Hearst Marketing Hearst Magazines, Consumer Marketing I entered an online contest to win a Stressless recliner from Ekornes. Immediately, I received a Confirmation from House Beautiful that I had purchased a 12 month subscription to their magazine. 

After considerable difficulty and after reporting to Internet Crime Complaint Center, and then finally being able to reach the unreachable House Beautiful Magazine, I recd confirmation that this bogus subscription would be cancelled. I contacted Ekornes (Stressless furniture), who were extremely upset to hear this had happened as a result of their contest. They advised me that I was the 2nd person to complain and that they would look into the responsible marketing company. That company is Hearst Magazies Marketing. After a couple days, Hearst sent me a weakly worded email, not claiming responsibility of course, but advising me that the magazine subscription had been cancelled. I wrote back that YES I knew that already since I had done it. I think that any company who uses Hearst and is already knowledgeable about their scamming techniques should not receive our customer support. I am hoping that Ekornes - Stressless will discontinue all dealings with Hearst. I don't know how reputable House Beautiful Magazine is, so I won't expect the same. However, I will never purchase from or participate in any dealings or contests who are run by Hearst ever again. I went to an incredible amount of trouble to have this scam exposed and not to pay House Beautiful subscription that I never applied for. I can only assume that Many people haven't been able to do the same and have been scammed for at least one year's subscription fee.

Hearst Marketing is not reputable and scammed me.  Please do not trust Hearst Marketing unless you wish to be scammed.

Ekornes - Stressless is / was one of their customers for a contest through which Hearst was able to obtain private information.

As a result, House Beautiful Magazine was making money through unauthorized subscriptions.

1) If you are scammed, report to Internet Crime Complaint Center.

2) Contact HBUcustserv@cdsfulfillment.com (House Beautiful) who will not be helpful.

3) Contact Ekornes (Stressless), IF scam was done through one of their contests:  email:  Beverly.Kastel@ekornes.com

Ekornes (Stressless) is a very ethical company and WILL help.  Representative Beverly Kastel was extremely helpful and had no idea this scam was going on through Hearst marketing.