mail solicitation from Highlights magazine and I sent it in with a gift subscription for my granddaughter. When I got the bill in the mail it was for twice as much as the mail solicitation said it would be. I tried to call customer service but they just disconnected me, I emailed them no response and I cancelled the subscription online.
This is obviously a fraudulent practice and since I did not pay the bill there is no monetary issue unless they report this as an unpaid bill to the credit bureau which to date I'm not aware of, but I want the subscription at the price they advertised in the mailing which unfortunately I mailed in without keeping a photocopy.Business Response
Date: 03/27/2023
Hello Ms. *****, I have received a copy of your complaint to the
Better Business Bureau. I am sorry for any misunderstanding regarding your
High Five magazine account. Providing a world class
customer experience is our top priority and I apologize that it wasn’t
demonstrated to you.Our records show we received a response to a
promotional mailing insert, and it was processed on March 15, 2023. This offer
presented the opportunity to order a 1-year subscription for $35.64 (plus applicable
sales tax) and included 2 free gifts with offer. The High Five order was canceled by a rep on March 25, 2023, and they also removed you from all further contact at that
time. Your account has been cancelled and all charges removed. Please disregard any notices for payment and you may keep any items received with our compliments.Once again, I sincerely apologize for any
inconvenience you may have experienced. Should you have any further
questions or concerns, please feel free to contact me at ###-###-####, Monday
through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM, EST.Thank
you, **** *******Director, Customer Contact Centers
Account # *********
Customer Answer
Date: 03/27/2023
There was also included in the mailing a sticker that added another additional 1/2 off which brought the price down to less than $20. I realize they are not going to make good on this but I do not agree with this offer and I think they need to discontinue these mailings.
Regards,
****** *****Initial Complaint
Date:03/24/2023
Type:Billing IssuesStatus:AnsweredMore info
Complaint statuses
- Resolved:
- The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.
- Unresolved:
- The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.
- Answered:
- The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.
- Unanswered:
- The business failed to respond to the dispute.
- Unpursuable:
- BBB is unable to locate the business.
We have received several threatening letters stating we owe a past due amount for magazines that we never signed up for, nor agreed to pay for. We’ve tried to call customer service but we always receive messages that they are “in a meeting.” This is beyond ridiculous, deceptive, and a massive scam. You cannot mail people things and then send them a bill with no agreement or financial information provided. As a matter of fact, my mother purchased a subscription for our daughter as a gift in October of last year and I’m going to urge her to cancel it as we don’t want to support a company that scams people under the guise that it’s “for the children.”Business Response
Date: 03/26/2023
****** ********I have received a copy of your complaint to the
Better Business Bureau. Thank you for your feedback, we really appreciate it. Providing
a world class customer experience is our top priority and I apologize that it
wasn’t demonstrated to you.
Our records show that we received a response to a promotional mailing for Hidden
Pictures Let’s Play and it was processed on July 22, 2022. The promotional
material for parents included with the order form indicated that you could
receive an introductory shipment of Hidden Pictures Let’s Play, for which you
would be charged $6.95 plus a nominal shipping and handling charge. A free
book and tote bag were also to be included in the introductory
shipment. The details stated that you were free to cancel and return one
of the state books with no further obligation. Or, if you chose to continue in
the club, you would receive two new Hidden Pictures Let’s Play books every
three weeks at $13.90, plus shipping and handling.As we
have no record of receiving a cancellation request, we continued to send
shipments in good faith in accordance with the details of the promotion. It is
clear from the information you sent to the BBB that you never intended to order
Hidden Pictures Let’s Play. Your club account was successfully canceled and
cleared March 25, 2023. I’ve canceled the High Five magazine subscription
effective today, March 26, 2023, and your mother will receive a refund for the
remaining issues within 3-5 business days.
Once again, I sincerely apologize for any inconvenience you may have
experienced. Should you have any further questions or concerns, please
feel free to contact me at ###-###-####, Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to
4:30 PM, EST.
Thank you,
**** *******
Director, Customer Contact Centers
Account # *********
Initial Complaint
Date:03/15/2023
Type:Billing IssuesStatus:AnsweredMore info
Complaint statuses
- Resolved:
- The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.
- Unresolved:
- The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.
- Answered:
- The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.
- Unanswered:
- The business failed to respond to the dispute.
- Unpursuable:
- BBB is unable to locate the business.
I have been receiving multiple bills for books I never agreed to order and obviously did not provide my payment details to the company. I think that my child received a FREE booklet and another map by mail prior to the charges. I am extremely concerned that I am receiving bills for items I did not directly order and would like these charges to be dropped.Business Response
Date: 03/15/2023
Hello *****, I have received a copy of your
complaint to the Better Business Bureau. I am sorry for any misunderstanding
regarding your Which Way USA account. Providing a world class customer experience is our top priority and I
apologize that it wasn’t demonstrated to you.
Our records show that we received a response to a promotional
mailing for Which Way USA and it was processed on July 1, 2022. The
promotional material for parents included with the order form indicated that
you could receive an introductory shipment of Which Way USA, for
which you would be charged $7.95 plus a nominal shipping and handling
charge. A free book and game guide were also to be included in the introductory
shipment. The details stated that you were free to cancel and return one
of the books with no further obligation. Or, if you chose to continue in the
club, you would receive two new Which Way USA books every three
weeks at $15.90, plus shipping and handling.
It is clear from the information you sent to the BBB that you
never intended to order Which Way USA. Your account was
successfully canceled and all charges have been removed. The final
shipment mailed August 3, 2022. Please disregard any notices or mailings that you
may have received and keep the items with our compliments.Once again, I sincerely
apologize for any inconvenience you may have experienced. Should you have
any further questions or concerns, please feel free to contact me at
###-###-####, Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM, EST.
Thank
you, **** *******
Director, Customer Contact Centers
Account # *********
Initial Complaint
Date:03/13/2023
Type:Billing IssuesStatus:ResolvedMore info
Complaint statuses
- Resolved:
- The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.
- Unresolved:
- The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.
- Answered:
- The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.
- Unanswered:
- The business failed to respond to the dispute.
- Unpursuable:
- BBB is unable to locate the business.
I have been receiving increasingly aggressive bills harassing me into paying for a subscription I never agreed to subscribe to. I believe my children received one FREE booklet and no further shipments.
I never provided any financial information to your company, and I never agreed to any subscription beyond the one free magazine. Therefore, I am extremely concerned that I am receiving aggressive bills threatening to "take further action" against me. This situation is extremely dishonest and predatory.Business Response
Date: 03/13/2023
Hello ******, I have received a copy of your
complaint to the Better Business Bureau. I am sorry for any misunderstanding
regarding your Which Way USA account. We strive to provide
superior customer satisfaction to all of our customers.
Our records show that we received a response to a promotional
mailing for Which Way USA and it was processed on June 3, 2022. The
promotional material for parents included with the order form indicated that
you could receive an introductory shipment of Which Way USA, for
which you would be charged $7.95 plus a nominal shipping and handling
charge. A free book and game guide were also to be included in the introductory
shipment. The details stated that you were free to cancel and return one
of the books with no further obligation. Or, if you chose to continue in the
club, you would receive two new Which Way USA books every three
weeks at $15.90, plus shipping and handling.
It is clear from the information you sent to the BBB that you
never intended to order Which Way USA. Your account was
successfully canceled and all charges have been removed. The final
shipment mailed July 13, 2022. Please disregard any notices or mailings that you
may have received and keep the items with our compliments.Once again, I sincerely
apologize for any inconvenience you may have experienced. Should you have
any further questions or concerns, please feel free to contact me at
###-###-####, Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM, EST.Thank
you, **** *******
Director, Customer Contact Centers
Account # *********
Customer Answer
Date: 03/13/2023
I accept the business's response to resolve this complaint.
Regards,
****** ******Initial Complaint
Date:03/11/2023
Type:Billing IssuesStatus:ResolvedMore info
Complaint statuses
- Resolved:
- The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.
- Unresolved:
- The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.
- Answered:
- The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.
- Unanswered:
- The business failed to respond to the dispute.
- Unpursuable:
- BBB is unable to locate the business.
I keep receiving bills from hidden pictures club a part of highlights. They say that I owe $31.49 for magazines that I never agreed to purchase. I never agreed to a subscription with them or gave them any financial information. I don't think its legal to just send someone a magazine and then start demanding them to pay for it when I never agreed to receiving it in the first place. I would like for my account to be cleared and to not receive any more bills for this.Business Response
Date: 03/13/2023
Hello Mr. *******, I have received a copy of
your complaint to the Better Business Bureau. I am sorry for any
misunderstanding regarding your Hidden Pictures Let's Play account. We strive to provide
superior customer satisfaction to all of our customers.
Our records show that we received a response to a promotional
mailing for Hidden Pictures and it was processed on August 25, 2022. The
promotional material for parents included with the order form indicated that
you could receive an introductory shipment of Hidden Pictures Let's Play, for
which you would be charged $6.95 plus a nominal shipping and handling
charge. A free book and tote bag were also to be included in the introductory
shipment. The details stated that you were free to cancel and return one
of the books with no further obligation. Or, if you chose to continue in the
club, you would receive two new Hidden Pictures Let's Play books every three
weeks at $13.90, plus shipping and handling.
It is clear from the information you sent to the BBB that you
never intended to order Hidden Pictures Let's Play. Your account was
successfully canceled and all charges have been removed. The final
shipment mailed September 28, 2022. Please disregard any notices or mailings that you
may have received and keep the items with our compliments.Once again, I sincerely
apologize for any inconvenience you may have experienced. Should you have any
further questions or concerns, please feel free to contact me at
###-###-####, Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM, ESTThank
you, **** *******Director, Customer Contact Centers
Account # *********
Customer Answer
Date: 03/14/2023
I accept the business's response to resolve this complaint.
Regards,
******* ****Initial Complaint
Date:02/26/2023
Type:Billing IssuesStatus:AnsweredMore info
Complaint statuses
- Resolved:
- The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.
- Unresolved:
- The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.
- Answered:
- The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.
- Unanswered:
- The business failed to respond to the dispute.
- Unpursuable:
- BBB is unable to locate the business.
This company has sent multiple harassing "bills" in the mail for a product that they claim to have sent to us. This is not anything that we ever requested and I have no idea what this product actually is. Allegedly, they sent this, without our requesting it, we're alleged to have kept it, and then they billed us for something we have never requested. I'm not sure how it's legal to send something to someone in the mail without their asking and then demand that they pay for it. I did not sign up for an account with this company and have no records of ever asking for them to send me anything. I do not know how they got my information but they need to stop harassing us with false claims and demands of payments.Business Response
Date: 02/27/2023
***** *******:
I have received a copy of your complaint to the Better Business
Bureau. I am sorry for any misunderstanding regarding your Which Way USA
membership processed in your name. Customer service is of the utmost importance
to us, and it is our goal to provide the best products and service to our
customers.
Our records show that we received a response to a promotional mailing for Which
Way USA and it was processed on May 11, 2022. The promotional material for
parents included with the order form indicated that you could receive an
introductory shipment of Which Way USA, for which you would be charged $7.95
plus a nominal shipping and handling charge. A free state book/map and game
guide journal were also to be included in the introductory shipment. The
details stated that you were free to cancel and return one of the state books
with no further obligation. Or, if you chose to continue in the club, you would
receive two new Which Way USA state books every three weeks at $15.90, plus
shipping and handling.
As we
have no record of receiving a cancellation request, we continued to send
shipments in good faith in accordance with the details of the promotion. It is
clear from the information you sent to the BBB that you never intended to order
Which Way USA. Your account has been successfully canceled and cleared
effective today, February 27, 2023. Please disregard any invoices or mailings
that you may have received and keep the items with our compliments.
Once again, I sincerely apologize for any inconvenience you may have
experienced. Should you have any further questions or concerns, please
feel free to contact me at ###-###-####, Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to
4:30 PM, EST.
Thank you,
**** *******
Director, Customer Contact Centers
Account # *********
Highlights for Children, Inc. is NOT a BBB Accredited Business.
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