Not so "Real Simple"

This is a huge warning to everyone about an unsavory practice at Real Simple magazine. My husband and I recently changed banks because there isn't a branch within 35 minutes from the house. He could get to one but it was an all out effort for me to have any dealings with our bank. I was constantly surfing on "cash back" from the grocery store. When you prefer NOT to use credit cards, this can be a pain.

I got a notice from my old bank that my "closed account" had been overdrawn. Huh? I had cancelled all my future bill pays and had changed the automatic life insurance payment over to the new bank.... Come to find out, it was from Real Simple magazine. Not only had they charged me for a renewal without my permission, they had charged it to an account that didn't exist to my knowledge. This charge did two things:

1) Automatically openned the account again. (Now, I have to go back to the bank to close it)
2) Overdrew the account and caused me to have a bank fee.

I have spoken with both the bank in question and with customer service at Real Simple. They have refunded the subscription charge AND said they would look into crediting the money back to me at the bank. However, and I quote " This should be processed very quickly. You should see the credit back in a couple of WEEKS!" WHAT?

This means I have to deposit money to cover the subscription and the overdraft fee. If and when it is credited back, I will be able to close the account again.

This was an unfortunate choice to turn my account into an automated renewing account because:
1) I have cancelled my subscription.
2)I will not choose to give the magazine to people for the Holidays.
3) I have written and tagged this blog and will TELL EVERYONE about them.

This also begs the question on why I receive letters throughout the year begging me to renew their magazine... if I am on auto renew why waste the money?

Poor business decision... It is too bad. I looked forward to it every month. If I had to choose to have only one subscription, it would have been that one. End result, companies if your business is providing intelligence and advice, don't have shady accounting and billing procedures. I can't trust them to bill me so how can I trust them to give me advice on how to cook my turkey or what are the best black pumps for the money?

I will miss my Real Simple magazine... But I will get over it. Bad businesses deserve not to be rewarded.