Publishers Renewal Service magazine renewal ripoff scam Shawnee Kansas

I have a simple solution to this company's problem.  They call random numbers until they reach someone who, like me, is curious enough to call back.  Then they offer them a great deal: a bonus extension on their magazine subscriptions. 

The problem with this is that many of the people they reach don't currently subscribe to any magazines and don't want to.  They don't see this offer as a "great deal" or a "bonus."  It's just an offer ... and one they don't want.

To lower their complaints and anger less people, this "company" should limit its calls to people who actually subscribe to magazines--people who will actually appreciate what this "company" has to offer.

I am an employee of this company and the first thing I must say is the offer was for 60 months of bonus time not 60 weeks!! Also there is nothing in life that is free, bonus means "extra". We we're trying to offer you 60 months of bonus time on magazines of your choice and like you heard the cost was $4.99/wk. Also the gift is offered after the price was quoted to you, it's our way of saying thanks for that order.
Another key point is that you don't have to do anything in life you don't want to. So next time that something gets confusing and so called circles are being made, do me a favor just hang up the phone and save us both the headache! :)

I found the following two entries doing an online Kansas Business Entity Search:

PUBLISHER'S RENEWAL SERVICE CO.
10400 W 63RD ST.
SHAWNEE, KS 66203


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Close Corp []
Tax Year End [12]
Date of Incorporation [06/15/2001]
Last Correct Annual Report [12/2002]
Next Annual Report Due Date [04/15/2004]
Extension [00/00/0000]
Forfeiture [07/15/2004]
Expiration [12/31/9999]
State/Country Formation [KS]


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Resident Agent
KAREN RUFF

10400 W. 63RD ST.
SHAWNEE, KS 66203-0000



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Business Entity Type
DOM: FOR PROFIT CORPORATION

Business Entity Previous Name
Name : PUBLISHERS RENEWAL SERVICE CO

Business Entity Status
CORPORATION IS DELINQUENT

and (both have same ID No.)

PUBLISHER'S RENEWAL SERVICE CO.
10400 W 63RD ST.
SHAWNEE, KS 66203


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Close Corp []
Tax Year End [12]
Date of Incorporation [06/15/2001]
Last Correct Annual Report [12/2002]
Next Annual Report Due Date [04/15/2004]
Extension [00/00/0000]
Forfeiture [07/15/2004]
Expiration [12/31/9999]
State/Country Formation [KS]


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Resident Agent
KAREN RUFF

10400 W. 63RD ST.
SHAWNEE, KS 66203-0000

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Business Entity Type
DOM: FOR PROFIT CORPORATION

Business Entity Previous Name
Name : PUBLISHERS RENEWAL SERVICE CO

Business Entity Status
CORPORATION IS DELINQUENT

I have not yet been able to verify that Publishers Renewal Service is authorized to do business in Kansas, but I did locate the following information:

Reader's Service
PO Box 448
Danville, CA 94526

General Information

Original Business Start Date: October 1974
Principal: Robert Spaletto, Owner
Customer Service Contact: Marilyn Lacey
Phone Number: (925) 820-4441
Type-of-Business Classification: Shopping Services Magazine Sales By Phone
Website Address: https://www.abcca.com/contact-us.htm

The information in this report has either been provided by the company, or has been compiled by the Bureau from other sources.

Customer Experience

Based on BBB complaint files, this company has an unsatisfactory record with the Bureau due to one or more unanswered and/or two or more otherwise unresolved complaints.

Reader's Service is a magazine subscription company that solicits customers via third party contractors who sell magazines over the telephone.The company and/or its contractors operate under a number of names such as Consumer Readers Service, Discovery Magazine Service, Home and Office Readers, National Magazine, Publishers Renewal Service, Universal Magazine Service, American Buying Club and more than a dozen others. Complainants generally allege the company and/or its contractors misled them relative to the length of the subscriptions being sold, which can be up to 5 years and/or the company refused to cancel subscriptions upon request. However, based on current complaints, the company's present policy appears to be to deny cancellation requests unless and until consumers file a complaint with the B B B..

The company's size, volume of business, and number of transactions may have a bearing on the number of complaints received by the BBB. The complaints filed against a company may not be as important as the type of complaints, and how the company handled them. The BBB generally does not pass judgment on the validity of complaints filed.

The following data concerns complaints processed by the BBB since the firm's file was opened or over the last 36 months, whichever is less. Reader's Service has had 512 complaints. 165 were closed as Resolved. 329 were closed as Assumed Resolved. 6 were closed as Unresolved. 6 were Reasonably explained to the Bureau's satisfaction. 2 were closed as No Response. 4 were closed as Unpursuable.

Additional Information

Additional Doing-Business-As Names: National Readers Service Incorporated
Worldwide Publishers Service
American Reading Club
Consumers Readers Service
Desert Magazine Service
Home & Office Readers
Motivational Ventures In Marketing Incorporated
National Magazine Corporation
Pacific Coast Readers Service
P S Readers Service
Publishers Renewal Service
Sierra Readers Service
United Marketing
Universal Magazine Service
Western Reader's Service
Mainstream Marketing
Readers Service Magazine
American Buying Club
Readers Choice
Publisher's Renewal Company
Diamond Readers Service
Satin Readers Service
Additional Addresses: 455 North Pershing Avenue, Suite A, Stockton, CA 95207
100 Railroad Avenue, Danville, CA 94526
Additional Phone Numbers: 209-472-0620 (fax)
800-340-2754
800-347-7323
800-347-7323
800-820-4441
877-444-4320
877-777-4320
888-878-3661
925-314-3271 (fax)
925-439-1547
925-820-5806
925-820-6820
Additional TOB Classifications: Unable To Classify

Company Management

Additional company management personnel include:
Laura Fultano - Manager
Edwin West - Manager Buying Club Western Re
Marilyn Lacey


Educational/General Comments