After being a member for a maximum of 2 years, they think that I am a life time member. After numerous of harrassmental phone calls, they finally gave up and agreed cancell my membership, or so I thought. I did recieve a couple of free items, but like most, they are worthless. (never recieved the big items like advertized- saws, drills, ect). Now two years later, I get a call expecting me to pay the life time membership or it will go to a collection agency. After I told him to send it to my attorney, he agreed to not further the situation. Stay a way from Handyman magazines.

Received a collection letter though never received a magazine, welcome gift nor was I going to take membership once they billed me since I have the ability to reverse my decision. They didn't operate like other companies that once you ignore their 1st or 2nd payment notice they understand that you've changed their mind. Why I'd be in collections for a company that seems to not exist (I can't find them on othe internet via Google search) or who wants to collect on something that was not delivered is beyond me.
BEWARE!!

I made the mistake of subscribing to the Handyman Club of America. They promised all kinds of things for free but at best they were trinkets! I paid them on August 3rd, 2007 $12 via VISA credit card. Within days, I got a letter thanking me for agreeing to a life-time subscription. I have made more than a dozen calls each time I was told that I would not receive any more invoices.

Soon after I started to receive collection calls. I kept repeating myself with all of the above, yet the calls and letters kept coming. Finally, last night, June 18th, 2008 (less than one year from the time of my $12 payment for one year) I got another call from someone claiming to calling about the Handyman Club debt. I have caller ID and the telephone number 518-745-7135 which is located in upstate NY.

When I called the number a recording came on and told me that the I have been forwarded to voice mail and that the person at that number is "unavailable". Then the message comes on that says that the "mail box is full" and cannot accept any other messages.

A friend of mine is an attorney and he called Handyman and after being placed on hold for about 40 minutes spoke to a woman by the name of Wendy. Wendy said that she wasn't the person to speak to and that if my friend held on, she would get someone. Being on hold for over an hour, Wendy came back and said that if my friend held on some more she "might be able to find someone to talk to him". My friend, acting in my behalf told her that he would wait five more minutes. Seven minutes passed and she never got back on the line so he hung up.

Based upon my searching the Internet I found posts that a company called RETRIEVAL MASTERS CREDITORS a/k/a RETRIEVAL MASTERS CREDITORS BUREAU INC a/k/a AMERICAN MEDICAL COLLECTION AGENCY located at 2269 Saw Mill River Rd, # G1, Elmsford NY 10523 - 800-365-3638, 914-592-0055, 914-345-5817, has at some point handled collections for Handyman.

I spoke to a man who identified himself as the "Chief Operating Officer" who acknowledged that his firm did and continues to do collections for Handyman. I gave him my name and he stated that my "account is not placed with his company". I then asked him if to his knowledge any other company was handling the collections for Handyman and he replied in the negative.

I then sent Handyman an email advising them that should I be contacted in any manner I would sue! Within 2 hours I received another call, this time from a woman who refused to give her name, refused to say whether or not she worked directly for Handyman or a debt collection agency. The caller ID information for her call said "RESTRICTED".

I plan to follow through and file complaints with the attorney general in my state (VT) as well as in MN where Handyman is located. It should be noted that the parent company of Handyman has many different "clubs" that all apparently operate under the same modus operant of making offers for merchandise, but providing at best "trinkets".

I recommend that anyone else having a problem contact me at [email protected] because I have an attorney willing and able to bring a class action lawsuit against these fraudulent companies!

An unsolited mailing arrived regarding a collection agency for a member ship I never subscribed to for Handyman Club of America. I have never heard of them and never subscribed to such a thing.

I am infuriated that I am unable to contact them via phone, internet or mail other than the P.O. Box to submit payment. I am sending a letter in the payment envelope regarding this fraudulent subscription.

This shows what kind of world we have turned into with stolen identities and not to mention, lack of personal customer service.

When I subscribed to this magazine/club they offered incentives consisting of gas rebates and a few small gimmick tools w/ paid membership. They also profess to give out free new tools and equipment for testing and evaluation. After 4 months I had not received any of the gift tools or any gas rebates and could not contact the co. to inquire about it. I found the toll free no. on this site (800 209 9606) and after a short conversation they were very apologetic and assured me they I would be receiving everything shortly. Hopefully they will follow through with their promise and do a better job of issuing the test products. I intend to post the results accordingly.