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Business Profile

Magazine Dealers

Upstate Options Publishing

This business is NOT BBB Accredited.

Find BBB Accredited Businesses in Magazine Dealers.

Complaints

Customer Complaints Summary

  • 8 total complaints in the last 3 years.
  • 1 complaint closed in the last 12 months.

If you've experienced an issue

Submit a Complaint

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.

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Complaint status

Complaint type

  • Initial Complaint

    Date:09/20/2023

    Type:Sales and Advertising Issues
    Status:
    Answered
    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 business initially entered into an agreement with Local Options Magazine, whereby we invested a substantial sum of $690 in June 2023, for an advertisement placement in their publication. This agreement also included a professional photoshoot as part of the package. However, despite repeated requests, the photoshoot produced unusable photographs, forcing us to utilize our own images and layout for the advertisement.

    Despite assurances from the company, we have not received a proof of our advertisement that is ready for publishing. This is particularly concerning as the publication date was initially scheduled for this month. We have had no communication from the company regarding printing dates or any concrete plans for including our advertisement in their magazine.

    Furthermore, we paid a premium for a cover advertisement, which was promised to include a photoshoot. To date, none of these services have been scheduled, and our attempts to seek clarification and resolution from Hank, the owner, have been met with silence.

    Our frustration is compounded by the discovery of multiple similar complaints against Local Options Magazine. These complaints all share common themes of unresponsiveness, unfulfilled promises, and a lack of transparency from the company.

    Given the circumstances, we are led to believe that this situation may involve fraudulent activity, as there appears to be a deliberate failure to deliver on the promised services. Consequently, we have no option but to demand a full refund for the services that have not been provided, as we have serious doubts about ever receiving what we have paid for.

    We respectfully request an immediate response to this complaint and a prompt resolution to this matter. We believe it is imperative for Local Options Magazine to honor its commitment to transparency, professionalism, and integrity.

    Hopefully, other businesses will use caution when considering using this 'publication'.

    Business Response

    Date: 09/20/2023

    We have tried to call the customer on several occasions to speak with them. They did not answer their phone, nor would they call us back when we requested a phone call to talk to them regarding their advertisement. To say we weren’t responsive is not true. We emailed them asking to so ask to them and they did not call. If needed, I will provide the emails where we contacted them and asked to speak to them. We will issue a refund to them this Friday, September 22, 2023. 

  • Initial Complaint

    Date:07/10/2023

    Type:Sales and Advertising Issues
    Status:
    Resolved
    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 business contracted with Mr h****** to have an ad in his magazine April March somewhere that time frame of this year for a little over $500 he was supposed to contact us about arrangements to photo shoot and write the agreement and never did a month past the time frame my contacted him and he said he was really busy and but would give us back our money if we show so desire we still do not have our money back cannot contact him he does not answer and we have not had our ad place in any Publications that we are aware of all we wish for is a refund thank you ****** **** ******* ** ** ************ ***** ******** ** ******* ************ ************** North Carolina

    Customer Answer

    Date: 08/17/2023

    The consumer stated this issue has been resolved.

  • Initial Complaint

    Date:05/08/2023

    Type:Sales and Advertising Issues
    Status:
    Resolved
    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 March 22, 2023, Hank H****** came into my store selling advertising space for an upcoming magazine "Local Options" to be published. Since then I have tried to reach Hank to discuss details by email on 4/11/2023 and 5/2/2023 and by phone on 5/3/2023 and 5/4/2023 with no luck. After reading previous complaints, it seems like Hank has no intentions on producing this magazine and I believe Hank to be a FRAUD. I would like to be contacted by Hank for a refund but he doesn't seem to be available.

    Business Response

    Date: 05/08/2023

    There is no information on this complaint regarding who this customer is. Please contact us and let us know who they are and we will gladly take care of this issue.

    Customer Answer

    Date: 06/22/2023

    The consumer stated this issue was resolved. 

Upstate Options Publishing is NOT a BBB Accredited Business.

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