I sort of remember getting an offer through CBS Sportsline about free magazines in June. The deal was a free year's subscription and then after that you would have the option to renew. Well, I bit on the offer, only after checking and re-checking the language, assured that I could "cancel after the free issues ended."
Now suddenly in April I see charges to my checking account for the two magazines. I never knew these charges were coming, since I was under the impression that I would be notified of my option to renew or cancel.
All I have to show is a cryptic line on my checking account, "Nss*fhm Mag#kjjw5p 800-205-9198 Ct 5968" next to the charge. I called that 800 number and was pretty perturbed to find out that this whole thing is automated response/voice activation. I canceled one magazine (I think) and was hoping that the charges would stop.
A few days later the next magazine charge came through, so this time I did an internet search and foudn this website. Unable to otherwise figure out who this "nss" company was (since I received no type of receipt or authorization agreement in the mail or otherwise) I read through these boards until I finally found a post about another 800 number that you can actually get to a live person with.
Finally reaching a person, I canceled the two magazines. The person was extremely friendly, whcih leads me to believe that even NSS' own employees KNOW that the way their company conducts business is sketchy to say the least. I actually decided to keep the subscriptions for a year, but I wanted to be assured that I would not be charged any more renewals, since I never authorized them anyhow. No problem, the operator says. So if I get more charges about a year from now, I will be phenomenally angry.
My synopsis of NSS Magazines:
1) Good deals on magazines ()
2) Lack of integrity reflected in unauthorized, unnotified charges (-)
3) Hard to discern WHO they are from looking at bank statement (-)
4) Automated phone service most likely intended to deflect angry calls (-)
5) When/if you get through to a real live operator, they are very efficient, helpful, and friendly. ()
6) Company's overall modes of conducting "business" is intentionally deceptive (-)
In short, if you decide to deal with these people (knowingly) make sure you get in touch with them really soon after you agree to subscribe. My subscriptions started in June, yet here I was only 10 months later getting charged for renewal. I can't honestly recommend dealing with these people.
Chris
Richmond, Virginia
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