On 09/08/05 I renewed my subscription with HalfPricedMags.com for InStyle magazine. My credit card was instantly billed and the Visa billing statement reference noted Maghouse.com in NY - NOT HalfPricedMags.com. I was unable to inquire about anything about my order for 16 weeks (rules noted on their website and a working phone number was not available).
On December 6, I contacted HalfPricedMags about the status of my order as my subscription lapsed and I did not receive any issues that I ordered. A Mr. Dan Conley responded and said there was a processing error and I would receive my subscription in 4-6 weeks.
On January 22, I sent another inquiry about the status of my subscription as it was still not received. Again, Conley responded and said the order submission was overlooked and now HalfPricedMags.com is unable to process it as the magazine is no longer available on their site. He said my order was cancelled and I would receive a refund in 10-14 days. I responded and said I wanted an instant Visa credit. Conley said he could not do this and I needed to be patient and wait 10-14 business days.
On Feb. 14, I sent another inquiry about the status of my refund. Mr. Conley said the check for $14.49 was mailed as of February 5 (February 5 was a Sunday! What business mails checks on Sundays!?!). Also, I saw that InStyle Magazine was being offered for sale on their website homepage (contrary to what Conley said in his Jan. 22 response!).
Since then, I have received three identical responses, after three more refund inquiries, noting the check was mailed on Feb 5. Today, I filed a complaint with the FTC e-commerce international division. I also sent a notice about this to HalfPricedMags. Conley responded again and said he would be investigating their accounting department to determine what happened to my refund check. I doubt I will ever see my refund. HalfPricedMags is not a reputable establishment and there is an additional similar complaint noted on this site about this company.
There is no website descriptive information about where HalfPricedMags are located but I researched the registration information when I clicked on their security padlock that emerges when an order is about to be processed. The registry information notes a location in Penang, Malaysia. Maghouse.com's registry information is noted as New York. I do not expect I will ever receive my refund and it is unconscionable that businesses like Half Priced Mags are allowed to perpetuate these nefarious business practices.
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