Active.com's hidden charges, subscription fees, etc.

987Runner

I signed up for a half marathon in February on Active.com. Apparently I also signed up for two magazines, Runners World and Women Runners (something like that). I didn't know it, not until May 24 and June 3 did they CHARGE me for the magazines I didn't sign up for.

Yes, I did receive those magazines but I was totally clueless as to why I was receiving them. It probably would have been smarter on my part to call the magazine to figure it out. Hindsight is 20/20.

My guess is that there is some obscure check mark signing me up for the magazines when I registered for the races. I DO NOT pay for magazines when I can get the same info online so I KNOW I did not willingly sign up for these magazines.

On a positive note, they were quick to refund that money ($46.00 for the two) but that was after spending five minutes on a phone tree.

Anyway, if you're using Active.com to sign up for a race, be sure to read any and all fine print. I'm pretty sure I won't use that site again to sign up for races as a matter of principal. Guess I'll do the old fashioned snail mail.

johnlatv

i hate active. If i ever see the race has a paper sign up i always choose that to avoid and extra fees.

TylerJ76

While I don't agree with it, when you sign up for a race using active, they have spots where you check if you want the magazines or not. These come pre-checked, so if you're not paying attention and just flying through the sign up process, you will get charged.

BAMFMeredith

While I know what you're talking about, I've never gotten stuck with any of that extra stuff because I read everything before entering my payment info. It's not really hidden, you just have to read what you're signing up for...I've registered for several races via active.com and it's always been the same. I guess I'm just really particular about reading through things.

JoolieW68

Same thing happened with me last year when I signed up for my first 5K. Thirty days later I got a notification that my 'trial' period was over and they had just charged my credit card for a yearly subscription.

They did refund it, though, after I complained.

987Runner

While I know what you're talking about, I've never gotten stuck with any of that extra stuff because I read everything before entering my payment info. It's not really hidden, you just have to read what you're signing up for...I've registered for several races via active.com and it's always been the same. I guess I'm just really particular about reading through things.

It was my fist time using active.com. I'm usually so good about seeing those boxes but I totally missed this one. I feel stupid for it but sometimes we get all excited and skip these types of things. Doh! :ohwell:

TeachTheGirl

I think it's really sneaky of companies to 'pre-check' the boxes for add-ons. You get a lot of that via software downloads nowadays and then end up with toolbars and add-ons you never really wanted. Underhanded.

aklitten

I know a lot of people who have experienced this issue. I had to search far and wide to get it taken care of...I think it's sneaky and not very good business practice. But at least they do take care of it.

jennismagic

This is a common practice for magazine publishers these days. Get people to sign up for one thing, and then hope they don't notice the fine print. I had a similar thing happen to me during a Christmas shopping trip at Ulta. They asked if I wanted four free copies of InTouch Magazine, but did not tell me that I was signing up for a full subscription. Worse yet, there was nothing to fill out. The sales girl just entered my Club Ulta information and gave me a magazine. About four months later, I saw a charge for InTouch on my account. Knowing that I didn't have a subscription, and not having received the other three copies, I contacted them to get a refund, and the huffy CSR was like, "Well, it was on your receipt, blah, blah, blah". I told her I was holding my receipt, and that the information wasn't on it. She refunded it immediately. Shady, shady stuff.

GasMasterFlash

I feel stupid for it but sometimes we get all excited and skip these types of things.

No, not all of us. :bigsmile:

When it comes to one's identity or purchasing online, it's always best to read everything, including the small print.

I think it's really sneaky of companies to 'pre-check' the boxes for add-ons. You get a lot of that via software downloads nowadays and then end up with toolbars and add-ons you never really wanted. Underhanded.

This is why one installs blockers, and doesn't download anything they see online. :drinker:

Novabear88

I just had a similar situation. I signed up for a race and apparently didn't know about the scammy magazine subscriptions so three months later I get charged 24 dollars I immediately call then to cancel and the lady says they will refund me in two weeks (which is ridiculous!!) And I checked back a few weeks later and they have charged me card another 22 dollars and 117 dollars and no refund. I call back to complain and apparently they "don't have the cancellation number or any record of cancellation" I told them they better not charge me again and refund my money immediately. They probably won't and will continue to charge my card for the magazines that I never wanted in the first place. I will never ever sign up for a race through active.com ever again. Their customer service is awful and their hidden fees are ridiculous.