Universal Subscription Agency Magazine order ripoff scheme Las Vegas Nevada

One rainy Saturday afternoon I answered my door to two enthusiastic smiling young adults professing to be in a contest. The winner of said contest would win a trip to Fiji or Tahiti I think. Apprehensively, I invited them in out of the cold and asked them what they were trying to sell me.

Magazines! After looking at several brochures and listening to their quite vibrant banter, I thought to myself that it wouldn't hurt to order US News & World Report and maybe Reader's Digest. So I did.

I paid them by check and by cash, and they were 125 dollars richer as they left and they assured me they would send a postcard from their vacation spot. I felt pretty good about helping the sweet youngsters out, even though I didn't really need or want more magazines. I sort of considered it charity.

Magazines were supposed to arrive 120 days later. It has been 160 or more days and still not a single issue. I've actually spoken to someone at the customer service department, a woman named Vivian at extension 17. She has stated twice that those February orders are having a problem and that I can just write a letter of complaint to cancel. Oh, and I've been offered an extra 12 issues for free for each magazine. How generous! I may get those by the time I'm ready to retire, and I'm only 37.

My next step is to write a formal complaint to cancel and get my 125 dollars back. However, given that I'm even typing this ripoff statement, I have a sinking feeling that I'll never see my money again. What a sad world to think that young people are out there being exploited and kind-hearted hard-working citizens are getting rip-offed. It makes me want to not answer my door again. It's a wonder people smile at strangers anymore.

Don't get scammed. Be smart. Go with your gut. I almost cancelled my order when I noticed that nobody in my subdivision order a magazine from those kids. They said that one of my neighbors had. I guess that's why they're called scam "artists." There is some artistry to be being a thief.

Amal
Adairsville, Georgia
U.S.A.