Several years ago, after receiving and purchasing a large number of this companies books, I requested they stop sending them, as I had no interest in the Handymans recipes cookbooks (they got a long way from the original cause, just to get a buck). Now a few months back, I started getting their books again, I did not change my preferences or request for these books. I did call member services and got a live person on the phone. I told the woman, I had not ordered these books and that I would not pay return shipping for something I did not ask for and had requested years ago that I not receive them. I was told a prepaid mailing label would be sent to me in 6 to 8 weeks, this should have been my warning. Now, I receive letters demanding payment, for a book I don't want and did not order, of course now all you get at the member services phone # is the old automated runaround for a while then it will hang up on you.

I have sent them an email to their 'contact us ', and have told them I will not pay for this book, I will not pay postage to return this book, and they can either send the prepaid mailing label or drive to Oklahoma and pick it up. Now I guess its a waiting period again to see what their next crooked, lying move will be.

In all fairness, this club did start off good, I have been a member since it first started, and a Life Member after the first year. But it has changed through the years, and not for the better.

I joined the club and was promised to receive some products to try and newsletters, magazines but nothing came except a bill so I called a 1-800 number and explained my problem I was reassured that I would receive what was due to me but still nothing so I called back after two months to cancel my subscription and to advise not to send me any more anything of handyman stuff. That didn`t work, to this day I still get mags and bills from them for something that I have told them that I didn`t want or need

you are sending my husband threating letters about past due bills and we dont have your memebrship and have never wanted it .. so please quit sending or I have go ne to better business burea to file complaint .

This has to the most pathetic excuse for a business. THEY ARE LOW LIFES. And I pray that no one else has to be harrassed like they harrass me. And I'll tell you what they can kiss my ass, becasue they'll NEVER get one penny from me. Hey Handyman Club collect this...here's my middle finger!

Handyman did the same to me. I rec'd the trial mag and the crappy gifts to see if I liked the mag, " NO OBLIGATIONS " I did not so did not join. After 3-5 letters to join I recd a deliquent letter to a collection agency. Heres some info from BBB minn.

******************Subscriber BEWARE !!!**************************

BBB issues Reliability Reports on all businesses, whether or not they are BBB accredited. If a business is a BBB Accredited Business, it is stated in this report BBB Definition:

report - A summary of activity reflected in a company's BBB file. Includes basic business background, BBB Accreditation information, and BBB complaint activity over the previous three years. Also reports may include any known government actions, advertising issues or other information that results from activity conducted by the BBB.
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Name: North American Membership Group, Inc
Phone: (952) 936-9333
Fax: (952) 988-7499
Address: 12301 Whitewater Dr

Minnetonka, MN 55343-4104
Website: www.namginc.com
www.handymanclub.com
Original Business Start Date: June 1978
Principal: Ms. Nancy Evensen, President
Customer Contact: Ms. Nancy Evensen, President - (952) 352-7040
TOB Classification: Clubs
BBB Accreditation: This company is not a BBB Accredited business.


Additional DBA Names
Cooking Club of America
Creative Home Arts Club
Handyman Club Of America
National Health & Wellness Club
National Home Gardening Club
North American Fishing Club
North American Hunting Club
PGA Tour Partners Club
The History Channel Club
National Street Machine Club
Motorcycle Riders Club of America


Principal Officer
Ms. Nancy Evensen is the President of the company.


Customer Service Contact
Ms. Nancy Evensen is the complaint contact person for this company and should be contacted at (952) 352-7040 before filing a complaint with the BBB.


Nature Of Business
According to information supplied by the company, they offer a club-based affinity marketing company that markets in a variety of different special interest categories.


Customer Experience
The company has been the subject of complaints stating that consumers have received invoices/collection notices without having received the product, or without having even ordered anything. Consumers also state that they have made requests to cancel subscriptions or memberships without having action taken. The company has responded to all complaints presented by the bureau, by honoring requests to cancel membership, discontinuing billing and/or collection efforts, and providing refunds whenever due.
When considering complaint information, please take into account the company's size and volume of transactions, and understand that the nature of complaints and a firm's responses to them are often more important than the number of complaints.
The BBB processed a total of 775 complaints about this company in the last 36 months, our standard reporting period. Of the total of 775 complaints closed in 36 months, 308 were closed in the last year.
Contract Issues BBB Definition:

Contract Issues - Claim of alleged failure to honor contract or agreement, work performed without authorization, or invalid contract.

Resolved BBB Definition:

Resolved - The company resolved the complaint issues.

1 - Company resolved BBB Definition:

resolved - The company resolved the complaint issues.
the complaint issues. The consumer acknowledged acceptance to the BBB.
2 - Company addressed the complaint issues. The consumer failed to acknowledge acceptance to the BBB.
Administratively Closed BBB Definition:

Administratively Closed - The BBB determined that the complaint could not be satisfactorily settled using standard methods of voluntary dispute resolution

1 - BBB determined the company made a reasonable offer to resolve the issues, but the consumer did not accept the offer.

Billing or Collection Issues BBB Definition:

Billing or Collection Issues - Claim alleging billing errors, unauthorized charges, or questionable collection practices.

Resolved BBB Definition:

Resolved - The company resolved the complaint issues.

176 - Company resolved BBB Definition:

resolved - The company resolved the complaint issues.
the complaint issues. The consumer acknowledged acceptance to the BBB.
256 - Company addressed the complaint issues. The consumer failed to acknowledge acceptance to the BBB.
Administratively Closed BBB Definition:

Administratively Closed - The BBB determined that the complaint could not be satisfactorily settled using standard methods of voluntary dispute resolution

2 - BBB determined that despite the company's reasonable effort to address complaint issues, the consumer remained dissatisfied.
8 - BBB determined the company made a reasonable offer to resolve the issues, but the consumer did not accept the offer.

Sales Practice Issues BBB Definition:

Sales Practice Issues - Claims of alleged sales presentations made in person or by telephone that contain misrepresentations of the product or service, high pressure sales practices, failure to disclose key conditions of the offer, and verbal representations not consistent with written contractual terms or agreements.

Resolved BBB Definition:

Resolved - The company resolved the complaint issues.

32 - Company resolved BBB Definition:

resolved - The company resolved the complaint issues.
the complaint issues. The consumer acknowledged acceptance to the BBB.
71 - Company addressed the complaint issues. The consumer failed to acknowledge acceptance to the BBB.
Administratively Closed BBB Definition:

Administratively Closed - The BBB determined that the complaint could not be satisfactorily settled using standard methods of voluntary dispute resolution

2 - BBB determined the company made a reasonable offer to resolve the issues, but the consumer did not accept the offer.

Delivery Issues BBB Definition:

Delivery Issues - Claims alleging delayed delivery of ordered merchandise.

Resolved BBB Definition:

Resolved - The company resolved the complaint issues.

38 - Company resolved BBB Definition:

resolved - The company resolved the complaint issues.
the complaint issues. The consumer acknowledged acceptance to the BBB.
84 - Company addressed the complaint issues. The consumer failed to acknowledge acceptance to the BBB.
Administratively Closed BBB Definition:

Administratively Closed - The BBB determined that the complaint could not be satisfactorily settled using standard methods of voluntary dispute resolution

3 - BBB determined the company made a reasonable offer to resolve the issues, but the consumer did not accept the offer.

Service Issues BBB Definition:

Service Issues - Claims of alleged delay in completing service, failure to provide promised service, inferior quality of provided service, or damaged merchandise as a result of delivery service.

Resolved BBB Definition:

Resolved - The company resolved the complaint issues.

1 - Company resolved BBB Definition:

resolved - The company resolved the complaint issues.
the complaint issues. The consumer acknowledged acceptance to the BBB.
3 - Company addressed the complaint issues. The consumer failed to acknowledge acceptance to the BBB.

Customer Service Issues BBB Definition:

Service Issues - Claims of alleged delay in completing service, failure to provide promised service, inferior quality of provided service, or damaged merchandise as a result of delivery service.
BBB Definition:

Customer Service Issues - Claims alleging unsatisfactory customer service, including personnel's failure to provide assistance in a timely manner, failure to address or respond to customer dissatisfaction, unavailability for customer support, and/or inappropriate behavior or attitude exhibited by company staff.

Resolved BBB Definition:

Resolved - The company resolved the complaint issues.

11 - Company resolved BBB Definition:

resolved - The company resolved the complaint issues.
the complaint issues. The consumer acknowledged acceptance to the BBB.
17 - Company addressed the complaint issues. The consumer failed to acknowledge acceptance to the BBB.
Administratively Closed BBB Definition:

Administratively Closed - The BBB determined that the complaint could not be satisfactorily settled using standard methods of voluntary dispute resolution

2 - BBB determined the company made a reasonable offer to resolve the issues, but the consumer did not accept the offer.
1 - BBB determined that despite the company's reasonable effort to address complaint issues, the consumer remained dissatisfied.

Product Issues BBB Definition:

Product Issues - Claim alleging a product does not meet the expectations of the complainant, including defective merchandise.

Resolved BBB Definition:

Resolved - The company resolved the complaint issues.

2 - Company resolved BBB Definition:

resolved - The company resolved the complaint issues.
the complaint issues. The consumer acknowledged acceptance to the BBB.
1 - Company addressed the complaint issues. The consumer failed to acknowledge acceptance to the BBB.

Refund or Exchange Issues BBB Definition:

Refund or Exchange Issues - Claim of alleged failure to honor company policy or verbal commitment to provide refunds, exchanges, or credit for products or services.

Resolved BBB Definition:

Resolved - The company resolved the complaint issues.

22 - Company resolved BBB Definition:

resolved - The company resolved the complaint issues.
the complaint issues. The consumer acknowledged acceptance to the BBB.
1 - Company offered a partial (less than 100%) settlement which the consumer accepted.
37 - Company addressed the complaint issues. The consumer failed to acknowledge acceptance to the BBB.
Administratively Closed BBB Definition:

Administratively Closed - The BBB determined that the complaint could not be satisfactorily settled using standard methods of voluntary dispute resolution

1 - BBB determined the company made a reasonable offer to resolve the issues, but the consumer did not accept the offer.



Company Management
Additional company management personnel include:
Ms Kate Pope
Mr. Tony DeFrance
Ms. Andrea Meester - Director, Member Services


Additional Contact Information
Additional Addresses
PO Box 3449
Minnetonka, MN 55343


PO Box 3492
Minnetonka, MN 55343


P O Box 3496
Minnetonka, MN 55343-3496


Additional Phone Numbers
Tel: (952) 988-7128
Tel: (877) 750-9348
Tel: (800) 209-9055
Tel: (888) 850-8202
Tel: (800) 742-8687
Tel: (800) 324-8454
Tel: (800) 243-7679
Tel: (888) 850-8202
Tel: (877) 893-7885
Tel: (888) 501-5779
Tel: (800) 922-4868
Tel: (877) 310-1888
Tel: (952) 352-7040




As a matter of policy, BBB does not endorse any product, service or business.

BBB Reliability Reports are provided solely to assist you in exercising your own best judgment. Information in this BBB Reliability Report is believed reliable, but not guaranteed as to accuracy.

BBB Reliability Reports generally cover a three-year reporting period. BBB Reliability Reports are subject to change at any time.
If you choose to do business with this business, please let the business know that you contacted BBB for a BBB Reliability Report BBB Definition:

Report - A summary of activity reflected in a company's BBB file. Includes basic business background, BBB Accreditation information, and BBB complaint activity over the previous three years. Also reports may include any known government actions, advertising issues or other information that results from activity conducted by the BBB.
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ID: 2735
Report as of October 24, 2008 01:06
Copyright© 2008 Better Business Bureau