The scoop on 'Gardening How-To (National Home Gardening Club)'

Company Profile   Mailing Address: 12301 Whitewater Dr. Minnetonka, Minnesota 55343 (United States) Phone: 1-800-324-8454 Categories: Gardening Books & Journals Magazines Mailorder Gardening Association Member Click here to send email to Gardening How-To (National Home Gardening Club) Click here to visit Gardening How-To (National Home Gardening Club)'s website Recent reviews: Past month Past 6 Months Past 12 Months Positive 0 3 6 Neutral 0 2 5 Negative 0 5 10

Feedback History and Summary   24 positives 14 neutrals 38 negatives

Comments:

Rating Author Content Positive kfoye (1 review) On September 19, 2008, kfoye Mandan, ND wrote: Well, first of all - I am not a scammer as one poster inferred about anyone making a positive comment about this club. I have been a member of the club for over 10 years, about 7 years as a life member. I have been very satisfied with what the club has had to offer. When I converted to being a life member, I had no problem receiving the credit for the years I'd paid an annual fee. I've never received products that I did not request from them. They do, however, send out packets of information about products and trial offers. If you accept the trial offer, you do need to tell them that you don't want to continue receiving the products, if they are a series. I did accept an offer for gardening books and when I decided I no longer wanted to receive them, I notified them and did not receive any further mailings from them. If you join only to get expensive products free through the product testing, you will likely be disappointed - not everyone gets a tiller or lawnmower to test. Many of the test products are things like seed packets, gloves, etc., although there are limited opportunities for major product testing. The bi-monthly magazine is colorful and while the articles are generally of a basic to intermediate nature, they are interesting and well written. The bulletin board is probably my only disappointment about the club. The intent of the board to share gardening successes, failures, and knowledge is good, but I feel like too many people use it like a social network and seem quite persistent about getting others on the board to march to their negative drummer. I'm not sure that is the club's fault, though. All in all, it seems to me like a pretty good deal for the money. I'm not aware of any other garden magazine you can get for $12 a year. Negative dmac085 (27 reviews) On August 4, 2008, dmac085 Greensboro, NC (Zone 7a) wrote: I first joined a few years ago at the $12 per year rate...although I'm not sure I actually "joined" anything--basically I got a magazine subscription (if I recall 6 issues per year). The welcome package consisted of junk seeds which were and probably still are generic packs of baby's breath, red corn poppies and a wild flower mix. These no name seed packs are sold in bulk as promotional tools to various businesses. I received a cheap metal spade that bent quickly and rusted. I eventually let the subscription lapse and a few years later I thought about ordering the magazine again and that's when they started trying to bully you into getting the "lifetime" subscription/membership. $200+ for a bi-monthly let's face it, skimpy, magazine?! NO Thanks. If you are looking for a very valuable gardening resource with something for all levels of gardening experience--spend your hard earned money at Dave's Garden--steer clear of "joining" this subscription peddler masquerading as a gardening club! Negative losmilagros (3 reviews) On August 2, 2008, losmilagros Loxahatchee, FL wrote: This company is a big scam like every body know right now. The company National Home Gardening Club and Handyman Club of America is the same,with the same owner K. Pope and the same address. I think,like many members of this blog said,is time to start to stop this scamers.If some of the members of this blog want to make a complain with the BBB or any other entity about this matter,we are ready to sing . If we said another member is for the reason our English is not precisely good for a letter to the authorities of the government But we going to support the idea with our sign any time. Positive me1022 (1 review) On August 1, 2008, me1022 Brodheadsville, PA wrote: I have been a member for several years and have nothing but good things to say. I have never been sent anything that I did not order other than several testing items that I didn't have to pay for. I have received a set of jumbo extra big velcro thingys (real tech term there :) ) to wrap stuff with, 3 gorgeous rose bushes with a retail value of $90 or so; several perennial plants that I can't remember the name of that come up beautifully in my garden each year and something else that I'm forgetting. I do get the mailers every so often asking me to be a life member and maybe one of these days I will but I just toss it in the recycling, its not a big deal. I love getting the magazine each month! I really don't see how anyone can call it a scam, even if all we got was a magazine out of it, it's ONLY $12 a YEAR! A bargain if you ask me AND I got to get all the neat things to test on top of that! They're A OK in my book and I will continue to be a member and enjoy it. Neutral Susanne7 (1 review) On July 17, 2008, Susanne7 De Land, IL wrote: I got a promotion from National Home Gardening Club today and thought it looked too good to be true. The negative and neutral reviews here confirmed this. There is a reason that not a whole lot of joiners got tools to review. They state that they have currently 600,000 + members. Further down the same page, they say that 380,000 members over the years have tested products. Do the math: only about half the members got one tool to test. Negative tlc1130 (1 review) On July 15, 2008, tlc1130 Union City, PA wrote: Received an application to join NHGC in the mail for $12 per year. Got the bill and the charge was $24 for two years. I said 'NO THANK YOU.' Oh yeah, they included 2 'free' sample-sized (not full sized) packets of seeds with about 10 seeds in each packet. WHOOPEE!! I've never received any 'free' tools or other 'goodies' they promised. Their promo is bunk! I decided to forget the whole thing and wrote CANCEL on the bill. It's 6 months later and I'm still getting letters every few weeks demanding payment on a $24 membership I never agreed to. They are also threatening to report me to a collection agency. WHOOP-TEE-DOO. Go ahead. This 'company' is running a scam and I've told them so. If I get another letter I am reporting them to the State Attorney Generals office for fraud. I think everyone needs to do the same if we are to put a stop to one more con game going around in this country. I'll gladly join with the previous postee to form a class action law suit against this nonsense, and for the harrassment practices they employ. I encourage others to do the same. It's time we all stop rolling over for these scammers. Just say 'NO' to the National Home Gardening Club. You'll be glad you did. Oh yeah, don't be surprised if the few 'positive' responses on this web site were written by the scammers themselves. I seriously doubt there are any real people out there who are 'happy' with the quality of anything they received from this con game. Negative mel01c (1 review) On July 5, 2008, mel01c Benson NC (United States) wrote: Received an application to join NHGC in the mail. Ignored it. Then started getting demands for $24 membership. Wrote and told them I wasn't interested in joining NHGC, but have received three more demands for money. The last one threatened me with a collection agency! I think it's time to put a stop to this practice, and recommend all people that have had negative issues with this company contact their respective attorney general's office. I am in the process of writing to them one more time. If this doesn't work, and I get more threatening letters, I plan to take out a law suite for harassment. M Clarke Negative Dadsrunt (1 review) On June 20, 2008, Dadsrunt Bloomington, IN wrote: I joined for the free testing of products. I only received the shears to test. Have never been offered anything more to test since. It's been a year now. I DO however get repeated attempts for me to be a life time member! Yeah! RIGHT!!!!!! Neutral donicaben (10 reviews) On June 11, 2008, donicaben Ogdensburg, NY wrote: Uh, I think I need to go to the mailbox and take my check out of it!! :-) Thanks for the heads up! Positive Kimberwitch (2 reviews) On June 11, 2008, Kimberwitch Des Plaines, IL wrote: I joined this club a year ago, when we bought our first house with a large yard full of nothing but grass. I have read others postings about how awful this company is, and while I find it distressing, I can honestly say that my experience so far with them has been nothing but positive. After signing up I did receive some seeds and a set of pruning sheers, which were not of good quality, but worked for light pruning. I did receive a book, with promises of more to come, which, after reviewing, I decided to send back. I have not been bothered with any other books since. Next I received a LARGE, heavy package, which turned out to be a 40 pound bag of soil supplement (organic compost from a company in Oklahoma). I was unable to use it last year, but used it when I cut some new beds this year and so far it is excellent. I wrote my review and am hoping to receive more products to test. I have not signed up for the lifetime membership, and I don’t think that I will be (I am a budget gardener, I just bought my first house, that means EVERYTHING is budgeted), but I will continue with the basic membership. I enjoy the website and have found many helpful and interesting items and articles. I love the magazine. It is basic in its information, but has fun facts and helpful suggestions. For what I have paid for my basic membership, I am more than satisfied and feel that I have received what I was promised when signing up. Neutral tomtkitty (8 reviews) On May 6, 2008, tomtkitty Memphis, TN wrote: I collected my mail from the mailbox one day, and as I sorted through the various items, lo and behold! there was a letter addressed to one of my cats. I opened it on her behalf, and it was an application to join the National Home Gardening Club, complete with a personalized membership card! I was unaware that she had any horticultural interests other than rolling in the catnip and digging in the mulch. Needless to say, she did not become a member. I still wonder how her name got on their mailing list. Cats are smart animals, but they don't apply for garden club memberships! Negative heathrjoy (2 reviews) On May 6, 2008, heathrjoy Johnsonburg, PA (Zone 5a) wrote: I'd like to thank everyone who posted about this "club." Just today I received my letter to join the life time membership club. I decided to look up some info about them before joining, and I'm soooo glad I did. I originally went looking for info to see if there is anyone who isn't "invited" to be a life time member...because according to the form letter they sent me "[my] name was chosen form thousands of Club Members for an extraordinary distinction. It's a singular privilege--that effectively allows [me] to join a small 'inner circle' of elite gardeners and receive numberous privileges and benefits not available to others..." Yeah, ain't I special?? They picked ME and I better join now before I let this chance slip away... I joined the regular club a few months ago. Not long after that I received 2 (yes two) of the free gift kits. There was a pair of pruners and a cheap kneeling pad in each kit. I wondered what the heck was going on, this company is so out of it that they can't even keep track of how many free gifts they are sending out. Oh well. Then another package came. It was the first book. I know I will be billed around $10 for that. There were also some seed packs in the box too. Nothing I was interested in planting though. I think it was a wildflower mix. Not my thing...who knows what's really in it and if it'll be invasive or not. No thanks. I have written them an e-mail and told them to cancel my account and to quit sending me junk...I'm not interested and I'll never join. If I hear from them again I won't take it lightly. I don't want collection agencies calling me over something I never agree to. If that does happen I'll post it here...and also alert the BBB, my credit card company, the Post Office and anyone else I can think of. This is a scam and no one should put up with it. They keep doing it because they are making money because people are putting up with it. They aren't getting another penny from me. Positive red2red1200 (1 review) On May 1, 2008, red2red1200 Eastpointe, MI wrote: I am a charter member of National Home Gardening Club. I don't remember when it started up but in the late 90's I believe. I paid my money to become a life member. I have never had any problems with them. I have been a tester for new products. I don't recall anything ever showing up that I didn't order. If something ever did then the next shipment would be returned unopened. I have 2 daughters that have read the mags when visiting (each lives in a different state) and they liked the mags so now I buy each daughter a script every year so they can have their own garden info at their fingertips and they love it. If only all my trials could be as easy and satisfying. Oh wait I do have a complaint, I don't like having to go to the web site to register for the gifts they give away I would rather mail in the post card. Negative rosarian13 (1 review) On April 8, 2008, rosarian13 Los Alamos, NM wrote: Ten or more years ago, I paid for a yearly membership (only $12 at that time), and I never heard from them again. I decided it was a scam, and have disregarded subsequent attempts to get me to join. Positive zinnialover (3 reviews) On March 25, 2008, zinnialover Selinsgrove, PA wrote: My exprience with the free seed was very good, I germinated both types and got a good overall rate, much better then I expected. So far I have no bone to pick. Neutral patina23 (1 review) On March 25, 2008, patina23 Neptune City, NJ (Zone 7a) wrote: Hi, I became a member three years ago, paying the yearly fee. I received the items promised for joining and used all of them. I decided to pay the membership for life fee last Spring, and gave $150 of the $200 due and made small increment payments since to pay the total off. I was also told I would receive the three years of payments I sent in, back to me and I have to call about this because I just thought of it now, after reading these posts. The $75 was not deducted or mailed back ot me in a check. Lifetime membership gardening products arrived at the house, then a testing product- a weather proof chaise lounge cover made of durable material and this product did cover three stacked chaise lounges, over this past winter. This cover turned out to be a very good product. But-an item came to my home when I joined and paid the lifetime member ship fee, and I was not happy. A small sunflower trinket like box that opens, containing a sunflower pin and something else, I forget now. With a bill stating to mail in a payment for this item or mail it back. The bill also stated if I did not return it, I was to expect three more items similar to this item, every few months. I was bummed to receive this unexpectedly. I do not deal well with having to return something I did not ask for to begin with and also feeling like "What did I get myself into?" I sent in the $29.95 payment a month later and should have returned it ASAP, but I forgot about it. So far, nothing else has been sent in the mail to my home. I wrote on the bill that I did not want to receive any more of these items--PLEASE! I want to see how it goes with this lifetime membership. I hope I did not make a mistake. Patina Positive lovesdaffodils (1 review) On March 18, 2008, lovesdaffodils La Fayette, GA wrote: even though I was surprised to see the $200 charge for becoming a lifetime member, I gladly paid it. I have recieved a magazine I truly enjoy, while I have never considered myself to be an expert gardener I enjoy making things grow, and have found many of the articles very helpful. I have recieved a few things in the mail that I did not want to keep so I simply sent them back. When I logged onto this sight I found out the reason why I haven't been chosen to rate any more products, that was helpful, too. I am enjoying my membership and think you are doing a fine job. I also think the folks who write negative comments are probably just negative people, did any of you ever hear the statement" you catch more flies with honey than with vinegar." Negative jfoottit (1 review) On March 5, 2008, jfoottit Vallejo, CA wrote: Add me to the list of people who think this "club" is nothing but a book selling scam. Last summer, I requested that they terminate my "membership" and quit sending their $29.94 books that we didn't have time to even look at. This request and others since that time were all ignored. Since that time, all books they sent were mailed back to them (at their expense - marked return to sender). Lately, they have been harassing me claiming that I still owed them for an unwanted book that had been returned. I have just sent them a check for $29.94 for this book that I didn't keep, just to get them out of my life. I also notified them that I will do anything in my power to warn people about them and their sales practices. Negative Patches123 (1 review) On February 26, 2008, Patches123 Huntsville, AL wrote: I recieved a collection notice recently since I have not paid $200 since joining in 2005. National Gardening Club has called a few times and each time I have told them I wish to cancel my subscription. I agree that this is a scam. Neutral ConGar (7 reviews) On February 24, 2008, ConGar wrote: Okay, I seem to have the same issues as several others. I actually got suckered in because I was told in the original mailing that membership dues were much less what they ended up charging me (just over $200.00). If I recall correctly, I was told (in the original mailing) that membership was only $24.00 a year. So, this past summer I decided to join because the price was reasonable, and at that price if they weren't all they said they were (which I suspected they couldn't possibly be for that price) it could still be worth it because of that low low price. After I wrote that check it wasn't too much later that I got a box of stuff. At first I was excited because this seemed to be just as the company advertised. It was mostly seeds, a book, and that was pretty much it certainly nothing to test and nothing to write home about. And, imagine my surprise, when a couple weeks later I ended up getting a pricey bill for the crap in said box! (Because of these additional charges, I suspect I've actually paid $300.00, if not more for my membership) Sometime after that I got a hugh box, but after that first time I was wary rather than excited, so I opened it very carefully in case I needed to send it back. So far, I haven't gotten a bill for the contents, however, there was very little actually in that big old box. It was after this that I got my biggest shock of all - a bill for the cost of my membership, which I had already paid. Worse still, this new bill was charging me over $200.00 dollars. WTH? At the time I got that bill I'd been a member for three/four months and saw nothing that was worth $200.00, and in the time since then (stupid of me, I know, but I thought maybe after I paid I'd see something worth it) I still haven't gotten anything to justify paying a $200.00 membership. NOTHING! All I have now is regret, because I could have bought many new plants for my garden with that money, instead I've completely wasted it! Also, none of those products that they claim to send to members to test and rate have come my way. So I feel like I'm paying over $200.00 for a magizine subscription that isn't worth more than the $24.00 I originally paid even if you include the three/four packets of free seeds they've sent in that original price. Honestly, I can go to my local Dollar General Store and buy better seeds for a quarter a packet, because the so-called free seeds I've gotten have never even attempted to grow, even when I finally got fed up and dumped the whole packet in one pot, not one came up. And going to my local Dollar Store I get much less hassle and no threat of a hidden bill showing up later - that's certainly worth a quarter, especially when you consider that even the following year most of the seeds from Dollar General can be planted and while by that point less than half will come up, it's still better than those so-called free seeds from this company. My first negative review on this site (though at this point I've only given three ratings), and I honestly find myself hoping it is my only one. The sad thing is that I would have probably rated them positive or at least neutral if they had stuck with that original price of $24.00. However, I would be willing to change my rating to at least neutral if the company shapes up come spring - I'm willing to accept that maybe they have nothing to send in winter, but I actually hold little hope of getting any of the so-called free products. To be honest, at this point, they would have to send me something really nice to have any chance of keeping my money coming, because I just can't afford $200.00 a year for what amounts to a magizine subscription. On February 25th, 2008, ConGar changed the rating from negative to neutral and added the following: Changed my rating to Neutral after it was suggested that I check over my paperwork again. I have now done that, and from what I can gather from the rereading is that I won\'t (or shouldn\'t be) charged $226.00 every year. It would seem the $226.00 is a one time charge, I can\'t help but have my doubts, BUT until proven otherwise I decided it was only fair to change my rating from Negative to Neutral since the large charge was the main (but not only) reason I was so very unhappy. The other reasons (mentioned above) are the reason I\'m not whipping out a Positive, and after rereading things there\'s a new reason I\'m not completely satisfied. There is a disturbing lack of clarity in the original paperwork, because everything in that indicates that my original $24.00 payment was for a lifetime membership and not merely a magizine subscription. It would have been much nicer knowing up front that a lifetime membership was much more expensive than that before getting such a large bill slapped on me. Negative bagelow (1 review) On February 24, 2008, bagelow Augusta, GA wrote: I was somehow chosen to be bombarded with junk mailing after junk mailing. I think it was a joke. Neutral jcpaul (3 reviews) On October 15, 2007, jcpaul Alexandria, MN (Zone 3b) wrote: After viewing the magazine on Amazon.com, I subscribed for what turned out to be a two-year subscription (I also thought it was for one year). I have enjoyed the magazine but also agree that it is pretty basic. I especially enjoyed the articles on garden critters and garden design. I resisted signing up for the Lifetime Membership because, after receiving their free hand-held pruner, I realized that their items were not quality products. As a veteran of several book clubs, I was very conscientious about reading all the details of what they sent me, and this prevented a lot of headaches and returns. I did call the company and told them not to send me anything further of any kind without a notice first. The Customer Service Representative was cordial about removing my name from all the different products they mail out (including little porcelain boxes, CDs, books, etc.). I did get about four of their books and felt they were not comprehensive or in-depth enough for my taste and for what they were charging. I still enjoy the magazine (I'm also a gardening magazine fan!) but will not resubscribe when my two-year subscription is up. The customer service representative also asked me if I wanted to sign-on for product testing. I told her that if the products I had already received were an example of the kinds of products they sent out that I was not interested. I never received any products to test that were worth keeping. Soooo, if you sign up for this club/magazine, realize that you are essentially signing up for a series of book and product subscriptions. If you enjoy getting gardening goodies in the mail and especially if you are fairly new to gardening, you might enjoy this group. However, if you are more advanced and only want quality products and in-depth information, you might want to go elsewhere. Negative camellia (3 reviews) On September 26, 2007, camellia Towson, MD wrote: I, too, got their introductory literature. I have been getting bills and phone calls ever since. I asked several of the telemarketers to take my name off the list. Last week I got a notice from a collection agency saying I owed over $200! I sent them a letter disputing the charge. Last night I received another call asking me to "renew" my lifetime subscription. I called them today and the lady said she would take me off the list. We'll see. I also had to wait 15 minutes to talk to a human. Others must be calling as well. She did say that the collection notice would not affect my credit rating. Negative jensings (1 review) On September 18, 2007, jensings Rochester, MN wrote: Stay away from this company. I too was suckered in by the magazine subscription--which I did pay for --(and it's not that great--) but then was asked to become a life time member. I accepted the trial offer wanting to know what it was all about as the material sent never mentioned the cost. Well I found out it was very costly--over 120.00 so I cancelled it right away. I still received many statements for payment and sent back 2 more stating that I wished to cancel. Then the harrassing phone calls started...every week....ONE person actually listened to me when I said that I never signed up for it and it was supposed to be cancel. They said they would check on it. I received another bill and wrote ANOTHER letter.....Well almost 2 years later after I had NOT signed up and roughly 4 months from the last (cancellation) letter, I just received a bill from a collections agency stating that I owe the National Home Gardening club $260.00!!!! I am going to be contacting the Minnesota Business Bureau to follow up on this for me! It looks like they have received 100's of complaints in just the billing category (but not enough to deem it unsatisfactory. Hopefully everyone who has had a bad experience with it, contacted your Better Business Bureau....!! STAY AWAY from this organization and magazine!!!! Negative lafko06 (27 reviews) On September 4, 2007, lafko06 Brimfield, MA (Zone 5a) wrote: This is another company that uses "the ol' switcheroo" by enticing you to join for 1 penny a month and if that weren't enough, you get a free spade and hand hoe for free, just for joining. They really try to hook you by sending you 2 free seed packs (a poppy and something else generic that slips my mind right now) and a package of slow release fertilizer -- about enough to fertilize one seed. Once you send the initial paperwork back, they send you an invoice for 20.00 promising you the potential ability to try fabulous name brand gardening products for free of charge. Ultimately this is a book of the month club. Positive gardeningana (1 review) On September 4, 2007, gardeningana Beaverton, OR wrote: As many of you, I also signed up and received the first book then a bill for $9. The first book I kept and paid for. When the second book arrived, I sent it back right away. However last week a bill for that book arrived and I tried to call only to get a recording that all lines were busy. Today I called customer service again and spoke with Jenine who was helpful in clarifying how the program works. She said they did get the book back and it must have crossed with the bill. She explained that lots of test items and coupons are sent out and book are on trial for 30 days, even if a bill arrives sooner. There is also a pre-paid postage label in the box so the book can be sent back at no cost. She also gave me options such as slowing the frequency that books are sent out, or stopping all shipment of books entirely. To keep life simple, I just had her stop any future books from being sent out. Overall it was a pleasant phone call. Negative LeeChi (3 reviews) On August 20, 2007, LeeChi Lenoir, NC wrote: Just as others here, I learned about this company the hard way. In my case, it's been a little more "Fun" getting away from them. I bought one book, and since it wasn't too bad, I bought another. One year later, I am still receiving bills for that book. I sent them a letter and a copy of the cancelled check showing that I'd paid for the book. In last Saturday's mail, I got a letter from them threatening me with a collection agency if I don't pay for the book I paid for last year. I found a phone number for them and called, trying to straighten out their accounting error. When I put in my account number, I got a recording telling me that it was a "bad account number". Stay as far away from this company as you possibly can! Negative egkvol (1 review) On June 25, 2007, egkvol Knoxville, TN wrote: I was sent a mailer saying "join for $12 a year". They were not clear AT ALL that their minimum membership was two years. When they sent the bill I didn't want to join for two years, so I also tossed it. Not long after that I received a letter saying I would be going to collections (and if you have already paid we must have just crossed in the mail). Well I had already paid, but not as quickly as they wanted. I think that is ridiculous. My sister and mom were members and said it was a good magazine, but it isn't that great. I wouldn't waste my time, and I think I am going to ask for the rest of my money back on my two year subscription. I figure they owe me at least $20 of the $24 back. They are just ugly about things and the products I've seen are crap. I've gotten larger seed packs in the mail from charities asking for money. DON'T DO IT. Negative stickfigure (2 reviews) On April 25, 2007, stickfigure Wallingford, PA wrote: The original trial offer I sighned up for turned out to be a 2+ year comitment . I tried to get out of it but was reported to a callection agency. finally it simply seemed easier to pay the 24$ then go through all the fighing. Positive Mary8 (3 reviews) On April 24, 2007, Mary8 Glenside, PA wrote: My experience for the most part has been positive. I find the articles useful, and I have gotten great tools from the company, although there could be more variety of free seeds. I find the ads helpful, since I place mail orders. I also find the bulletin board very useful. It has general topics, special ones such as roses, and regional areas as well. The only drawback I have found is that the fee for the lifetime membership was not clear when I signed up, but in the end I decided not to cancel it. Negative lcswgardens (1 review) On April 24, 2007, lcswgardens New Carlisle, IN wrote: I too received this company's membership packet and thought it sounded good. Replied without sending money, never received anything they indicated I would receive as part of the trial package except a membership card and two of the "magazines". Both were under 90 pages long, full of ads, and minimal useful information. Much less than what I expected based on the initial mailing. Consequently, I did not pay the "membership fee". Yesterday I received a notice from a "creditors bureau" advising I owed $24. I was quite annoyed. Since I saved the magazines I had a membership number for the company (800-324-8454). Though I remained on hold for over 20 minutes, finally spoke to a live voice, not a pleasant one, told when I didn't pay my membership had been put in a "hibernation" state. Resolved the dispute by taking my name off the acct. within 30 days. I also called the "Creditors Bureau". Never spoke to a live voice chose cancelled the product and the call ended. I can only hope this is over. I agree with others...avoid this company! Negative tbart4 (1 review) On April 21, 2007, tbart4 Farmington, CT wrote: Add me to the list of people caught in this company's deceptive subscription scheme. I signed up for a "free trial membership", received a worthless magazine (which I immediately threw away). Now I too am being dunned for $24.00 membership fees. Avoid these people! Negative liebran (3 reviews) On March 27, 2007, liebran Valencia, PA (Zone 5b) wrote: I was offered a membership in the association and it sounded great, so I paid my $24. Soon after I begain receiving offers for this and that which would have me buying extra things-their encyclopedia and a life time membership-for a fee that may outlast me. After I received a third offer of something from the club, it just seemed to me they were more interested in getting my money for something than helping me with the gardening. With some sadness, I wrote a note asking them to cancel my membership--and I told them why. I am giving a negativel because I am still constantly getting reminders, notes, bills, etc. I keep writing that I quit....hope they get the idea soon. Karen The free trowel they sent to evaluate, bent fairly easily. Negative sw904 (1 review) On March 26, 2007, sw904 The Villages, FL wrote: My wife got a copy of the "Gardening How To" mag in the mail and threw it away after reading it. Now she's getting bills in the mail asking for her "membership" fee. And there's no 800 number to call and yell at them. We don't plan on dealing with them once we can (hopefully) get them to stop billing us. Neutral nevadagdn (114 reviews) On March 16, 2007, nevadagdn Sparks, NV (Zone 7a) wrote: I found a copy of this company's magazine in my doctor's waiting room. The magazine wasn't half bad--I thought I might like to subscribe. Since there wasn't much information on subscribing in the magazine, I went to the website once I got home. I still didn't find the information I wanted--just information on a "trial" membership and that the magazine would cost a dollar a month. I wasn't too sure about that, so I didn't subscribe. Coincidentally, I got some junk mail from the same company a couple of weeks later. I figured that perhaps there I'd find the sort of definite, reassuring list of prices I wanted. Nothing, and I read every scrap of paper in that envelope. Needless to say, I didn't, and won't be subscribing. Given the comments here, I just don't feel comfortable getting tangled up with this company. Negative mrkitty (3 reviews) On March 15, 2007, mrkitty Middletown, CT (Zone 6a) wrote: Joined for what I thought was $12.00 per year. Billed for $24.00 for 2 years. Was contacted about becoming a Life Member. The costs quoted were a come-on. The first book was billed at (about) $10.00. The next two were $29.95 or so. Felt like a bait & switch deal. Contacted them about reverting back to non-life member. Thought all was taken care of. Today I rec'd a small package with big letters stating "Thank you for your Life Membership" !!! After much searching, I found a phone # for them, and hopefully, have successfully cancelled any and all memberships with the "National Home Gardening Club". The magazines were ok, but definately not worth the aggravation. FYI: phone # is: 1-800-324-8454 Negative vanillabush (1 review) On January 19, 2007, vanillabush Seattle, WA wrote: I received an offer in the mail to join and thought it looked interesting. Almost immediately, I started receiving books in the mail every month. I opened the first couple and looked them. They did not have any information I couldn't get from other, more reasonably priced sources. In my opinion, they were very over-priced. I paid for and kept the first two because I'd already opened them. I returned all the books I received after that unopened. Long after I returned the books, I continued to receive bills and "late reminders." I had to call them several times to straighten it out and ask them to stop sending books and take me off their mailing list. After 2 years of receiving no books or bills, I received a rather threatening letter from a collector asserting that I still owed them for one of the books. I would definitely not recommend this company to anyone - it's not worth the hassle. Negative pittipat (1 review) On September 15, 2006, pittipat Atlanta, GA wrote: This company is a scam operation. I signed up for a one-year membership at $12, but received an invoice for 2 years at $24. Not wanting to pay that much for an unknown, and having been given no option (the invoice didn't allow the one-year option), I simply tossed the invoice and figured that would be the end of it. It wasn't. This company has continued to hound me for payment on a regular basis. They have sent harrassing letters and now have turned the mess over to a "collection agency." Trouble is, when I telephone the "collection agency," I'm directed to contact National Home Gardening Club. Trouble is, there's no phone number. And if you try to reach them through their website, you have to log in first. Guess what you have to do to log in? You got it -- join the club and pay the fee. This is a TOTAL SCAM. DO NOT DO BUSINESS WITH THESE PEOPLE. Negative thesehappygold (1 review) On May 23, 2006, thesehappygold Pullman, WA wrote: I became a "lifetime member" for the same reasons many listed here. I was put off because of poor products, never received anything to test, etc.. So I canceled my lifetime membership and got a partial refund, etc... Now, many years later, I just received a letter saying that I owe the company x amount and that it has been sent to a collection agency. I have excellent credit and this really upsets me. I tried to call to straighten out the issue, and my call was refused. This is not just a bad company, it is a dangerous one. In my opinion, DO NOT DEAL WITH THEM. Negative GardenArcher (1 review) On May 18, 2006, GardenArcher Paradise, CA wrote: I find the magazine pretty basic, but interesting on occasion. I became a life member in early December, and have been waiting since that time for my "gift." I have been on the phone to the company at least 6 times, and each time have been given a different story as to the whereabouts of my "tool set." The most recent information is the item is backordered, and there is no estimate on when the item will be sent. I feel I have been scammed, and hope other prospective members take the time to read the feedback on this company before they send them a dime.

Read the rest of the comments

Return to the Garden Watchdog homepage

Learn how to link to this page