There are currently 14 responses to “Columbia House Scam”

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1. 1 On November 1st, 2006, Modspell said:

   If you send them a letter stating that as of xx-date, you will no longer take any responsibility for any product shipped to you. Also, notify your bank that any charges from Columbia on a credit card be cancelled. If you have given them a checking account number (which is always a NO-NO), you may actually have to cancel the account and start a new one. Columbia is notorious for these scams, as I was in a record club of theirs in the 70s… same issues.

2. 2 On November 1st, 2006, GunGeek said:

   If they really did use the US Postal Service (almost a guarantee), then the laws about not having to return the item are true. Not so with UPS or FedEx or whoever. Even if they used UPS etc, if you either received the initial offer or sent in something via the US Mail (you might have to prove this) then it might still apply.

   The BEST thing to do is to immediately file a mail fraud charge against them with the USPS. Postal inspectors don't mess around. I've only had to do it once and I got some pretty quick response and it was exactly the response I was hoping for.

3. 3 On November 9th, 2006, Paul said:

   My sister-in-law and I both had(or in this case have) Columbia House video memberships, she canceled over 3 months ago and I canceled 2 months ago. I canceled TWICE (can you cancel twice?) my membership. We are both still getting videos charged to my credit card. These people are worse than bill collectors(scum suckers)in my opinion.

4. 4 On December 8th, 2006, Jose Narvaez said:

   Yes, Colulmbia House is a real scam. We know that nothing is free,
   but with these people you finished paying more than 100 dolars
   for a single Music CD. If you cancelled, they start sending
   whatever they want. After several year, you can still receive
   bills from them even they send letter from agencies that
   push you to pay 106 or something like that saying you haven't
   order more CDs. IT IS A SCAM, be away from them.

5. 5 On December 15th, 2006, Nadir said:

   I clicked a pop-up add online last summer for a deal of 15 DVDs for 49 cents each along with
   5 FREE DVDs along with FREE SHIPPING & HANDLING.
   I recived a package of 7 DVDs with a bill of around $50(shipping included).I decided not to
   pay because I never asked to become a member nor was I told that I'd be paying full price
   for these DVDs.Not to mention the interest they put on it,which I was never told of either.I emailed them saying I wanted to shut my "account".I also never signed any "contract" with them.
   They have now reported me to collection agency and the agency threatens me with legal action
   I don't have a credit card account,so I may be safe for a short while but not sure how long.
   The bill is now aorund $170.I refuse to pay.
   If I can gather up a few people who've also fallen victim to CH,I hope I can take legal action against them.

6. 6 On December 19th, 2006, Mike said:

   My wife just fell victim to the CHDVD scam. She received a phone call from a telemarketer who asked for me regarding my canceled account and she told them I was not home. They automatically signed her up and we just received a package. I sent the package with a letter stating to cancel this account back to them and told them that I did not appreciate their tactics on getting new business. I also sent all email correspondences, letters, and a copy of a reported FCC fine that was dealt to them in 2005 for calling former members who are on the "national do not call list". We signed everything and sent them to their customer service addresses. I don't know if they will acknowledge any of my responses by the looks of other posts.

   There has to be a lawsuit started soon.

7. 7 On December 21st, 2006, Nadir said:

   Wow they now tell me they can keep charging me even after I pay for the DVDs I lost.
   So basically this means you pay for a DVD and you just keep paying for it.
   (BASTARDS)

8. 8 On May 9th, 2007, Jan said:

   Can't believe that they do this, my grandson was here & I know for a fact he didn't sign up, After they left to go back home. I got the worst news anyone could possibly receive I lost my son in a tragic accident, my only son, I had to go away to take care of everything, I was gone 3 months got home and received this stupid introductory offer from Columbia Video Club, & all the statements to go with it. The total amount of this is unbelievable. stating they are putting me in to a collection agency unless I pay, don't think so, when I didn't agree to anything to begin with, haven't paid a dime, since I didn't order this to begin with. Sending 1 Video back ,which I wouldn't order anyway,plus the statements which they have sent, I don't even have a DVD player so why would I order anything. Am contacting the BBB (Better Business Bureau) to find out about this kind of scam.I feel so sorry for the people that gave their card numbers out, I would never do that. Hope we can stop this kind of scamming. Columbia House sucks Knew that from 30 yrs ago. after you fulfill your agreement they keep sending you stuff, which you didn't order & no longer want, then their people start hasseling about your contract. Don't get it Let's take Action This is Totally Not Right

9. 9 On May 25th, 2007, Amy said:

   I was sent a movie "Jarhead" of all things and asked to pay 5 bucks. I didnt even sign up for this crap so went online and foudn ot that they are scamming lots of people..I put in complaints with the USPS and with the BBB so we will see what happens. It really sucks if this is going to affect my credit, these compan is a sorry excuse for a business.

10. 10 On May 29th, 2007, Cheryl said:

    I just received the DVD 'Flight 93" unsolicited from Columbia House. I refused delivery, put it back in the mail marked as such and filed a complaint with the USPS. We'll see what happens! I thought Columbia House went out of business with the 8-Track!!!!

11. 11 On June 12th, 2007, Jo said:

    Apparently Columbia House has recently mailed a slew of unsolicited DVDs to consumers with an invoice for about $5. If you received this mailing, and did not create an account or request the DVD, you do not need to pay for the DVD.

    Don't waste time trying to get customer services through the phone on online. You can send a certified letter to them reminding them that federal law states that unsolicited merchandise may be kept as a gift. You can offer to let them pick it up if they want, within a specific time period, but really that's just a courtesy.

    Here are some contacts that may help….

    Columbia House Contacts:

    Stuart Goldfarb, President and CEO, BMG Columbia House, Inc.
    Sharon Siegel, Executive Vice President, Marketing
    Fred Christensen, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
    Clif Knight, Executive Vice President, Legal and Business Affairs
    Paula Batson, Senior Vice President, Communications

    Corporate Office:
    1221 Avenue of the Americas
    New York, NY 10020
    Phone: 212-596-2000
    Fax: 212-596-2213

    Columbia House DVD Club
    1400 N. Fruitridge Ave.
    Terre Haute, IN 47811-1130

    If you would like to file a complaint, contact your state's Office of Consumer Affairs, or the Federal Trade Commission and the US Postal Inspector. You can file a complaint online or through the mail.

    FTC Complaint Form:
    https://rn.ftc.gov/pls/dod/wsolcq.startup?Z_ORG_CODE=PU01

    "While the FTC does not resolve individual consumer problems, your complaint helps us investigate fraud, and can lead to law enforcement action. The FTC enters Internet, telemarketing, identity theft and other fraud-related complaints into Consumer Sentinel®, a secure, online database available to hundreds of civil and criminal law enforcement agencies worldwide."

    USPS Fraud Complaint Form:
    http://www.usps.com/postalinspectors/fraud/MailFraudComplaint.htm

    "U.S. Postal Inspectors investigate any crime in which the U.S. Mail is used to further a scheme–whether it originated in the mail, by telephone, or on the Internet. The use of the U.S. Mail is what makes it mail fraud."

12. 12 On December 27th, 2007, Jaimin said:

    The WORST customer service i have encountered in my life !! It seems that the reps are instructed not to really help the customer if they have called for something other than buying the DVD. The reps are really RUDE and ABRUPT !!!! I would not recommend this company to even my worst enemy…

13. 13 On April 26th, 2008, ace said:

    Stuart Goldfarb, President and CEO, BMG Columbia House, Inc.

    Sharon Siegel, Executive Vice President, Marketing

    Fred Christensen, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

    Clif Knight, Executive Vice President, Legal and Business Affairs

    Paula Batson, Senior Vice President, Communications

14. 14 On June 16th, 2008, Mike said:

    Columbiahouse was very generous in sending me an unsolicited DVD. Although I don't care to much about Evans Almighty, I may watch it someday. Now my time is worth to much to hassel with giving this back to them and I am not going to be intimidated by threats of collections and late payments. The only action I will take if they pursue payment is a report to the USPS for a violation of Title 39, United States code, Section 3009. So to all of you who are receiving unsolicited DVD's from Columbiahouse, enjoy your free movies!!!

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